%»fvi» 
 
 THOMAS H. SHOEMAKER 
 
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 3 1924 083 812 309 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tliis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924083812309 
 
/^ 
 
 FT.NDLC i IILL 
 LIBRARY 
 

 yW'" 
 
MEMOIR 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 OF 
 
 ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 RICHARD F. MOTT. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 
 1884. 
 
Copyright, 1884, by H. K. HOWELL. 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 The following extracts from E. P. Gurney's ex- 
 tended correspondence are submitted in the belief 
 that their intrinsic value will commend them to the 
 approval of many who appreciate the records of a 
 beautiful and consecrated life. In the pleasant task 
 of selecting from the mass of letters and journals 
 such parts as seemed especially worthy of preserva- 
 tion, the editor desires gratefully to acknowledge the 
 valuable assistance of the relatives and friends of 
 E. P. Gurney, to whom her papers were confided, 
 and at whose request the work was undertaken. 
 Omitting very much that might appear like eulogy, 
 the aim has been to exhibit, as much as possible in 
 her own words and those of her intimate friends, a 
 true portrait of her rounded and symmetrical char- 
 acter. An expression of her friend, J. Bevan Braith- 
 waite, in reference to Joseph John Gurney, seems 
 equally applicable to her : " Letters from others to 
 him, or about him, are likely to be especially valua- 
 
 3 
 
4 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 ble. A Christian, such at least as he. was, describing 
 himself, necessarily dwells upon his infirmities ; he 
 mourns over his shortcomings, and seems hardly 
 conscious of his attainments. Others looking on 
 see the light." 
 
 The many allusions to seasons of affliction and 
 bereavement which these letters contain, may give to 
 the volume a sombre cast not fairly descriptive of the 
 life which it is sought to represent, — a life which, both 
 in Europe and America, was substantially a bright 
 and happy one. E. P. Gurney was by nature and 
 by grace well fitted to take her place in a circle of 
 which one of its members writes Third mo. 15th, 
 1869, urging her return to England: "Though 
 there has been much to try and humble us, thou 
 wouldst not find the family overwhelmed. I think 
 they have a wonderful power of looking at and 
 enjoying present blessings, and rising above sorrow, 
 however deeply it may wound." 
 
 It is hoped that this volume may recall more 
 freshly to the memory of those who knew her, her 
 work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of 
 hope ; and to some who knew her not, may present 
 her as the Christian lady, the thorough and con- 
 scientious Friend, the gifted and faithful minister of 
 the gospel. However she might have shrunk from 
 the exposure of some of these papers, dealing with 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 5 
 
 subjects which seemed to her almost sacred, nothing 
 would have been more grateful to her than the 
 thought that the evidences of her devotion to her 
 blessed Master should continue to extend in widen- 
 ing circles of influence for good after her departure. 
 Diligent as she was in endeavoring to " sow beside 
 all waters," we may trust that 
 
 " Soon or late a time will come 
 
 When witnesses that now are dumb 
 
 * 
 
 With grateful eloquence shall tell 
 
 From whom the seed thus scattered fell," 
 
 and that the sower and the reapers may at last 
 rejoice together in the harvest of the thirty-, the 
 sixty-, or the hundred-fold. 
 
 Burlington, N. J., First mo., i8 
 
MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 OF 
 
 ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Eliza Paul Kirkbride was the fifth daughter of 
 Joseph and Mary Paul Kirkbride, of Philadelphia, 
 and was born in that city Fourth mo. 6th, 1801. 
 
 But few memoranda remain of her early childhood. 
 She attended Friends' Boarding-School at Westtown, 
 Pennsylvania, about three years, from the age of 
 eleven to fourteen. Two of her schoolmates at that 
 time speak of her as being remarkably lovable, 
 and a great favorite with all about her. Of quick 
 perceptions and sanguine temperament, her disposi- 
 tion was characterized in early life by an impulsive- 
 ness almost approaching impatience. Her conclu- 
 sions were rapidly formed, and stated with candor 
 and frankness ; a tendency which, under the subdu- 
 ing influence of Divine grace in later years, con- 
 
8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 tributed largely to her effective service in her field 
 of labor. The free correspondence among the 
 scholars, which was encouraged by the teachers, 
 tended much to promote the ready expression of 
 their feelings, and many of these early friendships 
 continued through life. 
 
 After leaving Westtown, E. P. Kirkbride lived with 
 her sister, Frances M. Shoemaker, in Philadelphia, 
 to whose house she frequently refers as a most happy 
 home. 
 
 The most complete record of this period is con- 
 tained in the following journal, commenced at the 
 Grove, near Norwich, England, in 1857, and con- 
 cluded at West Hill, Burlington, N. J. : 
 
 "At the urgent request of my precious departed 
 friend, H. C. Backhouse, I once penned a brief ac- 
 count of my early life, perhaps two hundred pages, 
 but after it was done, I so shrank from the idea of its 
 falling into the hands of a stranger or some indifferent 
 person who would only criticise it, that I foolishly 
 destroyed it, which I have often regretted since, as 
 the history of my life, if faithfully written, would pre- 
 sent as remarkable instances of the pardoning love 
 and sparing mercies of our heavenly Father as have 
 ever been exhibited in the journal of any individual. 
 How often has He renewed the visitations of His 
 
ELIZA P. G URATE Y. g 
 
 Holy Spirit, and how again and again have I rebelled 
 against Him ! So that truly, in taking a retrospec- 
 tive glance at my past life, while I am bound to ac- 
 knowledge gratefully that unto the Lord our God 
 belong mercies and forgivenesses, I am also con- 
 strained to confess that unto me belongs nothing but 
 shame and confusion of face, for had He not fol- 
 lowed me all my life with His preserving and for- 
 bearing love, where had I been ? ' Kept by the 
 power of God.' Then may I bless and praise His 
 name forever. 
 
 " Among my earliest recollections is the death of 
 my dearest mother, which occurred, I believe, in 
 the year 1807, at which time I was only just six 
 years old ; yet I well remember being carried by the 
 maid into a darkened room to see her dear remains, 
 and also the feeling of childish sympathy which I 
 had with my precious father, whose sad and altered 
 countenance I fancy I can even now recall, after an 
 interval of fifty years. 
 
 " I have also a most vivid recollection of his solemn 
 footfall as he paced with measured steps his solitary 
 chamber, and so strong was my affection for this 
 honored parent, that I can truly say, even to the 
 present time, my heart has ached at seasons in the 
 remembrance of his sufferings at that awful hour. 
 He was devotedly attached to my mother, and she 
 
lO MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 was taken from him, as it were in a moment, in the 
 twinkling of an eye, I believe in her forty-second 
 year, leaving him with seven motherless children, 
 the eldest not yet eighteen years of age. He never 
 fully recovered his spirits after this sore bereave- 
 ment, though he survived her loss about eight years. 
 My eldest sister took charge of the family; those 
 who were old enough were sent to a boarding- 
 school, my younger sister and myself remaining at 
 home. In the course of a year or two, my sister 
 Frances (who had now become a plain Friend) was 
 married to Dr. Shoemaker, and my sister Julia 
 came home from school to keep my father's house. 
 I have a very pleasant impression of my childhood. 
 It certainly was not a time of trial such as I have 
 often heard this period of life described by others. 
 My father was very indulgent, though firm in his 
 treatment of us, and I remember always feeling it my 
 pleasure as well as duty to obey him. To the best 
 of my recollection, he never reproved me but once. 
 When a very little girl, I had thrown myself on the 
 floor in a pet, and was crying away tremendously, 
 when he observed with perfect quietness, and yet 
 somewhat upbraidingly, ' Don't be a booby.' 
 
 "I never shall forget the effect of this rebuke: it 
 calmed me instantly ; and naughty as I may have 
 been when out of sight, I think my father never saw 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. jj 
 
 me in a pet again. Bright is my recollection of my 
 early home, a sunny, pleasant house on the green 
 bank of the majestic Delaware, with a long grassy 
 walk under fine dark, spreading cedars. The gar- 
 dens and the. orchards, too, I well remember, and the 
 large cellars filled with rosy apples, nuts, sweet cider, 
 and various other tempting articles, the fragrance of 
 which I perfectly recall, even at this long distance of 
 time. Well do I remember, too, the joy in the house 
 on my sisters' return from boarding-school. Indeed, 
 I think a brighter or a happier family party could 
 not well be found. We had few associates in the 
 neighborhood, but our friends and connections in the 
 city were frequently with us, and I may truly say we 
 were never lonely. My eldest sister was settled 
 happily at Frankford, about two miles distant, and 
 delightful it was to welcome her and her 'belong- 
 ings' to the homestead, — a pleasure which we fre- 
 quently enjoyed. How often have I watched and 
 waited at the window, with the greatest eagerness, to 
 see their carriage drive up to the door, and seized 
 the first dear little niece with fear and trembling lest 
 somebody should rob me of the treasure ! With the 
 exception of my maternal grandmother, my grand- 
 parents were deceased before my memory, perhaps 
 before my birth, but well and vividly do I recall my 
 aged grandmamma as she sat by her drawing-room 
 
12 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 window with knitting in hand, the picture of peaceful 
 content and quiet happiness. Vividly, too, do I re- 
 call the cupboard in which she kept all sorts of 
 tempting things, and how the pulses of my heart 
 were quickened when she unlocked its stores. I 
 think I see her now, the dear old lady, looking so 
 dignified and yet so sweet and kind, her house a 
 perfect pattern of good order, neatness, and (my im- 
 pression is) of simple elegance. She was in fact a 
 model housekeeper ; possessing but a moderate in- 
 come, she lived in real comfort. My uncle, Joseph 
 Paul, a widower, resided with her and her two single 
 daughters, Sarah and Martha; the former a most sen- 
 sible, superior person, but rather deaf and in a deep 
 decline, which lasted several years. I well remem- 
 ber hearing of her peaceful close during my stay at 
 boarding-school ; and sincere was the sorrow I felt 
 at the loss of this beloved and honored relative. In 
 1825 my uncle Paul was united in marriage to Han- 
 nah Lewis, a very valuable Friend and elder, who 
 served as clerk to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for 
 more than twenty years. They were betrothed in 
 1820, a little while before dear William Forster's 
 visit to America ; but, as he wished my uncle to 
 accompany him in the long pilgrimage through 
 our land, the marriage was deferred five years, — 
 surely a striking instance of self-sacrifice. My uncle, 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. j^ 
 
 Joseph Paul, then took his place as guardian to 
 his mother, and all these days are full of pleasant 
 memories. Both my maternal uncles, John and Jo- 
 seph Paul, stood high in the estimation of the com- 
 munity. A valued Friend once remarked to me, 
 'There are no two men in Philadelphia whom I 
 would place before them for integrity and conscien- 
 tiousness,' and I believe they well deserve this good 
 opinion. But I am anticipating, and must go back 
 a little in my history. 
 
 "I was born in Philadelphia in 1801, and shortly 
 afterwards my parents removed to Chalkley Hall, 
 — the former residence of Thomas Chalkley, — two 
 or three miles from Bridesburg, which then became 
 the happy home of our family for sixteen years, — a 
 home to which my young heart clung with great 
 tenacity. We sometimes spent our winters in Phil- 
 adelphia, when I was sent to a very good school 
 kept by Elizabeth Cox and her daughters ; one of 
 whom told me some time afterwards she well re- 
 membered me a, very straight, proud-looking child, 
 to whom she was at times almost afraid to speak, 
 though I could only have been eight or nine years 
 old. This certainly was a mistake, as I am quite 
 unconscious of ever having such a feeling in my 
 heart; and I believe that what she called pride must 
 have been a natural timidity. 
 
14 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESrONDENCE OF 
 
 "Towards the last of 1810 I was sent to Westtown 
 School, where four of the family had been educated 
 before me, and my sister Harriet remained another 
 year, till my only younger sister was ready to join 
 me. Here I spent three years very happily, and 
 probably should have continued longer but for the 
 serious illness of my precious father, which ended in 
 his death in 1816. My sister Julia and myself were 
 his constant attendants, and she had the true comfort 
 of witnessing his triumphant close, of which I was my- 
 self deprived in consequence of the illness and death 
 of my sister Shoemaker's little babe,— a circumstance 
 which I think I may say I have never since ceased 
 to regret. It would have been such an especial priv- 
 ilege to hear him speak of his perfect trust in his 
 God and Saviour, and declare with his dying breath 
 that ' he would not exchange the sweet feeling of 
 peace which filled his heart at that solemn moment 
 for all the gold of Ophir.' My sister called it a 
 blessed translation, and said it seemed as if the 
 gates of heaven were opened to receive him. A few 
 months after this our family dispersed. My brother 
 John married, and brought his bride to our dear old 
 home ; my sisters, Julia, Harriet, Sally Ann, and 
 myself going to Philadelphia to live with our mar- 
 ried sisters, Frances M. Shoemaker and Mary Ann 
 Williams. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 IS 
 
 " Soon after, my sister Harriet was married to A. 
 M. Howell, a son of Arthur Howell (a well-known 
 minister of the Society of Friends), and her house 
 became my home until her death, some six years 
 afterwards, when she was taken from her husband 
 and three lovely boys, in the twenty-sixth year of 
 her age. Her disease was consumption, and it was 
 very instructive to observe the wonderful change 
 that was made by long-protracted suffering in this 
 once gay and joyous being, whose life seemed al- 
 most like perpetual sunshine, until, in His tender 
 mercy, the Lord was pleased to bring her low and 
 let her see herself as she was seen of Him. After 
 passing through a baptism of suffering such as I 
 never witnessed in any other instance, her purified 
 spirit was suddenly introduced into the glorious 
 light and liberty of the children of God. The pat- 
 tering rain was music in her ears, the balmy breezes 
 like the breath of heaven, and she called upon us 
 all in the most earnest and solemn manner to praise 
 the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful 
 works to the children of men. 
 
 "After her death I had a truly pleasant and con- 
 genial home with my beloved and honored uncle, 
 Joseph Paul, who acted the part of a loving and 
 tender father until, in 1829, he finished his course 
 with joy, and through the riches of redeeming 
 
1 6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 mercy his gentle spirit was united to the just of all 
 generations, washed and made white in the precious 
 blood of the Lamb." 
 
 In 1827, E. P. Kirkbride entered into an engage- 
 ment of marriage with John L. Howell, of Fancy 
 Hill, near Woodbury, N. J., and a future of great 
 promise appeared to await them. Of her appear- 
 ance and character at this time, one of J. L. Howell's 
 nieces writes : 
 
 " I know when I was a little child your dear aunt 
 was constantly at our house in Philadelphia; she was 
 so lovely that they used to laugh at my silent admi- 
 ration of her. I can recall, even after all these years, 
 my going to the nursery and telling them that 
 ' Uncle John's pretty Kirkbride was down-stairs to 
 tea.' Then she was so gay and full of bright and 
 happy spirits." 
 
 J. L. Howell was a young man of fine character 
 and promise, and attractive social qualities. Their 
 bright prospects, however, were soon clouded by his 
 failiag health; and before the close of 1828 their 
 hopes of earthly happiness were ended by his death. 
 The letter proceeds : 
 
 " My uncle died in 1828. Your dear aunt went 
 down to Fancy Hill after his death, and was with my 
 grandma some time. They were such a comfort to 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 17 
 
 each other ; and then began the change and deepen- 
 ing in her religious views, which finally ripened into 
 the perfect character of that long and lovely life." 
 
 A long period elapsed before E. P. Kirkbride was 
 enabled to rise above this crushing sorrow ; but bow- 
 ing submissively to the stroke, she could at length 
 acknowledge that it was in wisdom that she had 
 been afflicted, and that infinite mercy had been 
 largely mingled with the bitter cup. Her own lan- 
 guage was, — 
 
 " Hush ! hush ! my thoughts are resting on a changeless world of bliss ; 
 There is no voice of gladness now can lure them back to this ; 
 I look to Thee, Redeemer ! Oh, be every crime forgiven, 
 And take the weary captive to Thy paradise in Heaven : 
 Or teach my heart resignedly to say ' Thy will be done,' 
 And calmly wait Thy summons home. Thou just and Holy One ! 
 Thou mayst have spoiled my cherished schemes, to let my spirit see 
 That happiness is only found, great God ! in serving Thee." 
 
 In 1830, Hannah C. Backhouse, a valuable minister 
 from England, accompanied by her husband, Jona- 
 than Backhouse, came to this country on an extended 
 mission of gospel love, visiting most of the settle- 
 ments of Friends in the United States and Canada 
 during a period of nearly five years. E. P. Kirk- 
 bride early became deeply interested in the public 
 services and personal attractions of this dear friend, 
 
 and the mutual attachment which sprang up between 
 
 2* 
 
1 8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 them continued through life with unabated warmth, 
 and exerted a powerful influence in determining the 
 course of active Christian duty upon which E. P. K. 
 thenceforward entered. 
 
 The exercises of her mind at this time are indi- 
 cated by the following letters to her friend : 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 WooDBURNE, Fifth mo. 23d, 1 83 1. 
 'Tis in accordance with thy kind request, my 
 dearest friend, and truly so with my own inclination, 
 that I embrace an early opportunity of thus renewing 
 the delightful intercourse which, for the few short 
 days that we sojourned together, yielded to me at 
 least such new and pure and heartfelt happiness. 
 Oh, may I never lose the grateful recollection of my 
 heavenly Father's tenderness and care in causing 
 me, in my first steppings in the narrow path which 
 He marked out for me, to meet with one on whom 
 He has so bounteously bestowed the gift of healing 
 and of binding up the broken heart! Ah, no ! though 
 rough and rugged be my future course, the memory 
 of this sweet "brook by the way" which He pre- 
 pared for me will often steal across my troubled 
 soul, refreshing, strengthening it and filling it with 
 gratitude to God. I had an almost silent journey 
 home, my precious friend, and when I stepped on 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. iq 
 
 the piazza my heart grew faint within me at the 
 thought of the sad change a day had made in our 
 late pleasant habitation ; but in a moment I distinctly 
 heard the sweet assurance sounding in my ear, " In 
 quietness and confidence shall be thy strength ; in 
 returning and in rest thou shalt be saved," and it 
 comforted and supported me unspeakably. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 WooDBURNE, Fifth mo. 23d, 1 83 1. 
 Oh, the joy, the peace, in trusting and believing! 
 Truly, my beloved friend, words fail me in the atternpt 
 to prove my thankfulness to thee for all the sweet 
 encouragement thou hast held up to me to leave all 
 else and follow only Him, whose service I am confi- 
 dent must be entire freedom, perfect liberty. The 
 world has ever been a hard taskmaster to all who 
 have enlisted in its service, to me it was the worst of 
 tyrants, for where I serve at all, it is with my whole 
 undivided heart, and truly I have found my recom- 
 pense for such devoted servitude to be a chalice full 
 of gall and bitterness. To-day I feel more settled, 
 and the view before me seems a more unclouded one 
 than I have ever known before. Pray for me, dearest 
 friend ; pray that my faith fail not. 
 
 Soon after the date of this letter, at H. C. B.'s 
 
20 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 particular request, E. P. K. accompanied her to New 
 England Yearly Meeting, and continued with her till 
 the last of the Seventh mo. But on returning to 
 Philadelphia, some Friends thought it would be neces- 
 sary to have a minute from the Monthly Meeting if 
 she proceeded farther ; and as she did not feel pre- 
 pared to ask for this, a very valuable friend and elder 
 (but quite a stranger to H. C. B.) offered her services, 
 and set out with J. and H. C. B. to Ohio Yearly 
 Meeting. 
 
 While thus separated, E. P. Kirkbride wrote fre- 
 quently and with great openness to H. C. B. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C, B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Eighth mo. 27th, 1831. 
 How gently does our gracious Master deal with 
 us! how easy does He make hard things appear! 
 Last First day morning I put on my plain drab bon- 
 net, and though I cannot say it was a cross to me, I 
 could not help but feel it was a solemn thing to make 
 profession as it were to the world that I was follow- 
 ing a meek and crucified Redeemer, and my whole 
 soul did supplicate that both in word and deed I 
 might be thoroughly consistent, wholly uniform. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 21 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Ninth mo. 21st, 1831. 
 
 Pray for me, dearest friend, pray that I may be 
 kept from day to day ; for, truly, I have nothing in 
 myself that can preserve even for a single hour. Oh, 
 I do sometimes shrink froni treading in the untried 
 path that is before me now, feeling I have no might, 
 no power of my own, and that my steppings at the 
 present time are awfully important to my future 
 peace ! May an omniscient God watch over me 
 continually, for He alone can make us dwell in 
 safety ! 
 
 I think this separation has been good for both of 
 us. I am sure it has been for me, and I believe that 
 when we meet again, though thou wilt be as dear to 
 me as thou hast ever been, yet my affection for thee 
 will be better regulated, and all things brought into 
 much better order. It was very sweet to me, when 
 friends were interceding for thy children, that thy 
 heart affectionately included me; truly, I do feel 
 thou hast a right to call me so, for if I am but faith- 
 ful to what thou hast shown me to be right, thou 
 wilt have done far more for me than any earthly 
 friend has ever done ; if, under grace, I owe thee my 
 eternal happiness or my hope of it, no wonder thou 
 art dear to me, even as my own soul. 
 
22 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B, 
 
 Philadelphia, First mo. 6lh, 1832. 
 My beloved Mother, — The entire spirit of thy 
 last sweet letter, dated the 30th of Eleventh mo., is 
 so decidedly maternal that, having just concluded 
 reading it, I felt constrained to address thee by 
 this most endearing of all appellations ; and, as thou 
 sayest, I feel so much like an adopted child to thee, 
 I am persuaded that I could not love thee more if 
 thou in very truth hadst been my mother. Some- 
 times, indeed, I have feared thou hast too great a 
 hold on my affections ; and yet I verily believe that, 
 truly kind as thou hast been to me, and much, too, 
 as our tastes assimilate and all our feelings are in 
 unison, I love thee more for thy devotedness to 
 the service of our blessed Lord than for any other 
 cause. Oh, may our union ever be in Him ! begun 
 in Time, perfected in Eternity. 
 
 Soon after the last letter was penned J. and 
 H. C. B. returned to Philadelphia to attend the 
 Yearly Meeting, at the conclusion of which E. P. K. 
 obtained a minute from her Monthly Meeting to ac- 
 company her beloved friejid through the remainder 
 of her mission to this country, if Truth should open 
 the way. Accordingly, in the Fifth mo. they set 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 23 
 
 out for Virginia, and, after spending some weeks in 
 the neighborhood of Richmond (Indiana), including 
 the attendance of the Yearly Meeting there, they 
 proceeded to New England, where they remained 
 many months visiting families, holding meetings, etc. 
 The providential escape from death noted in the 
 following letter occurred during this visit : 
 
 E. P. K. to her Sister. 
 
 Yarmouth, Mass., Second mo., 1833. 
 ... J. Backhouse having left us near Sandwich 
 last First day to attend some Quarterly Meetings to 
 the East, we slept together, and early in the evening 
 asked the friend with whom we lodged if she could 
 let us have a fire in our chamber, to which she an- 
 swered that there had never been one, and she 
 thought the chimney, being new, would very likely 
 smoke, but she would put a pan of coals on the 
 hearth and make us comfortable. The pan or fur- 
 nace was a large one, and we went to bed feeling the 
 room was warm, but not the least suspecting there 
 was danger. We soon fell asleep, and about twelve 
 o'clock H. C. B. woke me, saying she was very faint, 
 and begging me to raise the window quickly. I 
 instantly sprang out of bed, but found I was myself 
 so nearly gone I had to throw myself against the 
 wall to keep from falling, and soon perceiving by 
 
24 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 the shortness and suspension of her breath that she 
 had fainted quite, fright gave me strength, and as I 
 was in total darkness and could not find the door, I 
 pounded with my elbows on the wall until my 
 strength gave out and I fell senseless on the floor. 
 The noise, however, had aroused our hostess, and 
 coming up to our door, she thought she heard us 
 whispering within, and thinking all was safe, con- 
 cluded she would not disturb us ; but as she turned 
 to go down-stairs, she felt so uneasy she came 
 quickly back again, and opening the door, let in the 
 air, and thus restored that breath and life to us 
 which, had she not returned, might possibly have 
 been extinct forever. It was the most awfully alarm- 
 ing night I ever knew. I feel we have been merci- 
 fully cared for, and are bound to acknowledge grate- 
 fully the guardian care of that all-seeing eye which 
 slurfibers not. 
 
 In the spring of 1833, E. P. Kirkbride paid a visit to 
 her friends in Philadelphia, leaving H. C. B. at Provi- 
 dence under the care of William and Anna Jenkins. 
 
 In the Fifth mo. she rejoined her beloved friend 
 in New England, and continued with her till the 
 autumn of 1835, when H. C. B. returned to England, 
 having visited seventeen States of the Union and 
 spent eight months in Upper Canada. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 25 
 
 Their correspondence was steadily maintained 
 during the next two years. 
 
 E. P. K, to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Eleventh mo. 20th, 1835. 
 Unfaithfulness ! oh, what a clog it is ! how easy 
 to resolve, how hard to execute ! In looking back 
 upon our journey, and writing bitter things against 
 myself, which I invariably do when so employed, 
 the thought of Peter has a little cheered me. How 
 quick he was to promise, though all should be 
 offended because of their blessed Lord, yet would he 
 never be, and when informed by Him who knew the 
 heart, " Before the cock crow twice thou shalt deny 
 me thrice,'' he spoke vehemently, " Though I die 
 with thee I will not deny thee." Yet when his 
 Master's soul was sorrowful, even unto death (di- 
 rectly after this), and He commanded him to watch 
 and pray, we find he slept because his eyes were 
 heavy. What must his feelings ' at that hour have 
 been when his Lord tenderly rebuked him thus : 
 " Simon, sleepest thou ? couldst thou not watch with 
 me one hour?" Then as though feeling for our 
 great infirmities : " The spirit indeed is willing but 
 the flesh is weak." And when he denied Him and 
 his Lord turned round and looked upon him, no 
 wonder he went out and wept so bitterly. It does 
 
 3 
 
26 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 not seem to me an upbraiding look, but rather one 
 that said, "Ah, Simon, I knew thee better than 
 thou knew thyself, and I have suffered thee to be 
 thus tempted that thou mightest be thoroughly ac- 
 quainted with the weakness and depravity of thine 
 own heart, and know that of thyself thou canst in- 
 deed do nothing." 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Twelfth mo. 26tli, 1835. 
 To-day my mind is stayed and quieted in a sweet 
 feeling that the world gives not, under the precious 
 influence of which we are enabled to feel gratitude 
 of heart for every dispensation that we have to pass 
 through, however painful some of these may be, trust- 
 ing they tend to forward us upon our journey to 
 that state of fixedness where disappointment and 
 anxiety can never come. In this sweet sense of 
 resignation to our Father's will the mind can form 
 a truer estimate of the brief moment that we tarry 
 here, the transitory nature of our griefs and joys, 
 and though it be but through a glass and darkly, 
 have some faint glimpses of that better world whose 
 joys are perfect and eternal too. Here, my sweet 
 friend, we may at least believe (if we continue in the 
 blessed Truth) we'll meet again, to part (oh, joyful 
 thought !) no more forever. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 27 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, First mo. 8lh, 1836. 
 . . . Oh, truly, it will be a comfort when we can 
 settle down in harmony and quiet once again, and 
 feel that we indeed " owe no man anything but to 
 love one another !" My prayer has been for thee, my 
 precious friend, that thou mayst still be kept in that 
 pavilion which truly is above the strife of tongues, 
 in which thou hast assuredly found safety during 
 thy tarriance on our shores even in a very dark and 
 cloudy day. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, First mo. 17th, 1836. 
 . . . Do, dearest, in thy low, discouraged moments, 
 think of this : remember that in working righte- 
 ousness thou art doing only half of thy allotted 
 business, for the Apostle's exhortation is " Rejoice 
 alway." The Psalmist bids the righteous not only 
 be glad, but shout for joy. I do not know why I 
 have written thus, but I have often longed thou 
 mightest be more unvaryingly cheerful, and not 
 write bitter things against thyself For in the 
 tabernacles of the righteous we are told the voice 
 of gladness and rejoicing is, — so surely it may be 
 heard in yours. 
 
28 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B., on the Decease of her 
 Youngest Son, Henry. 
 
 Philadelphia, Fifth mo. 29th, 1836. 
 
 I have received thy sweet though tenderly affect- 
 ing letter, my own dear friend, and truly you have 
 had my heartfelt sympathy, for this I am sure has 
 been no light affliction. 
 
 Oh, how my heart has ached for each and all of 
 you ! But, my dear friend, I have also rejoiced in 
 that the God of all true consolation has been mani- 
 festly near, enabling, in a furnace such as this, to 
 glorify His great and holy name. Oh, you have 
 proved indeed " The Lord is good, a stronghold in 
 the day of trouble, and that He knoweth those who 
 trust in Him !" How precious must have been the 
 seasons round the bed of death ! Oh, I remember 
 such among the most rejoicing of my life ! Yes, 'tis 
 at favored moments such as these the awful veil 
 which seems to cover the eternal world, in pity to 
 our weakness, is uplifted, and we behold as with the 
 eye of faith " the heavens opened, and the Son of 
 man, Jesus our Mediator, sitting on the right hand 
 of God;" and then while burdened with infirmities 
 and feeling that we have no righteousness of our 
 own to trust to, these glorious truths with sweet 
 appropriation are in love brought home to us : " It 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 29 
 
 is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanseth from all 
 sin ;" " He is the resurrection and the life; they that 
 believe in Him shall nev.er die." We seem as for the 
 first time to comprehend the blessed import of the in- 
 vocation of the Son of God, and feel that the believers 
 in His name, though parted for a little season here, 
 will, in a world that is unchangeable, unite again, for- 
 ever and forever, to ascribe high praises unto God 
 and to the Lamb : " Father, I will that they whom 
 Thou hast given me be with me where I am ;" " I 
 pray for them ;" " As Thou in me and I in Thee, 
 that they, O Father, may be one in us." 
 
 How sweet to think of your beloved boy retiring 
 daily to renew his strength ! Oh, my dear friends, 
 the wing of heavenly goodness has surely over- 
 spread the precious lambs whom you committed to 
 your Master's care, and His own promise has been 
 sweetly verified : " Leave your fatherless children ; I 
 will preserve them alive ;" for I believe it embraces 
 those who for a little period are made orphans for 
 His own Truth's sake, and that it has been wonder- 
 fully fulfilled to such as are made permanently so, in 
 wisdom infinite although inscrutable, thousands can 
 testify, and my own heart does at this moment 
 witness to the fact, my own dear, precious friend, 
 remembering all that thou hast been to me. 
 
 3* 
 
30 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 In 1836, in response to urgent and repeated invi- 
 tations, E. P. Kirkbride paid a visit to H. C. Back- 
 house, in England, and while there accompanied her 
 in a religious visit to Scotland and the north of Eng- 
 land. She thus describes her first visit to Earlham, 
 afterwards the centre of such deep and varied in- 
 terests to her, in company with Elizabeth Fry, the 
 sister of Joseph John Gurney : 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Grove, Fourth mo. 1837. 
 But I must tell you of our day at Earlham ; in the 
 first place thy cousin Fry was there, and I did thor- 
 oughly enjoy her company. Directly after we had 
 taken off our bonnets she said she must show me all 
 the interests, and we sallied forth. The first sight of 
 Earlham, a place of which one has heard so long and 
 so much, is something like the first view of Niagara, 
 rather overpowering, especially after reading Priscilla 
 Gurney's journal, and I can scarcely tell thee what 
 my feelings were when dear Elizabeth Fry showed 
 me the likeness of her father and described him to 
 me, told me how many happy days they had enjoyed 
 together, what varied scenes they had since witnessed 
 there, and pointed out the room in which poor Mary 
 Gurney closed her eyes forever upon the loving circle 
 and bright scene around her. I trust that my reflec- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 31 
 
 tions altogether, though of a serious kind, were not 
 unprofitable. Often, in hearing of that family being 
 left so young without a mother's tender but restrain- 
 ing influence, without the gentle government by 
 love, which none except a mother knows how to ex- 
 ercise, I have been reminded of the lively group that 
 used to circle round my father's hearth ; and now, re- 
 membering how dispersed and scattered were the 
 happy band whose merry voices had in other days 
 resounded joyously within these walls, it brought 
 before me rather painfully our own changed, broken 
 household and deserted home. 
 
 First, I must tell thee I thought it quite a " place," 
 admired the old house and grounds exceedingly, and 
 think that when the foliage is on the trees it must 
 be beautiful. Whilst E. F. was conducting me up- 
 stairs she stopped abruptly and exclaimed, " How 
 very strange that I should show thee Earlham, and 
 how very pleasant too !" I told her it was truly so 
 to.me, and she assured me with her wonted kindness 
 that meeting me had been a bright spot in her visit 
 here, and that no one before had half so much en- 
 couraged her about her brother's going to America. 
 Now don't begin to think I am in danger of being 
 hurt by all these kind expressions. I have had some 
 experience in life and learned to weigh things in, I 
 believe, a pretty just and equal balance, and it is not 
 
32 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 enough to think what things are said, but who has 
 said them, too. Thus dear E. F., out of the abundant 
 kindness of her heart, says very much that frail hu- 
 manity likes well to hear, but which indeed means 
 nothing more than what my dear and truthful friend 
 H. C. B. would sum up, in her own laconic style, in 
 one or two abrupt sentences. 
 
 After a delightful and comforting visit, E. P. Kirk- 
 bride returned to America in the Seventh mo., 1837. 
 Joseph John Gurney, of Norwich, crossed in the 
 same vessel, in pursuance of a prospect of extensive 
 religious service, for which he had been liberated 
 by his friends. The wide experience which E. P. 
 Kirkbride had gained during her long travels with 
 H. C. Backhouse enabled her to give valuable in- 
 formation and counsel to J. J. Gurney respecting the 
 prosecution of his journey over very similar ground. 
 Arrived in Philadelphia, she resumed an active cor- 
 respondence with H. C. Backhouse and her now 
 largely-extended circle of English friends. Her 
 letters bear testimony to the deepening work of 
 Divine grace in her soul, and her earnest desire to 
 submit herself wholly to its purifying and renewing 
 power. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 33 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Twelfth mo. 9th, 1837. 
 Thy earnest wishes for me were truly sweet to me, 
 and I may say to thee, the fervent breathing of my 
 spirit is that the whole will of my Almighty Father 
 may be done, and that He may enable me to glorify 
 His holy name, be it by life or death. I never felt 
 so free from all anxiety about the future, nor less 
 disposed to carve and plan and fashion for myself, 
 trusting that He who has so gently dealt with me 
 my whole life long will still direct my steps. My 
 spirit is at times contrited in me under a sense of 
 His preserving care, which has so sweetly sheltered 
 me thus far from many of the rougher ills of life 
 which flesh is heir to, and which I feel I could so ill 
 bear. ' 'Tis true I have seen some dull and cloudy 
 days, but in the darkest hour I have known " a bow 
 of promise sweetly spanned the storm," — not prom- 
 ise truly of bright moments here, but of a better 
 and a happier home prepared for the redeemed, for 
 those who, serving faithfully their Lord, can with the 
 eye of faith look past the night of gloominess and 
 woe to where the morning dawns without a cloud. 
 May we be found, my very precious friend, among 
 the unnumbered multitude who worship there, and 
 
34 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 join in hallelujahs unto Him who sitteth on the 
 throne and to the Lamb forever. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Fourth mo. 2ist, 1838. 
 
 During a family sitting at my brother's house, a 
 highly-gifted minister addressed me very remarkably 
 in language of which I give thee an abstract: 
 
 " I feel it no light matter to address thee, my 
 endeared sister, being deeply impressed with the 
 conviction that thou art under the preparing hand 
 of thy God, that He is fitting thee for a remarkable 
 service in His Church and family. I do not know 
 how it has been with thee in early days, but my im- 
 pression is thou hast been under the especial, provi- 
 dential, and preserving care of thy Almighty Father 
 all thy life long, that He has visited thy soul in very 
 early life with His day-spring from on high, and 
 given thee to see and to admire the beauty and the 
 excellency, of the truth as it is in Jesus ; and though 
 thou sometimes may have turned thy back upon 
 His visitations, which since has caused thee deep 
 humiliation before the Lord, at others I believe the 
 language of thy spirit was " If I forget thee, O Jeru- 
 salem,' " etc. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 35 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Fifth mo. 17th, 1838. 
 Oh, how I long for thy soothing sympathy ! and 
 were it not for a sustaining sense which has at times 
 been mercifully given me that we all have a glorious 
 High Priest, touched with a feeling of our great in- 
 firmities, who does compassionate our low estate, I 
 think I should have fainted by the way. But very 
 sweet have been the consolations of His holy spirit, 
 even in proportion, I have sometimes thought, to my 
 entire destitution of all outward aid. Oh, it is good 
 for us, I do believe, thus to be thrown singly upon 
 the love and power of God, that He may satisfy the 
 thirsting soul with the pure pleasures of an endless 
 life, at least a very blessed foretaste of them, on 
 which it is sustained for many days. Such, I may 
 say to thee, has been my sweet experience of latter 
 time, and never have I felt my will so swallowed up 
 in earnest prayer that the Divine will may alone be 
 done, whether for joy or sorrow, life or death, finding 
 a home with thee, or seeing thy dear face again no 
 more. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 WooDBURN, Seventh mo. 28th, 1838. 
 
 " May the Lord lift up the light of His countenance 
 upon thee and give thee peace," as well I know that 
 
36 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 only in Him canst thou enjoy peace. The perfect 
 quietude and deep tranquillity of my own spirit are 
 cause of astonishment to myself; knowing such feel- 
 ings usually betoken an approaching storm, they 
 make me feel a good deal serious, but all anxiety 
 about the morrow seems mercifully to be taken from 
 me. A few days since, on waking from a nap, one of 
 those fearful thoughts about the future that used to 
 cause me such uneasiness flashed through my mind, 
 but in a moment these words appeared to be dis- 
 tinctly uttered, " It is in the kands of the Lord," and 
 a confiding trust that He would order all things well 
 stilled every feeling of anxiety. This surely is the 
 working of Almighty power, for of myself I am a 
 very coward, and dare not face a single adverse 
 storm. He " who tempers the wind to the shorn 
 lamb" only knows what the dread of them has cost 
 me, and for awhile has graciously withdrawn it. 
 " Let all flesh bless His holy name forever." 
 
 During this year E. P. Kirkbride first appeared 
 publicly in supplication and ministry at her own 
 meeting. She thus describes the exercises of her 
 mind in contemplating this requirement, and the 
 peace which followed her obedience to the call : 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 37 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 WooDBURN, Eighth mo. i8th, 1838. 
 
 Thou knowest that I told thee some years ago I 
 had such an insurmountable and fearful dread of 
 having to appear in public as a minister. I often 
 prayed my life might be accepted in the place of this 
 to me far costlier sacrifice. I cannot say what suffer- 
 ing the thought of this requiring has often caused 
 me. After a time, however, it abated, and I became 
 almost indifferent upon the subject; but for a few 
 months past, may I confess to thee, my foster-mother, 
 I have almost longed to tell of the redeeming love 
 and mercy of my heavenly Father to my own poor 
 soul. The language of my heart has often been, 
 " Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show 
 forth Thy praise." Do tell me what thou thinks of 
 such a change. I am sometimes almost ready to 
 conclude the will has been accepted for the deed, 
 and that no more will be required of me. I dreamed 
 the other night that, in great weakness and sim- 
 plicity, I uttered a few sentences in meeting, and, oh 1 
 the full sweet tide of holy joy that flowed into my 
 bosom afterward ! 
 
38 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Ninth mo. 17th, 1838. 
 Oh, if I could but live in some snug spot, with just 
 a few dear-loved, congenial friends about me, I should 
 be quite as happy as 'twere safe to be ,' but I have 
 sometimes thought in my formation the nerves were 
 left without the usual shield, and being thus exposed 
 and unprotected, so surely as I come into the bust- 
 ling world again so sure are they to get some fear- 
 ful jar. Oh, most assuredly if, through the match- 
 less mercy of my heavenly Father, I ever wear the 
 ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, no one of all 
 His rational creation can have more cause to give 
 Him all the glory, for the infirmities of flesh and 
 spirit were never made more manifest in any crea- 
 ture. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Tenth mo. 8th, 1838. 
 Well, my dear friend, in our large morning meet- 
 ing yesterday thy unworthy child was constrained (as 
 she believes, by the love of Christ) to supplicate the 
 throne of grace, and was enabled, not surely by any 
 might of her own, but by the power of the Highest, 
 to do it calmly and distinctly. Praised be His holy 
 name forever ! I went to meeting without any ap- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^g 
 
 prehension of such a requiring at that time, but in 
 a little while the impression on my mind was very 
 strong that if I left the meeting without making a 
 surrender I should suffer for unfaithfulness, and I 
 besought my heavenly Father to give me some un- 
 equivocal intimation that it was indeed His own 
 requisition, and that this was the period for yielding 
 to it, which, in gracious condescension to my weak- 
 ness I believe, He was pleased to do. M. A. Loyd 
 soon rose, observing that if some present were fully 
 faithful she believed their lips would be touched 
 with a live coal from the altar, then spoke of the 
 danger of delay, quoting the passage, "To-day, if ye 
 will hear His voice," etc., and ending with that beau- 
 tiful verse in Isaiah : " Look upon Zion, the city of 
 our solemnities ; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a 
 quiet habitation," etc. As soon as she took her seat 
 I felt that I must give up, and truly I may say that 
 from that moment to this my heart has overflowed 
 with love and peace and gratitude to Him who won- 
 derfully condescends to make hard things easy and 
 bitter things sweet; nay, I might almost say that 
 which my soul loathed has become my pleasant 
 food. But, oh! my mother in the truth, I cannot 
 describe the sense of awfulness which has been and 
 still is the covering of my spirit, — the holy fear (may 
 I not call it so) of proving, by an inconsistent walk 
 
40 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 or any deviation from the narrow path, a stumbling- 
 block instead of a way-mark to Zion, Pray for me 
 that I may be kept as at the feet of Jesus, and that 
 the preserving fear of God may encompass me about 
 from hour to hour, for herein only there is perfect 
 safety. Oh, how 1 longed for thee yesterday ! I 
 thought thy sympathy would be so sweet to me. 
 But yet I do believe it is all rightly ordered ; better 
 I should be cast alone upon that Power which can 
 and has sustained me, enabling me to adopt the lan- 
 guage of the dear Redeemer (even in the midst of 
 much apparent destitution), " And yet I am not alone, 
 for the Father is with me;" "And where He vital 
 breathes, there must be joy." So do not be con- 
 cerned about me. I have many kind friends here, 
 and several have already been to see me, and thou 
 knowest His promise is that " no good thing will He 
 withhold from those that love Him." Oh, that I 
 may be enabled to do so with my whole heart and 
 mind and strength, that so at the conclusion of my 
 mortal pilgrimage, having kept the faith, I may re- 
 ceive the blessed sentence of " Well done, enter 
 thou into the joy of thy Lord." I do not wish to 
 dwell much longer upon the subject, for I believe it 
 will not be profitable to my own mind, but I will 
 just say that much of my time was spent in my own 
 room yesterday, and though I passed some wakeful 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY.. 
 
 41 
 
 hours in the night, they were extremely quiet ones, 
 nay, almost joyful. I must also tell thee that at the 
 last little meeting I attended at Woodburn, the fol- 
 lowing text so seriously impressed my mind that I 
 believed I ought to have repeated it : " Foxes have 
 holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of 
 Man hath not where to lay His head." I think it 
 was not withheld by any unwillingness on my part, 
 but I had been so light in the intercourse I had had 
 with the neighbors, that I felt as if there would be 
 an inconsistency in it, and left the meeting not quite 
 comfortable. This served, however, as a lesson for 
 me, and showed me the necessity of being serious. 
 Ah, surely it becomes us to be so, when we know 
 not what an hour may bring forth. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Tenth mo. 12th, 1838. 
 My younger friends have been very kind to me, 
 and I have never been more sensible of the suffi- 
 ciency of His support, who is and must be our all 
 in all ; so do not be the least concerned about me. 
 " The work it is His," and the desire of my soul is 
 that He may perfect it to His praise, whatever be 
 the suffering it may cost. If in the end of our 
 checkered pilgrimage we can but say with our 
 blessed Pattern, " I have finished the work which 
 
 4* 
 
42 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Thou gavest me to do," all else thou knowest, my 
 mother in the truth, will be as light as air and very- 
 vanity. That this may be the experience of us both 
 is the sincere desire of thy own friend in gospel 
 fellowship. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Eleventh mo. gth, 1838. 
 Could my solitary chamber find a voice it might 
 inform thee, my beloved mother, not only of the 
 many moments of extreme peacefulness that thy far- 
 distant E. has lately passed through, but also of the 
 agony of soul which is at times her very bitter por- 
 tion, the wormwood and the gall which at this very 
 hour she is partaking of Truly, the desolation and 
 the loneliness thou speaks of have brought floods 
 of sorrow from my eyes. Oh, how my heart has 
 longed for some dear friend, whose sympathy might 
 soothe and strengthen me ! How I have longed for 
 intimate companionship with even one who seemed 
 as if he or she really comprehended me ! How I 
 have longed for thee ! 'For though I am bound to 
 acknowledge thankfully my heavenly Father has 
 been very near, sustaining by His love and power 
 in a most marvellous manner day by day, I may 
 also say that there are moments of discouragement 
 when my heart aches most painfully under a sense 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 43 
 
 of its exceeding loneliness, and were it not that I 
 can pour out my full soul to Him who is indeed a 
 refuge for us, I know not what would have become 
 of me. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Eleventh mo. 13th, 1838. 
 I wrote the above, as thou wilt see, while in a state 
 of very deep depression, which, no doubt for some 
 wise and gracious purpose, was for a season meted 
 out to me ; but I may gratefully record on this same 
 page that He who will not suffer any to be tried 
 above what they are able to endure has once again 
 arisen on my soul, even as a morning without a 
 cloud. Oh, for a voice to praise Him as I ought ! 
 And may He strengthen me to lie quite passive in 
 His holy hands, that, in a teachable and childlike 
 state, I may receive and profit by the various lessons 
 He is giving me to learn, one of which is to make 
 full proof of His sufficiency when all the streams of 
 earthly consolation are, for a period at least, with- 
 held ; and yet I cannot say that they are all with- 
 held, for truly thy last letter came like a cordial to 
 my drooping spirit, and seemed to bring thee very, 
 very near. Thou seems indeed to have understood 
 my state even better than I did myself, I think. 
 
44 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Twelfth mo. 31st, 1838. 
 My dearest sister, Sally Ann Bacon, is still very 
 low, but no material change within a day or two. 
 The doctors think she cannot continue long, and, 
 after many very bitter pangs, we have quite resigned 
 her. She is most sweet and patient; and though 
 she says but little on the subject, I have the most 
 unwavering conviction that her " peace is made." I 
 never felt so perfectly divested of every feeling of 
 anxiety upon the subject in any instance of the kind 
 before. And now, my mother in the truth, I must 
 inform thee that once again thy poor unworthy child 
 has been constrained to speak in the assemblies of 
 the people, to utter a few sentences in fear and trem- 
 bling before the Lord, and once again a full and 
 blessed recompense is given her. Oh, who dare say 
 that He who ruleth in the earth is not a covenant- 
 keeping God ? I had not been to meeting for two 
 weeks, but felt compelled to go there yesterday, much 
 in the cross, and not without some thought of what 
 might follow. A. Dirkin rose soon after I sat down, 
 and gave me marked and strong encouragement. 
 Indeed, I have not wanted for it in this way; some 
 late communications have been rather striking. But, 
 oh ! this can do little for me if our blessed Lord will 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 45 
 
 only condescend to make His will and pleasure 
 clearly manifest. What need I more ? except a little 
 counsel and encouragement from His most highly 
 prized and precious gift, my own dear chosen friend. 
 The verse thou names was very often in my 
 thoughts on that First day, and I conceived that I 
 could almost hear the blessed voice of Him who is 
 our glorious Intercessor at the Throne. " Holy 
 Father, keep through Thine own name those whom 
 Thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are 
 one.'' So be it, and so be it, saith my soul. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, First mo. 19th, 1839. 
 Most mercifully has He dealt with me, my soul is 
 bound indeed to testify, and though He has been 
 pleased the last four months to heat the furnace even 
 seven times hotter than it was wont to be, so that at 
 seasons it has seemed as if I must have perished in 
 the flames, He never for a moment has deserted me. 
 His waves and billows truly have rolled over me, but 
 He has not allowed me to be overwhelmed. " His 
 voice is mightier than the noise of many waters ; 
 yea, than the mighty waves of the sea," and always 
 when the floods roll very. high the blessed words are 
 spoken, " Peace, be still." Through very deep and 
 very humbling baptisms a willingness is wrought 
 
46 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 from time to time to make the feeble offerings I have 
 been called to do in the obedience of faith. But 
 proportionably great and bountiful has been the rec- 
 ompense of Him whom above all I do desire to 
 serve, sweetly reminding me of His own promises : 
 " Bring all your tithes into my store-house, saith the 
 Lord, and prove me now herewith, and see if I will 
 not open the windows of heaven and pour you out 
 a blessing till there shall not be room to contain it." 
 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His 
 name together ! 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Second mo. 12th, 1839. 
 Does it not seem to thee that the " glad tidings" 
 of the truth that Jesus Christ came into the world to 
 save sinners can alone properly be called the gospel, 
 although we may believe the heathen, — those who 
 have never heard the name of Christ,^ — if they are 
 faithful to the light received, will be " accepted in 
 the beloved," even as the little child who yields its 
 breath before its senses have been exercised by use, 
 before it knows to choose the good and to refuse the 
 evil? 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 47 
 
 E. P, K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Fourth mo. ist, 1839. 
 I never have been better satisfied of the necessity 
 of an unclouded faith in all that has been done and 
 suffered for us by Jesus Christ of Nazareth, even 
 Him of whom the prophets testify, the " Lamb of 
 God," who, as the apostle says, was fore-ordained 
 before the world was formed, but in these latter 
 times made manifest. I also do assuredly believe 
 no man can truly call this Jesus Lord but by the 
 Holy Ghost, and that a merely nominal belief will 
 not avail. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Third mo. 14th, 1840. 
 Yes, my tenderly beloved friend, some moments of 
 enjoyment have been ours such as I have almost 
 never known before, such as most fully satisfied my 
 heart, — a blessed foretaste, as I humbly trust, of 
 those enduring joys which are prepared for. us (if 
 we hold fast our confidence) in that far better world 
 where we shall part no more. Ah, surely we have 
 sat together, my own precious friend, in " heavenly 
 places," and very pure and full has been our joy; 
 yet still our tarriance in them was but temporary. 
 Oh, who can tell the bliss of abiding there ? 
 
48 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Eye hath not seen, ear heard, nor hath it entered 
 into any heart thoroughly to conceive the height 
 and depth and fulness of the blessedness which is in 
 store for those who love the Lord and serve Him 
 faithfully. Sometimes a little glimpse is given me, 
 but it makes me long to fly away. I dare not dwell 
 on it. My coward heart shrinks from the thought 
 of having to endure yet closer conflicts, yet more 
 proving baptisms, forgetting that with God all things 
 are possible, and that He will not lay upon us greater 
 burthens than He Himself will give us strength to 
 bear. Oh, if I were but near thee, that I might 
 whisper in thy ear how graciously, how conde- 
 scendingly, how marvellously He has been dealing 
 with my soul, raising it from the very " dust of 
 death," and filling it with peace and light and love ! 
 
 Thy vision for me has so far been realized, and 
 fervent were the breathings of my heart this morn- 
 ing that if He now should " send prosperity," I 
 never may forget the wormwood and the gall, the 
 misery and bitterness which in His wisdom He has 
 portioned out to me, but that my soul may ever have 
 them in remembrance and be humbled within me. 
 Father of mercies ! hear my earnest prayer, and 
 grant it, I beseech Thee, in the name of Jesus. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 49 
 
 - Katharine Backhouse to E. P. K. 
 
 Fourth mo. loth, 1840. 
 
 ... I want to say that I am glad thou art en- 
 deavoring to employ the talents entrusted to thee in 
 faith ; and the more thou canst commit thy way unto 
 the Lord without anxiety or care the more com- 
 fortably wilt thou go on from day to day. We often 
 perplex ourselves and add to our own difficulties by 
 looking too far forward and reasoning upon conse- 
 quences ; whereas, if we really did put our trust 
 singly in our holy Leader, we should so confide in 
 Him and in His leadings that each successive step, 
 being taken in obedience to His will at the time 
 it was made known to be our duty, would bring its 
 own reward of lowly peace, and there would be no 
 room for fears and perplexities. This, therefore, is 
 the course I would affectionately recommend to thee, 
 my dear younger sister. I do not, however, write 
 without a true sympathy with thee in the conflicts 
 which I believe to be inseparable from the work of 
 the ministry, whether we have more or less to do 
 with it. May thy good Master be very near thee in 
 all thy conflicts, lead thee safely through them, and 
 largely bless thee with His love ! 
 
so 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 Philadelphia, Fourth mo. 29th, 1840. 
 Our friends are all, I think, in usual health, and 
 glad our Yearly Meeting passed off comfortably. 
 Clouds truly hung about us when we met, but we 
 soon found they were indeed the chariot-wheels of 
 Israel's King : " At the brightness that was before 
 Him the thick clouds passed, hail-stones and coals 
 of fire.'' His promise is that His own people, those 
 who love and serve Him, shall dwell in peaceable 
 habitations and sure dwellings and quiet resting- 
 places, and His promises are yea and amen forever. 
 
 H. C. B. to E. P. K. 
 
 Fifth mo. 6th, 1840. 
 
 . . . That He, the Shepherd of Israel, may lead 
 and feed thee, as He has assuredly been doing, is 
 the fervent desire of my soul, in which all others, 
 strong as they are, seem absorbed; and if in His 
 leadings He brings thee into that state in which 
 Jacob found himself when obliged to quit his father's 
 house, with a stone for a pillow and the canopy of 
 heaven over his head, there mayst thou trust in 
 Him, and following Him in this way that He has 
 directed thee, make truly the covenant that if He 
 will be with thee, give thee meat to eat (spiritually 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 51 
 
 and temporally), and raiment to put on, — what thy 
 poor body stands in need of, and what thy soul de- 
 sires to wear, the robe of His righteousness, — thou 
 wilt offer unto Him the tenth, the gift of His own 
 appointing, the first fruits of all thy increase. So 
 may He multiply unto thee grace, mercy, and peace ; 
 and in days to come an altar may be erected in com- 
 memoration of His marvellous dealings, that in and 
 through all sufferings He may, as it were, enable thee 
 to adopt the language, " With my staff I passed over 
 this Jordan," etc. 
 
 E. P. K, to H. C. B. 
 
 Fifth mo. 29th, 1840 
 
 We now and then have bright accounts of thee, 
 and they are always cheering ; but I well know, my 
 own most precious friend, thou art very often passing 
 through the deeps, and trembling lest thou shouldst 
 be overwhelmed. I quite believe the language to 
 thee is, " Trust, and be not afraid." He, thy com- 
 passionate and holy Guide, who has from time to time 
 so graciously measured the waters, brought thee safely 
 through, and caused thee to exalt His worthy name, 
 will not forsake thee now; nay. He has promised, and 
 He will never break His covenant, that He will be 
 with those who love and serve Him even to the end. 
 Then be thy whole dependence placed on Him ; go on 
 
52 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 in simple faith and never cast away thy confidence, 
 for great, I do assuredly believe, will be at last thy 
 glorious reward. Light is sown for the righteous 
 and peace for the upright in heart. 
 
 E. P. K. to H. C. B. 
 
 WooDBURN, Seventh mo. 27th, 1840. 
 
 Whether it is the will of my Almighty Parent soon 
 to restore me to thy own dear self again, or whether, 
 in His inscrutable but perfect wisdom. He now designs 
 to cut off every stream of earthly consolation, that 
 it may be my meat and drink to do His blessed will, 
 that I may give Him my whole, undivided, dedi- 
 cated heart, I cannot in the least pretend to say ; but 
 knowing that " His will is our sanctification," and 
 desiring above all things to be made holy as He is 
 holy, I trust I can with some sincerity breathe the 
 petition, " May Thy will be done." 
 
 Elizabeth Fry to E. P. Kirkbride. 
 
 Ninth mo. 30th, 1840. 
 
 . . . Thou hast no doubt already heard of the 
 sweet and peaceful return home of our dearest Joseph, 
 and how much everything be committed to his Lord 
 appears to have been kept, blessed, and prospered 
 during his absence ; and I may truly say that I think 
 his long journey has been blessed to him, and tended 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 53 
 
 to enlarge, and not diminish, his spiritual life and 
 boundaries, which I delight to observe. He looks 
 back with deep interest on his journey, and deeply 
 feels the kind sympathy, help, and unity he has met 
 with from many, and none more than thyself, thy 
 uncle and aunt Paul, and Stephen Grellet. 
 
 ... I wish, my beloved friend, to have an inti- 
 mate letter from thyself respecting thy own dear 
 mind ; indeed, about all that pertains to thy present 
 and everlasting welfare. As it respects thy gift in 
 the ministry, I truly desire that thou mayst be faith- 
 ful to thy Lord, not warped by any man ; that the 
 truths_of the gospel may be upheld by thee in their 
 purity, simplicity, and power ; and may grace be 
 given thee to keep very watchful, humble, and cir- 
 cumspect in all thy steppings. I crave for myself 
 and my friends this walking before the Lord, and 
 that, under what we may consider wrong sentiments, 
 wrong feelings, and wrong conduct toward ourselyes 
 and others, our spirits may be clothed with the 
 meekness of wisdom and of true charity toward our 
 opposers. I often think it good for myself to have 
 my Christian principles thus exercised, or I might 
 not know what was in my heart ; and I do not find ■ 
 it easy, when those dearest to me are concerned, not 
 to feel hurt at unfair conduct towards them. 
 
 Dost thou think of returning to England at pres- 
 
 S* 
 
54 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 ent ? Thou wilt have a cordial welcome from thy 
 friends, and my desire is that when the right time 
 comes nothing may hinder thee ; but I do not want 
 thee to come before. I should like to be affection- 
 ately remembered to thy uncle and aunt Paul, and to 
 other dear friends who love and serve our blessed 
 Lord. May His grace and His peace be abundantly 
 with you all, and may His blessing rest upon you ! 
 
 Her friends J. and H. C. Backhouse were now in 
 advanced life, and the former in failing health. Their 
 appeals had been frequent and urgent to E. P. Kirk- 
 bride to visit them once more in England, to which 
 the affectionate promptings of her own heart warmly 
 responded. She had become accustomed to wait 
 until satisfied that her steps were in the path of duty, 
 and she now felt that she could properly accept the 
 invitation. She accordingly sailed from Philadelphia 
 Tenth mo. 19th, and wrote from on shipboard to one 
 of her sisters : 
 
 On board Packet-Ship 
 " SusQUEHANNAH," Tenth mo. 20th, 1840. 
 
 ... I think you will like to know how we are 
 getting on in this fine northeaster, or rather how 
 comfortably we are standing still, not on the bosom 
 of the broad Atlantic, but on the quiet Delaware, 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 55 
 
 six or seven miles from where you left us. I felt sad 
 enough at the moment of parting from you, but I 
 think I have not often spent an afternoon of more 
 entire quietness, or one more wholly exempt from 
 every anxious thought. I think I feel a degree of 
 humble confidence that "the Lord will command 
 His loving kindness in the daytime, and in the night 
 His song shall be with me," and surely I need ask 
 for nothing more. I have thoroughly enjoyed the 
 perfect quietude ; indeed, I could not help thinking 
 this afternoon that, were it not for the sea-sickness, 
 I would be glad if we should have a good long voy- 
 age, so much do I enjoy a thorough break-off from 
 a busy world and its important trifles, — a little time 
 for undisturbed reflection, that I may learn to know 
 and understand myself Very sweet has been the 
 remembrance of many dearly beloved ones I have 
 left behind. May peace be with you all ! How 
 strange it seems to be at anchor in your very neigh- 
 borhood, and yet so thoroughly divided from you. 
 
 22d. We are now under full sail, with a fair wind 
 and bright sky, and quite expect by sundown to be 
 fairly out at sea. I believe the two days of entire 
 rest on the Delaware have been very useful to me, 
 as I was a good deal worn in body, heart, and mind 
 when I came on board. As I may not be able to 
 write when I get in rough water, I will once again 
 
56 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 bid you a long, last farewell. I quite hope we shall 
 meet again in this world; but should the all-wise 
 Disposer of events direct it otherwise, and be in His 
 inscrutable wisdom preparing for me a watery grave, 
 I want you to know that I humbly trust and believe 
 the precious seal of peace which is now resting on 
 my spirit is an unquestionable evidence that I am in 
 the path He has Himself marked out for me ; and I 
 humbly hope, frail, faltering, and unworthy as I am, 
 that having in integrity of heart desired to serve Him, 
 through the unbounded mercy of our blessed Saviour 
 He will at last receive me to Himself; that being 
 long a pilgrim on the earth, having indeed no certain 
 dwelling-place, my next remove may be to an un- 
 changing, fixed, and settled habitation, a tabernacle 
 that shall not be taken down. Bright and delightful 
 as the thought of seeing H. C. Backhouse again is, 
 I must confess the thought of an eternal resting- 
 place is even yet more bright. But may our heav- 
 enly Father's will be done ! 
 
 Upon her arrival she was received as one of the 
 family of J. and H. C. Backhouse, at Darlington, and 
 became a member of that meeting. Soon after she 
 attended H. C. B. in a second visit to Scotland on 
 religious service. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 57 
 
 E. P. K. to Anna Gurney. 
 
 Twelfth mo. 29th, 1840. 
 
 . . . Thenewsof the decease of dear Abigail Barker 
 was a thorough shock to me, for, though I had often 
 said I thought her getting through the winter doubt- 
 ful, I did not think the end was quite so near. Truly 
 the sudden absence and removal of a mind like hers 
 from off the earth (" for in that very day his thoughts 
 perish") is a prodigious miss. I have not often felt 
 it more than on this occasion, for surely she was no 
 common person, and she has always been to me the 
 kindest friend. However, it is cause for joy and 
 thankfulness that one has more beloved ones beyond 
 the storms of Time than still exposed to them, and 
 I have almost ceased to mourn the dead. May we, 
 my dearest Anna, in our turn join the " ten thou- 
 sand times ten thousand" who surround the Throne, 
 — the spirits of the just who sin no more. 
 
 Continuing faithful to the intimations of duty 
 which from time to time were so evidently presented 
 to her mind, her pubhc communications were cor- 
 dially approved and sanctioned by her friends, and 
 on Seventh mo. 20th, 1841, she was duly recorded 
 by Darlington Monthly Meeting as a minister of the 
 gospel of Christ. 
 
58 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The course of our friend's history has now reached 
 a point of peculiar interest. During the early part 
 of 1837, as before stated, Joseph John Gurney, of 
 Earlham, near Norwich, England, had felt his mind 
 drawn to religious service in America, and in the 
 Seventh mo. of that year he sailed for Philadelphia 
 in the prosecution of this mission. For the suc- 
 ceeding three years he was constantly engaged in 
 visiting and holding meetings with Friends and 
 others in various parts of the United States, Canada, 
 and the West Indies. He labored much in Phila- 
 delphia and the vicinity, and his home in that city 
 was at the house of E. P. Kirkbride's uncle, John 
 Paul. Their acquaintance was further developed by 
 subsequent intercourse after J. J. Gurney's return to 
 England, and the intimacy finally ripened into an 
 engagement of marriage. E. P. Kirkbride had now 
 become widely and favorably known to Friends in 
 England, and a cordial welcome awaited her from 
 the members of the Gurney family. 
 
 J. J. Gurney's household at this time comprised 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 59 
 
 his two children, John Henry and Anna, and his 
 eldest sister, Catharine Gurney. The latter wrote 
 to H. C. Backhouse : 
 
 1841. 
 My dear Hannah, — Shall I write to thee or 
 Eliza Kirkbride ? I cannot delay the expression of 
 my cordial approbation and satisfaction in the en- 
 gagement that has taken place between her and Jo- 
 seph. That it is a right conclusion no one who 
 knows anything about the matter can doubt ; and 
 she will, I fully believe, be an invaluable addition' 
 to our family circle. Above all, she will be the 
 very person to make Joseph happy, and be the 
 greatest help and pleasure to Anna, who already de- 
 lights in her. What a wonderful working of Provi- 
 dence may we see in the whole affair ! It has the 
 best stamp upon it, and we can but acknowledge it 
 as a rich blessing bestowed on our dearest brother, 
 a portion of that "hundredfold now in this present 
 world" promised to them who forsake all for Christ. 
 All that I have heard of her, both from thee and 
 Anna, convinces me that she has in her character 
 that enlargement of mind and good sense and tact 
 which are needful to meet the varieties in our family. 
 With kindest love to her, and welcome as my sister- 
 elect, I am thy truly affectionate cousin. 
 
6o MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 A note from H. C. Backhouse to J. J. Gurney, 
 dated First mo. 26th, 1841, referring to the engage- 
 ment, seems in the light of subsequent events strik- 
 ingly prophetic : 
 
 " My faith is strong that she will be thine as long 
 as thou lives; and if I am suffered to look into the 
 future, I see her surviving us both, standing in a 
 conspicuous station in the church, and through thee 
 in the world, making hundreds to rise up and call 
 her blessed for her liberal distribution of things 
 both temporal and spiritual, waiting in humble 
 confidence and holy submission for that day which 
 shall re-unite her spirit with those she has most 
 dearly loved on earth in the kingdom of her Lord." 
 
 Amelia Opie writes to E. P. K. at this time : 
 
 My beloved friend, my heart prompted me to write 
 to thee some days ago, but opportunity seemed want- 
 ing. Now, however, it is before me, and I hasten 
 to tell thee how heartily I rejoice in the happiness 
 of my dearest friend, in and by which, I trust, thy 
 own is included and will be through life secured. 
 You have both of you experienced close and deep 
 trials, and know from painful experience how full of 
 changes and vicissitudes this life is, and how the 
 pleasantest pictures are marred; but you have 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 6 1 
 
 through Divine mercy been brought to rest your 
 hopes on Him who changeth not, the same yester- 
 day, to-day, and forever. And He who was your 
 comfort and friend in hours of sorrow and adversity 
 will continue to watch over you for good in the 
 more dangerous period of happiness and prosperity. 
 
 The marriage took place at Darlington, Tenth 
 mo. 2ist, 1841. 
 
 It is diiificult fully to realize the new influences 
 and surroundings among which our friend now 
 found herself placed. The family into which she 
 had so agreeably entered was very widely spread, 
 — she somewhere speaks of having acquired one 
 hundred and nineteen nephews and nieces by her 
 marriage, — its members were wealthy and influential, 
 of high culture, and remarkable for piety and de- 
 votion, many of them prominent in the Society of 
 Friends. 
 
 Earlham Hall, about two miles from Norwich, for 
 a long course of years the home of successive gen- 
 erations of the family (though only held on a long 
 lease), was a large and elegant establishment, beauti- 
 fully situated, and complete in all its appointments. 
 The highest refinement that wealth could procure, 
 guided by delicate taste and feeling, and sanctified 
 by a pervading sense of Christian duty, was diffused 
 
62 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 through its spacious halls, and shared freely by 
 numberless guests from far and near. 
 
 " In this mansion used to be 
 Free-hearted hospitality; 
 Its great fiies up the chimneys roared, 
 The stranger feasted at its board." 
 
 In this delightful home E. P. Gurney now found 
 herself installed as mistress. Her frank and generous 
 nature expanded in its congenial atmosphere, and 
 she rejoiced in the enlarged opportunities it afforded 
 for the active exercise of the benevolence which was 
 one of her prominent traits. 
 
 Catharine Gurney writes soon after the marriage : 
 
 1841. 
 My dearest Joseph and Eliza, — My mind and 
 heart are so full towards you that I do not incline 
 to turn to other interests till I have expressed to you 
 the happy impression left from my intercourse with 
 you, and the true, solid comfort I have in thee, my 
 beloved sister. I am so glad to feel such a capa- 
 bility of loving thee and being intimate with thee. 
 It is not for us to extol the creature, but it is good 
 to love and value one another in its just subordina- 
 tion, and allowable sometimes to communicate our 
 approbation and sympathy, to stimulate and animate 
 one another on our way; and in entering a new 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. g^ 
 
 period of life and sphere of duty, encouragement 
 from those we love is a cordial. What a most re- 
 markable fulfilment of the promise of the " hun- 
 dredfold now in this present life" is your connection, 
 and the whole history of your being brought to- 
 gether. I have no doubt that great good will arise 
 from it in various ways. The savor of your united 
 influence will be strongly felt, not only in our own 
 circle of relations, but in many others, I fully be- 
 lieve. For the sake of real good to be done and 
 spread, I hope you will not be too exclusive in your 
 plans about visiting. I told thee, dear Eliza, my 
 regrets at Joseph's strict line and rule about dinner 
 visits, — it throws such a shackle on the intercourse 
 with some first-rate society in Norwich, — and I am 
 very sorry that two such bright and polished instru- 
 ments as you both are should be under what seems to 
 me such a needless bondage. This is my view, and 
 I know that I have a particular dislike to rules and 
 restrictions of this kind. I like liberty and follow- 
 ing the common ways of society, unless a positive 
 conscientious objection interferes with it. However, 
 it is not for me to advise, or hardly to give an opinion 
 to those whom I truly feel above and beyond me, 
 as I do both of you ; and if you differ from me, I 
 shall be sure you must have good and substantial 
 reasons that I do not understand nor appreciate. 
 
64 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 H. C. Backhouse to Julia K. Clarke. 
 
 Leamington, Eighth mo. 6th, 1841. 
 This was the meeting-house where, more than 
 eleven years ago, I laid before Friends my concern 
 for going to America. Little did I then think of the 
 event of this day, as little did the Friends of Phila- 
 delphia when, overruled by a judgment not their 
 own, they gave Eliza the minute through which, in 
 the wonderful workings of her heavenly Father, it 
 may now be said she has been brought into this 
 land, to be, at least for years, her earthly home, and 
 in which I have as strong a faith as I had that she 
 was bound to go with me through your land, that 
 she will have an important post to fill, both naturally 
 and spiritually, and that if she is a faithful steward 
 of her manifold gifts, it will be no inactive one 
 either. I feel more than perhaps any of you would 
 think parting with her, though I perfectly approve the 
 connection. She has been such a beloved adopted 
 child, that I cannot give her up to another without 
 feeling it; but I know the time is come for her using 
 her talents in a larger sphere than she can hold with 
 me, and that there is a time to give up as well as to 
 receive. 
 
 E. P. G.'s letters at this time clearly indicate how 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 65 
 
 deeply she felt the responsibilities of her position, 
 and how entirely she looked to her heavenly Guide 
 to conduct her safely amid its varied duties. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, Tenth mo. 29th, 1841. 
 
 I have been longing to tell thee of our .sweet and 
 marvellously peaceful arrival here last evening. 
 Nothing could exceed the perfectly familiar home- 
 like feeling that was in mercy given me on entering 
 this abode of rest and happiness, for such I assuredly 
 believe I shall find it, through the tender compassion 
 and unmerited loving kindness of our gracious Lord. 
 Bright, beaming, and cordial beyond description was 
 the cheering and heart-tendering welcome we re- 
 ceived from these most precious children, whom I 
 feel to be gifts of inestimable value from the all- 
 bounteous Giver of the manifold and various bless- 
 ings I am now enjoying, and in the possession of 
 which I well know that thou, my dearly beloved 
 mother, will rejoice with me. 
 
 This morning, in our family reading, I was con- 
 strained to beseech that a rich blessing might be 
 poured upon this gathered household, that the man- 
 tle of those who had gone before us into glory, 
 with a double portion of their spirit, might descend 
 
 on some of us, enabling us to discharge our relative 
 
 6* 
 
66 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE Of 
 
 and varied duties to the honor of our Lord, that we 
 might walk in the light of His countenance, and in 
 His name rejoice all the day, etc. A hallowed feel- 
 ing seemed to cover us, and after our private reading 
 in our lodging-room, we had a sweet call from Wil- 
 liam Forster. Then took a short walk, had a sight 
 of the beautiful greenhouse (my bridal gift), and 
 since luncheon we have enjoyed a social call from 
 Anna Forster. She was most pleasant, but looks a 
 good deal altered since I saw her last. To-morrow 
 our dearest sister Fry comes to us, and Catharine on 
 Second day. 
 
 E. P. G. to Susanna Corder. 
 
 Earlham, Eleventh mo. 19th, 1841. 
 
 ... I trust thou wilt continue to follow us with 
 good desires, and even prayers for our safe guidance, 
 faithfulness, and preservation ; for truly I do feel 
 that in the midst of yast responsibilities, and count- 
 less mercies, too, we have no power at all to keep 
 ourselves, and were it not for the assured belief that 
 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for 
 us, overwhelming to myself would be the increase of 
 relative obligations into which my new position must 
 inevitably lead. On this grace I rely, and I think I 
 am bound to confess that so far I have found it, to 
 my humbling, admiration, supporting and sustaining 
 
ELIZA P. GCRNEY. 
 
 67 
 
 beyond what I could ask or think, making things 
 easy which in the distance seemed impossible ; and 
 in the midst of the absorbing interests attendant on 
 my coming to this new and most indulgent home, it 
 has preserved my mind in sweet tranquillity and per- 
 fect peace. I know, my beloved friend, and I almost 
 think I hear thee telling me to remember, that this 
 state of things cannot last, that we must prepare to 
 endure hardness, as good soldiers, etc. Yet surely 
 when our compassionate Captain permits us for a 
 season to rest as in green pastures, and by the still 
 waters of life, we may accept the offered mercy with 
 thanksgiving, and call upon His name for the ability 
 to drink the cup which overflows with blessings, to 
 His praise. Most sweet and comforting is the re- 
 ception I have met -with from these precious chil- 
 dren, and, indeed, the whole family circle without 
 any exception. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, Twelfth mo. i6th, 1841. 
 I must write a single line to thank thee, my own 
 loved mother, for thy kind note and acceptable letter, 
 which came together yesterday, and to tell thee, in 
 answer to thy kind inquiry, that I am much more 
 comfortable, though I have been in a low spot since 
 I wrote before. I have received no letter since the 
 
68 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 one which brought the intelhgence of my dearest 
 brother's decease, but hope soon to have more par- 
 ticulars, which I will forward to thee. In the midst 
 of countless blessings, I can unite in what thou sayest 
 about praising the dead that are already dead more 
 than the living that are still alive, groaning, as at sea- 
 sons all must groan, under the burthen of mortality, 
 and when they do rejoice, rejoice with trembling. 
 Yet we must both wait patiently the appointed time 
 until the change shall come; and may we not, by 
 too much dwelling on the trials and afflictions that 
 we meet with by the way, neglect to number the 
 abounding mercies of a gracious God ? Thy sym- 
 pathy is always sweet to me ; I know its depth and 
 sincerity. 
 
 . . . How thoroughly the stamp of "right" which 
 is sometimes mercifully set upon our movements, 
 repays for hours of conflict no one knows better than 
 thyself 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, Eighth mo. 20th, 1842. 
 After I despatched my hasty lines to thee from 
 Wells I received thy welcome letter, and was truly 
 glad to hear of thy comfortable getting on, although 
 it is still, I perceive, through no small tribulation. 
 Dearest Joseph and I often contrast our compara- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. Qg 
 
 tively smooth path with thine, and conclude we are 
 thorough idlers ; yet we trust we are numbered 
 among those servants who " stand and wait," and 
 are really willing to leave our delightful ceiled 
 house if it is required of us. We had some ex- 
 cellent service in our journey round the coast, 
 and as to myself, I feel as if I had nothing to do 
 but quietly study my alphabet. Whether I shall 
 ever get beyond this seems rather doubtful, and I 
 can truly say I have not much anxiety about it; 
 but I do heartily and increasingly desire that an 
 abundant portion of preserving grace may be be- 
 stowed upon me, and that I may be kept from hour 
 to hour in the coolness, the integrity, the wisdom, 
 and the stability of the truth, for how innumerable 
 are the temptations to swerve from it in one direc- 
 tion or other. 
 
 E. P. G. to Mary Anna Longstreth. 
 
 Earlham, Eighth mo. 31st, 1842. 
 We very much enjoyed our stay at Cromer, espe- 
 cially the daily intercourse which it afforded with our 
 precious sister, E. Fry, who was our near neighbor, 
 and part of the time we were there we had the de- 
 lightful addition to our party of the Backhouse fam- 
 ily, which you will readily believe was pleasant to us 
 all. Dear E. Fry, as you know, is always engaged 
 
70 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 in endeavoring in some way or other to benefit her 
 fellow-creatures, and very sweet it is to be able to be 
 co-workers with her for a season in her labors of 
 love. There are a great many sailors at Cromer, and 
 we had some extremely interesting meetings with 
 them (not exactly religious meetings), which com- 
 menced in a very simple way. At certain seasons of 
 the year, not having anything to do, they are often 
 lounging about the cliff for hours together ; and one 
 day, looking over a tract which seemed peculiarly 
 applicable to them, I proposed to dear Joseph that 
 we should ask them to come into our large dining- 
 room in the evening and read it to them. He being 
 always ready to uphold me in every good word and 
 work immediately agreed, and so we strolled about 
 the cliff and invited them in as we happened to meet 
 with them scattered about in little companies. Quite 
 a large number came, and I read to them the tract 
 called " The Two Seamen,'' to which they listened 
 with the most profound attention, and afterward 
 dear J. addressed them very suitably, when they de- 
 parted apparently well satisfied with the opportunity. 
 On mentioning it to our sister Fry, and also that we 
 intended having them in very soon again, she seemed 
 much pleased with the plan, and said she would like 
 to be with us when we met next time. Accordingly 
 a few evenings afterward we had the room nearly 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 71 
 
 full, and it was an occasion certainly not soon to be 
 forgotten. The most profound silence reigned while 
 I read to them a very impressive tract entitled " The 
 Roll-Call, or How will you answer It?" Then my 
 dear J. spoke to them beautifully, and in a way which 
 seemed to impress them very much indeed, and dear 
 E. F. addressed them sweetly too, and then appeared 
 in solemn and most striking supplication. It was a 
 time of unusual interest, and one which I cannot at 
 all do justice to by my imperfect mode of descrip- 
 tion, the sailors seemed so deeply impressed by the 
 whole thing. We had one or two very interesting 
 meetings afterward, but I think this was the most 
 striking, there was such great solemnity from the 
 first, and the tract, which perhaps you have read, 
 seemed so completely to rivet their attention. And 
 when my dearest Joseph in a solemn manner ex- 
 horted them to be prepared for that great day 
 wherein ten thousand times ten thousand and thou- 
 sands of thousands out of every kindred, nation, 
 tongue, and people would most assuredly be sum- 
 moned to appear before the judgment seat of Christ 
 to hear the last roll called, the most profound so- 
 lemnity prevailed, and I could almost fancy that I 
 heard the general response, " How shall I answer 
 it?" But I must not fill my sheet about Cromer, or 
 I could tell you many interesting anecdotes of our 
 
72 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 visits to the cottages of the coast-guardmen, estab- 
 hshing a library for the sailors, etc. 
 
 E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 
 
 Earlham, Eleventh mo. 25th, 1842. 
 
 . . . The delightful atmosphere which I continually 
 breathe of love 'and purity, in which the spirit of 
 defamation, of envy, of selfishness has never found 
 an entrance, is an atmosphere I have all my life 
 longed for and had quite despaired of obtaining, — 
 one in which I have continually to guard against the 
 evil propensities of my own haughty heart, that I 
 may feel it a home atmosphere, that I may not 
 appear an odd one in this precious circle. 
 
 I think thou wilt like to hear how each day passes, 
 that thou may be able to picture us. We rise about 
 eight. At a quarter before nine the bell rings for 
 family reading, and, all the servants being collected, 
 we make quite a little congregation. Either Joseph or 
 John H. reads the New Testament, and I often read 
 a psalm or a few verses out of Priscilla Gurney's 
 collection. Then we all sally forth for a walk till 
 breakfast is on the table, and afterwards my dearest 
 J. and myself adjourn to our beautiful sitting-room 
 for our own private reading. Before this, however, 
 I always go into the housekeeper's room and order 
 dinner, etc. Then Joseph and I take a long walk, 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 73 
 
 sometimes in the garden, sometimes in the park. 
 By the time we reach home the letters have come ; 
 these read, we go into our respective sitting-rooms, 
 write letters, read, or employ ourselves as we like 
 till luncheon at one, after which I often accompany 
 Joseph to Norwich, and while he is engaged for an 
 hour or two at the bank, I visit the jail or hospital, 
 or perhaps make calls on the sick, and thus my time 
 passes pleasantly till he is ready to return. We 
 dine at six, and afterwards adjourn to the drawing- 
 room, where we settle in for a comfortable evening, 
 always having some book on hand, which we go on 
 reading, let who may be here, unless they are only 
 guests for the day. J. H. is often our reader, when 
 Joseph employs himself with his pencil, and Anna 
 and I with our needles. On First day evenings at 
 half-past eight the hall bell is rung, and the Earlham 
 cottagers, amounting, with the servants, to about 
 forty persons, assemble in the ante-room, where we 
 read to them, and often have an interesting little 
 meeting afterwards. 
 
 E, P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 My beloved Mother, — I am sure thou wilt be 
 interested in hearing that my letters from America, 
 received this morning, have brought me the sad in- 
 telligence of the decease of my dear Aunt Fletcher, 
 
 7 
 
74 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and also of the unlooked-for removal of Chalkley 
 Shoemaker, my sister's eldest son. 
 
 Is it not remarkable how one piece of mournful 
 information follows another in quick succession, till 
 it seems as if my whole family would be swept 
 away? I confess I have felt a little stunned by the 
 news of to-day, but nothing causes me the slightest 
 misgiving as to my being in my right allotment 
 here. 
 
 I have always felt that I was brought into it by an 
 irresistible arm of power, and even though all this 
 should prove " but the beginning of sorrows" (which 
 I have thought to-day was more than possible), I 
 believe I shall feel that " it is the Lord," and trust 
 I shall be strengthened to say, " Let Him do what 
 seemeth Him good." But my heart is very hard, 
 my dear mother; pray for me that it may be so 
 " exercised" by these multiplied afflictions as to 
 bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness 
 and true holiness. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, First mo. 26th, 1843. 
 I was struck with what thou sayest of being thank- 
 ful to be employed in so good a Master's service; 
 but I fear I know little of this grateful feeling, for 
 although I am again and again brought to the ac- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNET. 75 
 
 knowledgment that hitherto He has helped me, my 
 faith for the future often fails me, and the exposure 
 is so utterly at variance with my taste and inclination 
 that nature shrinkingly exclaims, time after time, "In 
 this thing, oh, in this one thing, have me excused !" 
 But I think I am getting a little more trustful, and 
 have a faint hope that, if I must continue in this 
 crucifying path of faith, the day will come when 
 perfect love will banish every fear, — every unright- 
 eous one I mean, of course. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Ham House,* Fourth mo. loth, 1843. 
 
 My beloved Friend, — It was a true disappoint- 
 ment on arriving here to find we were not to see 
 thee again, and I could not fully take in the uncom- 
 fortable fact until we got to the meeting-house this 
 morning and found surely enough thou wast not 
 there. I trust thou hast been in thy right place, and 
 if so, as thou sayest, it would not have promoted the 
 comfort of either party to have been together ; but I 
 could have longed for thee to partake with us of the 
 true refreshment which was graciously afforded in 
 the unusually solemn and uniting season we were 
 
 * The residence of Samuel Gurney, 
 
76 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 this day favored with. The waters did seem on our 
 first sitting down together much more than ankle- 
 deep, and they soon became such as a man could 
 swim in. It was exactly the meeting thou wouldst 
 thoroughly have enjoyed, and I could not help feel- 
 ing that it might have brought us together as in 
 days of old, when we did truly drink of the same 
 spirit, and sit together in heavenly places in Christ 
 Jesus. But though separated in body, I trust we 
 were not far distant in spirit, and that when many, 
 many miles divide us thou wilt often remember us 
 for good. Nothing can exceed the full tide of unity 
 that has poured in upon us to-day from every quar- 
 ter, loudly calling for a return of gratitude and praise 
 to Him whose covenant is sure, and who has prom- 
 ised that He never will forsake His children whose 
 trust and confidence are placed in Him alone. Sam- 
 uel Tuke's presence and sweet little sermon added 
 not a little to the weight and comfort of the occa- 
 sion. I cannot pretend to tell thee who the speakers 
 were ; I counted about twenty that I knew, and there 
 were many that I did not know ; almost every one 
 gave us a nice little sermon, and some of them were 
 beautiful and most encouraging. 
 
 May the Lord bless thee, my endeared friend, and 
 keep thee every moment under the shadow of His 
 holy wing, is my sincere prayer for thee. 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 77 
 
 The above letter refers to an engagement upon 
 which E. P. Gurney was about entering to accom- 
 pany her husband and their friend, Josiah Forster, in 
 an extended visit of gospel love to France, Switzer- 
 land, and some parts of Germany. Elizabeth Fry 
 and one of her daughters were also of the company 
 for a time. In pursuance of this prospect, they left 
 England Fourth mo. lOth, 1843, with the full con- 
 currence of their own meetings. E. P. G.'s deeply 
 interesting experiences while on this journey are 
 graphically described in the following letters and 
 journal. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Paris, Fourth mo. 21st, 1843. 
 
 My very dear Friend, — It was at some cost 
 that I left England without seeing thee again, as I 
 had quite persuaded myself thou would be at the 
 morning meeting, though I confess my impression 
 on parting with thee at the Grove was very different. 
 I then felt almost sure it would be long before we 
 met again. 
 
 I have often thought of thee in our journey, how 
 much there is in it that thou wouldst enjoy, and how 
 many of my enjoyments would have been heightened 
 by having thee with us to share their novelty with 
 me. Being in France is an old story to all the party 
 
78 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 but myself, but to thee it would be equally striking 
 and new, and I have often thought how greatly such 
 and such a thing would have amused thee. Dear 
 Anna has probably told thee of our arrival at Bou- 
 logne, visit to Amiens, etc. We then went on to 
 Clermont, where we had rather rude accommoda- 
 tions, but the country about it is charming. Josiah 
 Forster, whom we find a most agreeable and useful 
 companion, took me off after breakfast into a wood 
 to hear the nightingales, and very sweet they were. 
 The weather, too, was lovely, and the views of 
 Clermont and the finely-cultivated valleys from the 
 neighboring hills exceeded anything I almost ever 
 saw for charm and beauty, and would have thoroughly 
 refreshed thee I am sure. 
 
 It is certainly much more like travelling in Amer- 
 ica than in England, and often reminds me of our tour 
 through Cherry Valley, in the western part of the 
 State of New York. The light and clean-looking 
 houses with their green Venetian shutters and the 
 frequent rows of poplars seem like old friends, while 
 the bright sky and dry atmosphere almost beguile 
 me into the belief that I have got back to my own 
 native land. On the other hand, the difficulty of 
 getting there was brought painfully home to me in 
 my suffering sea-voyage, being scarcely able to 
 hold up my head from the time we left Dover till 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. yg 
 
 we reached Boulogne. I think I scarcely ever was 
 so ill at sea before, and yet the captain called it a 
 fair passage. 
 
 I think I mentioned in my letter to Anna, which I 
 desired thou might see, that we visited a miserable 
 prison at Amiens, — the people poorly employed and 
 looking dirty and uncomfortable ; one poor boy shut 
 up in the castle, a dismal, dungeon-like, unhealthy- 
 looking place, so damp I should not think that any 
 one could live there long. But at Clermont we 
 visited a prison forming a striking contrast to this 
 wretched place. It is on the silent system, and 
 certainly the most favorable specimen I have seen. 
 About nine hundred women, decently clothed, and 
 busily employed, and looking really comfortable, 
 were quite a cheering sight. We were not permitted 
 to speak to them at all, nor even to our conductress, 
 except in a whisper, and therefore the most pro- 
 found silence reigned throughout, to relieve the 
 monotony of which they occasionally break forth 
 into hymn-singing. 
 
 Some of them were engaged in beautiful embroid- 
 ering, others in reeling and fine needle-work. Noth- 
 ing could exceed the neatness of their sleeping 
 apartments, about two hundred in each, high, airy, 
 and most comfortable. They are under the care of 
 the nuns, and I had just come to the conclusion that 
 
8o MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 they really did deserve credit for this labor of love, 
 as I supposed it to be, when we were told they were 
 amply repaid for their services. This was a take-off 
 certainly ; still one admires the perfect order and true 
 cleanliness, and I for one am willing they should 
 have their due. The superior conducted us over the 
 house, and when we returned to the parlor we found 
 about twenty nuns collected to receive us, dressed in 
 their gray attire and neat white caps. They looked 
 all joy at seeing us, and dear E. Fry spoke very 
 nicely to them, which Katherine interpreted. Among 
 other things she observed that we were all unprofit- 
 able servants, and that however pleasant and right 
 it was to be employed in good works, there was no 
 merit due to the creature, that we must ascribe all 
 praise, etc. The superior responded to her remarks 
 until she came to this, when she directly said in a 
 pathetic tone, " Oh, yes, I think there is a little merit 
 in the performance of good deeds," to which an old 
 nun, who seemed really spiritually-minded, with a 
 very pleasant countenance, replied, " But Madame 
 Fry means to convey to us that she gets such a re- 
 ward at her heart when she does right that she has 
 no need of anything more." It was a very interest- 
 ing time, and they were certainly the most satisfac- 
 tory set of " Papists," as Joseph calls them, that I 
 have yet seen. 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. gl 
 
 From Clermont we came to Chantilly, a charming 
 place, where we "were quite refreshed. Here we saw 
 the stables of the great Conde, which I suppose are 
 the most remarkable things of the kind in the world, 
 — beautiful stalls for two hundred horses, and the 
 gilding of the harness ridiculously splendid. We 
 did not go into the house, but the gardens are lovely. 
 On Fourth day noon we reached Paris, and are now 
 occupying pleasant rooms in a hotel in one of the 
 finest parts of this magnificent city, for so it truly 
 may be called. Nothing can be warmer or kinder 
 than Aunt Fry's " dear friends," most of whom speak 
 English, which is a relief to me, who only under- 
 stand about five words in ten in French. At the 
 urgent request of the Countess Pelet (who is an in- 
 valid) we all called upon her yesterday, and I do not 
 know when I have seen any one who interested me 
 more, she appears to have such a truly Christian 
 spirit and warm, affectionate heart ; they say she is so 
 like Rachel Gurney. I was going to speak to her 
 very ceremoniously, but she drew me towards her 
 and gave me a hearty kiss, Joseph and I have just 
 been paying her a social little visit in her carriage, 
 which was at the door, and we thought we would go 
 down and inquire how she was ; but she begged we 
 would get in and sit with her a little while, and 
 seemed so full of love that, although I am rather 
 
82 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 slow in forming friendships, I begin already to feel 
 it would be quite easy to love her." We dine with 
 them on Fourth day evening, and to-morrow are in- 
 vited to the Mallets, which Joseph and myself have 
 declined. We mean to spend an hour in the evening 
 with them. E. Mallet is an interesting person, and 
 quite religiously inclined. 
 
 Last evening we had a chief from the Sandwich 
 Islands and two or three other gentlemen, and this 
 morning we have had a few callers, but the tide has 
 not yet set in. It is a real trial to be in this land 
 and not speak the language. It does not much sig- 
 nify with regard to the " great" people, as many of 
 them speak English, and I do not know that I have 
 much to do with them at any rate; but when the 
 flocks of interesting-looking people of the poorer 
 class crowded around our carriage as we came along 
 at every halting-place, and seemed so anxious to be 
 noticed by us, I quite longed to talk to them. Thou 
 wouldst have smiled to see the eagerness with which 
 they seized upon the little books and tracts we scat- 
 tered on the road, and how good-naturedly they 
 laughed aloud when they missed catching them. 
 Some of the women have such mild, sweet faces, 
 and many of the children are quite charming. 
 
ELIZA P. GUIiNEi. 
 
 83 
 
 Meurice Hotel, Paris, Seventh day morning. 
 My letter does not seem to give a true impression, 
 it looks as if we were all sailing on so smoothly; 
 but I assure thee, my beloved friend, we sometimes 
 find ourselves in troubled waters, and once or twice 
 have almost " shipped a sea." So far, however, the 
 billows have not been permitted to overwhelm us, 
 and a very sweet dream which I had a night or 
 two since has given me fresh confidence that they 
 never will. I went to bed rather disturbed and 
 somewhat comfortless, but I seemed to have a little 
 taste of heaven in my slumbers, and these sweet 
 words were spoken in the gentlest, kindest, and 
 most soothing accents, " Peace I leave with you ; 
 my peace I give unto you ; not as the world giveth, 
 give I unto you." A noise awoke me, but the 
 savor of this pledge, that our Lord is with His fol- 
 lowers always, and that He will keep those in per- 
 fect peace whose minds are stayed on Him, was 
 truly precious, and remained for some tiriie. Yester- 
 day we made several calls, and in the evening had 
 some interesting visitors. To-morrow morning we 
 hold our little meeting in Ann Knight's lodging, 
 and have a meeting in the evening in the French 
 Methodist Chapel. I think Joseph is rather better 
 for his journey, and my sister altogether nicely. 
 
84 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Last evening we had a call from the Count and 
 Countess Gasparin, and to-day from the Due de 
 Broglie. The countess is one of the most pleasing 
 persons I have yet seen. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Paris, Fifth mo. I2th, 1843. 
 Our stay here has been full of interest, and though 
 I have been in many respects led by the way of 
 the cross, especially in being so continually in a 
 crowd of people, yet altogether it has been more 
 agreeable to me than I anticipated, and I have felt 
 my heart really drawn in love towards several indi- 
 viduals we have met with. The Countess Pelet and 
 Madame Andre, very sweet and humble-minded Chris- 
 tians, I have felt particularly interested in, and dearest 
 Joseph and myself paid both of them a thorough 
 friendly family visit, which they received with warm 
 and hearty thanks. They have both been refined by 
 adversity, and are very superior women naturally. 
 I have also felt a great attraction to some of the 
 young people : they speak English well, and manifest 
 true cordiality towards us. We have had two very 
 interesting evenings with them, but as I have given 
 the particulars in some of my letters, which thou 
 wilt probably see, it is scarcely worth while to repeat 
 them. I forget whether I told thee that we dined 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 85 
 
 with Guizot, and that he took a quiet family dinner 
 with us, both of which occasions were highly satis- 
 factory. He is a truly affable and polished gentle- 
 man, and gave due attention to all the various sub- 
 jects that were laid before him. His three dear 
 children seemed much to enjoy coming to us, and a 
 few mornings since I had them for an hour or two 
 reading English with them, in which they have 
 made some proficiency, and are greatly pleased with 
 it. Yesterday we attended a meeting for the parents 
 and children of the British and foreign schools, in 
 which Joseph was most interestingly engaged, and 
 in the evening he had a party, composed of about 
 twenty of the first men in Paris, on the anti-slavery 
 question. The ladies only remained in the room 
 long enough to have a sight of these great person- 
 ages and then withdrew, returning again to take a 
 cup of tea with them at the close of the evening ; 
 but Joseph and Josiah say it was a most interesting 
 and relieving opportunity, enabling them fully to un- 
 burthen their minds on this important subject, over 
 which the French people are, I should fear, in great 
 danger of going to sleep. However, I trust they 
 were a little roused last evening. 
 
 We have been to see all kinds of people, among 
 the rest the Baron Rothschild and his lady, who re- 
 ceived us most hospitably in their splendid mansion, 
 
86 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 which seems ready to groan under its costly and 
 magnificent decorations. They wished us very much 
 to come to dinner, but this we resolutely declined. 
 We have been interested in meeting the daughters 
 of Oberlin and Lafayette, both of whom are said to 
 be serious persons. What the extent of seriousness 
 and, above all, of self-denial in some of these pro- 
 fessing Christians is it may be difficult to determine ; 
 happily, we arfe not their judges. I cannot but be- 
 lieve many of them have been very seriously im- 
 pressed under my dear sister's and husband's minis- 
 trations. As to myself, I rank the little I have had 
 to do very, very low, and feel sure my own heart 
 needs thoroughly mending before I can do much 
 toward cultivating the good seed in others. Yet I 
 have been mercifully helped to be faithful to the little 
 that is required, and have felt true peace in giving 
 up my own stubborn will, which always, I think I 
 may say, rises against it. 
 
 First day morning. 
 
 I must just add a line or two to tell thee about 
 an evening which we all felt to be a most weighty 
 occasion. For my own part, I may truly say, my 
 heart was like lead all day, under the apprehension 
 that I should have to declare some plain truths 
 to a company of Protestants and Catholics, which 
 it seemed to me it would be impossible to utter. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 87 
 
 However, the rooms soon filled, and after dearest 
 Joseph had addressed them very interestingly, I 
 repeated the blessing that was pronounced on 
 the children of Israel in the Sixth of Numbers : 
 " The Lord bless thee and keep thee," etc. ; then 
 observed that whilst I had desired the best of bless- 
 ings might descend on every individual in that com- 
 pany, even the blessing that makes truly rich and to 
 which no 'sorrow is added, I had to remember the 
 solemn words which were addressed to King Bel- 
 shazzar : " Because thou hast not humbled thy heart, 
 but hast lifted up thyself against the God of Heaven, 
 and hast praised the gods of silver, of gold, of brass, 
 of wood, and of stone, which see not, nor hear, nor 
 know, and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and 
 whose are all thy ways, thou hast not glorified, thou 
 art weighed in the balances and found wanting : 
 God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it;" 
 and while I desired this solemn sentence might never 
 go forth against any of us, I thought we might all 
 acknowledge that, in one way or other, we too had 
 been praising the gods of silver and gold, etc., and 
 had not sufficiently glorified Him whose kingdom is 
 an everlasting kingdom, and whose dominion is from 
 generation to generation. Yet our God is a jealous 
 God. He will not give His glory to another, nor His 
 praise to any graven image ; He calls for the whole 
 
88 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 heart, quoting His answer to the young man who 
 inquired, What must I do to inherit eternal life ? 
 "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy 
 heart," and then directing all sin-sick souls to Him 
 as the only Saviour, the Lamb of God, who taketh 
 away the sins of the world, for " there is yet balm in 
 Gilead, there is yet a physician there." My sister 
 Fry followed very sweetly, confirming what I had 
 said of giving Him the undivided heart, and Joseph 
 finished in solemn supplication. I did not know 
 how the Catholics would receive the doctrine; but 
 to my comfort, several of them took me warmly by 
 the hand and expressed their great satisfaction in 
 what they had heard. Lafayette's daughter, who is 
 one of the serious among them, seemed full of love, 
 and said, " We have had a blessed evening." I can- 
 not say the weight that was taken off my soul by 
 being faithful, but it was no small effort, as thou 
 mayst suppose. We had two of the ladies in wait- 
 ing on the queen, the Baron Mallet and all his 
 family, Lafavelle, Count Pelet, etc., amounting in all, 
 I should think, to seventy persons or more. 
 
 E. P. G. to H, C. B. 
 
 FONTAINEBLEAU, Fifth mo. 17th, 1843. 
 
 I think I sent thee my hasty journal up to Seventh 
 day evening. On First day morning we had a sweet 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 89 
 
 little meeting with about twenty persons in our own 
 
 little meeting-house, and in the afternoon a large 
 
 and memorable one, certainly the best we have had 
 
 in Paris, in a fine airy room which we have occupied 
 
 on First day afternoons, and found it answered well. 
 
 Dear Joseph, I thought, was unusually helped, as 
 
 well as my sister, and the people seemed brimful of 
 
 kindness when the meeting closed. In the evening 
 
 we had about seventy persons in our own hotel, 
 
 English exclusively, and the day ended in peace. 
 
 And now I must go back a little in my story and 
 
 tell thee that when Guizot dined with us, about a 
 
 week ago, my husband expressed his desire to see 
 
 the king, to which he replied that he thought there 
 
 would be no difficulty in obtaining an interview, and 
 
 that he would undertake to arrange it. However, 
 
 as several days elapsed and we heard nothing further, 
 
 Josiah Forster called on Guizot, and informed him 
 
 that Joseph was about leaving Paris ; but he did not 
 
 receive much encouragement as to the probability of 
 
 his obtaining an audience, and we had quite given 
 
 up the expectation of it, so that after having visited 
 
 the "Enfants Trouves," which is certainly one of the 
 
 most affecting sights I ever witnessed, and spent a 
 
 very pleasant evening with the delightful family of 
 
 the Dellesseres, we were preparing for a start on 
 
 Third day morning, having all our things packed 
 
 8* 
 
90 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 up, when a letter comes from Guizot, announcing 
 the king's pleasure that " Madame Fry and Mon- 
 sieur and Madame Gurney" should wait upon him at 
 Neuilly (his own private palace, about six miles from 
 Paris) at half-past eleven the next day. Here was 
 an end to our journey for the present, so our party 
 amused and occupied themselves in various ways. 
 For my own part, I was very glad of the opportunity 
 of seeing the refuge for poor penitents, an admirably 
 ordered institution, which I had much wished to see, 
 and in the evening we were all interested in a nice 
 party of talented gentlemen whom Aunt Fry had 
 invited to meet her on the prison question. This 
 afforded Joseph an opportunity of fully relieving his 
 mind to several distinguished individuals, so that 
 even in this respect the detention answered well. 
 And now I must tell thee exactly what my feelings 
 were on finding that I was included in the invitation 
 to Neuilly, which was quite an unsolicited favor, 
 though I confess my heart had been much attracted 
 towards the royal family, and I thought more than 
 once, " Had I mamma's faithfulness, I should ask for 
 an interview." Notwithstanding, when the unlooked- 
 for permission came, I was almost ready to decline 
 the favor ; but it seemed to be sealed on my spirit 
 that if I went in simplicity, and was faithful to what 
 was made manifest, I should feel a greater flow of 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. pj 
 
 peace and joy than I had yet experienced since I 
 came to Paris. So we dressed ourselves up in our 
 neatest and away we went. My heart was none of 
 the h'ghtest, I assure thee, and when on observing to 
 my sister that I thought we must not shrink from 
 doing our duty, whatever it might be, she rephed 
 that when she was with the king, some years ago, it 
 seemed almost impossible to introduce anything of 
 a serious nature, the load was increased, and by the 
 time we reached the palace I felt sober enough, 
 being almost convinced, from a certain sort of op- 
 pression which never deceives me, that so surely as 
 I went into the palace I should have to request to 
 have a religious opportunity with the part of the 
 royal family we might happen to see. We were 
 shown into the king's reception-room, where we 
 remained about five minutes, and were then ushered 
 into the presence of the queen, the Princess Ade- 
 laide, the king's sister, and three or four ladies in 
 waiting, beside the aides-de-camp. The queen re- 
 ceived us with the greatest kindness, desired us to 
 be seated, inquired about our visit to Paris, journey 
 for the summer, etc., and in a few minutes the truly 
 intelligent and agreeable-looking king appeared. 
 We all rose to receive him, according to etiquette, 
 but he begged us to be seated, and on finding I was 
 from Philadelphia, he spoke with apparent pleasure 
 
92 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 of having attended Friends' meeting in Second 
 Street before I was born. My sister Fry then al- 
 luded to the affecting circumstance of the sudden 
 death of the Duke of Orleans, which they have all 
 felt extremely, and expressed her sympathy for 
 them, and afterward she introduced the prison sub- 
 ject. Then Joseph gave them a short account of the 
 present state of the free West India Islands. They 
 listened with great attention to both statements, and 
 we had some interesting conversation in reference to 
 them ; but I found I dare not leave it here, and ac- 
 tually had courage to request permission to express 
 what was resting on my mind toward them. They 
 instantly bowed assent, the king saying, " Certainly,- 
 certainly," in the most gracious manner, and after a 
 short pause I was strengthened to address them for 
 several minutes in an unexcited manner, and with 
 more quietness of spirit than I have often known 
 when speaking to the humblest individual. I think 
 in mercy I was raised above all fear for the moment; 
 the ladies, including the queen, directly dropped 
 their worsted work in which they were busily en- 
 gaged, and they were all profoundly attentive until 
 I had done, when the king in the kindest manner 
 exclaimed, " Allow me to return you our heartfelt 
 thanks for your good wishes and prayers for our 
 family," with several other very kind expressions, to 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 93 
 
 which the queen and Princess Adelaide most cordi- 
 ally responded. Then my sister and Joseph in a 
 few appropriate sentences set their seal to what I 
 had said, and desired their heavy afflictions might 
 work for them a far more exceeding and eternal 
 weight of glory, etc. 
 
 After the interchange of a few kind expressions 
 we rose to depart, when the queen with a great deal 
 of feeling turned towards me and observed, " I must 
 thank you from my heart for your prayers for us," 
 to which the Princess Adelaide subjoined, " Yes, 
 from our hearts we thank you," and the king, coming 
 forward and putting out his hand, said in the kindest 
 manner, " Allow me to shake you by the hand, and 
 again express my warmest and most grateful thanks." 
 So thou seest I was abundantly rewarded, even in 
 this way, for my first act of dedication before the 
 great ones of the earth. After we left the palace, 
 Joseph said he had been so reminded of thy 
 prophecy that " I would one day see more of royalty 
 than ever my sister Fry had done," and insisted upon 
 my putting down, as nearly as I could remember it, 
 just what I had communicated and send it to thee, 
 which I have accordingly done. But thou must not 
 expose it, lest it may convey the notion of my feel- 
 ing myself of some importance in the world, when 
 truly I never felt so utterly unequal to do any good 
 
94 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 thing in my own strength, and seldom have I known 
 such seasons of deep abasedness of spirit as during 
 our truly interesting stay in Paris. I began with 
 saying, " Whilst I have earnestly desired that the best 
 of blessings may descend upon the king and queen 
 of the French, and' upon every member of the royal 
 family, my heart has been* touched by the remem- 
 brance that even kings and princes are not exempt 
 from the common lot of humanity, but that the in- 
 teresting circle now before me have had to partake 
 largely of the bitter draught of adversity,'' and I 
 begged to be permitted to remirid them of the words 
 of sacred Scripture : " The Lord doth not willingly 
 afflict nor grieve the children of men, but whom He 
 loveth He chasteneth ; and as a tender father pitieth 
 his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him, 
 for He knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we 
 are dust." 
 
 " My heart has been tendered under a sense of the 
 painful exemplification which the royal family of 
 France have lately had of the succeeding words : 
 'As for man, his days are as grass, as a flower of the 
 field so he flourisheth ; for the wind passeth over it 
 and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no 
 more.' Yet sad as are these reflections, how con- 
 soling is the assurance of the Psalmist, ' That the 
 mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 95 
 
 on them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto 
 children's children to all those who keep His cove- 
 nant and remember His commandments to do them.' 
 May I then be allowed to express my ardent desire 
 foV the king and queen of the French, that by faith- 
 fully keeping their covenant with their God, and re- 
 membering all His commandments to do them, they 
 may know that peace which passeth all understand- 
 ing to rest upon them ; yea, that their peace may ever 
 flow as a river, and that the mercy of their God and 
 Father may descend upon their children and their 
 children's children to all generations ; and finally, 
 being washed and made white in the precious foun- 
 tain of a Saviour's blood, they may through the 
 abounding love and mercy of God in Christ Jesus 
 our Lord be received into that kingdom of eternal 
 blessedness where the wicked cease from troubling 
 and the weary are at rest, where kings lay down their 
 sceptres and worship Him who is the blessed and 
 only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 
 and who is indeed both now and everlastingly worthy 
 of all our service, adoration, thanksgiving, and praise." 
 There were tears in the queen's eyes, I believe, 
 more than once, and she seemed particularly to feel 
 the allusion to the sudden removal of her son, which 
 has, we understand, been a great blow to them 
 all. . . . 
 
g6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 I wanted to tell thee about our affecting visit to 
 the " Enfants Trouves," where we saw hundreds of 
 poor little new-born babies, bleating like lambs for 
 their mothers. They told us they received about 
 thirteen a day, of whom about one-third die. Their 
 little curtained beds looked truly pretty, and I en- 
 joyed quieting several of the poor little innocents by 
 patting them on their backs. They wrap them up in 
 thick blankets, so that they can neither move hand 
 nor foot, and nothing can exceed the pallid and 
 almost deathlike appearance of many of them. 
 
 J. J. Gurney to Anna Backhouse. 
 
 The loveliest of all the ladies whom we have seen 
 and to whom thy mother has been attracted is the 
 Duchess of Orleans, whom we visited by appointment 
 yesterday morning. She received us alone at the 
 Tuileries in the ki-ndest and most open manner, and 
 interested us very deeply. She is simple, refined, 
 unaffected, and warm-hearted, of a slender frame, 
 and a most pleasing countenance. She spoke most 
 affectionately of " Aunt Fry," and after some easy 
 friendly conversation thy dear mother proposed si- 
 lence, which was immediately complied with. Soon 
 afterwards she addressed the duchess, who speaks 
 and understands English well, with remarkable force 
 and clearness, expressing the deep and tender sym- 
 
ELTZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 97 
 
 pathy which she had felt for her before leaving Eng- 
 land ; citing various passages of Scripture relating 
 to those sudden and terrible afflictions which are 
 sometimes permitted, and contrasting them with 
 others ; depicting the rich and abundant consola- 
 tions of the gospel ; declaring her belief that, should 
 further troubles assail her, she would be supported 
 and comforted, quoting the twentieth Psalm, " The 
 Lord hear thee in the day of trouble ;" and that her 
 prayers for herself and her children were and would 
 be answered. The scene was truly touching. 
 
 E. P. G. to M. A. Williams. 
 
 Fifth mo. 28th, 1843. 
 
 We are now among the dear, simple-hearted 
 friends of Nimes, having paid a most interesting and 
 memorable visit of a week at Lyons. Two of the 
 evenings especially I think we shall not soon forget. 
 Between two and three hundred persons were as- 
 sembled at our hotel, and after interesting them for 
 about an hour, the first evening on the subject of 
 emancipation, and the second on the desirableness 
 of improvement in prison discipline, the advantage 
 of the solitary system, etc., we gradually got into 
 a profound silence, and had one of the most solemn 
 religious meetings I ever attended. 
 
 Then we came to Avignon, where we had two 
 9 
 
gS MEMOIJi AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 sweet little meetings, and arrived here yesterday, 
 greatly to our satisfaction. We go to Congenies 
 next week, and then to Switzerland. Will it not be 
 a treat to see that lovely country ? 
 
 E. P. G, to J. K. Clarke. 
 
 Valence, Sixth mo. iSth, 1843. 
 
 Dear Joseph has been extremely ill, and is only 
 now so far recovered as to enable us to go forward 
 toward Geneva by easy journeys and with great 
 care. Thou mayst imagine what it has been to 
 have him laid low with an alarming attack of fever 
 at Congenies, a little village in which it is difficult to 
 obtain the very necessaries of life, ten miles from a 
 medical man in whom we could have any confidence, 
 and the dwelling we were in quite as rough as the 
 log houses in the backwoods of America. However, 
 this rude abode was made comfortable and even plea.s- 
 ant to us by the kind and affectionate attentions of 
 the dear friend to whom it belonged, but, above all, 
 by the lifting up of the light of the countenance of 
 Him in whose presence, even under the most painful 
 circumstances, there is fulness of joy. 
 
 The meetings have been very large and satisfac- 
 tory, and truly cheering it has been to find so many 
 weary of the form and panting for the substance, 
 awaking to the truth of the apostle's doctrine that 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. gg 
 
 "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." At 
 Lyons, Chalons, Avignon, and Nimes we found this 
 most especially the case, and in each place we had 
 large public meetings, besides the smaller towns and 
 villages in all their neighborhoods. 
 
 It was most pleasant when we got to Nimes to 
 sit down once again with our own friends, who have a 
 little meeting there, composed of six or seven families 
 and the dear children at the school, which has been 
 lately opened, and promises to be a real blessing to 
 the little band at Nimes and Congenies, in whom 
 we felt a deep and lively interest. Christine Majolier, 
 whose name I do not doubt thou hast often heard, is 
 a superior person, and a great stay to the society 
 about these parts. Indeed, I do not know what 
 they would do without her, as she is clerk both 
 for the men and women at the Two-Months' Meeting, 
 and a most useful person every way. 
 
 E. P. G. to her Aunt Paul. 
 
 Seventh mo,, 1843. 
 
 My last, I think, was sent from Valence to my 
 sister Julia, and I know you will be glad to hear 
 that since that time my beloved husband has made 
 steady progress toward the recovery of his health, 
 and that I have now the true comfort of seeing him 
 stronger and better than he has been for a twelve- 
 
lOO MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 month. Indeed, he often says he feels quite well 
 again. This is an unspeakable favor, and one for 
 which I desire to be duly thankful. After we left 
 Valence, we spent a few days at Grenoble, where we 
 had some large and interesting meetings with the 
 little band of Protestants who reside there. 
 
 We then proceeded to Geneva, and remained in 
 the neighborhood about three weeks. Many cir- 
 cumstances combined to make this period one of the 
 most interesting of our summer tour. In the first 
 place, it was our introduction into Switzerland, — a 
 country which I have had a longing to visit all my life, 
 and which, now I have seen it, I can acknowledge 
 not only equals, but far exceeds my expectations 
 with regard to its unique character of picturesque 
 loveliness. In the next place, we became acquainted 
 with several excellent and eminent persons, for whom 
 Geneva is celebrated, — D'Aubigne, the author of the 
 " Reformation," who is one of the finest and most 
 sensible-looking men I ever saw; Gaussen, the author 
 of the " Theopneustic," also a highly-talented and 
 serious man ; and with the Baroness de Stael we 
 were extremely pleased, a thoroughly accomplished 
 lady, yet an humble Christian. 
 
 The most striking time we had, however, was on 
 the occasion of a breakfast to which my husband and 
 Josiah Forster thought it right to invite many of the 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. loi 
 
 serious people of Geneva, including about twelve or 
 fifteen pastors, some of them truly spiritually-minded 
 men I have no doubt. We had a pleasant, social 
 meal, and afterward a memorable meeting, which 
 seemed to bring us very near together, making us 
 realize our Saviour's words : " One is your Master, 
 even Christ, and all ye are brethren." Their hearts 
 were full of love and kindness when they parted 
 from us, and I quite believe our coming together 
 was not in vain. 
 
 Extracts from E. P. G.'s Journal. 
 
 Geneva, Seventh mo. lOth, 1843. — I cannot pre- 
 tend to describe the loveliness of our drive from 
 Grenoble to Chambery. The fertile valley of 
 Idere, with its beauti fully- trellised vines, its flowery 
 chestnut-trees, its bright green fields of grass and 
 grain, with here and there a well-filled team or two, 
 surrounded by the happy haymakers, both men 
 and women, the latter with their gypsy hats and 
 cherry-colored handkerchiefs and aprons, formed 
 one of the most charming pictures I have ever seen. 
 The effect was magical, and it became a perfect fairy- 
 scene when, added to all this, upon our right the 
 snow-clad Alps of almost dazzling whiteness burst 
 on the view, and to the left the rock-ribbed moun- 
 tains formed a magnificent and towering battlement 
 
 9* 
 
I02 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 for many miles. The cold expression of the eternal 
 snows contrasted strangely with the almost golden 
 flood of light and heat that poured upon us from a 
 burning sun, and we could scarcely think the whole 
 was no illusion. The next day we reached Annecy, 
 and had a lovely row upon the lake just as the sun 
 was setting. The scenery was truly beautiful. 
 
 On Fourth day noon we got to this sweet home, 
 and found most pleasant rooms provided for us on 
 the Rhone. 
 
 On Fifth day we took the steamer for Vevay, 
 and a delightful excursion we had. The mountain- 
 scenery, as you approach Vevay, is truly charming, 
 and our hotel in the best situation possible for an 
 entire view of it. On Sixth day morning we took a 
 carriage and drove to Villeneuve, stopping to see 
 John Backhouse's delightful residence upon the lake, 
 wjiere they had spent six months some years ago. 
 
 We looked at Chillon, too, with real interest, and 
 my husband sketched it. The footprints in the 
 prison-floor, worn by poor Bonnivard, and the islet 
 with " three trees," so exactly answering to the 
 poet's lines, were curiously attractive, for I thought 
 I had grown far too prosaic to care aught about 
 them. And then I do so utterly condemn Lord 
 Byron's course, I hardly liked to be so influenced by 
 his productions. Had he but used his master-mind 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 103 
 
 to improve and not demoralize his species, we can- 
 not calculate the vast results. This observation will 
 apply with equal or greater force to that incalculably 
 naughty man, Napoleon, who is almost idolized in 
 France for his bad deeds. 
 
 At Villeneuve, which is at the head of the lake, 
 we again took the steamer and returned to this place. 
 Just before we landed a sweet-looking lady came up 
 to me and introduced herself by saying she believed 
 I had seen her sister, the Princess of Orange, at the 
 Hague. I replied that my husband had ; on which 
 she immediately rejoined, "Oh, I was sure that must 
 be Mr. Gurney, from my sister's description of him." 
 We had some pleasant conversation afterward, dear 
 Joseph joining us, and yesterday morning she called, 
 attended by her lady in waiting. It appears she is 
 the eldest daughter of the king of Wiirtemberg, and 
 is married to the son of the husband of Maria Louisa 
 (former wife of Napoleon). His name is Niepberg. 
 There is something remarkably sweet and simple 
 about her, and at my husband's suggestion I wrote 
 her a little note. 
 
 Seventh mo. 25th, 1843. — We are now happily 
 out of Geneva without the weight of a feather 
 upon us, but truly the three weeks that we passed 
 in its vicinity had as much of weight and trial 
 in them as it was easy at seasons to bear. There 
 
I04 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 are many very interesting and highly intellectual 
 people at Geneva, and many high professors. How 
 much there is of simple, genuine, unmixed Chris- 
 tianity is not for us to judge. There is much 
 diversity of sentiment, and perhaps some want of 
 charity, among them. There were, however, sev- 
 eral pastors who appeared to be really devoted men, 
 with whose company we were much pleased. A 
 strong prejudice evidently existed against women's 
 ministry, of which we heard as soon as we arrived; 
 and, with the burden which was certainly laid upon 
 me towards the people, I was placed in the most 
 painful and apparently indissoluble bonds. I scarcely 
 know which, was the most annoying, the objection in 
 the minds of some, or the strong curiosity and in- 
 clination in others, inducing them to beg that I 
 would speak. But truly our merciful Lord does 
 make a way for us where we can see no way. Did 
 any ever trust in Him and were confounded ? Our 
 first meeting was in our own hotel, and very satisfac- 
 tory ; afterward my husband gave an account of his 
 visit to the West Indies to a large company in the 
 Casino, six or seven hundred. He told his story 
 well, giving it a very instructive turn toward the 
 close, reminding them that there was a slavery even 
 more terrible and more to be dreaded than that 
 under which the poor Africans groaned, — the cruel 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 105 
 
 bondage of a tyrannizing world ; directing their 
 attention to the one great Liberator, whose blessed 
 ofiSce it is to burst every bond and let the oppressed 
 go free. Nothing could exceed the solemn silence 
 which prevailed throughout, and I believe it was a 
 time of favor that will be long remembered by many. 
 On First day evening he had a large meeting for 
 worship at the Casino, which was also very satisfac- 
 tory, and in the course of the week we paid several 
 social visits, which ended with religious opportuni- 
 ties. On Second day morning, intending to leave 
 the next day, we gave a breakfast to all the "pas- 
 tors" at Geneva and several other serious gentlemen, 
 amounting in all to about twenty-one. We had a 
 very pleasant meal, and after my husband had read 
 a portion of Scripture, and addressed them in a beau- 
 tiful and appropriate manner, I was constrained to 
 relieve my mind toward those who were " ambassa- 
 dors for Christ." It was no small trial- to me to be 
 faithful on this occasion, especially as the two min- 
 isters who were said to be so entirely opposed to 
 women's ministry were sitting near me ; but instead 
 of being offended by what I said, they were as 
 cordial as possible afterward, hoping the Lord might 
 bless our labors of love, and expressing with many 
 others the comfort and satisfaction they had had in 
 the opportunity. 
 
I06 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 In the evening we took tea at Colonel Frouchin's, 
 where we again met with several of our morning 
 company, and many more, a party probably of sixty- 
 five or seventy. A very sweet evening we had, 
 visiting the capital chalet which this truly liberal 
 man has erected for the sick poor, at his own ex- 
 pense and on his own grounds. We had a religious 
 opportunity with the inmates, I hope to their re- 
 freshment, and afterwards with the party at the 
 chateau, to our own relief and comfort. 
 
 " If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things 
 that are above," etc. Their hearts seemed to over- 
 flow with love and kindness toward us, and we 
 parted from them not expecting to see their faces 
 again in this scene of mutability ; but, to our sur- 
 prise and pleasure, a few of them waylaid us on our 
 road next day to take a final leave. It was very 
 bright and cheering to see them once again, and the 
 effort which they made for it, waiting some time in 
 the heat, proved their sincerity. At Yverdun and 
 Neufchatel my dear husband had good service in 
 meetings appointed in the Oratoire, and therefpre, of 
 course, I could have no part in them, as women are 
 not allowed to speak in their churches. 
 
 We are now at Berne (Seventh mo. 30th), and 
 expecting to hold a meeting in our inn this evening 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 107 
 
 We reached this place on Fifth day evening, and 
 on Sixth day noon we took a drive to Hofwyl. I 
 cannot say that the spirit of this place is very satis- 
 factory, and greatly fear that, commendable as Fel- 
 lenberg's system is in many respects, there is not 
 a full recognition of Divine truth to be found in it, 
 and hence is an indescribable chilliness over the 
 whole thing, which is very uncomfortable. 
 
 Zurich, Eighth mo. 7th. — We had a truly satis- 
 factory meeting at Berne on First day evening. A 
 burthened mind was my portion all through the 
 day, which is always an earnest, and often a fearful 
 one, that I shall have some part to take in the vocal 
 service; and after my dear husband had been very 
 interestingly engaged for nearly an hour, I had to 
 employ him as my interpreter while I warned the 
 assembly, composed as it was of serious people, of 
 the danger of self-confidence, and pointed out the 
 necessity of placing our whole dependence upon 
 Him who can alone preserve us from the power of 
 the enemy. " Let him who thinketh he standeth 
 take heed lest he fall." 
 
 The meeting ended very solidly, and we had sev- 
 eral serious persons in our saloon afterward. On 
 Second day morning we left Berne (where we also 
 visited a school for orphans and a refuge for naughty 
 boys, both well conducted), and made a lovely ex- 
 
I08 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 cursion to the Oberland. JVIy husband wished to 
 have meetings at Thun, Interlachen, and Lauter- 
 brunnen, and none of us had any objection to feast 
 our eyes on the delicious scenery with which this 
 part of Switzerland abounds. 
 
 Grindelwald especially has the most unique char- 
 acter of picturesque loveliness, — the beautiful Swiss 
 cottages, with their outside staircases and latticed 
 balconies, forming a highly ornamental feature in the 
 charming landscape ; the happy-looking peasants in 
 their bright costumes ; the Alpine horns reverberating 
 through the mountain fastnesses ; the thrilling " Ranz 
 des Vaches," sung with peculiar sweetness by the 
 mountaineers ; the bounding goats, led frequently 
 by children down the winding paths ; the wondrous 
 glaciers, so blue and beautiful, which mock descrip- 
 tion ; and now and then a thundering avalanche 
 comes rolling down the distant mountaifi-side, 
 adding fresh charm to this enchanting spot. But, 
 beyond and above all, the towering Bernese Alps, 
 capped with eternal snows, burst on your marvelling 
 and delighted sight at every turn. Of these, the 
 Jungfrau, Eiger, Monch, etc., are conspicuous ; and 
 of the beautiful dark mountains in the Oberland, the 
 , Niesen stands unrivalled. 
 
 A pious old -schoolmaster resides near the falls 
 (which are highly beautiful), who informed us that 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 109 
 
 his grandchildren were the finest singers of the 
 " Ranz des Vaches" on the mountains, and directly 
 summoned them to make good his word, which they 
 did, I have no doubt, for such extraordinary power 
 of the human voice I never met with. My husband, 
 who seldom loses an opportunity of doing good, 
 had a nice little meeting with them afterward, and 
 the tears trickled down the old schoolmaster's face 
 while he addressed them. 
 
 Basel, Eighth mo. i ith, 1843. — After we left Thun 
 we came to Lucerne, where, although way did not 
 open for a meeting, we were pleased with having some 
 communication with a serious gentleman and his wife, 
 by the name of Bost: he is a young pastor just 
 about to settle at Amiens. In the afternoon we had 
 a delightful row on the lake, which is one of the 
 most romantic we have yet seen, and its four arms 
 (the ''Quatre Bras") curious and beautiful. From 
 Lucerne we had a pleasant drive to Zurich ; Mount 
 Pilatus rising up in isolated and silent dignity to 
 take his leave of us on our departure. I think this 
 is my favorite of all the unsnowed mountains, it 
 looks so thoroughly majestic, and then its outline is 
 so bold, irregular, and truly fine. The clouds are 
 said always to gather on it, and it was capped with 
 them while we were there, dark, lowering thunder- 
 clouds, which added to the grand effect I think. 
 
no MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 When we arrived at Zurich we found that Gessner, 
 the venerable old pastor, whom we hoped to see, was 
 just deceased, and that funeral sermons were to be 
 preached for him in the different chapels on the fol- 
 lowing Sabbath. This, I have no doubt, contributed 
 to the solemnity of the meeting which my husband 
 held in the evening, and which proved a remarkably 
 satisfactory one. Our new friend, Matilda Esher, 
 who belongs to the same class as Christine Majolier 
 and Sophia Wurstenberger, useful and independent, 
 had got the meeting up in a suitable apartment in 
 her brother's house. His sermon was a very inter- 
 esting comment upon the text, " Not many wise, 
 not many mighty, not many noble are called," and 
 seemed to make a deep impression on the attentive 
 hearers. 
 
 While we were at Zurich we paid a delightful visit 
 to our dear friend the Countess Pelet, who, with her 
 amiable husband, was at Baden-Baden, about twelve 
 miles off. She received us with the utmost cordial- 
 ity, and said she could not refrain from weeping 
 when she found she must leave the neighborhood 
 the next day, and therefore resign all hope of seeing 
 us, as her health was too delicate to make the exer- 
 tion to come to us. She is certainly the finest 
 woman we have seen on the Continent, both as re- 
 gards the natural powers of her comprehensive mind. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. m 
 
 her superior cultivation, and the soundness and set- 
 tlement of her religious principles. We seem to 
 have been drawn together by a very strong bond, 
 and I trust our Christian friendship may not end 
 here. 
 
 At Zurich we were much interested in visiting the 
 unmarried daughter of Lavater, who resides in the 
 house in which he was born. She is evidently a 
 woman of a sorrowful spirit, apparently too refined 
 and sensitive to pass easily through the roughnesses 
 of this world, but alive in the truth, and cheered upon 
 her dark and thorny way by the blessed hope of a 
 glorious immortality. She showed us a small library 
 of her father's manuscript books, and appears to have 
 the highest veneration for his memory. 
 
 We had a large and very interesting meeting at 
 Schaffhausen, in which dear Joseph was well inter- 
 preted by a nice young man, and toward the close 
 of the meeting I was considerably frightened by feel- 
 ing a concern to rise, as he could only translate from 
 French into German, and that I could not speak. 
 However, in a little faith, I ventured to commence in 
 English ; my husband kindly put it into French, and 
 the interpreter into German, sentence by sentence, 
 until I had done, and the meeting ended under a 
 covering of much solemnity. 
 
 We left Schaffhausen on Fifth day morning, 
 
112 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and came on to Basel, where we now are, in the 
 poorest accommodations we have had in Switzer- 
 land. On our way thither we visited Burgen, a 
 well-conducted institution, under the care of Zeller, 
 a man of good spirit and respectable abilities ; his 
 wife seems an efficient helper, and both the children 
 and the young men who are preparing for teachers 
 looked very agreeable. The spirit of the whole 
 thing was a perfect contrast to Hofwyl, where there 
 is more talent, more display, more exact arrange- 
 ment, and more completeness in many ways, but far 
 less of the one great charm of all benevolent estab- 
 lishments, — the integrity and simplicity of the truth 
 as it is in Jesus. At Burgen my husband had an 
 interesting little meeting with the thirty-five young 
 men who are qualifying themselves for teachers, and 
 when we came down to the yard we found the chil- 
 dren, who had been in the fields at work, all assem- 
 bled to meet us. Both he and Josiah addressed 
 them, to which, at the request of their master, they 
 returned a hearty " Danke !" in full concert, and we 
 parted from them very agreeably impressed with the 
 good order of this establishment. 
 
 Basel, Eighth mo. 14th. — On First day morning 
 we had our own little meeting, in which my hus- 
 band was engaged in supplication very sweetly, and 
 I had afterward to express a few words, to my 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 113 
 
 humiliation, for it is seldom more trying to me to 
 speak than in these very small assemblies composed 
 of our own party. 
 
 In the evening we had a larger meeting at the 
 Mission House, in which my husband was very 
 solemnly engaged, both in ministry and prayer, and 
 afterward we partook of the humble supper of the 
 missionaries. 
 
 Carlsruhe, Eighth mo. i6th, 1843. — On Second 
 day morning we left Basel, and came on to Stras- 
 burg, where, after a time of no small suffering, we 
 had a large and relieving meeting. My own mind 
 had been very much attracted to this place, yet as the 
 meeting was to be held at the Oratoire, there seemed 
 no possibility of relief, as we have always under- 
 stood that there was an entire prohibition to women 
 speaking there. However, my husband had some 
 conversation with the pastor on the subject, and 
 found, to his surprise, that not only did no objection 
 exist in his mind against it, but that he was quite 
 willing to prepare the minds of the people, in case I 
 should have anything to say, by informing them 
 what were the views of Friends on the subject of 
 women's ministry, which he did in German, and, 
 moreover, as I afterwards understood, assured them 
 that I would address them, so that it was very well I 
 
 had something given me to say, which I had very 
 
 10* 
 
114 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 little expectation would be the case when I went to 
 meeting. 
 
 We had a very nice meeting in the evening, and 
 when two young men who attempted to interpret 
 for my husband failed, a sweet young girl from India, 
 whom Hoffman beckoned to, stepped up upon the 
 platform and translated beautifully from English 
 into German, without the least forwardness, but also 
 without the least hesitation. The next day we went 
 to see the celebrated prison at Ludwigsburg, in 
 which there are about nine hundred prisoners, all 
 men. The regulations appear to be good, but they 
 are sadly crowded together, the prison being only 
 intended for five hundred. We visited five of the 
 wards, and the poor creatures seemed very much 
 touched with what was said to them. Some of the 
 soldiers also looked greatly interested, and although 
 much of the seed, no doubt, fell into stony and thorny 
 places, some, I trust, also was sown in good ground. 
 And now, at the close of this truly remarkable journey, 
 in which we have been led as the blind by a way that 
 we knew not, and wherein we are bound to confess 
 that darkness has again and again been made light 
 before us and crooked things straight, what can we 
 do but unite in the acknowledgment, " O Lord, 
 righteousness belongeth unto Thee, but unto us 
 confusion of face as at this day." May each one of 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 "5 
 
 our party return home refreshed and deepened in 
 the root of life. 
 
 Brussels, Eighth mo. 25th, 1843. — We are now 
 rapidly wending our way homeward. For my own 
 part, I feel as if I had not the burthen of a feather 
 upon me ; and though, on a retrospect of this deeply 
 interesting journey, which has occupied nearly five 
 months, it is sensibly impressed upon my spirit that 
 so various have been my besetments and so mani- 
 fold my infirmities, that the unmeasured and im- 
 measurable mantle of a Saviour's love alone could 
 cover them, yet through the tender mercy of that 
 gracious God, whose penetrating eye sees through 
 them all, even to the depth of my weak heart's sin- 
 cerity, a precious feeling of sweet peace is given me, 
 in which I can most gratefully adopt the language, 
 "Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O Lord, 
 according to Thy word." 
 
 Calais, Eighth mo. 29th, 1843. — We made some 
 agreeable acquaintances at Brussels, among whom 
 were the Baron du Bois, Pastor Panchaud, and an 
 English lady named Peterson, who appeared to be 
 well employed in philanthropic objects ; and on First 
 day evening we had a large meeting in the saloon 
 of the hotel, in which Joseph was for some time 
 very interestingly engaged. The next morning we 
 left Brussels with unclouded minds ; and here we 
 
Il6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 are, waiting for the packet of to-morrow. It gives 
 us a nice opportunity for getting a little into the 
 quiet before we encounter the full home stream. 
 
 The following letters, although in some respects a 
 recapitulation of the journal already quoted, are pre- 
 served as giving some new views of the events of this 
 interesting tour. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 NiMES, Sixth mo. 3d, 1843. 
 
 I think I sent my last letter from Lyons, but I 
 believe I did not tell thee of the intense suffering I 
 had in going there. It seemed to me almost impos- 
 sible to endure life any longer, and I wept as we 
 went along until I was completely ill. However, a 
 quiet evening and good night brought me round a 
 little, and in the morning we began to inquire what 
 was to be done in that great place, the second city 
 in France. Presently the Pastor Cordes called, and 
 on Joseph's asking permission to attend his chapel 
 and address the people, if he found it required of 
 him, it was cheerfully granted him. The ladies, 
 however, were given to understand that it was con- 
 trary to the law of the Sanhedrim for women to 
 speak in the churches. I saw my dear husband's 
 countenance fall directly, but my naughty heart was 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. up, 
 
 ready to jump for joy. The pastor, however, kindly 
 offered even to interpret for me if we should have a 
 meeting in our own hotel, but I hoped never to 
 trouble him. I think I told thee that the attendance 
 of the meeting at the chapel, and of one on the 
 succeeding evening, was very satisfactory, the last 
 particularly so ; and on Sixth day evening we 
 had a reunion of about one hundred and seventy 
 persons in the large and accommodating rooms of 
 our hotel. My soul was in greater heaviness all the 
 evening than I can describe, and after Joseph had 
 told them some interesting facts connected with 
 emancipation, my spirit was enfranchised from its 
 bonds, in comparison with which I would hope the 
 fetters of the poor slave are light, or how can it be 
 possible for him to wear them year by year ? 
 
 I was mercifully helped to deliver a very close 
 communication to a mixed company, and felt true 
 peace afterward. A very nice young gentleman, 
 named Perrin, interpreted for me. Our Pastor 
 Cordes was present and two other ministers, and the 
 whole company seemed full of love and cordiality. 
 My husband closed the meeting with solemn sup- 
 plication, and a more interesting evening we never 
 had. We always distribute books, which they re- 
 ceive most gladly. On Seventh day morning we 
 took breakfast with a Christian lady by the name of 
 
Il8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Evesque, who was truly kind to us. She has a 
 beautiful place a few miles from Lyons, and it was 
 quite a treat to enjoy the charming prospect and 
 delightful breezes. She afterward took us to the 
 principal prison, where we were met by a gentleman 
 of rank, a nice man, but a stanch Catholic. He sat 
 right before me the evening before, which did not 
 make it any easier to speak plainly of the sinfulness 
 of idol worship. We went over the prison arm-in- 
 arm, and at last, to my humiliation, I had to stop 
 and address the female prisoners, many of whom 
 wept much and really seemed to feel the opportu- 
 nity. But I believe I touched upon a tender chord 
 in quoting our Saviour's memorable words as He 
 approached Jerusalem : " If thou hadst known the 
 things that belong unto thy peace, but now are they 
 hid from thine eyes, therefore your house is left 
 unto you desolate," remarking on the sad desolation 
 which sin and transgression had introduced into 
 their houses, separating the wife from the husband, 
 the mother from her chfld, etc. ; that by coming 
 to this Saviour in living faith, and proving that 
 faith by a thorough amendment of life, they might 
 yet know their peace to flow as a river. I had also 
 to speak to a large company of boys, who behaved 
 well, but looked hardened enough for anything. 
 Dear Joseph Spoke in several of the wards, and, con- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. up 
 
 trary to what we learn has been their usual custom, 
 the way was most completely opened for us. There 
 has been a division among the Protestants in Lyons, 
 and those who go to the Temple call the seceders 
 Methodists ; whereas they consider the Temple 
 attenders to be little better than Unitarians. My 
 husband wished to have a meeting with the last on 
 First day evening, but it was contrary to their rules 
 to admit a stranger. However, the pastor kindly 
 offered to invite his congregation to attend a meet- 
 ing at the hotel, and as some notice was also given 
 to the chapelites, we had a mixed company of about 
 three hundred persons, — Catholics, Unitarians, and 
 Methodists. After a time of no small suffering we 
 had a most interesting and relieving meeting. A 
 few explanatory words from Joseph, and then I had 
 to preach the longest sermon, if such I may venture 
 to call it, that ever I did in my life, and though it 
 was certainly the plain, unvarnished truth, it was 
 well received, many thanking me afterwards in the 
 kindest manner. 
 
 The country about Avignon is beautiful ; the fig, 
 the olive, and the vine flourish in great abundance, 
 and quite delight the eye at every turn. But I must 
 tell thee of our visit to the old palace of the Pope. 
 A part of it is now used for the barracks of the 
 military, and our little guide conducted us into a 
 
I20 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 room adjoining their apartments, while she went to 
 look for an older escort. I soon became tired of 
 waiting, and altogether rather low, not having much 
 pleasure in sight-seeing at any time; but it all at 
 once occurred to me that it was a pity not to turn 
 our idle moments to some account, so I proposed to 
 Joseph to endeavor to have a little serious conversa- 
 tion with the soldiers who were lounging about in 
 the next room. It seemed rather an experiment, but 
 nothing could answer better. They seemed to me 
 to think that war was the one great object of their 
 existence, so I begged Joseph to tell them that all 
 wars must come to an end, but that the immortal 
 soul would live forever, therefore it was the one 
 great business of life to have it cleansed from its 
 pollutions and prepared for a happy eternity. They 
 looked really thoughtful, and listened to him for 
 some time with great attention. I felt much more 
 cheerful afterward, and concluded we might be in 
 the way of our duty even when apparently in the 
 neglect of it. In the afternoon we had a most 
 striking visit to a capital institution for disabled 
 officers, numbers of whom we found sitting under 
 the shade of the fine old elms ; and as we walked 
 about we joined the different groups, and literally 
 had meetings by stealth with very many of them. 
 Joseph managed to interest and attract their atten- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 121 
 
 tion by relating an anecdote of Napoleon, for whose 
 memory they have the most unbounded veneration, 
 which was told him by a gentleman we met on board 
 the steamer. It was the Abbe Coquereau, who went 
 to St. Helena to bring home the Emperor's remains. 
 He said he became entirely convinced of the truth 
 of religion, and died a Christian. Joseph took the 
 opportunity to impress on the officers that if this 
 account were true, it must have been through sin- 
 cere repentance and change of heart, as our Lord 
 declared, " Ye must be born again or ye can never 
 enter the kingdom of heaven.'' One of the old sol- 
 diers expressed a belief (which I imagine is common 
 among them) that if a man die in battle he is sure 
 to die happy, and we reminded him of our Saviour's 
 words, " If you die in your sins, whither I go ye 
 cannot come ;'' that many fall in the midst of their 
 sins, consequently there is no ground for hope that 
 such will be received into rest and blessedness. It 
 was a most interesting and striking time, and we felt 
 that our visit there was rightly ordered. 
 
 We got to Nimes on Fifth day evening, just in time 
 to sit down with the little band of Friends ; and truly 
 sweet it was to be with them, not having been at a 
 regular meeting of Friends before since we left Eng- 
 land. There is nothing like it, I am persuaded, and 
 I believe I shall always stick to the old ship, let who 
 
122 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 will forsake it. After making a very satisfactory visit 
 here, having had some large meetings and reunions, 
 which Christine, who is our kind helper, thinks will 
 not soon be forgotten, we are just about to set off 
 for Congenies, but shall return in about two weeks 
 on our way to Geneva. We are much pleased with 
 the school, and the dear children seem delighted to 
 have us. Justine Benezet, the teacher, is a sweet- 
 spirited woman, an acknowledged minister. I must 
 tell thee a little anecdote about her sister, a person 
 of sweet countenance and the greatest simplicity of 
 character I ever met with. She was telling us her 
 grandfather and grandmother were both ministers, 
 and Joseph expressed a wish that their mantle might 
 descend upon her, on which she beautifully answered 
 with the most striking naivete, " Void la servante du 
 Seigneur" (" Be it unto me as thou wilt"). I could not 
 help thinking how thou wouldst have enjoyed her 
 simplicity. Poor thing ! her husband was murdered 
 a few years ago. She has lost one fine child, and 
 the only one left is an idiot. 
 
 On Second day morning, with feelings of un- 
 clouded peace, we took leave of the dear kind friends 
 of Congenies, who assembled in a body at the door 
 of our dwelling-house and parted from us with tear- 
 ful eyes, and pursued our way to Nimes, where we 
 found J. C. Backhouse awaiting our arrival. On 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 12? 
 
 Third day morning we had a sitting with the chil- 
 dren of the school, and then set out on our journey; 
 dear Joseph very weak, but evidently improving 
 every day. Our visit to Grenoble was as deeply 
 exercising and as truly satisfactory in its results as 
 any we have yet made; but I will not enter into 
 partiqulars, for I am tired of writing about ourselves, 
 and I fear thou wilt be weary of hearing of our per- 
 formances. The few serious people of Grenoble 
 expressed their earnest hope that the opportunity 
 might be blessed to the little church there, which 
 they represent as being in a very dead state. The 
 pastor said he did not think so large a company had 
 ever been collected for worship before since he had 
 resided there. There were several soldiers among 
 them. The next morning we had a very sweet time 
 at the girls' school, which is under the care of the 
 pastor's wife. Some of them are under serious im- 
 pressions at this time, and Martha Yeardley's visit is 
 held in lively remembrance, though I believe they 
 had no meeting at Grenoble, except the one at the 
 school. 
 
 Zurich, Eighth mo. 5th. — When J. Forster joined 
 us at Geneva, as my husband had not regained 
 his strength, we concluded to spend a few days at 
 Chamouni for rest and refreshment, and such a rare 
 treat of fine scenery we certainly never had before ; 
 
124 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 but it so wholly mocks description that it is almost 
 idle to attempt it. The whole drive is one of uncom- 
 mon loveliness. After we left Geneva, we had large 
 meetings at Lausanne, Vevay, Neufchatel, Berne, etc., 
 and again we feasted our eyes on the most mag- 
 nificent scenery. At Grindelwald there were also 
 beautiful glaciers in sight from our inn ; and near 
 Brienz we saw the lovely Giesbach, one of the 
 finest waterfalls in Switzerland. We had several 
 very interesting meetings at Interlachen, Thun, and 
 Lauterbrunnen. The one at Thun especially was 
 very interesting, being attended by a little company 
 of Primitive Christians, who reside in the neighbor- 
 hood, whose souls seem truly thirsting for the living 
 spring, and I believe we were refreshed together. 
 We had a very interesting meeting here last evening. 
 Zurich, Eighth mo. 7th. — The good old Pastor 
 Gessner, whom we had hoped to see, deceased a few 
 days before we arrived, and his funeral sermon was 
 preached in the different chapels yesterday, so that 
 it was rather an unusually serious time, and I have 
 no doubt tended to the solemnity of the evening 
 meeting, which was very relieving to Joseph's mind. 
 We have just been refreshed by interesting visits, 
 one to the widow of Gessner, the other to the single 
 daughter of Lavater, who resides in the house in 
 which he was born. I believe they are truly of the 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 135 
 
 household of faith, and it was cheering to be received 
 by them as brethren and sisters of the Lord. The 
 dear old lady seems only to realize that the partner 
 of her joys and sorrows has, in the tender mercy of 
 his God and Saviour, been taken home a little while 
 before her; and the instructive language of her 
 grateful spirit seemed to be, " The Lord gave, and 
 the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be His name." 
 
 E. P. G. to H, C. B. 
 
 Brussels, Eighth mo. 26th, 1843. 
 The last month, since I wrote thee before, has per- 
 haps been as striking as any part of our journey, and 
 certainly when we left home we had no expectation 
 of finding such an open door in France and Switzer- 
 land, and I may now add Germany; for, passing 
 over our very interesting month at Geneva and the 
 neighborhood, visit to Yverdun and Neufchatel, Berne, 
 Schaffhausen, Strasburg, Zurich, Basel, etc., I must 
 give thee a little account of our remarkable experi- 
 ence at Stuttgart, which ought to confirm my faith 
 all the days of my life. I think I told thee of our 
 meeting the Princess Marie of Wiirtemberg when 
 we were at Geneva, when she cordially invited us 
 to Stuttgart, but my husband told her we had no 
 expect^ion of coming that way. When she left she 
 
 wrote me a sweet little note, commending her father, 
 
 II* 
 
126 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 the King of Wiirtemberg, to our prayers, speaking of 
 him as the " noblest being in the world, and the one 
 dearest to her." However, time passed on, and we 
 were steadily pursuing our homeward journey (not 
 the direct route certainly, but the one we proposed 
 before leaving home), when my husband seemed 
 rather arrested by the thought of Stuttgart, and he 
 and Josiah made several inquiries as to distance, the 
 probability of the King's being at home, etc., — all 
 which resulted in determining them on the negative 
 side of the question. We had all turned from it as 
 a sort of impossibility, when one evening some time 
 after, as we were sitting in silence in a meeting at 
 Neufchatel, it was clearly impressed on my mind 
 that we should go to Stuttgart, and that we should 
 see the King. The next day I told Joseph, and as 
 we progressed on our journey we made fresh inqui- 
 ries, but nothing could be more discouraging. We 
 were told that both the Princess Marie and her 
 father were then in Italy, and not expected home 
 for weeks to come ; that it would take us seven days 
 longer at least to go by Stuttgart ; still my faith did 
 not fail, and our party seemed willing to go there. 
 When we arrived we found the reports were true : 
 the King was in Italy, and, though he was expected 
 in a day or two, it was very uncertain when he 
 would come. So we went on with our work, visit- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 127 
 
 ing Kornthal, a most interesting colony of Primitive 
 Christians, about six miles off, on Sixth day after- 
 noon ; spent Seventh day at Ludwigsburg, the famous 
 prison, where we had really solemn service with the 
 prisoners in several wards, fifty or sixty in each. 
 The prisoners and the soldiers at the door seemed 
 much affected. Josiah Forster was our kind inter- 
 preter, as they all speak German. On First day 
 morning, as we sat in our little meeting under some 
 discouragement, the chief object of our visit appear- 
 ing less and less likely to be accomplished, the 
 words of our Saviour very unexpectedly revived in 
 my mind : " Your times are always ready, but my 
 time is not always," accompanied with a strong 
 belief that we ought to wait His time. I felt relieved 
 by repeating them, and expresSing my desire that 
 we might resign ourselves wholly into the hands of 
 Him whose ways are above our ways. In the even- 
 ing we had a large and satisfactory meeting in four 
 rooms communicating with each other at the house 
 of a Christian friend, and afterward my dear hus- 
 band told me he felt quite relieved, and, as there 
 seemed now no more probability of the King's return 
 than when we arrived, he thought we could not 
 delay any longer. I cannot describe to thee the 
 anguish of spirit this brought over me; indeed, 
 through our whole visit, and especially on every 
 
128 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 fresh discouragement, my heart was like lead, for I 
 was fastened to the place in the most singular man- 
 ner, and dare not break my bonds ; so I begged we 
 might stay till noon, and see if anything opened ; if 
 not, and they wished it, we would go. In the morn- 
 ing we were told that not only was the King not 
 arrived, but it was now wholly uncertain when he 
 would come. I really began to conclude that my 
 faith would be wholly destroyed, that I should have 
 to leave Stuttgart without any answer to the deep 
 impression which had been so singularly made on 
 my mind, and which nothing had been able to shake. 
 If this proved a delusion, how could I believe that 
 any of my former experience was true ? I threw 
 myself on the bed and wept in an agony of soul 
 which was known only to the All-seeing Eye. About 
 this time a person came to request we would have a 
 meeting in the evening at the house of a lady, to 
 which many people wished to come who were not at 
 the previous meeting. Joseph's mind seemed drawn 
 to it at once, contrary to his usual custom, and I felt 
 sure it was right. The meeting was appointed, and 
 consequently we remained through the day. 
 
 About three o'clock, when we should otherwise 
 have been on our journey, as I believe in deep sad- 
 ness of heart, a messenger arrived to say the King 
 was come. Confirming as this was to my faith, and 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 129 
 
 in that way an inexpressible relief, I felt it such a 
 solemn undertaking that I was almost ready to 
 regret we were not off. The meeting in the evening 
 was allowed on all hands to be one of the very best 
 we have had on the Continent, and nothing could 
 exceed the flow of love from hundreds afterward. 
 In the morning fresh discouragements arose : on 
 applying to the aides-de-camp of the King, they said 
 that an immense quantity of business was waiting 
 his attention, that the Queen was at her palace in the 
 country, and the King did not receive ladies alone. 
 They promised, however, to make known our wishes, 
 and my husband said we should be very glad to be 
 able to go on the journey the next day, but, of 
 course, we should wait the King's time. About two 
 o'clock a messenger came from the palace to say 
 their "majesties" would receive us at six o'clock in 
 the evening at the Queen's palace in the country. 
 Thither we all repaired, and after waiting a few 
 •minutes in the ante-room, we were ushered into the 
 balcony, where the King and Queen were surrounded 
 by their children, and perhaps thirty or forty ladies 
 and gentlemen. It looked formidable indeed, but 
 they received us very kindly, and we stood convers- 
 ing together for some time. Dear Joseph spoke to 
 them about the prisons, slavery, etc., and then whis- 
 pered to me that I must now relieve my mind ; but 
 
I30 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 in such a party, standing in the open balcony, I felt 
 it was impossible, and in a strength that truly was 
 given me, I asked the King and Queen if they would 
 kindly allow us to sit down together in silence ; to 
 which they assented at once, saying, "Certainly, 
 certainly," and, followed by the crown prince and the 
 two princesses, walked into the drawing-room, the 
 Queen herself placing our chairs just opposite to them. 
 My husband addressed them, after a little pause, 
 very sweetly, and then I was constrained to bow the 
 knee in supplication, and a very solemn time it was 
 to my own feelings and, I trust, to theirs. The King 
 and Queen shook us by the hand and thanked us 
 warmly, the former saying he had been " penetrated" 
 by what was said. Most glad was I to turn my back 
 upon the palace and all that it contained, and truly 
 thankful, I trust, to that wonderworking Being, who 
 had thus marvellously opened a way for us where we 
 could see no way. We were rather surprised when 
 we came out of the drawing-room to find that the 
 whole party of ladies and gentlemen, or lords and 
 ladies, had left the balcony and come into the ad- 
 joining room, so that we had in fact been holding a 
 meeting with them all. But now, my dear friend, 
 thy poor unworthy child is returning home, covered 
 from head to foot with a humbling sense of her mani- 
 fold infirmities, yet with some ability to rejoice in 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. i^i 
 
 the conviction that whatever may be the depth of 
 her weakness, the fountain of the mercy and forgive- 
 ness of our God and Saviour is deeper still. We 
 hope to be at Upton on Fifth day. 
 
 This busy summer, with its weighty engagements, 
 was succeeded by a winter of the peaceful, happy, 
 but not inactive life at Earlham. The following 
 letters refer to this period : 
 
 E. P. G. to Anna Gurney, shortly after her mar- 
 riage to John Church Backhouse, of Darling- 
 ton. 
 
 Earlham, Eleventh mo. I5ih, 1843. 
 
 . . . We miss thee exceedingly, my sweet child ; 
 indeed, I never knew how dear thou wert to me 
 before, though of one thing I was always assured, 
 that no daughter ever behaved with more perfect 
 propriety and sweetness than thou hast done to me 
 since I came into this family. And I need not say 
 how deeply sensible I have always been of thy con- 
 stant faithfulness to one who has indeed been the 
 most indulgent as well as most watchful of parents 
 to thee. His own frequent testimony to thy un- 
 varying attention is of itself a sweet reward for thy 
 devotedness. And now that thou art entering on a 
 new career, and wilt have new duties to perform and 
 new difficulties to contend with, what can I desire 
 
132 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 for thee but that the same preserving and preventing 
 grace which shines so conspicuously in thy beloved 
 father's course may be eminently and continually 
 spread like a shield around his precious child ; that 
 in that beautiful spirit of meekness and humility 
 which adorn him beyond any other Christian I ever 
 knew, thou mayst be enabled to fill thy new and in- 
 teresting position with true dignity, and even so let 
 thy light shine before men, that others, seeing thy 
 good works, may glorify thy Father which is in 
 heaven. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Cromer, Twelfth mo. i8th, 1843. 
 I know thou wilt be sorry to hear that I have had 
 a very poor account of my dear niece, Margaret 
 Williams. She is a precious plant of the Lord's 
 own right-hand planting, and I know I ought not to 
 complain if He is now about to transplant her into a 
 more genial clime ; but she has closely twined her- 
 self around my heart by the sweetness and gentle- 
 ness of her disposition and the warmth of her affec- 
 tions, and there are few whose loss I should so 
 truly mourn. In a letter from Dr. Shoemaker's 
 daughter, M. K. White, she says, " I fear my dear 
 Aunt Mary will lose her darling Madge before very 
 long, though she does not seem to think so herself, 
 but builds with confident hope upon every change 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 1,3 
 
 for the better, however slight. M. keeps her 
 thoughts to herself, but I can see she is not blind 
 to her situation, but is being fitted and prepared 
 for that home to which she is slowly but certainly 
 going. She is rather better now than she was a 
 week ago, but not so well as while she was at 
 Woodburn in the summer." At the conclusion of 
 her letter M. K. W. says, " Do not think, my dear 
 aunt, from what I have said of dear Cousin Madge, 
 that she is much worse than she was some months 
 ago ; but commencing the winter in this way is very 
 discouraging. She goes out in fine weather, is 
 cheerful, and very lovely." I had so hoped this 
 darling child might have come to me next summer, 
 as it is now three years since I have seen any of my 
 natural relations, and my heart rather yearns after 
 them ; but I am brought to feel that all earthly 
 things must hang very loosely about me, and that I 
 ' must possess as though I possessed them not. 
 
 E. P, G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, Second mo. 3d, 1844. 
 
 My very dear Mamma, — We were rejoiced to 
 hear of thy being so relieved and comforted by the 
 Monthly Meeting, though it was just what I antici- 
 pated. And now I hope and believe a peaceful 
 little pause with thy precious children will be gra- 
 
134 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 ciously given thee, in which all the little threads 
 that are worn thin in the well-used (I would not say 
 well-abused) net may be carefully mended. 
 
 E. P. G. to H, C, B. 
 
 Seventh mo. 4th, 1844. 
 
 We are now permitted to settle down quietly in 
 our beautiful home with the feeling of calmness and 
 peace, having in some degree passed through the 
 baptism of the cloud, which no doubt for some wise 
 purpose was dispensed to us. I have, however, in 
 the last few days been brought into close sympathy 
 with my far-distant relations by the tidings which 
 have reached me both of the removal of my precious 
 niece, and of the rapidly-increasing illness of my 
 valued uncle Paul, who, I should think, would very 
 soon be numbered with those blessed ones " who die 
 in the Lord." Dear Margaret's close was calm and 
 peaceful, though she was not entirely restored to 
 reason, as they fondly hoped. Her doubly-widowed 
 mother will return to Woodburn with my sister 
 Clarke, as she is much in need of rest and quiet, 
 and will find both there. I very much approve of 
 this arrangement, believing it will be a comfort to 
 them both. Oh, that I could be with them for a 
 little while! but it is ordered otherwise, and I am 
 sure that it is ordered well. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 135 
 
 Believing that further Gospel labor was required 
 of him on the Continent, J. J. Gurney, with his 
 wife, again set forth in the Fourth mo., 1844, on 
 a second tour in France. She thus writes to her 
 American relatives : 
 
 E, P. G. to her aunt H. Paul. 
 
 Bordeaux, Fourth mo. 20th, 1844. 
 Thou wast probably aware that my husband did 
 not accomplish the whole of his prospect of religious 
 service last summer, and therefore retained his cer- 
 tificates ; but our dear sister Fry's state was so very 
 uncertain, and her sufferings at times so great, it 
 seemed impossible to think of setting out the middle 
 of Third mo., which we had looked to. However, 
 just at that time a decided improvement took place, 
 and as it was strongly her own wish that he should 
 pursue his prospect, after spending a few days in 
 her neighborhood, accompanied by Josiah Forster, 
 we set out. Rough enough was our passage over 
 the Channel, and glad enough we were to find our- 
 selves safe on terra firma again. Had meetings at 
 Rouen, Boulogne, etc., and spent ten very interesting 
 days at Paris. The Baroness de Stael, the Countess 
 Pelet, and the Baroness Mallet and her daughters 
 were among our kindest friends. Nothing could 
 exceed the affectionate attentions of the two former, 
 
136 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 loading us with kindnesses of various sorts. They 
 are both sweet Christian-spirited women, sincerely- 
 interested in the spread of truth and righteousness 
 upon the earth, and we had many pleasant hours in 
 their company. My husband had three or four 
 meetings for worship in Paris, and, in unison with 
 Josiah Forster, George Alexander, and John Scoble, 
 held a large anti-slavery meeting, which I hope 
 made some impression, as the French people gen- 
 erally are very much asleep on the subject of eman- 
 cipation, and sadly want rousing. It was a very 
 satisfactory occasion, and I think would be produc- 
 tive of good. But the most interesting circumstance 
 of our Paris sojourn was a precious interview which 
 we had with the Duchess of Orleans, whose son, 
 thou knowest, is heir to the throne. She is a truly 
 pious Protestant, though surrounded by Catholics, 
 and one of the most delicate and lovely-looking 
 young creatures I ever saw. It is often difficult to 
 obtain access to her, and we applied for an interview 
 without much hope of success, but the answer was, 
 " She would see us with pleasure," appointing the 
 day. When the time arrived we drove to the palace 
 of the Tuileries, and were taken from one apartment 
 to the other, resting a little while in each, till at last 
 we were shown into the most magnificent drawing- 
 room I ever saw, and in a little while a graceful. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 137 
 
 slender figure clothed in mourning entered the room, 
 and walking up to us, took my hand in both of hers, 
 and in the warmest manner exclaimed, " My dear 
 madame, I am so very glad to see you!" She then 
 welcomed my husband and Josiah in the kindest man- 
 ner, and seating me beside her on the sofa, requested 
 them to " help themselves to chairs." After a little 
 friendly conversation we asked for silence, which was 
 readily granted, and a memorable opportunity we 
 had. She thanked us heartily with tears in her eyes, 
 kissed me most affectionately, and we parted from 
 this interesting creature in true love, and with a feel- 
 ing of interest excited in our hearts which will not, 
 I believe, be soon destroyed. May she and her two 
 lovely boys experience preservation in the exposed 
 and elevated position which they occupy ! and this, 
 I believe, is the fervent desire of her heart. But, of 
 course, they will be educated as Catholics, which is, I 
 do not doubt, a real sorrow to her. We were invited 
 to dine with Guizot, the minister of foreign affairs, 
 who was very kind to us last year, but his daughter 
 being taken suddenly ill prevented it. I see by the 
 papers she is better. He is considered one of the 
 most talented men in France, and perhaps there are 
 few individuals more extolled by their friends or 
 defamed by their enemies ; but this, I believe, is the 
 lot of most who are placed by circumstances in con- 
 
 12* 
 
138 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 spicuous and exalted situations. The evening we left 
 Paris we had a leave-taking party of about seventy 
 of our friends, and a very satisfactory opportunity 
 it proved, ending in a thorough Quaker meeting. 
 Dear J. J. G.'s facility in French is quite surprising. 
 A gentleman observed the other evening, after he 
 had been speaking for more than an hour, that there 
 was but one word in all he had said which betrayed 
 that he was not a Frenchman. It is beginning to be 
 much more understandable to me, but I never ven- 
 ture to speak it, and indeed there is not much neces- 
 sity, as almost all the educated people here speak 
 English, or at least a great many of them. Since 
 we left Paris, we have had meetings at Orleans, 
 Blois, Tours, Saumer, Nantes, and Rochelle. Ex- 
 pect to have one here to-morrow, and then proceed 
 to Sainte-Foy, Toulouse, and Montauban, hoping to 
 return in time for our Yearly Meeting on the 20th of 
 Fifth mo. Our congregations vary exceedingly ; we 
 have sometimes the great of this world, and sometimes 
 the lowly. The little flock at Saumer was extremely 
 primitive, reminding us of the simple-hearted Friends 
 at Congenies. They met in our hotel, and after Jo- 
 siah Forster had explained the object of our mission 
 there was a profound silence, which was presently 
 broken by a neat-looking woman in a peasant's 
 costume exclaiming with some earnestness, though 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 139 
 
 rather timidly, " I suppose monsieur the pastor 
 will commence presently." It was rather a droll 
 beginning, but we had a truly sweet and refreshing 
 meeting notwithstanding. I do not remember that 
 we have had one more so. They were the poor of 
 this world who composed it, but I believe many of 
 them were rich in faith and heirs of the heavenly 
 kingdom. 
 
 2ist, First day evening. 
 
 Dear Joseph has been very low since coming here, 
 and rather poorly ; his mind under much exercise 
 for the people of Bordeaux, yet no way seemed to 
 open to obtain relief The pastors, being rather 
 divided among themselves, are not willing to lend 
 their chapels to strangers. However, one of them 
 at last advised Joseph's hiring a large room called 
 the Casino; and after all his discouragements, he has 
 had the largest meeting this afternoon — and I believe 
 I might say the most truly satisfactory one — that he 
 has had in France this year. To-morrow evening he 
 is to have a large anti-slavery meeting in the same 
 place, and then I trust we shall leave this town, in 
 which he has passed through deep baptisms, in 
 health and peace. But truly, with all the kindnesses 
 we receive, — and they are many as we go along, from 
 high and low, learned and unlearned, — this sort of 
 journeying is humbling work; and in coming as 
 
I40 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Strangers into a large town, looking so differently- 
 clad from all about us, I have more than once 
 thought of the words of the men who went to 
 search the land of Canaan : " We were in our own 
 sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." 
 I often long to be quietly settled in our dear-loved 
 home again ; indeed, I only came out this time as 
 care-taker to my husband, not feeling any particular 
 concern of my own, which I could not say last year. 
 But wherever we are, may the language of our lives 
 and conversation be like that of Moses formerly 
 (Numbers i.) : " We are journeying into the place of 
 which the Lord said, I will give it to you ; come 
 thou with us.'' 
 
 E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 
 
 MoNTAUBAN, Fifth mo. 4th, 1844. 
 
 We spent a few days at Toulouse last week, and 
 were much pleased with the Courtois, three brothers 
 who live under the same roof, and with their wives 
 appear to be of one heart and one mind, — decidedly 
 religious people, and very desirous to promote the 
 good cause by every means in their power. Dear 
 Stephen Grellet will know them, and it will be in- 
 teresting to him to find that we are now in the midst 
 of his relations, having seen his venerable sister this 
 morning, and now his brother Joseph and wife, who 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 141 
 
 reside here. We had seen Charles previously in 
 Paris. There is a strong resemblance between the 
 three brothers, especially in voice and manner, and 
 truly pleasant it is to be reminded of our very dear 
 friend in such a way. We were much pleased with 
 his ladylike sister, who, though a Catholic, we 
 thought was no stranger to true religion, and we 
 had to revive the Scripture declaration that "God is 
 no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that 
 feareth Him and worketh righteousness is accepted 
 of Him," and to encourage her to press forward to- 
 ward the mark through every trial and through 
 every difficulty. She seemed very grateful for our 
 visit, and only regretted that we could not spend 
 the day with her; but as we are anxious to reach 
 London in time for the Yearly Meeting, we could 
 not delay. 
 
 E. P. G. to Thomas Wistar. 
 
 Sixth mo. 29th, 1844. 
 
 . . . After two months spent on the Continent en- 
 tirely separated from Friends, it was very pleasant 
 to find ourselves among our own people again, and 
 we could freely acknowledge that although we had 
 felt sweet unity with many spiritually-minded people 
 under different names, there is nothing so completely 
 to our taste, so restful to our spirits, so congenial to 
 
142 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 our hearts, as a true, simple-minded Quaker after 
 all. 
 
 E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 
 
 Sixth mo. 29th, 1844. 
 
 . . Our visit to the Channel Islands was very 
 satisfactory, and having spent three weeks between 
 Guernsey and Jersey, holding fourteen public meet- 
 ings, and visiting the members of our own society, 
 who are not numerous, we returned to Upton on 
 Second day last, and reached Norwich just in time 
 for our own Quarterly Meeting. We had about an 
 hour to revel in the flowery loveliness of our own 
 sweet home before the Select Meeting began, and 
 never did two little children enjoy anything more. 
 After a long drought of nearly three months (an 
 unheard-of thing for England), there had been a 
 delightful rain the day before, and just as we reached 
 the park gate the sun shone out most brilliantly, 
 gilding the trees, the river, and the lawn, and mak- 
 ing the whole a perfect fairy-scene. For the first 
 time I felt it would be a true cross for me to leave 
 Earlham, this most indulgent and happy home. It 
 has always appeared to me such a responsible thing 
 to be placed at the head of such a large establish- 
 ment, that I have been almost inclined to wish we 
 might be obliged to leave it ; but now I felt it would 
 be a real trial to tear myself from a spot in itself so 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 143 
 
 full of charm, and now endeared to my heart by 
 numberless associations. Still, if it is too luxurious 
 and too indulgent, I trust we may be enabled to see 
 it; for I believe it is the sincere and unfeigned desire 
 of both our hearts to be found in the bounds of 
 Divine appointment, wherever these may be, and 
 whatever sacrifice it may involve as to personal com- 
 fort. 
 
 E. P- G. to M. A. Williams. 
 
 Earlham, Ninth mo. 13th, 1844. 
 
 . . . Oh, when we come to stand before the right- 
 eous tribunal of the Judge of all the earth, not only 
 shall we have to give an account of the deeds done 
 in the body, but we shall be solemnly responsible 
 for time mis-spent, for wasted talents, for neglected 
 opportunities, for the non-fulfilment of all the vari- 
 ous relationships that have contributed to form our 
 stewardship and swell the list of duties to be done. 
 Sins of omission will rise up in terrible array against 
 us unless we look well to it, and we shall have most 
 mournfully to realize the poet's words, — 
 
 " How shocking must tliy summons be, O Death, 
 To him who is at ease in his possessions ; 
 Who, counting on long years of pleasure here, 
 Is all unfurnished for the world to come !" 
 
144 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 J. J. and E. P. Gurney visited the north of Eng- 
 land, the lake country, etc., in the latter part of 
 1844, with a minute from their Monthly Meeting 
 for religious service among Friends and others. 
 Nothing of special importance seems to have oc- 
 curred during the following two years to interrupt 
 the quiet and peaceful current of E. P. G.'s life. 
 
 E. P. G. to M. A. Longstreth. 
 
 Earlham, Ninth mo. 4th, 1844. 
 I must tell thee what a very interesting journey 
 we have had through the charming lake scenery of 
 Westmoreland, Cumberland, etc., though two meet- 
 ings a day, beside divers calls, have not left much 
 time to admire it, or rather, I should say, to explore 
 it, — admire it we have at every turn, Keswick and 
 Ulleswater and Windermere perhaps especially. We 
 called on William Wordsworth when at Ambleside, 
 but I was rather disappointed in him. He gave us a 
 most kind reception, but there is none of that sim- 
 plicity about the man which so distinguishes his 
 poetry, and he has not an interesting countenance. 
 We also saw Fox How, with which, by name at 
 least, you are no doubt familiar. It is a most 
 charming spot. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 145 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 EarlhAM, Tenth mo. loth, 1844. 
 
 My thoughts were much with you during our 
 silent meeting this morning, and if I had any sym- 
 pathy with thy spirit, it was clothed with that true 
 peace in which hard things are made easy and bitter 
 things sweet. Was it not so, my dearly beloved 
 friend, and did not thy heart even rejoice and give 
 thanks in the grateful sense permitted thee that as 
 the streams of earthly consolation are one by one 
 cut off or turned aside, the unchanged and inex- 
 haustible Fountain becomes inexpressibly precious 
 to thy soul? In connection with thy own dear self, 
 I have thought much to-day of the beautiful text, 
 " My covenant was with him of life and peace, and I 
 gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared 
 me and was afraid before my name," with something 
 of a persuasion, I think, that thou wouldst know 
 this blessed declaration concerning Levi to be more 
 and more fulfilled in thy own experience ; but I am 
 a poor creature, and dare hardly say I am persuaded 
 of anything. 
 
 Eleventh mo., 1844, J. J. G. writes in his journal r 
 " A long letter on the subject of the ministry to a 
 dear friend and relative, the result of some thought 
 
 13 
 
146 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and exercise of mind, my dearest E. P. G. approving. 
 She is indeed a capital guide, and I seldom, if 
 ever, do wrong or foolishly when I have her full 
 accord." ..." What a blessing our union is to me 
 no words can describe ; and I take it not only as 
 good in itself, but as a token for good, even those 
 richer, higher, and larger blessings which immedi- 
 ately affect the soul's salvation ! I know not what 
 I should do without my ever-cheering friend and 
 helper, the daily partner of my passing hours, whose 
 finger is ever skilful to extract each worrying thorn. 
 What thanks can I render for such a gift?" 
 
 Ninth mo., 1845. — " It is a very great comfort 
 that during the whole of this journey (to the north 
 of England), in private and in public, we have been 
 closely united in our exercise of mind and in our 
 ministry. My dearest E. P. G. has often had to 
 prepare my way, and to point out its true direction 
 in the gallery. And her own ministry has been 
 lively, weighty, searching, and yet encouraging; 
 truly prized by her husband and partner, and ac- 
 ceptable to Friends. Never was I more sensible of 
 the nice adaptation to my needs, and of the unutter- 
 able value of this precious gift from the Lord." 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 H7 
 
 J. J. Gurney to J. K. Clarke, 
 
 Earlham, Eleventh mo. 2d, 1845. 
 
 Ah, my dear Julia, what a favor it is for me that 
 the deep chasm thus occasioned, and which would 
 otherwise have been scarcely supportable, has been 
 and is so wonderfully filled up for me in thy dearest 
 sister, who is, like our beloved Elizabeth Fry, won- 
 derfully gifted with ability to sustain, comfort, and 
 gladden others. Under Providence, she is my guide 
 and helper to a most remarkable degree. America 
 has cost me some conflicts certainly; but why 
 should I complain ? That free and happy land has 
 also supplied me with my dearest, earthly treasure. 
 
 J. J. Gurney's journals and letters abound with 
 expressions similar to the above of trust and ap- 
 preciation. " The heart of her husband doth safely 
 trust in her." 
 
 E. P. G. to F. M. Shoemaker. 
 
 Earlham, Third mo. 30th, 1846. 
 . . . When my husband gets through with his 
 various engagements, we not unfrequently drive out 
 in our little pony gig and call upon the neighboring 
 cottagers, which, when the day is bright, we much 
 enjoy. Sometimes he drives me to the village 
 
148 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 schools, which we have under our especial care, and 
 then puts questions to the children, to their great 
 delight, as young people are all so fond of him, you 
 know. The school at Babur, about two miles off, is 
 admirably managed. I rarely ever saw one flourish 
 more. A short time since I promised a book to 
 every child who could repeat a poem perfectly when 
 we might happen to look in again. Accordingly 
 the whole school learned it, as I quite expected, and 
 about a week ago I took seventy-seven books, which 
 were distributed among them, I hope to the benefit 
 of some. I do not know whether I told thee that 
 on First day evening the cottagers always assemble 
 at the hall to our family 'reading, having been in the 
 habit of doing so for thirty years or more. On First 
 day, after our return from the funeral of our beloved 
 sister Fry, my husband informed them that the next 
 time we met he would have one of her little text- 
 books for every one who came, as a little remem- 
 brance of her. We had a pretty large party the fol- 
 lowing First day of course, and he distributed the 
 books accordingly, bestowing a few that were left on 
 those who had children at home too young to attend 
 the reading. One undergardener, however, who has 
 a large family, had one little boy about six years 
 old for whom he had no book, which appears to 
 have been greatly to his disappointment. We heard 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 149 
 
 nothing about it until about a week afterward, when 
 we were informed the little fellow was dead. We 
 went directly down to their pretty little cottage, and 
 the poor afflicted mother gave us the affecting par- 
 ticulars, first taking us into the room to see the 
 remains. The pretty little curly-haired boy was 
 neatly laid out in clean white linen, and on his 
 breast, to our surprise, we saw a little red-morocco 
 text-book. She thus explained the reason for its 
 being there : " Please, ma'am, when we came back 
 from the hall on Sunday evening my little boy was 
 so distressed because there was no text-book for 
 him ; for you know, ma'am, I thought they would be 
 of more use to the older children. But he seemed 
 so troubled about it all the next morning that, as I 
 knew my master had given the butler some to dis- 
 tribute, I took the liberty to send him up to the hall 
 to ask if he might have one. You never saw anything 
 so delighted as he was when he brought it home, 
 dancing about for joy. He would not put it out of 
 his hands for a moment, and one of the first things 
 he did was to search out a text which he had learned 
 at school, and when he found it he read it over and 
 over again : ' Suffer little children to come unto me, 
 and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of 
 heaven.' This was on the Monday, ma'am, and on 
 
 Thursday morning he was a corpse. Poor little 
 
 13* 
 
ISO 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 dear ! he never let go of the book for a moment, 
 even when he was in great pain, and I determined it 
 should be buried with him, for I could not bear to 
 have it taken away.'' Here the poor woman wiped 
 the tears from her eyes, which flowed freely ; but 
 she seemed to be greatly comforted by the beautiful 
 text which appeared so remarkably sent to her dear 
 little boy. I thought thou would be interested in 
 this little story. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 151 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Joseph John Gurney's health had for some years 
 been delicate, but nothing had occurred to awaken 
 special anxiety until Twelfth mo., 1846. On the 
 22d, on his return from his customary ride to Nor- 
 wich, his horse stumbled, throwing him with some 
 violence into the street. No serious injury appeared 
 to have been sustained, and for the following week 
 he continued to attend without special difficulty to 
 his usual occupations. On the 28th, however, he 
 became seriously ill, and, notwithstanding all the 
 efforts of medical skill and the watchful ministra- 
 tions of loving hands, he continued gradually to sink 
 until First mo. 4th, 1847, when he peacefully ex- 
 pired. 
 
 One is disposed to draw a veil over the crushing 
 sorrow that now oppressed the heart of the widowed 
 mourner. " I was dumb ; I opened not my mouth, 
 because Thou didst it.'' To the reader experienced 
 in similar bereavements words are needless, and to 
 
152 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 others it were idle to attempt to depict her feeling of 
 utter desolation, as regards all earthly things. 
 
 " With silence only as their benediction, 
 God's angels come 
 Where, in the shadow of a great affliction, 
 The soul sits dumb.'' 
 
 Yet her habitual dependence on a higher Power 
 in times of extremity soon came to her aid, and she 
 was strengthened to wash and anoint, that she might 
 not appear to men unduly to fast, but to manifest 
 that the Everlasting Arms were underneath to sus- 
 tain and comfort; and although her "sorrow was 
 stirred" to its depths, it was not long that she "held 
 her peace, even from good." She felt that there 
 were others whose loss was scarcely less than her 
 own, that the whole neighborhood and the church 
 were mourners with her, and that it was her duty 
 not only to show forth the sustaining power of 
 Divine grace, but to see that this solemn lesson 
 should not fail of its designed effect through any 
 neglect of hers to impress it upon those around her. 
 Her public ministry, chastened and sanctified by 
 suffering, was faithfully maintained; the evening 
 gatherings of her large household, increased by 
 many sorrowing neighbors, were regularly kept up; 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 IS3 
 
 and as time passed on she endeavored still to extend 
 a watchful care over the many charitable and other 
 interests in which she and the departed one had 
 been engaged together. 
 
 It was comforting in this time of trial to have the 
 society of her niece, Harriet H. Kirkbride, from 
 America, who had come to her a few months be- 
 fore. 
 
 She naturally turned for sympathy to her honored 
 friend, H. C. Backhouse, to whom she wrote. First 
 mo. 5th : 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, First mo. 5th, 1847. 
 
 My very dear Friend, — They are strange tidings 
 that I am going to tell thee, and I scarcely know 
 how to put them on paper, yet I do not like thee 
 to hear them first from another than myself My 
 precious husband is gone! gone with the redeemed 
 of the Lord to Zion, with songs and everlasting joy 
 upon his head. This blessed assurance is so sealed 
 upon my spirit that at present I have only an appal- 
 ling consciousness that something awful has hap- 
 pened. The full sense of all that I have lost in that 
 most tenderly beloved one, has not come over me, 
 or rather is swallowed up in an overwhelming tide 
 of gratitude to that adorable God and Saviour who 
 dealt so mercifully with him to the end, shielding 
 
IS4 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 him, in His tender pity, from an immediate view of 
 tiie dark valley, which he had always rather shrunk 
 from entering, and gilding his approach to it with 
 sunny gleams. Life has been remarkably bright 
 and pleasant to him of late, and his health unusually 
 good, enabling him to labor for the welfare of his 
 fellow-beings with increased activity. But the fall 
 from his horse, which I mentioned to thee, together 
 with exposure to the cold, and possibly some other 
 minor causes, combined to excite the system and 
 bring on the. attack which gently let him down to 
 the bed of death. I have long had a kind of unde- 
 fined impression that his end was not far off, and 
 now " that which I feared is come upon me." 
 
 Last evening, about ten o'clock, without the least 
 convulsive movement or the slightest groan, he fell 
 asleep in Jesus, that blessed Saviour whom he loved 
 and served so long and faithfully. I have not yet 
 met the solemn fact that I am left alone ; that after 
 five .years' constant sweet companionship I am de- 
 prived of one who was perhaps too much the joy of 
 my heart and the delight of my. eyes, whose Chris- 
 tian example was bright, — may I not say faultless ? 
 I think I may to thee, because thou knew him well, 
 and will not therefore set it down to undue par- 
 tiality. The full sense of this desolating change is 
 yet to come ; so far I have been marvellously sus- 
 
.ELIZA P. GUKNEY. 
 
 iSS 
 
 tained, and, oh ! that this support may be continued ! 
 The boundless mercy that has been extended, en- 
 abling him to finish all the work that was assigned 
 him, then gently gathering him to perfect peace and 
 joy and blessedness, giving me strength to minister 
 to all his temporal wants, both night and day, during 
 this week of great infirmity, and enabling me to 
 bear this awful blow and not faint under it, — a 
 blessed sense of this is now my portion. But, oh ! 
 think of me, my dear, precious friend, in the dark 
 days of solitude which must be mine, and pray for 
 me, that I may bear them patiently. 
 
 Richenda Cunningham, a sister of J. J. Gurney, 
 writes at this time : 
 
 January 7th, 1 847. 
 
 Out of the abundance of my heart my mouth was 
 obliged to speak in thankfulness to God for the gift 
 E. P. G, had been to us as a family ; that through 
 her instrumentality the latter years of the dear de- 
 parted one had been gilded; that she had been raised 
 up to minister to his every want, temporal and spirit- 
 ual, to share his every sorrow, and to partake in his 
 joys. Oh, what a blessing had it been to us that the 
 evening of his life should have been thus cheered ; 
 that they had striven together for the faith of the 
 Gospel; that they had been companions in labor. 
 
Ijg MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 heirs together of the grace of life ; that her tender 
 watchfulness had guarded him from so much that 
 might have hurt his tender spirit or injured his deli- 
 cate frame ! And such was her love and devoted- 
 ness to him that we, as a family, were most thankful 
 to give him up to her. And now, during the last 
 solemn week of his life, how could we be thankful 
 enough for her soothing, judicious care of him by 
 night and by day, watching over him with intense 
 solicitude, ministering with her own hands every 
 alleviation that human heart or love could devise, 
 thus cheering him on unto the end, that it might be 
 called a favored illness I A soft mantle seemed cast 
 over him, hiding from him the dark valley, and 
 shielding him from the sorrow of parting with his 
 beloved. 
 
 E. P. G. to G. V. Bacon. 
 
 Earlham, First mo. l8th, 1847. 
 
 He has taken away " the delight of my eyes" and 
 "the joy of my heart" as with a stroke, and brought 
 a deepening shade of gloom and loneliness over this 
 once bright home, yet He is faithful to His promises. 
 He has not left me comfortless; He has sustained 
 my drooping spirits by the sweet incomes of His 
 love and peace ; He has filled my now solitary 
 dwelling-place with very tender, sympathizing friends, 
 and has enabled me to feel and to acknowledge that 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 157 
 
 He doeth all things well. He gave and He hath 
 taken away, and blessed be His holy name forever! 
 It is in very " faithfulness He hath afflicted me," — of 
 this I have not the smallest doubt, — and He has 
 dealt so gently and so mercifully with us both in 
 various ways, He has so gently sloped the pathway 
 to the tomb, and even gilded it, that I feel as if I 
 ought to speak only of His love and faithfulness. 
 
 Samuel Gurney to E. P. G. 
 
 First mo. 24th, 1847. 
 
 My beloved Sister, — ... I am passing a very 
 quiet Sabbath, which suits well my tone of feeling 
 in returning to my own home after so great a sorrow 
 and bereavement. My mind has been much with 
 thee in thy sorrowful widowhood. Truly have I 
 desired that thou mayst continue to be sustained in 
 that resignation and submission to the Divine will 
 which has been so eminently thy portion, enabling 
 thee to preach most impressively amongst us by 
 conversation and example under such severe afflic- 
 tion. My dearest Elizabeth unites in these feelings. 
 Surely the loss of one so peculiarly near to each of 
 us, under which we mourn together, will unite us 
 very closely. Thou hast indeed lost a husband of 
 no common order. Sorrow must long continue to 
 be thy portion, but mayst thou from day to day ex- 
 
 14 
 
158 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 perience that Divine love is still near thee, and that 
 peace prevails through and over all. I much feel 
 entering again into my usual occupations and facing 
 the world and its interests. It will be a privilege 
 indeed if I am increasingly able to keep these things 
 under my feet ; but my position is a peculiar one. I 
 must more and more endeavor after that spirit under 
 these things, of which the dear departed one set so 
 bright an example. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, Second mo. 17th, 1847. 
 
 For my own part, I am helped to get through each 
 day without being overwhelmed, though now and 
 then the sense of loss and want pours in like a flood, 
 and were it not that there is a voice mightier than 
 the noise of many waters, the stream would indeed 
 " have gone over my soul." But this Almighty 
 voice has again and again proclaimed a calm, and 
 even enabled me for a little moment to rejoice in a 
 blessed sense of his deliverance from all adversity, 
 and of his cloudless happiness, his perfect joy. 
 We have interesting letters from Stephen Grellet, 
 my sister Julia, and others, but they are utterly un- 
 conscious of what is passing and has passed amongst 
 us. My mention of his having been indisposed has 
 caused them some anxiety, and they were longing 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 IS9 
 
 for the next intelligence, but would evidently be 
 wholly unprepared for the mournful tidings which 
 before this have no doubt reached their shores. 
 
 Stephen Grellet to E. P. G. 
 
 Second mo., 1847. 
 
 My beloved and deeply-afflicted Friend, — 
 Every sensible feeling and tender emotion of my 
 heart is awakened toward thee. My tears are ming- 
 ling with thine ; for thy loss, — our loss, many of us 
 can also say, — the loss of the church militant, and 
 that of the poor and needy, is great. Nevertheless, 
 my dear sister, we mourn not, as thou fully knowest, 
 like those that are without hope. Therefore, amidst 
 thy sorrows, thou hast heavenly joys. The morning 
 that I heard of the solemn event, just as I was going 
 to meeting, it seemed as if the language spoken re- 
 specting Enoch was applicable to thy dear J. J. G. : 
 "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not 
 see death, and was not found, because God had 
 translated him." Many of his friends have this seal 
 respecting him, " that he pleased God." But now, 
 further, we see how his translation has been such that 
 he did not see death, nor feel the pangs of it. There- 
 fore, my dear friend, have we not amidst our mourn- 
 ing great cause to rejoice, in that our bereavement 
 here is the addition of another among the purified 
 
l6o MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and sanctified ones ? This strong additional attrac- 
 tion of thy soul to the heavenly places seems to me 
 designed to give unto thee, like the portion that 
 Elisha had desired of Elijah, " a double portion of 
 his spirit." 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Third mo. 1st, 1847. 
 
 In the last few days I have felt something of the 
 healing virtue of the Saviour's love, and of the 
 mighty efficacy of His word when it proclaims a 
 calm ; a little courage has been given to go on, a 
 little trust that I shall yet be helped to bear life 
 patiently, and to encounter all its roughnesses with 
 some degree of Christian fortitude, and, above all, 
 that I shall be enabled to fulfil my stewardship, 
 perform my various duties faithfully, and wait the 
 appointed time until my change shall come. But 
 the future is entirely concealed at present, nor do I 
 try at all to penetrate into its hidden pages. " Suf- 
 ficient for the day is the evil thereof" 
 
 If I am mercifully permitted to keep under the 
 shelter of my own dear home for the present year at 
 least, I shall esteem it another proof of the tender, 
 loving kindness of a pitying Father, who " knoweth 
 our frame, and remembereth that we are dust." 
 
 I am glad thou wast interested in the American 
 letters. They were very touching to me, and after I 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. i6i 
 
 had read them I was reminded of the language : 
 " From the uttermost parts of the earth have we 
 heard songs, even glory to the righteous;" but I 
 said, my leanness, my leanness, woe unto me ! 
 
 Anna Backhouse to E. P. Gurney. 
 
 Blackwell, Third mo., 1847. 
 
 I never think the remarks people make of the 
 healing that time brings, are very helpful, even if 
 they are true. It seems better every way to en- 
 deavor to submit to the present weight of suffering, 
 and to taste the consolation and help that are given 
 to endure each day, rather than to look forward in 
 any way. I cannot bear to look forward for thee, 
 so that I can easily believe it is too much for thee to 
 do so for thyself 
 
 Anna Backhouse to Julia K. Clarke. 
 
 Blackwell, near Darlington, 
 Fourth mo. 28th, 1847. 
 
 Seldom indeed has there been the severing of 
 such a tie as existed between her and my dearest 
 father. Thou can tell what she has lost, for thou 
 knew him so well ; but perhaps no one who did not 
 see their married life could quite imagine the ex- 
 tremely close dependence of one on the other. They 
 
 were seldom separated for more than an hour or 
 
 14* 
 
[62 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 two at a time. They shared every object together, 
 small and great, and he would never do the least 
 thing, if he could help it, without consulting her. 
 Thou knows that amidst all his happiness he had 
 often much to pass through. In every difficulty he 
 reposed on my mother, so that her constant atten- 
 tion to him was needed ; and I have often thought, 
 while watching him when poorly in body and low in 
 mind, that nothing could be- more beautiful than to 
 see how she cheered and animated him, and how he 
 returned her care by the fondest and most depend- 
 ent love. It almost seemed as if such a tie could 
 not be broken. Thou can easily imagine how the 
 remembrance of all this endears my dearest mother 
 to us; how thankful it makes us that it was per- 
 mitted to this precious one to have his last years so 
 brightened by such a wife, — as he says himself, " a 
 helper exactly adapted to all my necessities," con- 
 stantly speaking of her with the deepest thankful- 
 ness in his journals. 
 
 Ann F. Barclay to J. K, Clarke. 
 
 Fourth mo. 24th, 1847. 
 
 ... I hope that the wish to give thee any little 
 particulars I can of dearest Cousin Eliza will gain 
 acceptance for my letter. What she is to all of us, 
 who for the last five years have been delighting in 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 163 
 
 what they were unitedly to the whole family circle, 
 thou must imagine, for I cannot describe it. She is 
 indeed most tenderly cherished by us all, for her own 
 and for his dear sake, who seems now to have left 
 her to our care and love in his absence. But, oh ! it 
 makes one's heart ache to feel what the absence of 
 that love and of the beaming brightness of his pres- 
 ence must daily be to her stricken heart. Yet to be 
 with her, to feel with her, and, I might say, to suffer 
 with her is a satisfaction ; and whilst doing so, to be 
 made sensible, in observing her meek submission, 
 that day by day the Hand of Love which has dealt 
 this fearful blow, is supporting her and giving her 
 strength equal to her day. The balance is clearly 
 perceived to be perfectly adjusted in a love which 
 we may well trust, though we cannot fathom it. 
 How much I should like thee to see her in her 
 daily course 1 Especially would it touch and yet 
 comfort thee to see her, with calm serenity, take his 
 part with this large household every morning in the 
 family Scripture readings, and on First day even- 
 ings, when it is further increased by the villagers, 
 who collect in one of the spacious rooms ; and then, 
 with clear voice and tranquil, serious manner, she 
 reads what he used to read. And often in the en- 
 suing silence does the hushed stillness seem to savor 
 of the repose of his spirit, though affectingly united 
 
164 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 with the sense of his loss. In the deportment of all 
 the people there is a sort of respectful sympathy 
 that is very interesting, and it is one among the 
 minor soothings for her to be surrounded by such a 
 feeling. 
 
 E. P. G. to Ann F. Barclay. 
 
 Earlham, Fourth mo. 29th, 1847. 
 
 ... I did truly feel parting from thee yesterday, 
 and, as is often the case when one is suffering from 
 any particular cause, several minor troubles rose up 
 to disturb me, so that I came back to my stripped 
 home low enough, and did not recover my equanim- 
 ity for some hours. Truly could I adopt the words 
 of which that most beloved one was so fond, — 
 
 " I seem forsaken and alone, 
 I hear the lion roar. 
 And every door is shut but one. 
 And that is Mercy's door." 
 
 This morning, under some feeling of a revival of 
 faith and renewal of comfort, I think I can add the 
 concluding lines, — 
 
 " There, till the dear Deliverer comes, 
 I'll wait vfith humble prayer; 
 And vifhen He calls His exile home. 
 The Lord shall find me there." 
 
ELIZA P. GURNBY. 165 
 
 ... I love to dwell upon the things which he 
 enjoyed, which at one time gave me such a pang ; 
 and this morning, before meeting, as I walked about 
 our bright " chrysanthemized" garden, repeating his 
 own words, — " Can it be that 
 
 " ' From Paradise to Paradise 
 
 My upward course extends ; 
 My Paradise of flowers on earth 
 In heaven's Elysium ends,' " — 
 
 such a precious sense was given me that this ques- 
 tion had been answered in the affirmative, to his 
 unspeakable joy, that for a little moment I forgot to 
 mourn, — a feeling of enjoyment filled my heart to 
 which it has been long a stranger. 
 
 E. P. G. to Ann F. Barclay. 
 
 Earlham, Fifth mo., 1847. 
 . . . The duties which were once a pleasure are 
 become a burthen, for there is none to give the look, 
 the smile of cordial approbation, — none to extend a 
 hand of help, or even a word of kind encouragement. 
 And then our stripped and desolate, and sometimes 
 dry and useless, little meetings ! How often have we 
 sat together there in heavenly places in Christ Jesus ! 
 How often has his soul-awakening ministry quick- 
 ened my lukewarm spirit ! And often, too, when not 
 
1 66 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 a word was spoken, we have been united in living 
 worship, for I could not help catching something of 
 the glow and exercise of his dedicated soul. Yet 
 there are seasons wherein the Heavenly Shepherd 
 does stijl respect His weary heritage ; and, though 
 the plaintive language may go forth, " The prophets 
 are gone, and the fathers, where are they?" we are 
 given to feel " the Lord of Hosts is with us, the 
 God of Jacob is our refuge." ... I do desire to 
 cherish a feeling of gratitude to the bounteous Giver 
 for the bestowal of such a choice and precious gift 
 on one of the most unworthy of the Lord's children 
 for the five years and three months in which my cup 
 of blessing overflowed, — in which, I believe I enjoyed 
 a larger share of unmixed earthly happiness than 
 often falls to the lot of any one. Then the beautiful 
 finish to his work of faith and labor of love, the 
 complete and perfect winding up of life, the tranquil, 
 peaceful, and unclouded close ! There seemed, indeed, 
 to be nothing in the way, — nothing to intercept the 
 entrance of the pure and gentle spirit into its own 
 congenial home of love and joy. What more could 
 I ask ? For myself, I may and do desire a grateful, 
 humble, dedicated heart, even that a portion of his 
 spirit may descend upon me. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 167 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, Fifth mo. 15th, 1847. 
 At our reading this morning a sweet calm was 
 spread over us, and as I read the fifth verse of the 
 second chapter of Colossians, I felt an humble 
 trust that it might be even so. But, oh ! may we be 
 steadfast in our faith ; and as we have received Christ 
 Jesus the Lord, so may we walk in Him, rooted and 
 built up in Him, and established in the faith as we 
 have been taught, abounding therein with thanks- 
 giving. I think I can earnestly desire this for myself 
 and our whole household. 
 
 E. P. G. to H, C. B. 
 
 Sixth mo. 5th, 1847. 
 
 I feel a little like being fastened down to " the 
 grave's mouth" to-day, and my soul is truly in 
 heaviness ; but I strive to look beyond the sorrows 
 of this fleeting scene to that bright world of glorious 
 realities, where the unfettered spirit counts all the 
 little trying things which so annoy us here, lighter 
 than air and very vanity. Oh, that I may learn to 
 weigh all things in the unerring balance of the sanc- 
 tuary, that I may see with the eye of faith that these 
 are " light afflictions," that they last " but for a 
 moment," and that far more exceeding and eternal 
 
1 68 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 is the weight of glory which they are working out 
 for those who love Jerusalem and love her King 
 above their chiefest joy ! I trust this is the case 
 with us both, dearest mamma ; indeed, I am sure it 
 is with thee, and I hope it is so with thy poor friend, 
 weak and unprofitable and laden with infirmities as 
 she feels herself to be. 
 
 Samuel Bettle to E. P. G. 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 My very dear Friend, — Thy very beautiful token 
 of our long, and to me very precious, friendship has 
 been gratefully received. " As the new wine is 
 found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not 
 for a blessing is in it," so we can appreciate the privi- 
 lege of a new-made friendship, with its " blessing in 
 the cluster ;'' but as years roll on, how fully do we 
 realize, as many of our old friends are taken away 
 sometimes from the evil to come, the value of those 
 that remain, even as it is written, "No man, having 
 drunk old wine, straightway desireth new, for he 
 saith, the old is better." Oh, my dear friend, how 
 does the memory of one so dear to thee come up in 
 remembrances of the past and passing years, like 
 " precious ointment poured forth" ! And now most 
 sweetly am I reminded, in reference to him and his 
 labors, and the seals to his ministry, that "they that 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 169 
 
 are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firma- 
 ment, and they that turn many to righteousness as 
 the stars for ever and ever." 
 
 Before the close of this eventful year another dark 
 cloud seemed gathering over E. P. Gurney's path- 
 way. Her lovely step-daughter, Anna Backhouse, 
 had for some time shown symptoms of pulmonary 
 disease, which did not yield to ordinary treatment, 
 and occasioned much anxiety to her friends. It was 
 finally thought best to try a change of climate, and 
 in the Ninth mo., accompanied by her husband and 
 children, she left England for the south of France. 
 To this movement allusion is made in the following. 
 
 E. P. G, to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, Eighth mo. 17th, 1847. 
 
 She (A. B.) speaks of being brought into a strait 
 place ; and, curious enough, when I picked up my 
 Bible for my regular morning reading, I opened on 
 the verse, " And David said, I am in a great strait." 
 It immediately occurred to me we could not do better 
 than utter the petition which follows : " Let me fall 
 now into the hands of the Lord, for very great are 
 His mercies, but let me not fall into the hands of 
 man." If we commit ourselves wholly into the 
 Lord's hand, we are sure that when the afflictive 
 
 IS 
 
I/O 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 dispensation has served its purpose He will say, " It 
 is enough," and we shall not have one more pang 
 than is absolutely needful for us ; but if we fall into 
 the hands of man (be he physician or be he not), we 
 never can be sure that the trial in every way may 
 not be greatly aggravated, and in the end those be 
 made sorrowful whom the Lord would not have 
 made sorrowful. I own this is my greatest fear in 
 consulting the London doctors, who we are sure 
 will advise their going abroad, and we are also sure 
 that if they do so advise, they will go. And if this 
 is in right ordering it will all be well, and we may 
 see this (fear child return much improved in the 
 spring. But, on the other hand, if the M.D.'s happen 
 to advise wrong, and instead of getting better she 
 should grow rapidly worse, what a thing it would be 
 for John to have the whole charge of her and the 
 children in that far-off land ! And who is at liberty 
 to go to them ? 
 
 I own I do feel it a very serious step, and one that 
 requires to be looked at all round, though I dare 
 not discourage it, and can only earnestly desire 
 that we may fall into the hands of the Lord, and 
 that He will graciously condescend to direct all our 
 steps. Thus may we " dwell in the secret place of 
 the Most High, and abide under the shadow of the 
 Almighty." 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 171 
 
 Last Fifth day, at our Monthly Meeting, when I 
 was constrained out of the depths to pour forth my 
 supplications, dear William Forster, to my great en- 
 couragement, took up what I had said, and spoke 
 beautifully upon it. His sermons have been really 
 helpful lately, and being faithful always puts him in 
 a nice mind, so that we have quite enjoyed his 
 company. 
 
 Ann F. Barclay to E. P. G. 
 
 Ninth mo. 17th, 1847. 
 
 ... I desire that thou mayst find the power to 
 cast thy past and present griefs and thy unknown 
 future into His hands whom winds and seas obey. 
 Dost thou remember the lines, — 
 
 " Through waves and clouds and storms 
 He gently clears thy way. 
 Wait thou His time : thy darkest night 
 Shall end in brightest day" ? 
 
 This seems the only true view that can be taken 
 of the deep trials and wasting sorrows that abound, — 
 the view of faith, — and certainly the only one that 
 brings comfort in the contemplation. Probably if 
 we were not thus hemmed in, and all the natural 
 brightness of this life shut out, we could more fully 
 appreciate the gentleness of the Hand that leads us 
 and the preciousness of the light of His countenance. 
 
172 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and understand how the blessing may be as great 
 in withholding as in giving. But yet, my darling 
 cousin, we may be feeling for each other while the 
 course of this discipline is going on, — if not desiring 
 that one another's trials may be lightened by being 
 removed, yet lightened by the strength given to en- 
 dure, the experience of which even now we can 
 sometimes feel to be a better blessing. How much 
 more in time to come shall we not rejoice together 
 that, though pitied, we were not spared. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, Ninth mo. i8th, 1847. 
 Thy sweet letter came in most seasonably, dearest 
 mamma, just after our solemn reading yesterday 
 morning, wherein I was constrained, on the bended 
 knee, to return heartfelt thanksgivings that our most 
 tenderly beloved one had been gathered, with a hand 
 of infinite love and mercy, from the conflicts and 
 trials of this changing scene, and earnestly to pe- 
 tition that, whatever might be in store for any of us, 
 the work of Divine grace might go forward in our 
 hearts until we were prepared for a blessed reunion, 
 where there is no more separation, no more death. 
 I could not ask for the life of our darling child ; I 
 could only desire that He who knows what is best 
 for any of us would take us into His own safe care 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 173 
 
 and keeping, and finally perfect that which concern- 
 eth us to His own glory. I felt relieved, and able to 
 enjoy thy sweet letter afterward, which I showed to 
 Anna, who smiled as she pointed out the remark- 
 able coincidence between thy train of thought and 
 that which had just been before us. It evidently 
 was a comfort to her. Dear child ! her spirit is 
 almost too heavenly to leave us much hope that she 
 will linger in this sinful world a great while longer, 
 so full of resignation and cheerful acquiescence to 
 the Divine will. It is truly touching; and altogether 
 this further stripping has afresh caused me to feel 
 that " I am bereaved," that life will soon contain but 
 very few to bind me to it. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, Eleventh mo. 2d, 1847. 
 I never felt the same freedom and power in sup- 
 plication before, and perhaps have not often had the 
 same suffering to prepare for it. Dear J. H. felt it 
 evidently, and he was so kind and affectionate after- 
 ward. Sweet and abundant was the peace that was 
 permitted to flow into my heart the rest of the day, 
 so that I could exclaim, with Wilberforce, " How 
 good God is to us !" He has been far better to me 
 than my fears, — from my youth up, I may truly say, 
 — and yet I go on faithlessly. 
 
 IS* 
 
174 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Eleventh mo. l8th, 1847. 
 
 . . . After a while we settled in and had a very 
 comfortable, interesting time together. Then Chenda 
 and myself took a long walk upon the light-house 
 hills, which thoroughly refreshed me. The air was 
 so delightful, and sweet and pleasant was the thought 
 of those "still waters and green pastures," on and 
 beside which some tenderly beloved ones are now 
 reposing in joy unspeakable and full of glory. 
 
 The journey, undertaken with such cheering an- 
 ticipations, was destined soon to end in deep sad- 
 ness. The usual alternations of hope and fear at- 
 tended as the dear invalid's condition varied from 
 day to day, yet her weakness evidently increased. 
 A political disturbance in Italy made it necessary 
 for the party to take refuge on board the English 
 man-of-war steamer " Bulldog," then lying in the 
 harbor of Palermo; and on her deck, on the 17th 
 of First mo., 1848, Anna Backhouse breathed her 
 last. 
 
 " How sad that thus her course should end. 
 With War's terrific thunders nigh ! 
 A battle-ship its shelter lend. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 175 
 
 Warriors her dying couch befriend, 
 Mourners unknown her bier attend, — 
 'Twas ' a strange place to die !' "* 
 
 The following letters give some indication of the 
 deep sorrow which this mysterious Providence oc- 
 casioned : 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, Second mo. 2d, 1848. 
 
 . . . Oh, how sweet and heart-cheering it is to 
 look above the gloom and sadness of the grave, to 
 contemplate the joys of that reunion, the fulness of 
 that song of praise which I could almost fancy I 
 hear in the deep stillness of this dear stripped home! 
 " When shall I wake and find me there ?" How 
 wonderfully all my ties to earth are loosening 
 Surely I shall not be left in this wilderness alone ! 
 
 . . . Her end was perfect peace, on board the 
 vessel off Palermo. She had been very nicely the 
 day before, but going on deck to inquire after Mary 
 Ann, who had been uncomfortable in another vessel, 
 she complained of shortness of breath, asked to be 
 laid on the deck, said she was very comfortable, 
 thought it was a strange place to die in, kissed dear 
 little Johnny and told him to be a good boy and 
 
 * Her own expression. 
 
176 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 he would go to heaven, said she was going to Jesus 
 and to her dearest father, and quietly and sweetly 
 breathed her last. How like her life has her death 
 been ! Dearest John says never was there a spirit 
 more meet for heaven, and this would be the testi- 
 mony of every one who knew her well. 
 
 William Forster to E. P. G,, on the death of 
 Anna Backhouse. 
 
 Second mo. 3d, 1848. 
 
 ... I know we ought to rejoice and give thanks 
 that our dear Anna is safely gathered to her heavenly 
 rest, but still we cannot but feel what we have lost. 
 It may not be for our comfort to dwell too much 
 upon the time and place and circumstances under 
 which she was led through the dark valley, but 
 rather to cherish all confidence that her Lord was 
 with her, that His blessing rested upon her, that 
 His eye was over her, that He cared for her, that 
 He ministered to her abundantly, according to what 
 He knew to be her need, and that she — blessed 
 be His name ! — knew that He had prepared a 
 mansion for her in His Father's house. What more 
 ought we, could we, ask or desire? 
 
 Surely we are bound more than ever to confess 
 to the wisdom and love of our tender and merciful 
 Father in Heaven that He took dearest Joseph to 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 177 
 
 Himself before all this came upon us. Certainly it 
 was at an hour appointed of God, and chosen in His 
 love. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Earlham, Second mo. 9th, 1848. 
 
 I told William that I should read the letter from 
 Palermo to the servants and villagers in the evening, 
 with a few observations I had made upon it, and 
 when we went into the anteroom, to my surprise, I 
 found it filled, — between fifty and sixty persons pres- 
 ent. Nothing could exceed their profound attention, 
 and the feeling they manifested almost prevented my 
 getting on. But I was enabled to finish it, and a 
 most interesting and solemn time we had. 
 
 E. P. G. to . 
 
 Earlham (no date). 
 My beloved Friend, — Thy kind, sympathizing 
 letter was duly received, and very acceptable, but I 
 do not feel as if I could write much to any one. 
 " By terrible things in righteousness" the Lord seems 
 indeed to have been answering our prayers that He 
 would make us wholly His own ; and very solemn 
 has been the conviction which this added sorrow has 
 sealed on my own mind that there will soon be but 
 little left to divert my attention from heaven and 
 heavenly things, while the attraction thitherward is 
 
178 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 continually strengthening. A more affectionate, du- 
 tiful, loving, and sympathizing daughter no own 
 mother could, I think, have possessed, and the loss 
 is great in proportion. I believe I may truly say not 
 a single cloud intercepted the closeness of our union 
 from its commencement to its close ; and we have 
 kept up a regular correspondence, whenever we have 
 been separated, for the last seven years. Some of 
 her letters from the Continent have been peculiarly 
 sweet, and manifest a ripeness for the heavenly in- 
 heritance very surprising in so young a person. 
 
 S. Grellet to E. P. G. 
 
 Third mo. 8th, 1848. 
 
 My beloved Friend, — Through the kind atten- 
 tion of thy dear sister Clarke we have received this 
 morning the very affecting and mournful intelligence 
 of the sore bereavement thou hast so soon again to 
 witness by the decease of thy so tenderly beloved 
 daughter, Anna Backhouse. We are sensible what 
 a rending of heart this is to thee, and to many other 
 of her nearly attached relatives, with whom we 
 mingle in near sympathy. It seems as if thou hadst 
 now to drink again of the full cup of bitterness that 
 was by Him, whose ways and dispensations are all in 
 wisdom and in mercy, prepared for thee very little 
 more than twelve months before. I doubt not, be- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. lyg 
 
 loved friend, but that the same Almighty arm that 
 was then so eminently and graciously extended for 
 thy support and consolation is now also felt by thee 
 to be very near, and that thou canst with faith and 
 assurance draw on the present occasion comfort and 
 consolation out of the same stream thou didst so 
 bountifully before. Amidst deep mourning there is, 
 methinks, the springing up of great joy. Father 
 and daughter were very closely united in their lives ; 
 they are now also after death. I thought her a very 
 lovely plant. She loved the Saviour, and He loves 
 His own unto the end. Dear Eliza, in Divine mercy, 
 may we not contemplate thy steps to have been 
 directed to England, not to contract ties to attach 
 thee to this life through great and sweet enjoyments, 
 but to form. ties that draw thy spirit strongly heav- 
 enward, where the rich treasures are gathering, 
 whereto thy heart also is often lifted up? Yet a 
 little while, my dear sister, and, through the tender 
 mercies of the dear Redeemer, thou wilt be per- 
 mitted to join the purified spirits in keeping the 
 solemn feast of ingathering. 
 
 In the Sixth mo., 1848, E. P. Gurney was grati- 
 fied by the arrival of her sister, Julia K. Clarke, 
 from America, for an extended visit, which was 
 truly cheering and comforting to her. 
 
l8o MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 The large establishment at Earlham, with its 
 heavy cares and responsibilities, had now become a 
 burden from which E. P. Gurney felt that she should 
 be relieved. The tie that had held her there was 
 broken, the charm dispelled. 
 
 "... The radiance was not dim 
 
 That used to gild his favorite hill ; 
 The pleasures that were dear to him 
 
 Were dear to life and nature still. 
 The life was gone, the breath had fled, 
 
 And what had been no more could be ; 
 The well-known form, the welcome tread, — 
 
 Oh, where were they, and where was he ?" 
 
 Yet the elegant home, which taste and skill had 
 so long labored to beautify and adorn, could not be 
 left without awakening deep and mingled feelings in 
 all who had shared in its enjoyments. Well might 
 Catharine Gurney write to E. P. G. : ..." I don't 
 like to think of the future as it regards Earlham, 
 and can only trust it will be ordered aright for all of 
 us. How I do feel the force of those words, ' I have 
 seen an end of all perfection ;' but we must not omit 
 as the contrast, 'Thy commandment is exceeding 
 broad.' Nothing ever made us feel this so power- 
 fully as the event of last year. Such a rooting up 
 of earthly dependence 1" 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. igj 
 
 E. P. G.'s plans were thus foreshadowed in a letter 
 to her cousin and sister-in-law, S. A. Bacon, with 
 whom she at one time had a most happy home : 
 
 Earlham, 1848. 
 
 ... I do not yet see my way clearly to anything, 
 but I think the probability is I shall remain at Earl- 
 ham until the Sixth mo,, and then remove to the 
 Grove, the dear old residence of Joseph Gurney, the 
 father of Hannah C. Backhouse. It is a sweet spot, 
 only three miles from Earlham, and I have some 
 deeply interesting associations with it, so that if I 
 leave Earlham I shall prefer going there ; but I wish 
 to be directed in every step. It would be a wrench 
 indeed to tear myself away from this loved spot, but 
 if it is in right ordering it will all be made easy. 
 
 At present peace rests in a remarkable manner 
 on my tarriance here. 
 
 Amelia Opie to E. P. G. 
 
 Sixth mo. 23d, 1848. 
 
 . . . Thou art often in my thoughts, and hast been 
 often on my tongue this evening, for it is pleasant 
 to talk of those we love and honor with those who 
 appreciate them as we ourselves do. The near ap- 
 proach now of my return to my new home is truly 
 
 welcome to me. I have a strong conviction on my 
 
 16 
 
1 82 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 mind that I shall never probably see London again. 
 I do not say this despondingly, but cheerfully, as I 
 trust that my new home will appear to me a com- 
 fortable one for my declining age, and a quiet place 
 to die in. When a nun takes the veil, she puts on 
 for the last time all the jewelled fineries and splendid 
 apparel she used to be pleased to wear, and then she 
 takes them off forever, and exchanges them for a more 
 simple robe becoming her altered feelings. I com- 
 j5are my own present brilliant career here this year 
 in many pleasant scenes, with welcoming and loving 
 and distinguished friends around me{ to the different 
 scene which awaits me in my humble home and my 
 more bounded circle ; where, forsaking probably for- 
 ever my London scenes, I shall, I humbly hope, be 
 happy to remain till this mortal shall put on immor- 
 tality. It is time it should be so. It will not, how- 
 ever, be so easy for me to give up Yearly Meeting. 
 My recollections of that time are full of thee, dearest 
 Eliza, and I remember with heartfelt pleasure thy 
 interesting and touching and modest bearing in the 
 meetings at which I saw thee, and I felt it a privilege 
 to be always so near thee. 
 
 E. P. G.'s removal to the Grove took place in the 
 Seventh mo., 1848. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 •83 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Grove, Ninth mo. 3d, 1848. 
 I took my last farewell of the grounds with my 
 sister, who was deeply feeling the whole thing. So 
 far I had not shed a single tear, though my heart 
 was heavy as lead ; but when, on our return to the 
 house, I saw William Forster standing at the hall 
 door, looking unutterably sad, I felt I could stout it 
 out no longer, and completely broke down, which 
 was a real relief to me, and made the actual drive- 
 off much easier. Still, it was sad enough to turn my 
 back forever on that cherished home, the birth- and 
 burying-place of one far dearer to me than my own ex- 
 istence, even when that existence was much brighter 
 than it can ever be again. Our drive was one of al- 
 most unbroken silence, but as soon as I reached this 
 dear spot a gleam of comfort shot across my heart, 
 accompanied with the conviction that it would indeed 
 be a peaceable habitation and a quiet resting-place. 
 
 A wakeful night was my portion, but not entirely 
 sleepless, and far from being altogether a painful one, 
 though it was strange and bewildering to feel myself 
 really in a new home, to know the event I had so 
 long looked forward to with dread has actually 
 taken place, and that the dwelling I had entered 
 
184 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 with feelings of cloudless happiness not quite seven 
 years ago was closed on me forever. But it is all in 
 right ordering, and I must now leave the things that 
 are behind and endeavor to press forward toward 
 the mark. Oh, if I may but attain to it at last and 
 win the prize ! 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Grove, Fifth mo. 3d, 1849. 
 My aunt Paul, my sister Shoemaker, and some 
 other of my relatives in Philadelphia are rather 
 concerned about my health, having probably heard 
 exaggerated accounts of it, and they urge my re- 
 turning to America this summer with J. A. and 
 Harriet, thinking my native air may do me good. 
 I am, however, much better since our return from 
 Dover, and do not see my way across the water 
 at present. I may, nevertheless, tell thee, dearest 
 mamma, that I have seen more light on revisiting my 
 native land in the last few weeks than ever before, 
 and I should not be surprised if another summer 
 (not this) found me in Philadelphia. But I have no 
 anxiety about it, and only desire to leave it in the 
 hands of the great Disposer of events, who, I am 
 well assured, will order all things wisely, and cause 
 them to promote our highest good. I think I can- 
 not yet spare Harriet. J. A. still talks of returning 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 185 
 
 after the Yearly Meeting, but some of the family- 
 have been persuading her that she cannot leave 
 me, and indeed I should miss her very much, — her 
 influence is so cheering in the house. 
 
 The near approach of this annual gathering looks 
 somewhat fearful, and one almost shrinks from en- 
 countering it. How altered it is in its character 
 since I first knew it ! so many gone and going. But 
 what a blessed company of tenderly beloved ones is 
 gathered and still gathering to the general assembly 
 and church of the first born whose names are written 
 in heaven ! How many dear ones have returned to 
 Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their 
 heads ! May we be enabled, in some small measure, 
 to unite in their praises and rejoice with their joy! 
 
 Her sister, J. K. Clarke, returned to America in 
 the summer of 1849. -E- P- Gurney thus writes to 
 her Eighth mo. 31st: 
 
 It seems strange indeed to address thee with pen 
 and ink, and I can scarcely believe thou art actually 
 gone for good. Yet there is such a stamp of right 
 upon the step, and that peace which passeth all 
 understanding so remarkably rests upon it, I can- 
 not have any misgivings. But perhaps we may all 
 
 meet in America some day, as I quite look forward 
 
 16* 
 
1 86 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 to visiting my native land in the course of another 
 year, and this makes it easier to part with thee, my 
 beloved sister. Truly, thy visit was well timed. 
 Thou hast secured many warm and attached friends, 
 and wilt read our letters with increased zest, having 
 a perfect knowledge of people and things ; so that in 
 every way the gain of thy having come has been 
 great. Indeed, I do not know how I should have 
 summoned courage to break away from all the fond 
 associations of my dear Earlham home if it had 
 not been for thy cheering influence. I have often 
 thought that thou wast sent, in very tender mercy, 
 to take me from the sorrows of the recent overwhelm- 
 ing past, back to the happy days of early childhood, 
 turning the current of my thoughts into a healthier 
 channel, and giving me a hold on life again. 
 
 Edward Pease to E. P. G. 
 
 Eleventh mo. 14th, 1849. 
 
 . . . Thy expression that my last had tended to 
 cheer thee gives me a little courage, and bids me 
 to say, dear Eliza, that thy most welcome, beauti- 
 fully-filled sheet did deeply interest and comfort me. 
 We are, I humbly trust, of that company of whom 
 a book of remembrance was written, and, precious 
 addition, "They shall be mine." Sometimes the 
 love of Christ is so shed over us that, reverently, we 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. jgy 
 
 dare so to think and to believe ; and it seems to me 
 that it has been so remarkably thy lot in life to see 
 the wonders of the Lord in the depths of His deal- 
 ings with thee, and in the indescribable extent of His 
 loving kindness and purifying refinings, that, when 
 the jewels are made up, thou wilt be there. I say not 
 this in that affection that I bear to thee as a friend, 
 great as that is, but from having long marked the 
 turnings-of the Lord's hand on thee, and giving thee 
 of His peace as well as His power. And, dear Eliza, 
 wherever thou art, or under whatever circumstances, 
 have courage to use it, so that thy ways pleasing the 
 Lord, if even there was enmity in any spirit, it should 
 be at peace with thee ; so fear not. ... I can well 
 comprehend the pleasure of mingling with thy be- 
 loved relations, and while no one can condemn the 
 execution of thy design (to visit America), yet my 
 secret wish seems to be that it might not be carried 
 out in my time, which may be very short. I do 
 not like that this land should spare thee, and the 
 church, in which thou hast a good and useful stand- 
 ing, cannot spare thee permanently, so may I ask 
 thee not to indulge one thought about settling there, 
 but so long as I live let me have the pleasure of con- 
 templating thy return, and that we may meet again ; 
 if not, may we meet on a happier shore. 
 
1 88 MEMOIR AND CORRESPOMDENCE OF 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Grove, Eleventh mo., 1849. 
 
 Cousin Anna Gurney dined with us yesterday 
 very agreeably, and I invited Lucy Aggs, Amelia 
 Opie, and Anna Forster and her sister to meet her, 
 which answered nicely. She came at three o'clock, 
 on purpose that we might have a nice private chat 
 together before the others arrived, and most sweet 
 and affectionate she was. What a treat it is, in this 
 little minny-minded world, to meet with a large- 
 souled, generous, noble creature of whom you can 
 approve entirely ! Just such is Cousin Anna. I never 
 was more deeply impressed with the greatness of 
 her character than during our intimate conversation 
 yesterday. What a splendid Friend and minister 
 she would have made, notwithstanding her lame- 
 ness ! Indeed, I think her very helplessness would 
 have added to the effect, giving an emphasis of in- 
 terest to the whole. But, alas ! not many rich, not 
 many mighty, not many noble seem to stumble into 
 our path, or rather, perhaps I should say, seem willing 
 to be led into it. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Grove. 
 
 ... I then took them to Anderson Reid's and 
 to the jail, to both of which places R. Sturges has 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 189 
 
 rather a concern to go. The whole weight of the 
 service, however, fell upon me, most unexpectedly, 
 and she said she believed she had gone on my ac- 
 count. I was much interested in two young women 
 (one of them only eighteen) who are to be trans- 
 ported. They were exceedingly affected when I 
 addressed them, arid listened with great interest to a 
 tract we read to them. In parting I simply said, 
 " Farewell ! I hope I may meet you next where there 
 is no more sin and no more death ; but, remember, 
 as death leaves us judgment will find us," and the 
 poor creatures put up their aprons to their faces and 
 sobbed aloud. I do not know when I have had such 
 a sense of the awfulness of sin or of the exceeding 
 greatness of redeeming love through Jesus Christ 
 our Lord. We afterward visited a debtor, whose 
 heart was as hard as a stone, a fine lady-like-looking 
 person, but very high, and justifying herself in the 
 strongest terms. She was brought down, however, 
 in degree by being reminded that, though man may 
 judge wrongfully, there is One that searcheth the 
 heart, who will render unto each of us according to 
 our works. " Whither shall I flee from Thy spirit?" 
 R. Sturges also said a few words to her, and I hope 
 her heart was touched, as she received our tracts 
 with thanks; but she was not in the tender state that 
 those poor creatures were by any means. 
 
190 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Grove, First mo. 15th, 1850. 
 Some part of every day since Sixth day last has 
 been devoted to poor old Sarah Racey's dying bed. 
 It was really quite striking to see any one so calm 
 and self-possessed at such a moment, for she is 
 evidently passing through the dark valley, and is 
 entirely sensible of it. We had quite a smiling time 
 over the blessedness of putting off mortality, with all 
 its sorrows, sufferings, and tribulations, and being 
 clothed upon with immortality, its light and joy and 
 peace and happiness. She echoed all I said about it, 
 clasping her hands and looking really pleased, as if 
 she were about to take a pleasant journey and liked 
 to hear of the accommodations at the end of it. I 
 could not understand myself to be so utterly un- 
 moved by such a scene, — death used to seem so 
 awful to me. Has my heart grown colder, or is it 
 that we learn to form a truer estimate of things as 
 life goes on ? Instead of being the end of pleasure 
 and enjoyment, as we are apt to consider it in early 
 life, we learn to think of it as the termination of sor- 
 row and suffering, and the commencement of true 
 happiness. She broke forth into praises and thanks- 
 giving just before I left her, very touchingly ex- 
 claiming, with a voice broken by the great oppres- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 191 
 
 sion on her breathing, " Oh, yes, my Saviour is most 
 merciful. He does not wiUingly afflict me. Blessed 
 forever be His worthy name !" 
 
 From E. P, G.'s Journal. 
 
 Grove, First mo. 21st, 1850. — Oh, were it not that 
 we are graciously permitted and invited to come 
 with our emptiness to the fulness which is in Christ, — 
 aye, and with the burthen of our guilt and trans- 
 gression, — to the atoning fountain of the everlasting 
 covenant, what would become of any one of us ? 
 Help, Lord, or we perish forever ! 
 
 There is something very sad, almost humiliating 
 to me, in the idea of time blunting our feelings, so 
 that we do not feel the same acute sorrow for the 
 loss of those we so tenderly loved as we did in the 
 early days of our bereavement, while suffering under 
 the immediate pressure of the stroke, and while the 
 wound is bleeding freshly from the sudden rend- 
 ing of the cherished tie. Yet surely this is in the 
 merciful ordering of Him whose name is Love. 
 
 " Sunk in self-consuming anguish, 
 Can the poor heart always ache ? 
 No ! the tortured nerve will languish, 
 Or the strings of life must break.'' 
 
192 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 I have often been reminded latterly of these beau- 
 tiful lines of Montgomery and have felt their truth ; 
 yef surely I have no cause to quarrel with my own 
 heart for not being faithful to its sorrows, if I may 
 so speak. They seem to be engraven upon it with 
 an iron pen, and I believe death alone will ever 
 obliterate them. 
 
 How often, under a humbling sense of my own 
 poverty and nothingness, have I been led to put up 
 the petition of the royal Psalmist, " O God, Thou 
 knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hidden 
 from Thee. Let not those that wait on Thee be 
 ashamed for my sake ; let not those that seek Thee 
 be confounded for my sake. Lord God of Israel." 
 And I believe in this instance He was pleased to 
 hear my prayer. 
 
 J. C. B. lent us the "Life of Goldsmith," by 
 Washington Irving, and I commenced reading it to 
 H. C. B., as she liked, beside the Bible, to have some 
 book on hand, and this we thought might serve to 
 entertain her. But we soon found that it was any- 
 thing but satisfactory, and were glad to substitute 
 the " Life of Rebecca Jones," in which she became 
 deeply interested. She did not, however, like to 
 give up " Goldsmith" entirely, and we continued to 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 193 
 
 read a very small portion every day until we finished 
 the volume. The account of his last days evidently 
 affected her, and I shall not soon, I believe, forget 
 either the serious expression of her countenance or 
 the emphatic manner with which she repeated his 
 last words, " I feel uneasy !" " Oh," she said, " what 
 a life and what a death ! That word ' uneasy,' what 
 does it convey ? Not only the suffering of the body, 
 but a mind ill at ease at such an hour !" I do not 
 remember hearing her speak with so much energy 
 on any occasion, and again and again she remarked, 
 " What an unsatisfactory life was that poor man's !" 
 It seemed like trying it in the balance of the sanc- 
 tuary on the verge of eternity, and when the life of 
 pleasure was so tried it was indeed found sorrowfully 
 wanting. In the unpretending history of the labors 
 and sacrifices of Rebecca Jones her spirit seemed 
 always to find both refreshment and repose. 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Grove, Second mo. nth, 1850. 
 Chenda thinks my sister, Catherine Gurney, is very 
 much coming round about my going to America, 
 and that they are all resolved to look on the bright 
 side and regard it only as a temporary separation, 
 fully expecting to see me again next year, if life is 
 granted. Thou must follow their example, should 
 
 17 
 
194 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 it really seem best for me to go. But at present 
 " my eyes are holden" and my faith a little tried, 
 the time for decision seems drawing so near, and 
 there are so many arrangements that will have to be 
 made about house and servants and horses and 
 everything. Yet I do trust I may be preserved from 
 any undue anxiety, which has so far been remark- 
 ably the case ; and a little faith is given me that 
 light will ari.se from obscurity, and my darkness be- 
 come as the noonday. Thou wilt not be surprised, 
 however, that I feel the responsibility of the whole 
 thing ; and then I am so wonderfully left to my own 
 devices as regards any human aid. Certainly it 
 would not always be a comfort to me to believe that 
 those tenderly beloved ones who are taken from us 
 are cognizant of what is passing in their earthly 
 homes. I should be quite beset with the notion 
 that some of my hours of untold loneliness would 
 cause disquiet and discomfort even there. One 
 scarcely knows what to wish about it, for, oh ! the 
 anguish which those words have given me : " His 
 breath goeth forth ; he returneth to his earth ; in that 
 very day his thoughts perish." "Also their love 
 and their hatred is now perished, neither have they 
 any more a portion in anything that is done under 
 the sun." Oh, how these things have saddened my 
 solitary heart ! But there is one thing I will believe 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 195 
 
 in, and that is recognition in a future state. What it 
 would be to be welcomed into those joys which eye 
 hath not seen nor ear heard, by some of those re- 
 deemed ones whom we have dearly loved ! I have 
 quite enjoyed " Dr. Gordon's Life," which I got on 
 thy recommendation. His thoughts of death and 
 heaven were so delightful. Surely, if we lived 
 nearer to the Source of light, we should have more 
 frequent glimpses of the better land. The apostle 
 says, " Ye are come unto Mount Zion, and to the 
 city of the living God, the New Jerusalem, to ap 
 innumerable company of angels, and to the spirits 
 of just men made perfect." Then why should we 
 not hold communion with them and realize their 
 joy and blessedness ? Why should we not, like 
 Stephen, see the heavens opened, and Jesus standing 
 on the right hand of the throne of God ? Is it not 
 because we do not walk in the Spirit as Stephen did ? 
 
 E. P. G. to H. C. B. 
 
 Grove, Third mo. 3d, 1850. 
 I begin to long to see thee, dearest mamma, and 
 the thought of it in meeting this afternoon was ac- 
 companied with a feeling of true sweetness, and an 
 earnest desire that we might know yet more of a 
 living spiritual union ; so that, whether we are per- 
 mitted to spend many of our remaining days to- 
 
196 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 gether, or whether the broad Atlantic shall roll 
 between us, we may indeed be each pther's joy in 
 the Lord. After a season of rather unusual lowness, 
 in which I think I have known something of being 
 " baptized into the cloud and into the sea," partly, 
 perhaps, from being left so solitary, this has been a 
 day of arising, wherein the new song has been put 
 into my mouth, even praises unto our God. Indeed, 
 so precious has been the sense of His love and 
 power, that I thought, as I sat in profound quietness 
 this afternoon, that if only a small portion of the 
 peace which has filled my heart this day were gra- 
 ciously vouchsafed to me during the remainder of 
 my pilgrimage, it would be of little consequence 
 whether it was spent in England or America. 
 
 " Could I be cast where Thou art not. 
 That were indeed a dreadful lot ; 
 But if, O God ! Thou guid'st my way, 
 'Tis equal joy to go or stay." 
 
 This, I believe, is the sincere breathing of my 
 heart, so thou need not be afraid to trust me; for 
 thou knowest, as well as I do, that I can be no 
 comfort to anybody out of my right allotment, and, 
 setting aside all natural inclination and affectionate 
 bias, I shall depend upon thy helping me to ascertain 
 what my duty is. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 197 
 
 Dear Susanna Corder is very much set against my 
 leaving England, and says that, because I do not see 
 clear light upon going, it is evident that it is not 
 right for me to leave ; but, on the other hand, I see 
 less light upon remaining here. So what hath he to 
 do " that walketh in darkness," but " trust in the 
 Lord and stay upon his God" ? 
 
 Then, with regard to what thou sayst about- the 
 Society troubles in America, I can truly say they do 
 not at all disturb me, exCept to make me feel the 
 desirableness of being rightly guided. It is my full 
 intention to go knowing nothing, and " owing no 
 man anything but to love one another." 
 
 " Why should we differ by the way ? 
 Why should dissensions come ? 
 We hope to spend an endless day 
 In one eternal home." 
 
 . . . -And I have so enjoyed dear Edward Pease's 
 account of thee, especially of thy " peaceful coun- 
 tenance and bright and acceptable communications" 
 in meeting, of which he has often spoken. So pray 
 go on in faith, and never mind a few wandering 
 thoughts. I wonder if there ever was that being 
 who was not troubled with them, since the days of 
 him who said, " That which I would I do not.'' 
 How sweet to remember Him who is touched with 
 
 a feeling of our infirmities !" 
 
 17* 
 
198 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 On the 6th of Fifth mo., 1850, occwred the death 
 of E. P. G.'s long-tried and honored friend, H. C. 
 Backhouse, — a mother in Israel, loved and venerated 
 alike for her works' sake, the charm of her society, 
 and for her kindly and affectionate nature. Ever 
 since their first association in America, the intimate 
 relations then established between them had deep- 
 ened and strengthened with their constant inter- 
 course ; and the maternal and filial regard mutually 
 entertained, as years passed on, had grown into the 
 closest Christian love and friendship, and the shock 
 of parting was correspondingly severe. E. P. G.'s 
 friends were abundant in their expressions of sym- 
 pathy under this new trial. 
 
 Susanna Corder to E. P. Gurney. 
 
 Fifth mo. 7th, 1850. 
 . . . The sympathy which I feel with thee, dearest 
 Eliza, cannot be expressed by me, but I feel assured 
 thou wilt be strengthened and consoled by thy 
 gracious Master, and that thou wilt be enabled to 
 pursue the same path of perfect dedication which 
 she so nobly and faithfully walked in, in which the 
 dearest ties of nature never held her back from fol- 
 lowing her Lord, and from laboring in His glorious 
 cause of truth. Neither death nor life, neither spirits 
 nor powers, nor any other created thing, could 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 199 
 
 hinder her work of faith ; and now surely her mantle, 
 which often has covered thee, is henceforth to rest 
 upon thee continually, and He who hath specially 
 chosen thee, designs to be perfectly thy all in all, to 
 His praise and glory. 
 
 From E. P. G.'s Journal. 
 
 Elisha Bates and Nathan Hunt addressed us very 
 strikingly soon after we were banded together in 
 America, comparing our companionship to that of 
 Elijah and Elisha, and predicting that if I were with 
 her at the close her mantle would descend upon me. 
 So, I suppose, as I was not with her, it is to descend 
 upon dear Jane, who is far more worthy to receive it 
 in every way. How often did her precious mother 
 remind me of the prediction, saying she felt satisfied 
 I would one day come to England, if only to fulfil it. 
 Oh, if a little portion of her loving, dedicated spirit 
 might but rest upon me ! 
 
 Just as I was leaving her she drew me to- her very ' 
 afifectionately, and said, with emphasis, " Farewell, 
 my darling ! the God of Peace go with thee, bless 
 thee, and prosper thee in all thy ways, and abund- 
 antly qualify thee for every work and service into 
 which He may be pleased to call thee." So be it, 
 saith my soul. 
 
200 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 During a family gathering at Darlington, soon 
 after the decease of H. C. Backhouse, E. P. Gurney 
 was addressed in a striking manner by her friend 
 and relative, John Hodgkin. The following outline 
 of his remarks was taken down from memory : 
 
 During the time of our being thrown so interest- 
 ingly together, my dear sister-cousin, on an occasion 
 very solemn to us both, my spirit has been united to 
 thine in bonds of a spiritual relationship which is 
 closer than any natural tie. I have felt that this 
 awful stroke has made thee (who hast been once " a 
 widow indeed") twice an orphan, and have believed 
 that in the desolation of thy feelings thou mayst be 
 ready to conclude thou hast seen an end of all perfec- 
 tion, and that there is nothing now worth living for. 
 But how strongly have I felt amid all this desola- 
 tion that the Eternal God has been thy refuge, and 
 underneath thee are the everlasting arms ! While, 
 like the prophet of old, thou hast beheld the com- 
 panion whom thou hast so dearly loved, and to 
 whom thou wast united by no common tie, ascend 
 as it were to the very gates of heaven, may we not 
 believe a portion of her spirit has descended upon 
 thee ? Truly, my beloved cousin, thou hast known 
 many and deep baptisms of flesh and spirit, baptisms 
 into the cloud and into the sea. Yea, hast thou not 
 known something of what it is to be baptized for 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 201 
 
 the dead ? And all these fiery baptisms have been 
 doing their office in purifying and cleansing and pre- 
 paring thee for a yet fuller development, a yet larger 
 exercise of thy various natural and spiritual gifts. 
 
 When our blessed Lord was about to reascend 
 into heaven, His command to His chosen disciples 
 was,' " Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them 
 in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
 Ghost ; and, lo ! I am with you alway, even unto the 
 end of the world." Now, my dear sister, in looking 
 forward to the change of allotment that may prob- 
 ably be awaiting thee, this command has afresh re- 
 vived in my mind ; and in entering a little into the 
 probable conflicts and trials which may be thy por- 
 tion, I have been encouraged and comforted on thy 
 behalf in remembering the gracious assurance which 
 followed, addressed to them that believe : " In my 
 name ye shall cast out devils, and speak with new 
 tongues. Ye shall take up serpents, and if ye drink 
 any deadly thing, it shall not hurt you. Ye shall 
 lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." I 
 have been given to believe that thou, my dear 
 cousin, wouldst realize something of this in thy ex- 
 perience ; that, dwelling in the secret of His pavilion, 
 thou wouldst be kept from the strife of tongues ; 
 that, even though thou shouldst tread upon what 
 might be comparable to deadly serpents, they would 
 
202 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 not be permitted to hurt thee ; yea, that, in the power 
 of thy Lord, thou shouldst even be enabled to lay 
 hands on the spiritually sick, and they should re- 
 cover; for the anointing oil would be so poured upon 
 thy head as to descend upon the troubled waters 
 and cause a blessed calm. Therefore I would have 
 thee be of good courage, for I do assuredly believe 
 thy shoes shall be iron and brass, and " as thy day is 
 so shall thy strength be." 
 
 E. Barclay adds, in connection with the fore- 
 going,— 
 
 . . . Then dear cousin E. P. G. said, very sweetly, 
 " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it 
 entered into the heart of man to conceive the good 
 things the Lord hath in store for them that love 
 Him." But God hath revealed them unto us by His 
 spirit. Have we not, my beloved friends, at this 
 solemn hour known something of the revealing of 
 the good things of the kingdom ? Have we not, in 
 the tender mercy of the Lord, had some fresh sense 
 given us of the glorious realities of the inheritance of 
 the saints in light, — a little glimpse as it were within 
 the veil ? Have we not almost heard the sound of 
 the redeemed ones returning to Zion, with songs and 
 everlasting joy upon their heads ? And has not the 
 acknowledgment been raised in some of our hearts, 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 203 
 
 " Verily there is a reward for the righteous ; verily 
 there is a God who judgeth in the earth" ? 
 
 The loosening of so many ties which had hitherto 
 bound her to her English home had for some time 
 past, as has been seen, permitted E. P. Gurney seri- 
 ously to entertain the thought of a return to her 
 native land, at least for a time. She wrote to Mary 
 Anna Longstreth, Sixth mo. 17th, 1850: 
 
 My way seems now remarkably opening for a 
 return to my own land, at least for a season, and it 
 was deeply impressed upon my mind that this would 
 be the case some months ago, even when dearest 
 H. C. B. was well as usual, though I never could 
 believe it would be right for me to leave her, and my 
 sister Catherine was strongly opposed to my going 
 while she lived. Now the former is gathered home 
 to her heavenly inheritance, and the latter is so far 
 on her journey as to be wholly weaned from all 
 earthly things, and I have already taken my leave of 
 her, never expecting to see her again in mutability. 
 Thou wilt easily believe, my beloved Marianna, that 
 all this has not been passed through without much 
 deep suffering; but it is my earnest desire to be 
 more and more enabled to leave the things that are 
 behind, and to press forward with renewed diligence 
 toward the mark, looking solely unto Jesus, the 
 
204 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Author and Finisher of our faith. It is no light thing 
 to me to think of returning to Philadelphia again, 
 and I have always felt that I could not do it in my 
 own way and time; but "simply follow as I lead" 
 is the command that seems to be given me, and in 
 endeavoring to do so, whatever my outward allot- 
 ment may be, I feel a sweet and consoling assurance 
 that my mind will be kept in peace. 
 
 This has hitherto been strikingly the case in the 
 midst of many tribulations, and why should I doubt 
 it now? May I be gifted with a double portion of 
 " that wisdom which, by reason of its purity, pass- 
 eth through all things," giving no offence to any, 
 " neither to the Jew, nor to the Gentile, nor to the 
 Church of God." " Owing no man anything, but to 
 love one another." This, I can truly say, is the 
 unfeigned prayer of my heart, and I humbly and 
 reverently trust that He who searcheth the heart 
 will hear and answer it. 
 
 Lady H. Buxton to E. P. Gurney. 
 
 Seventh mo. 17th, 1850. 
 
 ... I do feel thou hast been most faithful, gen- 
 erous, sympathizing, and helpful to us all, and we 
 have loved thee as a dear sister, an immense bless- 
 ing and gift to our darling brother, and a comfort to 
 us all. I trust thou wilt leave thy dear home and 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 205 
 
 this country for a season, with deep hopefulness that 
 the grace of God has so abounded as to have enabled 
 thee to do His will amongst us, to glorify His grace 
 and His name, and to be made a remarkable bless- 
 ing, not to our dearest Joseph only, but to us and 
 to a large circle. I cannot say, dearest Eliza, how 
 deeply I feel this. Thou hast been truly a blessing 
 to us, a comfort, an encouragement, a minister of the 
 Gospel, and a distributer of good things, spiritual 
 and temporal. With tears I feel what thou hast 
 been, with gratitude that we have had thee, my 
 love, and now I feel that thy duty lies with thy 
 own land and thy own people, and for a season we 
 are willing to give thee up, though we feel what the 
 giving up is. 
 
 E. P. Gurney's prospect of leaving England rapidly 
 matured, and her preparations were made for an early 
 departure ; her niece, H. H. Kirkbride, accompany- 
 ing her. 
 
 E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 
 
 Seventh mo. 17th, 1850. 
 
 . . . We expect to leave the Grove on Seventh 
 
 day week, spend a few days at Upton, and go on 
 
 board the " Niagara" on the 3d of Eighth mo., a 
 
 little more than two weeks from this time. I can 
 
 scarcely believe what I write, it seems so incredible. 
 
 18 
 
2o6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Pray do not be anxious about us. We have no fear 
 of the sea, and shall very likely have a smooth and 
 pleasant voyage. I am sure thou wilt be glad to 
 hear that there is not the shadow of a cloud in the 
 way, but all looks bright before me, though, of 
 course, I truly feel the prospect of returning to 
 America, as well as the thought of leaving many 
 tenderly loved ones here, to some of whom our 
 preparation for departure has given more pain than 
 I anticipated. 
 
 On the eve of her embarkation a number of her 
 friends assembled at Liverpool to bid farewell to 
 one who had become so closely united to them, and 
 her honored friend, William Forster, addressed her 
 most impressively. The following brief sketch of 
 his remarks has been preserved : 
 
 " Great peace have they that love Thy law, and 
 nothing shall offend them." Although I cannot 
 always appropriate this promise to myself, yet I think 
 I have been enabled to rejoice in it on thy account, 
 my dearly beloved sister, believing that thou art one 
 of those who do indeed love the law of the Lord, 
 and that thou hast been faithfully endeavoring, since 
 thou hast been called from thy kindred and thy 
 native country, to yield obedience to its manifested 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 207 
 
 requirings, in doing which thou hast known the 
 blessed promise abundantly verified. Great peace 
 has been thy portion, and nothing has been able to 
 offend thee. And I have felt comforted in the per- 
 suasion that, in following the leadings of thy Lord 
 and Master, who is now taking thee from us for a 
 season, thou wilt continue to witness the fulfilment 
 of this gracious assurance ; so that whatever trials 
 may be permitted to assail thee, the angel of His 
 presence shall encamp round about thee and nothing 
 be permitted to offend. 
 
 The memory of the just is blessed and will not 
 decay. Very precious has been the remembrance of 
 our tenderly beloved departed brother since we have 
 been assembled together on this very interesting and 
 to me deeply affecting occasion ; for I feel that I am 
 parting with a precious sister, — a sister in the un- 
 changeable truth, a sister dearly beloved in the Lord. 
 Ah, I believe our dear departed brother has been 
 very near to many of us at this time, and I have 
 rejoiced in thinking how thy various steppings since 
 thou wast written " widow and desolate" would have 
 been approved by him, how entirely he would now 
 sanction this step; so that, in a little fresh faith and 
 confidence, I can bid thee go forward in the name of 
 the Lord, believing assuredly that He will never 
 leave thee nor forsake thee ; for He has promised 
 
2o8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 (and His promises are yea and amen forever) that 
 He will be with His children always, even unto the 
 end of the world. Yea, and I believe He will again 
 and again put the new song into thy mouth, even 
 praises unto His great and ever-excellent name. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 209 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Soon after E. P. Gurney's arrival in America she 
 settled at West Hill, a retired and commodious 
 mansion beautifully situated about two miles from 
 Burlington, New Jersey, originally occupied by 
 Samuel Emlen, and latterly the home of Susanna R. 
 Smith, an esteemed minister of Burlington meeting. 
 Her household arrangements were peculiarly happy 
 and congenial. Her widowed sisters, Mary Ann 
 Williams and Julia K. Clarke, were both with her; 
 the former under her roof, the latter occupying a 
 pleasant cottage near at hand. She delighted in the 
 cheerful society of her younger relatives, some of 
 whom were constantly gathered about her in the 
 mutual exchange of kindly service. In the im- 
 mediate neighborhood resided several families of her 
 intimate friends, with whom she maintained daily 
 intercourse. Prominent among these were Harrison 
 Alderson, a valuable minister. Dr. Joseph W. Tay- 
 lor, his sister Hannah and his brothers Abram M. 
 and James Taylor, and Susanna R. Smith (above 
 
 mentioned), with their families. 
 
 18* 
 
2IO MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 The atmosphere of the place was rich with spirit- 
 ual graces and intellectual culture, and the house- 
 hold grew year by year more attractive and beautiful. 
 Those who were favored with access to its inner life 
 can never forget the elegant simplicity of the ample 
 parlors, devoid of useless ornament, but supplied 
 with all the appliances for restful ease or profitable 
 study, — the capacious chair from which the mistress 
 of the mansion presided over her domain with 
 courtly grace ; the store of books, always ready to 
 be handed with wise selection to casual guests ; the 
 hospitable dining-room, the scene of so many cheer- 
 ful and memorable gatherings ; and the literary 
 treasures piled upon the shelves of the library. 
 
 To the members of her own religious society the 
 house was especially a centre of attraction. Ministers 
 from distant parts of the country received freely of 
 her wise counsels and ready sympathy, as well as 
 substantial aid in large measure ; and the young 
 people delighted in her sprightly and instructive 
 converse and unaffected interest in all their affairs. 
 
 In reference to a few of her friends more remotely 
 situated, it may be allowed to quote from an inter- 
 esting notice by J. B. Braithwaite, published in the 
 "Annual Monitor," England: 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 211 
 
 " At Philadelphia, also, there was a large circle 
 with whom E. P. Gurney continued to maintain de- 
 lightful Christian intercourse. There was Israel W. 
 Morris, the aged veteran of Green Hill Farm, near 
 Philadelphia, whose recollection reached back to the 
 times of Washington, if not also to "those of the 
 Revolutionary war; who in younger and middle 
 life was, like Dr. Taylor, a devoted companion and 
 helper to the Lord's messengers, and remained to the 
 last an upright pillar in the Church, whose memory 
 is precious to those who knew him. With him may 
 be associated three others, all remarkable men, pre- 
 senting in their somewhat differing characteristics 
 varied aspects of the same precious truth which they 
 equally loved, — Thomas Evans, a member of a well- 
 known and influential family, the compiler of the 
 "Exposition of the Faith of the Society of Friends," 
 and one of the editors of the " Friends' Library," 
 whose mind, disciplined in the school of Christ, and 
 enriched by varied reading and culture, was a treas- 
 ure of Christian wisdom and experience ; Samuel 
 Bettle (whose father had been the able clerk to 
 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting during the trials of the 
 separation), in whom the calm dignity of the Christian 
 minister wa's beautifully combined with the clothing 
 of humility and a sympathy inexpressibly tender ; 
 and Charles Yarnall, a wise and faithful elder, dis- 
 
212 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 tinguished for sound and enlightened judgment, and 
 a mind of varied culture seasoned with grace. Nor 
 must his beloved sister, Amy Y. Tatum, also an 
 elder, or John M. and Mary Whitall be forgotten 
 in this little sketch (brief and imperfect as it must 
 necessarily be), all overflowing with love, impressed 
 with the King's image, and ready to be spent in His 
 service. Such, amongst many others that might be 
 named, were the friends amongst whom E. P. Gurney 
 felt it a privilege to pass the evening of her day, and 
 whom it was her lot to survive." 
 
 A warm welcome was extended to her on her 
 settlement by tongue and pen. A few examples 
 follow : 
 
 Hannah B. Mott to E. P. G. 
 
 Second mo. 1st, 1 851. 
 
 My dear Friend, — It has been so much on my 
 mind for some days past to convey to thee an ex- 
 pression of my most sincere pleasure on hearing of 
 thy conclusion to dwell among us, that I will yield 
 to the feeling and thus give thee my cordial wel- 
 come. I have no doubt the subject has weighed 
 much upon thy mind, and I rejoice in thy decision, 
 at the same time that I hope I am able to enter into 
 sympathy with thee at the prospect of entering upon 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 213 
 
 thy new abode. Many contrasts and sad remem- 
 brances will pour upon thy heart; but remember, 
 dear Eliza, that the gardener, in removing some of 
 his choicest plants, carefully seeks to place them in 
 a poorer soil, covers them from the heat and shades 
 them from the light, until the tender roots have time 
 to feel that they are at rest, and gradually expand 
 and g^row under the fostering care of one skilled in 
 rearing them, one who knows just where to place 
 them in a situation to flourish and spread abroad 
 their fragrance and beauty. So, in time, my dear 
 friend, I hope not only to see West Hill rejoicing 
 under thy tasteful care and blossoming as the rose, 
 but that thou also, as the dispenser of much comfort 
 and happiness to those around thee, wilt find a sweet 
 reward in thy own bosom, verifying the language 
 of the poetical Jeremiah : " Seek ye the peace of the 
 city whither I have caused you to be carried away 
 captive, and pray unto the Lord for it, for in the 
 peace thereof shall ye have peace." 
 
 E. P. G. to Susanna Corder. 
 
 I 
 West Hill, Ninth mo. 3d, 1851. 
 
 . . . Now I am settled in my Jersey home, I have 
 
 quite a longing to see some of your familiar faces, 
 
 and think you cannot leave it long before you come. 
 
 How thou wouldst enjoy mingling with dear Stephen 
 
214 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Grellet and his wife, Richard Mott and his daughter, 
 the Allinsons, Susan R. Smith, etc. ! I do not think 
 there is such a circle of friends to be found anywhere, 
 — so much refinement and true Christian charity. 
 But death is making gradual inroads into it, and in a 
 few years more it probably will be greatly changed. 
 Already two of its brightest ornaments are gone, — 
 Richard Mott's wife, a truly dignified and upright 
 pillar in the Church, within the last two months, 
 and dear Abigail Barker, while I was in England. 
 So do not leave it long, or thou wilt never know 
 from actual observation what a sweet band of Chris- 
 tians we have had amongst us. I cannot tell thee 
 what a help and comfort dear Stephen Grellet has 
 been to me since coming here, — a father in the truth 
 I may well call him. His spirit is so sweet and 
 heavenly we cannot hope to keep him long amongst 
 us, though he is now apparently recovering from a 
 fearful illness which brought him very low. I think 
 I must give thee an outline of a precious sermon he 
 addressed to me a few weeks since, which I took 
 down directly afterward in my private journal. He 
 seemed very anxious to see me in my new home, 
 and, though scarcely equal to the effort, not having 
 taken so long a drive for several years, he came one 
 morning early, accompanied by his precious wife, 
 who is scarcely less of a saint than himself. (Have 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 215 
 
 we not good Scripture authority for calling the right- 
 eous so ?) I felt it a privilege to have them under 
 my roof, and, after we had conversed a little together 
 I took dear Rebecca over the house to show her the 
 alterations and improvements. When we returned 
 we found her venerable husband, who truly looks 
 like an apostle, reclining in a large arm-chair, his 
 face illuminated with the anointing oil, so that it 
 fairly shone like Stephen's. He beckoned us to be 
 seated, and a covering of solemnity came over us at 
 once such as I rarely remember to have witnessed. 
 After a little time the dear old man broke forth in 
 nearly the following words, or at least this is a cor- 
 rect outline of his striking sermon : " ' Thy prayers 
 and thine alms are come up for a memorial before 
 God.' While thou hast been so kindly engaged, my 
 beloved sister, in showing my wife the alterations and 
 improvements in the accommodation of thy outward 
 dwelling-place, thy external habitation, my mind has 
 been occupied in following thee, as it were, into the 
 inner temple, the temple of the heart, where I have 
 seen the rod that budded, and the precious offerings, 
 and the sweet incense ascending. Yes, I was wander- 
 ing, whilst thou wast absent, into thy little sanctuary, 
 where thou hadst just been pouring out thy prayers 
 and supplications to the Lord, renewing thy cove- 
 nant with Him, and the odor of the ointment filled 
 
2i6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 the room. Ah, my endeared sister, it has been given 
 
 me to see in my inward vision, while I have been 
 
 silently musing in this thy pleasant earthly abode, 
 
 that the offerings and the sacrifices which thou hast 
 
 made in that little sanctuary, when no human eye 
 
 saw thee, had indeed ascended as sweet incense 
 
 before the Lord, and were accepted of Him. Then 
 
 is not this cause for encouragement to continue to 
 
 put thy whole trust in Him ? Has He not been 
 
 with thee all thy life long, guiding thee by His 
 
 counsel, and remarkably sustaining thee by His spirit 
 
 in times of deep trial and sore adversity? and has 
 
 He not promised that He will be with His own always, 
 
 even unto the end of the world ? Then lift up thy 
 
 head in hope, my endeared sister. He who has been 
 
 with thee in six troubles will not forsake thee in the 
 
 seventh. He will continue to pour forth of His 
 
 anointing oil upon thee, and qualify thee for His 
 
 own work and service more and more ; yea, thou 
 
 shalt be as a fruitful field, the smell whereof shall 
 
 be known afar off," etc. 
 ♦ 
 This is the merest skeleton of a deeply-interesting 
 
 sermon. I feel it wants all the bones and sinews to 
 
 make it complete, but I know it will interest thee 
 
 and dear Jane Fox. I think thou hadst better not 
 
 show this to any one else : it might convey a very 
 
 wrong impression of my real condition, which has 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 217 
 
 often been one of great discouragement and deep 
 poverty since my return to my native land. 
 
 Rebecca W. AUinson to E. P. G. 
 
 Second mo. 2ist, 1851. 
 My dear Friend, — I hope it may not seem in- 
 trusive if I offer, in a few words, the welcome which 
 awaits thy coming to our little city, as one with 
 whom we may take sweet counsel, and go up to the 
 house of God in company. Our family are all pre- 
 pared to rejoice that thou hast found permission to 
 dwell amongst us ; and we trust, though thy spirit 
 m'ay often yearn for communion with distant dear 
 ones, thou wilt find, in sojourning within our borders, 
 that thou art truly in the midst of thine own people 
 who will have it in their hearts to do thee good, 
 and not evil, all the days of thy life. And though, 
 beloved friend, a further acquaintance with our state 
 may give thee to perceive that we are not rich or 
 increased with goods, but often feel our little com- 
 pany to be an afflicted and poor people, yet thou wilt 
 not shrink from taking a share of our burdens, if thy 
 dear Master thus commissions thee, that so, when 
 the times of refreshing come from His presence, we 
 may also rejoice together. Mayst thou, dear Eliza, 
 more and more be enabled to praise the name of 
 Him who hath "showed thee His marvellous kind- 
 
 19 
 
2i8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 ness in a strong city," and realize, in the Lord's own 
 time, even while a pilgrim here, that He whom thou 
 desirest to serve is indeed the " Repairer of the 
 breach, the Restorer of paths to dwell in." 
 In true affection, thy friend. 
 
 A few extracts from E. P. G.'s journal, which was 
 not very regularly kept, may properly find place 
 here: 
 
 West Hill, Seventh mo. 9th, 185 1. — Months pass 
 away, and I seem to add nothing to my journal. Is 
 it because I shrink from looking myself steadily in 
 the face ? Ah, were it not that there is One who is 
 touched with a feeling of our infirmities, who par- 
 dons the iniquities of His penitent, believing chil- 
 dren, and (notwithstanding their innumerable back- 
 slidings) loves them freely, well might I faint beneath 
 an overwhelming sense of my manifold shortcomings, 
 yea, my " crimson sins." 
 
 Three weeks have elapsed since I left Philadelphia, 
 and the probability is I shall know it as an abiding- 
 glace no more. The way, however, clearly opened 
 f6r pitching my tent in this delightful spot, and great 
 was 'the relief and peace I felt. There are some 
 very interesting persons there, to whom I feel much 
 attached, and I left them with regret. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 219 
 
 Peaceful and happy has been my settlement in this 
 quiet retreat, and, oh ! how have I desired that, let 
 others do as they may, as for me and my house, we 
 might serve the Lord ! " I will sing of mercy and 
 judgment; unto Thee, O Lord, will I sing." I will 
 behave myself wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when 
 wilt Thou come unto me? I will walk within my 
 house with a perfect heart." 
 
 West Hill, Seventh mo. 16th, 185 1. — I must make 
 a little memorandum of a deeply interesting visit I 
 paid on Second day last, in company with Isaac and 
 Rebecca Collins, to Hickory Grove. 
 
 Dear Abigail Mott had had a paralytic stroke, and 
 was lying in the room adjoining the parlor, in a very 
 low condition physically, but calm and composed in 
 spirit, quietly waiting till her change shall come. 
 She is indeed a dignified mother in Israel, and as 
 we stood by her bedside dear Hannah Mott re- 
 marked, " The work is finished here ; I think I 
 know it to be so ; and the words are continually in 
 my mind, ' Soldier of Christ, well done!'" I thought 
 this was a beautiful testimony from one who was so 
 intimately acquainted with her, and I believe it to be 
 a true one. 
 
 The solemnity that reigned throughout our visit 
 was very remarkable ; the odor of a well-spent life, 
 
220 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and the sweet fragrance of a loving spirit, at peace 
 with God and man, like Mary's ointment, seemed to 
 fill the house, and precious was it to partake of the 
 refreshment of it. But, oh ! it was most touching to 
 see her faithful, stricken partner bowing beneath the 
 stroke. While his submissive spirit seems to breathe 
 the language, " It is the Lord ; let Hirh do what 
 seemeth him good," I believe his affectionate feel- 
 ings make it difficult to utter " Thy will, not mine, 
 be done." But the Lord, whom he has served so 
 long faithfully, will " hear him in the day of trouble, 
 send him help from His sanctuary, and strengthen 
 him out of Zion." 
 
 First mo. 29th, 1852. — While I painfully realize 
 that my ties to this world are wonderfully loosened, 
 I am often comforted by the conviction that to a 
 better, holier inheritance they are increased and 
 strengthened. He will keep that which is com- 
 mitted unto Him : then, oh ! what treasure I must 
 have in heaven ! I love to dwell upon the blessed 
 'company assembled there, — father and mother, sis- 
 ters and brothers, uncles and aunts and nieces, 
 whom I dearly loved, beside those precious ones of 
 later days, with whom, I trust I may say, I have 
 been bound up in the bundle of life ; yea, I loved 
 them as my own soul. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 221 
 
 Fourth mo. 5th, 1852. — More than two months 
 have passed since I opened this little volume, and 
 now, could I record my many failures in watchful- 
 ness, patience, condescension, gentleness, meekness, 
 forbearance, charity, should I not have abundant 
 cause for the acknowledgment that to me belongs 
 blushing and confusion of face, but to my gracious 
 Lord and Saviour long-suffering mercy and tender 
 compassion, or would He not have cut me off for- 
 ever ? Oh, that He would take away every remnant 
 of the stony heart, and give me a heart of flesh, that 
 I might never again, in an unguarded moment, give 
 way to a hasty and impatient spirit, and thus inflict 
 a wound on those I love ! 
 
 Few things have cost me so much suffering as 
 this apparent want of tenderness, this hasty, proud, 
 and domineering spirit. My very soul detests it, 
 and yet I surely do not strive against it as I ought, 
 or I should not be always sinning and repenting as 
 I am, one minute conferring a favor, and the next 
 finding fault. Oh, that I might act less from impulse, 
 and more from fixed principle ! 
 
 " When I would do good, evil is present with me." 
 
 Alas, alas ! who shall deliver me from the body of 
 
 this death, who but the great Liberator, Christ 
 
 19* 
 
222 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Jesus our Lord? With Him all things are possible, 
 even the perfect restoration of my sinful heart to that 
 image of holiness arid purity that was lost in the 
 Fall. Blessed Redeemer ! wilt thou not hasten the 
 day? 
 
 Since I wrote last, Eli and Sibyl Jones, at my 
 request, have committed their two dear children to 
 my care,* — one not yet two years old, the other 
 eight. I feel it a great responsibility, much more so 
 than I anticipated, but I believed it right to make 
 the offer. May I be helped to do my duty by them ! 
 for I am more and more persuaded I can do nothing 
 well without Divine assistance. 
 
 E. P. G. to C. W. Beesley (in allusion to the 
 decease of H. C. Backhouse). 
 
 Second mo., 1852. 
 
 I send thee the last of the letters. Deeply inter- 
 esting it has been to me to glance them over, and 
 my very heart has ached 'under the fresh remem- 
 brance that all that powerful love and sympathy 
 have been withdrawn, and can be mine no more on 
 earth forever. Yet other streams are mercifully 
 opened, other hearts ^are warmed with pure and 
 
 * E. and S. Jones were about embarking on a religious visit to 
 Africa. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 223 
 
 generous affection for me, and I desire to number 
 my remaining blessings, while humbled under an 
 abasing consciousness that I am utterly unworthy of 
 the very least of all the many mercies which my 
 indulgent heavenly Parent has bestowed upon me. 
 
 ... I longed to point 's attention to the 
 
 Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world ; 
 for, though we must be born again, the new creation 
 must be formed in us, — old things must be done 
 away, and all things become new before we are made 
 meet for an inheritance among the saints in light, 
 yet how impotent are all our own endeavors to 
 effect this work ! Is not the humbling preparation 
 for it a deep and heartfelt sense of our natural de- 
 pravity, and of our utter inability of ourselves to 
 do any good thing, even to think a good thought ? 
 And will not this solemn conviction prostrate us at 
 the mercy-seat as guilty sinners, yet with the fer- 
 vent prayer, "A Saviour, or I die; a Redeemer, or 
 I perish forever!" Oh, may we indeed know what 
 it is to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 
 by that new and living way which He hath conse- 
 crated for us ! There is no other ; He hath Himself 
 declared it : " No man cometh unto the Father but 
 by me ;" " I am the way, the truth, and the life." 
 And having this holy High Priest over the house of 
 God, the penitent believer is enabled, through the 
 
224 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 riches of His grace, through the fulness of His 
 intercession, the freeness of His pardoning and aton- 
 ing love, " to draw near with a true heart, in full 
 assurance of faith," — not for any works of righteous- 
 ness that we have done, but because our hearts are 
 sprinkled from an evil conscience by that blood of 
 sprinkling which was shed for us abundantly on 
 Calvary, and which can alone cleanse us from the 
 defilement of our past iniquities, or free us from the 
 guilt and power of sin. 
 
 I know thou art not one of those who, on hearing 
 the blessed doctrine of Christ crucified, would be 
 ready to exclaim, " What then ? Shall we continue 
 in sin, that grace may abound?" How striking the 
 apostle's answer to his own query: "God forbid! 
 How shall they that are dead to sin live any longer 
 therein ?" Ah, no ! a living, saving faith in the 
 Redeemer of men must bring forth fruits of right- 
 eousness ; for faith without works is dead, being 
 alone. 
 
 E. P. G. to C. W. B. 
 
 West Hill, Fifth mo. 3d, 1852. 
 . . . After the full and somewhat oppressive week 
 in Philadelphia, the rest and quiet of West Hill are 
 most refreshing, and again and again have the words 
 been passing through my mind, — 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 " Oh, where is peace, for thou its paths hast trod. 
 In stillness, in retirement, and with God?" 
 
 225 
 
 I do not say " in poverty," because I do not believe 
 it is confined to any station, and I have happened to 
 see it enjoyed in its fulness where He who giveth 
 all things richly to enjoy had been pleased to pour 
 in of the abundance of corn, wine, and oil, and 
 added the yet richer blessing of a thankful heart. 
 We are not told in the Bible that it is the rich or the 
 poor, but the meek who shall inherit the earth and 
 delight themselves in the abundance of peace. May 
 we strive to become yet more and more of this 
 blessed number ! Truly, I do not count myself to 
 have apprehended, but this one thing I earnestly and 
 prayerfully desire to do : leaving the things that are 
 behind, and reaching forward unto those which are 
 before, even the glorious realities of that city into 
 which nothing that is unholy can ever come, I do 
 desire to be strengthened to press forward toward 
 the mark. Let this be our concern, and let us turn 
 away from all the " voices that are in the world." 
 
 E. P. G. to H. B. Mott. 
 
 West Hill (no date). 
 My beloved Friend, — As I think thy dear and 
 honored father was a little suspicious of our incre- 
 dulity with regard to his " chapter on scruples," last 
 
226 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 evening, I want thee to tell him, with my love, that 
 it was not read to us in vain ; for in the midnight 
 watches, remembering what he said about cherishing 
 our scruples and attending to them, and thus having 
 more laid upon us, I endeavored to search and see 
 whether there was anything in my own habitation 
 that gave me uneasiness. The result of my cogita- 
 tions is, I have ordered two silver gravy-boats and 
 a. silver dish to be put out of the way, and not to be 
 forthcoming again. They were placed on the table 
 without my direction, and I felt a little uneasy with 
 it at the time, but I was beginning to get accustomed 
 to seeing them there, and very likely the "scruple" 
 would not have been attended to but for his timely 
 hint. I do not know of anything else that has given 
 me uneasiness, but if any one has been stumbled by 
 me in any way, I hope you will be kind enough 
 and candid enough to tell me of it. No one, I 
 think, can have more respect for honest, truthful 
 scruples than myself, believing that " whatsoever 
 is not of faith is sin;" therefore "happy is he 
 that condemneth not himself in the thing which he 
 alloweth." 
 
 I know my own weakness is great, but I think I 
 do sincerely desire to be preserved from placing a 
 stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in a brother's 
 way. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 227 
 
 I hope thy dear father was no worse for his exer- 
 tions yesterday. Although there was no indication 
 of it, my heart was afresh introduced into tender 
 sympathy with him, in the low and solitary places 
 he is passing through.* Thou, too, knowest well 
 what it is, my precious friend and sister. 
 
 E. P. G.'s domestic quiet was interrupted in the 
 autumn of 1852 by an apprehension that she was 
 called to religious service in some of the meet- 
 ings of Friends in the Western States. She thus 
 speaks of this engagement and its peaceful com- 
 pletion : 
 
 During this season of domestic solicitude my 
 mind was invested with a concern to attend the 
 Yearly Meeting of Indiana, and a few other meet- 
 ings by the way. It was a comfort to me that the 
 Monthly Meeting cordially united with the prospect, 
 and gave me a very satisfactory certificate; for it 
 would be trying indeed to go from home without 
 the unity and sympathy of Friends. The question 
 of companionship I desired to leave entirely to the 
 great Disposer of events, who, I assuredly . believe, 
 does guide His poor dependent children, even to an 
 hair's breadth ; and He knoweth our need of all these 
 
 * Philippians iv. 19; [therefore] iv. 4. 
 
228 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 things. In a little while I heard that dear Rebecca 
 Collins had the same concern, and that her husband 
 was intending to accompany her. This struck me 
 very pleasantly ; and on naming the subject to 
 Mahlon Day, I found his mind also was drawn to- 
 ward that Yearly Meeting, and had been for several 
 years, though the way had not opened for attending 
 it. Thus, without any effort on our parts, our little 
 company seemed banded for the service, as it were ; 
 and I think we had reason to believe we were rightly 
 united together. Some of the Providences of the 
 interesting journey I believe I shall never forget; 
 and, oh ! may I cherish a grateful remembrance of 
 the gentle dealings of my Lord and Master, who 
 mercifully condescended to be " mouth and wisdom, 
 tongue and utterance" to one of the most feeble and 
 unworthy of His flock, if, indeed, it is not presuming 
 to suppose that I belong to it at all. 
 
 The first Sabbath day we spent at Baltimore, 
 which place I entered with a heavy heart ; and be- 
 fore going to meeting an unusual weight of exercise 
 so clothed and oppressed my spirit, that I found it 
 difficult to converse with the dear, kind friends at 
 whose house I was pleasantly sojourning. How I 
 have suffered from this very cause ! and, oh ! how 
 hard it is for poor, proud human nature to submit 
 to be a " fool" — yea, to be " drunk with silence" — 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 229 
 
 when the Lord commands it, and even to withhold 
 our peace from good ! 
 
 E. P. G. to C. W. B., referring to visit to In- 
 diana. 
 
 Eighth mo. 22d, 1852. 
 
 ... I truly desire to have no will of my own 
 about it, and that I may be enabled, cheerfully and 
 thankfully, to acquiesce in the pointings and order- 
 ings of Him who is perfect in wisdom, and who 
 leadeth the blind by a way which they know not. 
 Dost thou remember those sweet little verses in 
 " Thoughts of Peace" ?— 
 
 " Lead, Saviour, lead; amid the encircling gloom 
 
 Lead Thou me on ! 
 The night is darlc, and I am far from home, 
 
 Lead Thou me on ! 
 Keep Thou my feet ! I do not asli to see 
 The distant scene : one step's enough for me." 
 
 They have been much before me lately, and I 
 trust some capacity has been given to adopt them 
 for my own. Oh, what an unspeakable favor to be 
 led and guided by Israel's unslumbering Shepherd 1 
 May this God be our God for ever and ever! May 
 He be our guide even unto death ! 
 
230 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 Richmond, Indiana, Ninth mo. 29th, 1852. 
 . . . My heart was in great heaviness, and con- 
 tinued so until after our large and solemn meeting 
 on First day morning. This brought such a feeling 
 of peace and relief into my mind, that I began to 
 doubt whether I should have any weights left by 
 the time I reached Indiana. However, I have since 
 found that we have not yet come to that blessed rest 
 and inheritance, where " the clouds return not after 
 the rain." Sometimes, at home, they used quite to 
 disappear for a little season, but never since I left 
 your city, with a burden on my spirit such as I 
 could not attempt to describe, has the lowering 
 cloud ceased to hang about the horizon, though at 
 times it decreases to the size of " a man's hand," and 
 does not quite obscure all pleasant objects. I have 
 indeed passed through a season of close proving and 
 conflict since I saw thee, dear ; but, oh ! what an un- 
 speakable mercy to know the clouds to discharge 
 themselves, one after another, and to witness the 
 " clear shining after the rain," — to see a little glimpse 
 of the light of the countenance of that blessed 
 Master whose we are, and whom we desire to serve, 
 and then to hear His gracious language, as if com- 
 passionating our weakness and infirmities : " Let 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 231 
 
 her alone, she hath done what she could." Surely 
 this is recompense enough for any suffering we may 
 have to bear. The meetings, both yesterday and 
 to-day, are considered by Friends to have been times 
 of favor, though the crowd this morning about the 
 doors prevented stillness in the early part. James 
 Jones and Lindley M. Hoag were engaged in tes- 
 timony, Rebecca Collins and two other Friends 
 in prayer. I had only to open the door for the 
 former by a few sentences, for which, I think I may 
 say, I felt truly thankful, as I was beginning to be 
 almost frightened at hearing my own voice. Yet I 
 trust I may never cast away my confidence, which 
 has been so remarkably renewed and strengthened 
 in this Western journey. 
 
 So far, not one good thing has failed of all that the 
 Lord promised us. Oh, if we may but see the way- 
 marks plainly to the end ! Friends are all kindness. 
 Many have invited us pressingly to their neighbor- 
 hoods; but I did not see anything beyond this Yearly 
 Meeting when I came out, and hope we may be able 
 to leave pretty directly after the meeting closes. 
 
 E. P. G. to C. W. B. 
 
 Tenth mo. l6th, 1852. 
 
 . . . Thou mayst have heard already that I am 
 actually safe and sound in my own dear home. 
 
232 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Never did it look so bright and peaceful as it does 
 this day, and oh ! that my gratitude to the bounte- 
 ous Giver may bear some proportion ' to His mer- 
 cies, vvfhich are truly manifold. Tell thy dear uncle, 
 Thomas Evans, that his cordial welcome met me, 
 with many others, and was very cheering. The 
 words he quoted had been much with me on my 
 journey home : " Return unto thy rest, O my soul ! 
 for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." 
 
 E. P. G. to Edward Pease. 
 
 West Hill, First mo. i8th, 1853. 
 . . . Certainly the Friends who compose the little 
 Burlington circle are among the " finest of the 
 wheat" in America, and I cannot be too thankful to 
 my heavenly Father that the lines have fallen unto 
 me in such pleasant places. The meeting is pre- 
 served in precious unity, and the two aged veterans 
 who sit at the head of it,* being " delivered from 
 the noise of the archers," continue to " rehearse the 
 righteous acts of the Lord in the places of drawing 
 water." They are both remarkably bright at the 
 present time, and are frequently engaged in the 
 occupancy of their ministerial gifts, to the comfort 
 and edification of the Church. Dear Richard Mott 
 
 * Stephen Grellet and Richard Mott. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 233 
 
 generally attends our little reading meetings, of 
 which he may be considered the dignified head, 
 being now in his eighty-eighth year. Yet I think 
 I must also acknowledge that He who is Head over 
 all things to His Church has sometimes been pleased 
 to favor us with His life-giving presence, especially 
 in the seasons of retirement at the close, uniting and 
 contriting our spirits, and giving us to feel that our 
 fellowship is with the Father and with the Son, and 
 one with another in Him. This was remarkably the 
 case last evening, when dear Richard Mott addressed 
 us very strikingly in reference to the founder of 
 our Society, whose " Life" (by Marsh) we are now 
 engaged in reading. He said his feelings had been 
 affected by the account we had just heard of the 
 sufferings of our worthy predecessors; and while 
 reflecting on the privileges these very sufferings had 
 purchased for us, he had earnestly desired we might 
 bring the subject closely home, that we might feel 
 humbled under a sense of it, and be afresh stimu- 
 lated to entire faithfulness, to unreserved dedication 
 of all that we have and all that we are to the 
 Master's service. He told us he had been forcibly 
 impressed with the greatness of the character of this 
 remarkable man; that there was no fanaticism about 
 it : he was earnest for the truth, and willing to sacri- 
 fice all in the promotion of it. It was true he some- 
 
 20* 
 
234 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 times used expressions wiiich were common in that 
 day, but not so familiar to the gentle ears of modern 
 times, yet he was a true gentleman, quoting in 
 proof of this some parts of William Penn's descrip- 
 tion of him. But I cannot at all do justice to his 
 beautiful testimony, though I did rejoice in it, on 
 account of the many interesting young people who 
 were assembled with us. We sometimes number 
 fifty-seven or fifty-eight. At first we occupied our- 
 selves with needle-work. But I proposed, a few 
 weeks ago, that we should knit for the poor, and it 
 is pleasant to see with what spirit they have taken 
 it up. The interest thou expressed about our little 
 social gatherings last winter was very grateful to 
 us. . . . 
 
 I have often thought that few things are more 
 helpful to a feeble, inexperienced Christian traveller 
 than passing words of cheer from aged pilgrims, 
 who, having stood as waymarks on the heavenward 
 journey, fought the good fight and kept the faith, 
 are finishing their course with joy, the Spirit bearing 
 witness with their spirits that an eternal crown of 
 glory is laid up for them in the world to come. 
 This, I rejoicingly believe, is thy experience, my 
 dear and honored friend, under a solemnizing con- 
 sciousness that, in the natural course of things, " the 
 time of thy departure is at hand." But, although I 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 235 
 
 am sensible that to depart and be with Christ would 
 be " far better" for thee, yet thy continuance in the 
 flesh does seem to be so needful for us and for the 
 Church, I have some confidence thou wilt abide 
 with us all a little longer, for our furtherance in the 
 gospel and rejoicing in the faith. 
 
 I spent last evening at dear Stephen Grellet's, in 
 company with my sisters, and just before we left we 
 had a very precious opportunity, in which he seemed 
 to have a little glimpse of those eternal realities and 
 unrevealed joys with which the sufferings of this 
 present time are not worthy to be compared. The 
 spirits of the just made perfect seemed to be hover- 
 ing around us, and the dear old apostle spoke as if 
 really partaking with them of that river of pleasure 
 which flows at God's right hand for evermore. His 
 words of living ministry brought tears from eyes that 
 are not used to weeping. 
 
 J. Hodgkin to E. P. G. 
 
 Second mo. 4th, 1853. 
 
 ... I was much interested in sharing, whilst 
 with dear Jane, thy comforting report of thy jour- 
 ney to Indiana ; and it is truly satisfactory to hear 
 confirmatory evidence through other channels of the 
 character of that visit. May it encourage thee still 
 to trust and not be afraid ; and if Paul's experience 
 
236 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 has been therein confirming thee in the truth and 
 appHcabiHty of the prediction in the eighteenth 
 verse of the last chapter of Mark, let it prepare 
 thee to expect a call to further service, somewhat 
 after this sort: "As thou hast testified of me at 
 Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." 
 I apply not either locality, but an analogous en- 
 largement and diversity of service I believe awaits 
 thee. 
 
 . . . William Forster, the elder (the father of the 
 present), told me that, when he was a boy, he used 
 to like to find out the very oldest persons who were 
 then living, thinking that he ought to lose no time 
 in the search of such, for every year lessened his 
 chance of collecting traditional knowledge. When 
 at Hertford, at the age of fifteen, he fell in with a 
 very aged woman-Friend who knew William Penn 
 intimately. She was so fond of him that she told 
 W. F. she would not have married if he would not 
 have come to the wedding. She described in very 
 glowing terms his fervor of spirit, and how, under 
 the constraining love of Christ, his gospel ministry 
 literally overflowed. She has seen him come into 
 a meeting already gathered, pull off his hat as he 
 walked up the aisle, commence preaching, and, when 
 he reached the place where he usually sat, remain 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 237 
 
 standing, and continue his discourse almost to the 
 end of the meeting. 
 
 I beheve it is a great mistake to attribute quietism 
 to our early Friends. That was a parasitical plant 
 which grew at a much later period upon the old 
 Quaker stock, under the influence of Guyon, 
 Fenelon, and Law. They (the early Friends) most 
 soundly maintained that words without life were of 
 no avail ; that if any man ministered, he must do it 
 of the^ ability that God giveth. But they believed 
 that that ability would be given ; they asked, and had 
 it ; they stirred up the gift that was in them ; their 
 sense of the high vocation wherewith they were 
 called prevented their lying flat on their faces, as 
 Joshua did before Ai. At the bidding of the Lord 
 they rose up, and led on their forces into the land 
 of promise. I have a very strong persuasion that 
 we, as a people, are weak, not only because of the 
 spirit of the world, but because we think we are 
 weak, because we are a discouraged people ; and 
 that which is true of us as a whole is not less true in 
 Norfolk than in other parts. " Arise and build, for 
 the joy of the Lord is still your strength." 
 
 In 1853 E. P. Gurney attended the Yearly Meet- 
 ing of New England, held at Newport, where she 
 was most kindly greeted. Jane G. Fox, daughter 
 
238 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 of H. C. Backhouse, writes, in relation to this 
 visit, — 
 
 ... I cannot tell thee how truly I enjoyed the 
 narrative of thy visit to New England, and thy going 
 over the field traversed before in company with our 
 precious mother, thus fulfilling the prophecies that 
 went before on thee. Well, in this line only will, I 
 believe, be thy peace on earth, and in it thy com- 
 munion with beloved ones in heaven. 
 
 The deep interest which Friends in England had 
 long taken on the subject of negro slavery led them, 
 at the Yearly Meeting in 1853, ^o prepare an ad- 
 dress to the President, and others in authority in the 
 United States, relative to its suppression. Wil- 
 liam and Josiah Forster, John Candler and William 
 Holmes were chosen to be the bearers of the docu- 
 ment. William Forster also had a minute for some 
 religious service by the way. Soon after their ar- 
 rival they spent a short time at West Hill for 
 needed rest, proceeding thence to Washington and 
 the Western and Southern States in the prosecution 
 of their beneficent errand. While in Tennessee, 
 William Forster was prostrated by illness, and after 
 a few days of great suffering and weakness, to use 
 his brother's words, he " breathed out his soul unto 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 239 
 
 God." His remains were laid in Friends' burying- 
 ground at Friendsville (Tennessee). Interesting de- 
 tails of the progress of the delegation in their 
 mission and of the solemn close of W. Forster's 
 devoted life will be found in the memoir edited by- 
 Benjamin Seebohm. 
 
 While at St. Louis, W. Forster had written to 
 E. P. Gurney, — 
 
 Eleventh mo. 23d, 1853. 
 
 ... I owe thee so much, my dear friend, for all 
 thy hospitality and kindness and sisterly love so 
 bountifully and liberally heaped upon me from one 
 time to another. It does a little pain me to think 
 how inadequate all expression is to convey the grati- 
 tude that I desire to feel, and do sometimes, toward 
 thee, dear Eliza, and toward Him who has given thee 
 such an understanding of me, and has often made 
 thee a help and comfort to me in my low estate. 
 Thou hast made West Hill so much of a home, — 
 such an one as I do not expect or desire to find until 
 I get back again once more, I trust, to my own dear 
 home, — thou must bear with me when I say that I 
 love to think of returning to you again, and some- 
 times long for it. You are all in my remembrance 
 with love and thankfulness, — thy sisters and dear 
 Harriet ; she was so swset and tender, almost like a 
 
240 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 child of my own. I cannot, and would not wish to. 
 forget it. . . . Considering my many infirmities and 
 my great feebleness, it is very possible that I may 
 be excused from going to some of those very re- 
 mote districts to which my mind is often most 
 strongly drawn. 
 
 From E. P. Gurney's private memoranda we take 
 the following outline of an interesting occasion at 
 Baltimore : 
 
 Second mo. 14th, 1854. 
 
 For my own satisfaction in days to come, I must 
 preserve some record of the very solemn day we 
 spent at Baltimore, just two weeks after the re- 
 mains of that devoted servant of the Lord, William 
 Forster, had been committed to the silent grave. It 
 was the first Friends' meeting the sad and contracted 
 little band had attended since their bereavement, 
 and I believe it seemed to many besides myself Hke 
 the " burial day." A heavy burthen had oppressed 
 my spirit ever since hearing the affecting tidings, but 
 I was mercifully helped to throw it off on that most 
 solemn, sorrowful occasion. After the meeting had 
 been gathered about half an hour, I felt constrained 
 to rise with the words, " Forever with the Lord ! 
 Gathered to the just" of all generations ; washed 
 and made white in the blood of the Lamb." How 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 241 
 
 precious are considerations such as these when loved 
 and honored ones are taken from us, who have stood 
 as firm and upright pillars in the Church, who have 
 counted not their lives dear unto themselves, that 
 they might finish their course with joy, and the 
 ministry which they had received of the Lord Jesus, 
 to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And 
 though to our shortsightedness the dispensation 
 may appear to have been mysterious, the mission 
 unfulfilled, yet, my beloved friends, we must ever 
 remember that one day is with the Lord as a thou- 
 sand years, and a thousand years as one day. And 
 whenever He may see meet, in His infinite and un- 
 searchable wisdom, to say to His dedicated servants, 
 "It is enough," whether it be in the morning, at mid- 
 day, or in the evening, his work is done. And may 
 we not reverently believe that when, iri tender love 
 and mercy, the work is thus cut short in righteous- 
 ness, the compassionate Shepherd of Israel does 
 sometimes whisper to the departing spirit, even in 
 the solemn stillness of the bed of death, "It was well 
 that it was in thine heart : depart in peace, thy faith 
 hath saved thee" ? Then let us not be too much 
 dismayed or cast down, as though some strange 
 thing had happened unto us, but let us put on fresh 
 strength in the name of the Lord. Is not the need 
 increased ? Let us press forward with redoubled 
 
342 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 diligence, not only to make our calling and election 
 sure, but also that we may do our part in hastening 
 the coming of that glorious day when the knowl- 
 edge of God and of his Christ shall cover the earth as 
 the waters cover the sea. I have remembered, for my 
 own instruction, — and it maybe that it is designed for 
 the instruction of others, — that it is recorded in the 
 volume of divine inspiration : " The people served 
 the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of 
 the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen the 
 mighty works and wonders of the Lord ;" but after 
 a time all that generation were gathered to their 
 fathers, and another generation arose " which knew 
 not the Lord, nor yet the mighty deeds that He had 
 done for Israel." 
 
 Oh, that this may never be said of us, is the ear- 
 nest breathing of my spirit ; but may the mantle of 
 Elijah descend upon the Elishas of the present day, 
 that by a thorough surrender of the heart to the cru- 
 cifying power of the cross of Christ there may be a 
 succession of standard-bearers and testimony-bearers 
 raised up from among this people, to whom the 
 Great Head of the Church did indeed, in former 
 days, commit a noble banner, that it might be dis- 
 played because of His own blessed Truth. Oh, 
 then, my beloved friends, though it may Indeed be 
 said on the present solemn occasion that the Church 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 243 
 
 mourns, that we are brought low under the chasten- 
 ing hand of our God, let us take heed that we be not 
 slothful, but followers of them who, we do reverently 
 believe, are now, even at this very moment, through 
 faith and patience, inheriting the promises. 
 
 " And though a Paul has run his course, 
 
 Or an Apollos dies, 
 Is Israel left without resource, 
 
 And are there no supplies ? 
 Yes ; while the dear Redeemer lives 
 
 We have a boundless store. 
 And shall be fed with what He gives 
 
 Who lives for evermore." 
 
 Then may we not all join, as with one heart and 
 one accord, in the prayer of His disciples formerly, 
 " Lord, evermore give us this bread" ? — even this 
 heavenly bread, bread which alone can satisfy the 
 hunger of the immortal spirit and nourish it up unto 
 eternal life. Thus being strengthened to fill up the 
 ranks in righteousness, having served our generation 
 according to the will of God, we also may be gath- 
 ered, through the riches of atoning love and mercy, 
 to that glorious company of ransomed ones who are 
 already come unto Mount Zion and unto the City of 
 the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an 
 innumerable company of angels, to the general as- 
 sembly and church of the first-born, whose names 
 
244 
 
 MEMOIR AND CO J? DESPONDENCE OF 
 
 are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, 
 and to the spirits- of just men made perfect, and to 
 Jesus, the Mediator of the new Covenant. Oh, the 
 blessedness of such a change as this ! gathered by a 
 hand of infinite mercy from a state of conflict and 
 mourning to one of love and joy and peace, — trans- 
 lated, as it were, from death and darkness into the 
 glorious light and liberty of the children of God. 
 
 " These hunger no more, neither thirst any more, 
 neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat, for 
 the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne doth 
 feed them and lead them to fountains of living 
 waters, and God Himself — blessed be His holy name 
 forever ! — hath wiped away all tears from every eye." 
 
 William Edward Forster to E. P. G., after his 
 Father's death in America. 
 
 Second mo. 23d, 1854. 
 
 My very dear Friend, — There is little I can bear 
 to write, but I do not like the American post to go 
 without a letter to thee. . . . Thy being on his side 
 of the Atlantic has been, through all a great comfort 
 to me ; though thou couldst not get him under thy 
 roof, where he would have been so tenderly cared 
 for, yet I am sure the feeling that he might get to 
 thee was a comfort and alleviation of absence to him. 
 Do, pray, let our most kind friend. Dr. Taylor, know 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 245 
 
 how deeply grateful my mother and myself feel for 
 his kindness in undertaking so long and tiresome a 
 journey on my dearest father's account. . . . He 
 has been allowed to fall a martyr to his devotion to 
 that great and holy cause of the abolition of negro 
 slavery, in the earnest, untiring advocacy of which so 
 large a portion of his life has from time to time been 
 spent; and I cannot but believe that his thus dying 
 in one of your Slaye States will encourage American 
 Friends more and more to devote themselves to this 
 cause in a like spirit. 
 
 In Seventh mo., 1855, her continued affectionate 
 interest in her many English friends, and the belief 
 that she was called to some further religious service 
 in Europe, induced E. P. Gurney once more to cross 
 the Atlantic, accompanied by her niece, Harriet H. 
 Kirkbride, who was afterward married to Theodore 
 Fox, and settled in England. 
 
 E. P. G.'s notes of the voyage are of interest : 
 
 On board the "Baltic^' eighteen hundred miles 
 from New York, Seventh mo. 17th, 1855. — This 
 is our seventh day at sea, my beloved sisters, and 
 I have nothing but mercies to record, rich and un- 
 merited mercies, since that last memorable morn- 
 ing when, with a heavy heart yet quiet spirit, I 
 
 21* 
 
246 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 bade farewell to dear-loved relatives and friends and 
 fatherland, — whether for longer or shorter time is 
 known only to Him who appoints the bounds of our 
 habitation and doeth all things well. Oh, were it 
 not for this blessed assurance, which for the last 
 thirty years has been an abiding one with me, I 
 know not how I should have borne the manifold 
 uprootings that are meted out to me. For a little 
 season I am permitted, through the tender mercy of 
 my heavenly Father, to encamp with those I love 
 beneath the shadowing palm-trees and by the wells 
 of water long desired ; but no sooner is my spirit 
 cheered and comforted than I am called to pull up 
 stakes, remove my tent, and journey on again. Yet 
 so far I have seen the need be for every uprooting, 
 and I desire to hold fast my confidence firm unto 
 the end. Perhaps my faith never was more closely 
 tried than in this last strange step, it seemed so 
 perfectly unnatural to turn my back on my delightful 
 home and loved and loving friends and venture 
 once again upon this treacherous ocean, not knowing 
 why or wherefore. But " Have not I commanded 
 thee?" is an appeal which ought to answer every 
 doubt and silenge every fear, and I may thankfully 
 acknowledge its power to do so. 
 
 After the last long look at the dear ones who 
 so kindly accompanied us to the steamer, we got 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 247 
 
 comfortably ensconced under our umbrella, and were 
 soon joined by the lady to whom we had been intro- 
 duced at the pier. She at once interested us greatly, 
 not only by the exceeding gentleness and refinement 
 of her manners, but by the striking renunciation of 
 self which is apparent in every movement. She is 
 a perfect Florence Nightingale to the ship, visiting 
 daily all the sick and wounded, and ministering to 
 their necessities with a grace and tenderness I have 
 rarely seen excelled. To me her constant kind and 
 sisterly attention is beyond all price, and I hope 
 when we get to England I may have an opportunity 
 to return it. I felt quite free from sickness, had a 
 most peaceful, comfortable night, and woke refreshed 
 next morning. This seemed to be in mercy granted 
 me. . . . 
 
 20th. — What may await us in England we little 
 know, or whether any home is provided for us. But 
 I have remembered with comfort the beautiful Scrip- 
 ture promise quoted by dear R. Shober, in the first 
 meeting I attended after my return to my native 
 land, which, I may confess with heartfelt thankful- 
 ness, has been remarkably fulfilled in my experience: 
 " I will be to them a little sanctuary in all places 
 whither they may come." 
 
 Never has my dear and faithful Saviour allowed 
 me to feel homeless, a " stranger and foreigner" on 
 
248 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 His earth, since the day that I entered into covenant 
 with Him that if He would lead me in the way that 
 I should go, I would serve Him. Oh, that in His 
 tender love and mercy He would graciously enable 
 me to fulfil my part of the covenant, cost me what it 
 may ! In taking a retrospective view of the years 
 spent in America, although blushing and confusion 
 of face might well be my portion in remembrance of 
 my manifold shortcomings and infirmities, yet I am 
 bound to acknowledge gratefully that, through the 
 infinite compassion of a pitying Saviour, I have felt 
 no condemnation, being able in. sincerity of soul to 
 make the appeal, " Thou knowest I have desired to 
 do Thy will." 
 
 2 1st. — The Irish coast in view, and Captain Com- 
 stock hopes to be in Liverpool early to-morrow 
 morning. The sea just like a mirror. Every one 
 well on board. Bless the Lord, oh, my soul, and 
 forget not all His benefits ! 
 
 Ham House, 24th. — When I was about closing 
 my sea notes all seemed fair and promising. In a 
 very short time, however, a dense fog gathered round 
 us, and we knew by the constant ringing of the bell 
 and the whistle, which they only use in time of dan- 
 ger, that the captain was beginning to be anxious. 
 He soon had a barrier placed on the deck, that no 
 one should approach the place where he was stand- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 249 
 
 ing, and commanded that no voice should be heard 
 but his own. In a few minutes we were sensible of 
 a jar, and after waiting a little in breathless suspense 
 were told that a large ship had run so near us as to 
 graze the steamer, but passed on unhurt. We knew 
 that the peril was great, though all were profoundly- 
 silent. Directly came another heavier jar, and word 
 was quickly sent into the cabin that we had sunk a 
 schooner which had run against us, and that a boat 
 had put off to save the crew if possible. Judge what 
 our feelings were at such a moment! In about half 
 an hour they returned, bringing nine men and one 
 poor frightened girl of thirteen years of age, — the 
 whole ship's company. It appeared they thought it 
 not unlikely they might be run down, and had got 
 into their boat just as the vessel struck. It was an 
 awful night ; almost the whole ship's company were 
 up till three or four o'clock, the dismal bell and 
 whistle still informing us the danger was not over. 
 Soon after this, however, the fog cleared away, and a 
 lovely morning succeeded. The captain said if the 
 largest ship had struck our steamer instead of only 
 grazing it, it would undoubtedly have sunk both ves- 
 sels. May we be enabled to praise the Lord for His 
 goodness ! Not very long after the pilot met us we 
 saw a little boat hovering around us, and presently 
 descried my noble brother, Samuel Gurney, Sarah, 
 
250 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Richenda Barclay, and young Edward Buxton, who 
 had most kindly come the day before to Birkenhead 
 to meet us and conduct us to Ham House, where we 
 are now most peacefully and comfortably settled. 
 
 I have not said how truly affecting it was to me to 
 see the pale and altered countenance of my much- 
 loved brother; but he has the same sweet, gentle, 
 loving spirit, and it is delightful to be with him 
 again, even at this changed home, where a void is 
 deeply felt at every moment. John Henry met us 
 at the station, looking as beaming and sweet as pos- 
 sible. Nothing could possibly exceed the cordial 
 welcome we receive on every hand, and, what is best 
 of all, the peace of my own mind has been unbroken. 
 
 Shortly after their arrival, E. P. Gurney established 
 herself at Earlham Road, the former residence of her 
 lamented friend, William Forster, near Norwich, 
 where she remained nearly three years, resuming her 
 former habits of familiar intercourse with the remain- 
 ing members of the delightful circle in which she 
 had so long moved, now rapidly narrowing with the 
 lapse of time. Having a certificate of removal from 
 her friends at home, she became again a member of 
 Norwich Monthly Meeting. The death of the ven- 
 erable Stephen Grellet occurred soon after E. P. G. 
 left America, of which she writes : 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 251 
 
 E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 
 
 Earlham Road, Twelfth mo. 4th, 1855. 
 My dearest Sister, — Can it be that that dear 
 aged pilgrim is gone, to be seen of men no more? 
 Having heard from time to time such sorrowful ac- 
 counts of his physical sufferings, my first feeling on 
 receiving the tidings of his blessed translation were 
 those of rejoicing, as I dwelt on the words of the 
 Psalmist: "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, 
 and delivereth him out of all his troubles." But the 
 more I reflect upon it, the wider and deeper seems the 
 void which the departure of this saint has made, not 
 only in his own beloved and stricken family, not only 
 in our section of the Christian Church, of which he 
 was so bright an ornament, but in the Church at 
 large. It may seem strange to speak thus of one 
 whose services of latter time have been so much con- 
 fined to his own neighborhood ; but who can esti- 
 mate the loss of the prayers of one such deeply-exer- 
 cised spirit as his, poured forth, as they often were, 
 both in public and private, for the universal Church 
 and for the world ? Surely they have come up in 
 sweet memorial before the Throne. And then, how 
 teaching was his patient spirit 1 to say nothing of his 
 powerful evangelical ministry, which seems only to 
 have ceased with his latest breath. Few of the 
 
252 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Lord's dedicated messengers have been more gener- 
 ally known or more truly honored. Dear, dear old 
 prophet, — for such he surely was, — when shall we 
 look upon his like again ? I loved him sincerely 
 for his abundant kindness and unfailing sympathy, 
 but most of all " for the grace of God that was in 
 him." Truly it may be said of him, " He was a man 
 full of faith and of the Holy Ghost." Have we not 
 seen his face shine with the oil of the kingdom 
 when, pressed in spirit, he has powerfully declared 
 unto us the whole counsel of God ? Surely " the 
 signs of an apostle were wrought among us, in all 
 patience and wonders and mighty deeds." And few 
 had more marks of apostleship in weariness and 
 painfulness, in watchings often, in perils in the city, 
 in perils in the wilderness, in perils by the heathen, 
 in perils in the sea, and, worst of all and hardest to 
 endure, in perils by false brethren at home. Dear 
 patient saint ! My heart aches under a sense of his 
 sufferings, and yet through all how heaven-bound 
 he seemed, and how beautifully did his straightfor- 
 ward and still brightening path proclaim the lan- 
 guage, " None of these things move me, neither 
 count I my life dear unto myself, that I may finish 
 my course with joy, and the ministry which I have 
 received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of 
 the grace of God." And now that ministry is fin- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 253 
 
 ished, and that course is run. He has " warred a 
 good warfare," and is, we reverently believe, through 
 the atoning mercy of his risen Saviour, " made more 
 than conqueror over death, hell, and the grave." As 
 to the beloved, bereaved, devoted wife and daughter, 
 I feel as if I hardly knew how to mention them. . . . 
 May "the Lord hear them in this day of trouble, the 
 name of the God of Jacob defend them, send them 
 help from His sanctuary, and strengthen them out of 
 Zion 1" 
 
 E. P. G. to William J. and R. W. AUinson. 
 
 Earlham Road, Twelfth mo. 13th, 1855. 
 ... By a living faith in the only Saviour, and a 
 thorough surrender of the heart to the baptizing 
 power of the Holy Spirit, this dedicated servant of 
 the Lord Jesus (S. Grellet) may surely be said to 
 have attained to his measure of the stature of the 
 fulness of Christ, yea, to the perfect man in Christ 
 Jesus ; and whatever may have been the estimate of 
 his character made by some of his mistaken fellow- 
 believers, we, who have fully known his " doctrine, 
 manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, pa- 
 tience, charity," rejoice in the conviction that the 
 foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, 
 " The Lord knoweth them that are His," that He 
 giveth unto them eternal hfe, and that no man shall 
 
254 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 ever be able to pluck them out of His hand. How 
 tenderly I have felt for the beloved bereaved ones I 
 cannot say, but they will be cared for, they will be 
 comforted. " A Father to the fatherless and a Judge 
 of the widow is God in His holy habitation." I 
 have also truly felt for the little band of worshippers, 
 who shall behold his heaven-illumined countenance 
 no more. But may we not believe that though ab- 
 sent in the body he will be present in spirit, "joying 
 and beholding your order and the steadfastness of 
 your faith in Christ." It has been grateful as well 
 as touching to my feelings to have been made, as it 
 were, a centre of sympathy on this affecting occasion. 
 How often have I thought of the words in Ecclesi- 
 astes, I think, in reference to him since hearing that 
 he was gone to be with Jesus : " Fools counted his 
 life madness, but he is in peace." 
 
 « 
 
 E. P. G. to her Sisters, J, K. Clarke and M. A. 
 Williams. 
 
 Earlham Road, Eighth mo. 19th, 1856. 
 I was intending to write-you by the next steamer 
 before we received the affecting intelligence of the 
 decease of our dear and honored friend, Richard 
 Mott. At such an advanced age there is no feeling 
 of surprise, yet it is impossible there should not be 
 one of sadness in the reflection that the place which 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 255 
 
 has known these aged worthies, who are droppfng 
 off one by one, shall know them no more. How 
 changed will dear old Burlington appear without 
 those truly dignified and venerated champions for 
 the truth ! (Referring also to Stephen Grellet.) I 
 used often to look at them at the head of the gallery, 
 and wonder where two other such men could be 
 found, taking their age and dedication into account. 
 But they have served their generation according to 
 the will of God, and now, as we reverently believe, 
 are gathered to the general assembly and church of 
 the first-born, where all is love and unity and peace 
 and joy. How well do I remember, when I bade 
 farewell to those aged pilgrims, the one at his own 
 door and the other at the railway station, both pro- 
 nounced a blessing upon me : " The Lord be with 
 thee 1" " The Lord bless thee !" Blessed and joyous, 
 as I humbly but confidingly believe, will be the re- 
 assembling of the faithful round the throne of God. 
 May we, my dearest sisters, be of the happy num- 
 ber ! Then, though our earthly lots be far asunder, 
 we shall at last, through boundless love and mercy, 
 be reunited where they part no more. 
 
256 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 In the latter part of 1856, E. P. Gurney made a 
 visit, in the love of the gospel, to Friends and others 
 in the south of France and Northern Italy, the scene 
 of her labors when travelling with her husband in 
 former years. Her helpful and congenial com- 
 panions were Robert Alsop and his wife, the latter 
 (formerly Christine Majolier) being a native of Con- 
 genies, in France, with whom E. P. G. had formed a 
 close friendship during her previous visit. 
 
 The following letters afford pleasant glimpses of 
 their progress, and of some interesting interviews 
 in the course of the tour : 
 
 E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 
 
 Ninth mo. l6th, 1856. 
 
 . . . My heart is somewhat lightened of its heavy 
 burthen since our Monthly Meeting, and I feel more 
 capacity to share in the trials of others. The fullest 
 unity was expressed with my somewhat formidable 
 prospect, and much sympathy manifested in the 
 tearful eyes of some of our honest-hearted Norfolk 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 257 
 
 friends. I think it will be a comfort to you to find 
 that Robert and Christine Alsop are prepared to ac- 
 company me, and I quite believe, on many accounts, 
 I could not have more agreeable or suitable com- 
 panions. Christine says, in a note I had from her 
 a few days ago, she is sure/ I could not find any 
 who love me more, or who would be more desirous 
 to do all they could to promote my comfort in every 
 way. This I entirely believe, having proved them in 
 my visit to Ireland. So I hope, my beloved sister, 
 you will have no uneasiness about me. I trust I am 
 going on the Lord's errand, and to His gracious care 
 and keeping you must commit me, in a little grain 
 of faith that this sacrifice will be among the " all 
 things" which shall work together for good to your 
 poor pilgrim sister, who sometimes does feel her- 
 self to be a stranger and sojourner on the earth, 
 but seeking, as I trust, a better country, even an 
 heavenly. 
 
 E. P. G. to Eliza Barclay. 
 
 La Tour, Tenth mo. i8th, 1856. 
 In return for thy great kindness I think thou art 
 fairly entitled to the first letter from the valleys of 
 Piedmont, where everything we see and hear re- 
 minds us of thee. We reached La Tour last even- 
 ing, and were very kindly welcomed by Adele Revel, 
 
 22* 
 
258 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 who had been on the lookout for us for several days, 
 as she understood we left England on the 7th. But 
 I must go back and tell thee a little of our pre- 
 vious history. Thou wilt probably have heard of us 
 as far as Lyons, where we were detained three days, 
 because there were no places in the diligence on 
 Sixth and Seventh days, and we did not incline to 
 travel on the Sabbath, especially in France, where 
 this day of rest is so wholly disregarded. We had 
 no cause, however, to regret the detention, as we 
 had some very interesting intercourse, both social 
 and religious, with some of the pious Protestants re- 
 siding there. One of the ladies met me very warmly, 
 and when she found I did not remember her the tears 
 came into her eyes. "Do you not know me?" said she. 
 " I translated for you fourteen years ago, when you 
 were last at Lyons.'' When she told me her name, 
 " Delamarre," I had some recollection of her, but I 
 fear my memory is a very faithless one. On Second 
 day we went to Chambery by diligence, and quite en- 
 joyed it ; there obtained a carriage just large enough 
 to pack us in with half our luggage, and on Fifth day 
 we had a charming drive across Mont Cenis. The 
 weather cold, but beautifully bright most of the time, 
 with now and then a sprinkling of snow. I had 
 rather dreaded this part of the journey, but the road 
 is so fine and so well protected all fear was taken 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 259 
 
 away, and we quite feasted on the splendid scenery. 
 Feeling a little burthened, when I rose in the morn- 
 ing, with the unknown future before me, my heart 
 was comforted in remembering the declaration that 
 " His faithfulness is like the great mountains," stead- 
 fast, immovable. Then " what have His poor tremb- 
 ling ones to fear?" Almost at the top of Mont Cenis 
 we found a nice, bright family living in one of the 
 most comfortless abodes I ever saw ; six daughters, 
 with their delicately-turned Italian countenances, 
 quite interested us. I gave one of them a New 
 Testament, with which she seemed greatly delighted, 
 saying she had only seen some portions of it when 
 she was at school, but now she could read the whole. 
 We have distributed many tracts and books for 
 children, and almost invariably they have been 
 gratefully received. 
 
 Second day morning. 
 
 I did not like to tell thee, my dearest E., under what 
 a weight of discouragement I was writing the above, 
 but now that the clouds are a little dispersed I must 
 give thee some account of our arrival here. In the 
 first place, the rain was pouring down in torrents, and 
 we were taken to the old inn, which looked com- 
 fortless enough, without either carpets or fire, for the 
 weather was become very cold. Adele Revel soon 
 came to welcome us ; but she only remained a few 
 
26o MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 minutes, saying she would not interrupt us then, but 
 would call the next day, and that, if we preferred 
 doing so, we could then remove into the new house. 
 So we settled in, and made things as comfortable as 
 we could, but were glad to remove in the morning, 
 though the rain continued to pour. By the aid of 
 good fires and a few travelling-rugs we soon made 
 this abode quite habitable, and were interested in 
 finding a nice young Englishwoman in the upper 
 rooms by the name of Gasparini. She had married 
 an Italian when only fifteen years of age, and now 
 had to support both him and their children by her 
 needle and pencil. But I think you met with her at 
 Nice last winter. We invited the Revels to tea, and 
 found them very agreeable. I ventured to ask the 
 " moderator" if he thought we could have a few of 
 their friends at our hotel on First day evening, and, 
 rather to our surprise, he responded very warmly, 
 as we fancied they had previously shown some 
 reserve on the subject. If the weather was fine, 
 they said, our rooms would be more than filled. 
 But all First day the rain continued to come down 
 in torrents, and nothing could look more discour- 
 aging; however, more than thirty came, although 
 the streets were quite impassable in various 
 places, and many of the little bridges were swept 
 away. 
 
ELIZA P. GUKNEY. 26 1 
 
 Our congregation was of the better sort, and I 
 think we are bound to acknowledge gratefully that, 
 through the loving kindness and overshadowing 
 presence of the Minister of ministers, we had a 
 solemn assembly. Just at the close our friend Revel 
 observed, with much feeling and emphasis, " We are 
 told by the great apostle that Paul planteth and 
 Apollos watereth, and God giveth the increase. A 
 short time ago our brother, who is now with God, 
 planted the good seed in our hearts ; and now our 
 sister has been sent to water them. We have been 
 cheered and encouraged by the labors of both. 
 May a blessing from above rest upon them ! May 
 the seed take root in our hearts, and may God give 
 the increase !" He said a little more, which I can- 
 not remember exactly, but his allusion to dear Wil- 
 liam Forster was sweet and touching to me. When 
 the meeting was over they were all as warm as pos- 
 sible. Pastor Malan especially begging us to have a 
 meeting in the school-house this evening, as, he said, 
 many more than our rooms could contain would be 
 glad to attend. This, however, we thought best to 
 decline, as we are likely to be with them some time 
 longer; and it was well we did, for the rain continued 
 without interruption, so that they fear the seed that 
 has been sown on the mountains will be utterly 
 washed away. 
 
262 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 They all say it is well we came when we did, as 
 now to cross Mont Cenis would be very difficult, 
 the snow being very deep. One of the diligences 
 was overturned by a whirlwind on the top of Mont 
 Cenis, but no one was seriously hurt. 
 
 E. P. G. to E. H. H. 
 
 Perosa, Eleventh mo. Sth, 1856. 
 
 I trust you are thinking of us for good, though we 
 hear so little from you. Truly we need the prayers 
 of those who are concerned for the prosperity of the 
 Truth. No woman Friend has ever visited this place 
 before in the character of a gospel minister; but, as 
 the moderator observed, " the people expressed no 
 surprise, but appeared quite prepared to receive our 
 gospel message as coming from the Lord." What a 
 mercy it is, my dear friend, that when the blessed 
 Shepherd sendeth forth even the weakest of the 
 flock, He goeth before them to prepare the way. 
 Robert and Christine are very kind and helpful, and 
 we get on harmoniously together. In the first few 
 meetings the vocal service devolved entirely upon 
 me ; then Robert spoke a little at the conclusion, 
 and afterward Christine came out, to my relief, for I 
 had felt the weight of the meetings, as well as the 
 preparatory baptisms, — which, I assure thee, have 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 263 
 
 not been small, — rather heavy upon me. The last 
 two or three evenings she has taken her full part. 
 
 E. P. G. to Edward Pease. 
 
 Genoa, Eleventh mo. 12th, 1856. 
 Thou wilt have heard of our progress through the 
 valleys of Piedmont, where we had ten large and 
 relieving meetings, — eight in Luzerna and two in St. 
 Martin. The roads to some of them were very dif 
 ficult, especially those to Angrogna and Bobin, in 
 the former valley, and that to Ville-Seche, in the 
 latter. I never saw such magnificent mountain 
 scenery ; but some of the great, huge precipices, to 
 my unpractised eye, looked rather fearful. How I 
 did think of poor dear William Forster, who, they all 
 told us, suffered exceedingly with fear in traversing 
 these rugged mountain-passes. But he has left a 
 very sweet impression, and I believe his visit to the 
 valleys opened the way for ours. They call him (as 
 with one accord) " that holy man of God," and all 
 their countenances brighten up whenever he is 
 named. We met with the greatest kindness from 
 all the pastors, especially from Revel, the moder- 
 ator, who, when Christine was not quite well, pro- 
 posed to go to Angrogna to interpret for me. This 
 was rather remarkable, as he is a sort of bishop 
 among them, and it was evident at first there was a 
 
264 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 little scruple in their minds against women's min- 
 istry. However, as Adele Revel told me, it was only 
 because it was a new thing, and she believed it was 
 wholly done away. We became really attached to 
 these warm-hearted people. Their simple piety and 
 faith and zeal are very striking, and, I thought, in- 
 structive also. I could but long that some of our 
 transatlantic friends, who are wasting their lives in 
 " contending for the faith," as they call it, might 
 witness the single-hearted dedication of these moun- 
 taineers ; for surely it may be said of some of the 
 over-zealous ones, " Ye know not what spirit ye are 
 of" 
 
 When we got to Turin everything looked gloomy 
 enough, and the prospect of a meeting as dull as 
 possible. However, I felt that attraction to the place 
 which would warrant our making some inquiry, and 
 Robert and Christine went in the evening to call on 
 Pastor Bert, who returned with them to our hotel, 
 and seemed very kind, but was evidently frightened 
 at the prospect, and wondering how it would be 
 accomplished. The other pastor, Meille, to whom 
 we had a letter from E. Barclay, had never noticed 
 us in any way, so that strong faith and confidence 
 were needed in order to carry us through. But 
 these were not withheld by Him who has prom- 
 ised He will not forsake his poor depending chil- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 265 
 
 dren ; and at the hour appointed we proceeded to 
 the meeting-place, a nice large room, in which they 
 hold their evening service, as they call it. It will 
 contain three or four hundred persons, and was soon 
 quite full. Here Pastor Meille was introduced to us, 
 and we fancied he looked very cold. However, after 
 a short but solemn silence, I was enabled thoroughly 
 to relieve my mind to a most serious and attentive 
 audience on the faith and the words of Abraham, 
 " God will provide Himself a lamb ;" and soon after 
 I sat down, Bert rose and thanked us warmly, on 
 behalf of himself and the congregation, explaining 
 who we were, and that it was in the love of the 
 gospel of our Lord and Saviour we had come 
 amongst them. Then Meille knelt down, and in a 
 truly solemn, feeling manner commended us and 
 our mission to the Lord, fervently praying that the 
 word which had been spoken amongst them might 
 be the means of^ stimulating them to greater dili- 
 ' gence, that they might indeed be the children of 
 faithful Abraham, not counting anything too dear to 
 part with at the command of the Lord. I do not 
 know when I have heard more earnest, fervent 
 prayer, and the meeting broke up under a feeling of 
 true solemnity. Bert returned home with us, and 
 was as warm as possible ; and the next day, accord- 
 ing to agreement, Meille called and took us to the 
 
266 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 different schools, in two of which he translated what 
 was said into Italian in a most impressive manner. 
 Christine said he seemed to be preaching himself, he 
 spoke so earnestly. I forgot to say that, after the 
 meeting on First day evening, we went to the Berts' 
 to tea, and they all came to us the next evening. 
 Charles Bunsen also came, and spent an hour with 
 us very agreeably ; and in the morning, when we 
 reached the platform, we found our friends, the pas- 
 tors, and an English lady by the name of Green- 
 field waiting to see us off, — no one more cordial 
 than the Pastor Meille, with whom in those two 
 days we formed a real friendship. 
 
 We have found large openings for books and 
 money everywhere we have gone, and I have felt so 
 much interest in many of their objects that I have 
 been ready to wish my purse had no end. As to 
 the fear that has been expressed that the Vaudois 
 were in danger of being injured by kindness, I be- 
 lieve there is no truth in it. Many of the poor 
 mountaineers have scarcely the means of subsist- 
 ence, especially since the failure of the vine. This 
 year, however, the chestnuts have been abundant, 
 which is a merciful provision for them ; and as to the 
 pastors, they cannot be called hirelings, for they 
 receive almost nothing for their truly laborious ser- 
 vices, — going up the mountains in the depth of 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 267 
 
 winter, and sometimes not returning until late at 
 night, plodding home through the snow. I thought, 
 though peace of mind might pay for such exertion, 
 no money ever could, certainly not the pittance they 
 receive. 
 
 On Third day morning we left Turin and went on to 
 Genoa, where I felt no inclination for a meeting, and 
 my faith was confirmed on finding that there could 
 have been no opening for one if I had, for the Prot- 
 estant flock in that city is small and scattered, and 
 understand only Italian. 
 
 However, I did not feel at liberty to leave on 
 Fourth day, though I could not tell why, but in the 
 course of the morning Christine incidentally heard 
 that the Duchess of Orleans was in the neighbor- 
 hood, and as I had all along been under the impres- 
 sion I should see her somewhere, though I had no 
 idea where she was, I concluded to write her a line 
 and ask for an interview the following day, when we 
 found we should pass her door. Accordingly, at a 
 quarter past eleven we were there, — an unreasonable 
 hour, to be sure, but we were bound to a certain 
 stopping-place, and could not help it. A German 
 lady met us in the drawing-room, and told us she 
 had written to appoint '" one o'clock" for our call ; 
 wished to know if we could not wait, as the Duchess 
 was engaged with her drawing-master. I replied 
 
268 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 that I should be very sorry to disturb her, but that I 
 believed we must be going on our way, and was 
 about to leave a message, when she interrupted me, 
 exclaiming, " Oh, but she says she must see you ; so 
 if you cannot wait she will come down directly." In 
 a very few minutes the sweet young creature ap- 
 peared, looking extremely delicate, but gentle and 
 lovely as ever. She led me to a seat on the sofa, and 
 referred to our former interview with much interest 
 and feeling; said she had read Sir Fowell Buxton's 
 life, and wished to know whether I could not recom- 
 mend her some more such religious biographies. 
 After conversing pleasantly for a short time, I asked 
 for a few minutes' silence, which she willingly as- 
 sented to, and immediately informed the German 
 lady of my request. I think I may truly say they 
 were moments of fervent prayer that words might be 
 given me suited to her need, and I trust they were 
 not withheld, for as soon as I had ceased she seized 
 my hand with affectionate earnestness, saying in 
 broken English, " Oh, my dear friend, how shall I 
 thank you for all your good words and all your 
 great kindness to me ? Will you continue your 
 prayers for me when we are far separated? for I 
 do so much need them." She then inquired where 
 we had been and where we were going, showing 
 much interest about it, and saying, with great em- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 269 
 
 phasis, " I so like the Friends." When I bade her 
 farewell she said, "And when do you go to Eng- 
 land ?" I told her I could not say exactly, but be- 
 fore very long. " Then," she said, quickly, " you 
 will go to Claremont? The Queen will be glad to 
 see you, and now you can tell her all about us." I 
 gave her some books, and we parted most affection- 
 ately, she telling us that she believed a blessing 
 would descend upon our mission. It was a truly in- 
 teresting occasion, and one we shall not very soon 
 forget. 
 
 Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh days were spent in trav- 
 elling from Genoa to Mentone, where we are spend- 
 ing a quiet, peaceful Sabbath-day. I feel it a mercy 
 to be here, with carpeted floors, soft beds, and every 
 comfort, having a feverish influenza cold, which 
 needs a little nursing. The weather, however, is 
 lovely, and I trust it will soon wear off. Our jour- 
 ney by the Cornice road I will not attempt to de- 
 scribe. It was fearfully grand and beautiful. In- 
 deed, we have had a feast of exquisite scenery. I 
 had no idea of our having such a treat. It is truly 
 touching to be at this lovely spot, reminding me at 
 every turn of that precious brother, whose place will 
 know him no more. To-morrow we go on to Nice, 
 which will be yet more reminding. 
 
 How I wish you could share. with me in the 
 23* 
 
270 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 splendid scene that is just below my window, — the 
 deep - blue Mediterranean glittering beneath the 
 golden rays of the setting sun. We have been trav- 
 elling beside it for the last three days. 
 
 E. P. G. to Sarah Gurney, daughter of Samuel 
 Gurney. 
 
 Cannes, Eleventh mo. 25th, 1856. 
 On Fourth day morning a strange concern came 
 over me ; I felt it came in such a way I dare not 
 turn from it. This was to ask for a religious inter- 
 view with the Dowager Empress of Russia, who is 
 spending the winter at Nice. Robert called upon 
 the Baron Majendoof, and saw the Baroness, who 
 took the note which I had written, and said she 
 would show it to her husband, but seemed very 
 doubtful about his handing it to the Empress. The 
 next morning he called again by appointment and 
 saw the Baron, but found the note had not been 
 delivered. Indeed, the Baron thought it was quite 
 impossible to trouble her with notes from any one. 
 Her Imperial Majesty was very, very much engaged : 
 she was expecting the High Priest every moment, 
 and some of the royal family were to come to Nice 
 in a day or two. Besides, he could not conceive 
 what Madame Gurney could possibly want with the 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 271 
 
 Empress : she was not a " Quaker." The Empress 
 had her own rehgion, and Madame Gurney had hers, 
 and it was not likely she could convert her. R. 
 Alsop assured him that I had no wish to make a 
 Quaker of her; that I merely offered the visit in 
 a feeling of Christian interest; that all we asked 
 was that the Empress might see the note, and 
 then, if she did not wish to receive us, we should 
 be quite satisfied. At last he permitted the note 
 should be delivered, and we should have an answer 
 about five o'clock that evening. But about half- 
 past two a special messenger was sent from the 
 Empress, with a note to me from the Baron, say- 
 ing the Empress would see me next morning, — the 
 hour would be indicated at a later period. In the 
 evening we had a meeting at the chapel, which I 
 felt to be a very important one, and the preparatory 
 baptism was almost as much as I knew how to bear. 
 There was a large congregation, and after a short 
 but solemn silence I rose with the words, "-And 
 they shall come from the east and from the west, 
 from the north and from the south, and shall sit 
 down in the kingdom of God," which we afterward 
 found was very applicable, as there were present 
 Russians, Germans, French, Italians, Irish, English, 
 Scotch, Dutch, Swiss, Vaudois, and Americans. I 
 believe I may say the meeting was owned by the 
 
2/2 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Great Head of the Church. The people were as 
 quiet and attentive as possible. This meeting was 
 an inexpressible relief to me. Early the next morn- 
 ing came a note from our friend the Baron, to say 
 the Empress would receive us at half-past twelve. 
 R. and C. Alsop went with me, intending to go in, 
 if they were not forbidden. We were soon shown 
 up into an ante-room, and in a few minutes a very 
 tall and stately-looking lady stood before us. We 
 could not doubt for a moment who she was, for her 
 whole presence was that of an Empress. She in- 
 stantly took my hand and led me into her private 
 drawing-room, R. and C. following, but leaving the 
 astonished attendants behind. 
 
 Very soon she began speaking about our meeting 
 the evening before, and said some of her people had 
 attended. She spoke of my sister Fry, and of 
 women's preaching, which she could not exactly 
 understand ; but she said, " You can hardly remem- 
 ber her, you are so very young." I assured her I 
 was turned of fifty, at which she expressed great 
 surprise, and told two of her ladies afterwards as a 
 thing not to be believed. In the first place, she told 
 us of her irreparable loss with much feeling. She 
 said the Emperor was the noblest of men, and that 
 she had not ceased to mourn for him day and night, — 
 in fact, that she often prayed that her life might be 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 273 
 
 taken, she felt so desolate without him, — that they 
 had not lived together as Emperor and Empress, but 
 as husband and wife. She looked very pale and ill, 
 and so full of feeling as truly to excite our sym- 
 pathy ; but it was no easy matter to address her as 
 a minister just after she had expressed her astonish- 
 ment that women should ever be called upon to 
 preach. In this critical moment my gracious Lord 
 did not forsake me. Indeed, I believe if ever I was 
 empowered to preach the gospel, it was on this in- 
 teresting occasion. I soon perceived the Empress 
 was in tears, and after I had addressed her for about 
 two minutes or more, we sat together in solemn 
 silence for a little time, when she came to me very 
 kindly and kissed me on both cheeks, thanking me 
 for the visit, and expressing a desire that a blessing 
 might descend upon it, or, as I believe, she said that 
 the words spoken might Jae blessed to her. She 
 then inquired how long I had been a minister, 
 whether we were engaged on a religious mission, 
 etc., and was much interested in hearing about the 
 Vaudois ; accepted some books I offered, and was 
 surprised to find that Christine was a Frenchwoman, 
 as she spoke English so correctly. The Empress 
 herself speaks quite fairly, and said she understood 
 every word I said, because I spoke so " simply and 
 so distinctly." 
 
274 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 On the whole we felt deeply interested in our 
 visit, and my heart was filled with sympathy for the 
 poor dear Empress. Suffice it to say that our visit 
 to Nice was full of intense interest. 
 
 E. P. G. to Josiah Forster. 
 
 CoNGiNiES, Twelfth mo. 3d, 1856. 
 . . . When we called to take leave, they were 
 much interested in telling us about the conclusion 
 of the meeting that we had at Nimes on First day 
 evening. A friend of Christine's also called and 
 gave us an account of it. It appears that after we 
 came away the people still kept their seats, though 
 one or two persons standing round the pulpit beck- 
 oned them toward the door. For a little time they 
 sat in profound silence; then the Methodist minister 
 asked one of the Evangelical pastors if he had any- 
 thing to say to them, ^n which he immediately 
 commenced and recapitulated all I had said, com- 
 mending it to their serious consideration, and ex- 
 pressed an earnest desire that they might never 
 forget the gospel truths that had been proclaimed 
 amongst them. Then Jean Monod (a pastor whose 
 praise seems to be in all their churches) offered up 
 fervent prayer that a blessing might descend upon 
 the word preached, and upon us and our gospel 
 mission ; that we might be the means of winning 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 275 
 
 many souls unto Christ, etc. They said it was 
 really solemn and very interesting, because they 
 did it so heartily, and they could not but wish we 
 had been there. 
 
 I had quite the feeling that the meeting was not 
 over, and I cannot but believe that these dear people 
 spoke from right authority. Perhaps our not being 
 present would make what they said afterward have 
 even more effect. 
 
 E. P. G. to Jane Fox. 
 
 CONGENIES (Gard), Twelfth mo. i6th, 1856. 
 
 I must go back to Robert's leaving us at Nimes 
 on account of his mother's illness, of which thou 
 hast no doubt heard, It was rather trying to part 
 with him, but we were thankful to be in the midst of 
 our friends when we heard the sad intelligence, and 
 a day or two after he left we got a nice travelling 
 carriage and came to this place, where we remained 
 a week, attending meetings here and in the neigh- 
 borhood, and on Third day, accompanied by a 
 nephew of Christine's, we set off for St. Hippolite. 
 I had asked this nephew to go with us, thinking it 
 might be useful to him, as he appeared to be a really 
 nice, intelligent young man, though neither he nor 
 his father ever think of going to a place of worship 
 
276 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 from one year's end to another, and yet I think they 
 are nominally Friends. 
 
 On Third day evening we reached St. Hippolite, 
 and a tremendous plunge I had on our arrival there, 
 as Christine told me, if I wished to have the meetings 
 I had spoken of, she ought to write at once and have 
 them all appointed ; then fancy me (my mind a 
 perfect blank, and feeling just as if I might never 
 be called upon to minister to any one) fixing to have 
 three meetings, beside the one with Friends next 
 morning at St. Hippolite ! 
 
 Oh, how I thought of our dearest one saying 
 " her soul was in a furnace" in seasons such as this ; 
 for, though I thought the expression was a strong 
 one then, I now quite comprehend it. I went into 
 the room to Fanny (who is as kind as possible), and 
 told her I believed I must go home, — I could not 
 bear this burthen any longer. However, I had a 
 peaceful night, and the meeting with the Friends 
 in the morning was quite a refreshment. 
 
 At Anduze we had a large meeting, — three or 
 four hundred people I should think at least, — and 
 to my own feelings it was one of the best we have 
 held. When it was over we went up into the pas- 
 tor's drawing-room, which was just above (for his 
 chapel is in his own house), and, to our great sur- 
 prise, it was full of people, they having gone up by 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 277 
 
 another way. It seemed impossible to keep them 
 from falling into silence, there was such a sweet and 
 solemn covering over us, and presently the pastor 
 came to me with an urgent request to have a meet- 
 ing on the following morning. I told him we wished 
 to leave at eleven o'clock, and as we had engaged to 
 breakfast with him and his wife at ten, there would 
 be no opportunity for it, beside which I had not 
 thought of having a second meeting in that place. 
 All this he communicated to them, but they said 
 they would be very glad to come at nine o'clock, 
 and seemed so earnest about it that, although it was 
 truly in the cross, I felt I dare not turn away. We 
 have several times been solicited to hold a second 
 meeting, but I never before have thought it was 
 required of me to yield to the request. When we 
 arrived in the morning the pastor's room was full, 
 and a sweet and solemn time we had together, 
 after which we went to Lasalle, where a meeting 
 was appointed for the evening at seven o'clock ; but 
 about half-past six the pastor (who is a very young 
 man and a converted Catholic) dispatched his ser- 
 vant to request we would come at once, for the 
 chapel was quite full, and he did not know what to 
 do with the people. When we reached his house 
 he took us into a private room, and, with a look of 
 
 much anxiety, wanted to know how we commenced 
 
 24 
 
278 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 our meetings. On telling him " in silence," he 
 seemed quite frightened, and said he was very much 
 afraid his people would not understand it; for, al- 
 though many of them were serious, and would come 
 from a desire to be edified, yet there were others 
 who would only come out of curiosity, and he could 
 not answer for their behavior. Would it not be 
 better to begin with a hymn ? etc. I told him I did 
 not think that was necessary, that we had generally 
 found there was a Power over us which could silence 
 them without the intervention of man, and I believed 
 we might trust it on the present occasion. 
 
 Accordingly we walked into the chapel, and the 
 moment we made our appearance, though the people 
 were so much crowded that many were obliged to 
 stand, they were all as quiet as possible, and the 
 silence continued to be profound until we left the 
 house. It was partly perhaps from awe and aston- 
 ishment, there never having been a Friends' meeting 
 in that place before, but I never witnessed a more 
 serious or attentive assembly. The pastor, who has 
 been instrumental of much good in the neighbor- 
 hood, seemed thoroughly warmed up, and congratu- 
 lated us on the successful issue of the undertaking, 
 which he hoped might be blessed to the people. 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 279 
 
 E. P. G. to Josiah Forster, 
 
 St. Etienne, First mo. 4th, 1857. 
 
 On Second day we proceeded {via Nimes) to Va- 
 lence, and on Third day morning we set off for Pia- 
 loux, the residence of Bertrand Combe, which we 
 found most difficult of access. It is more than twelve 
 miles from Valence, and the roads are bad at best, 
 but now, being filled with snow, we were compelled 
 to leave the carriage and walk a long distance, 
 though the weather was piercingly cold. However, 
 a warm welcome awaited us, and we remained with 
 that interesting family until Fifth day. On Fourth 
 day afternoon, at my request, he collected his neigh- 
 bors, amounting to fifty or sixty, and I do not re- 
 member that I ever was more sensible of the over- 
 shadowing wing of heavenly love than on that 
 occasion. The next morning we had a very solemn 
 and tendering opportunity with B. C.'s family, in 
 which I believe we were every one of us brought to 
 tears. The whole household seem devoted to the 
 service of the Lord. Some one told us that every 
 servant who came to live with them was sure to 
 become serious before they left. 
 
 On Fifth day morning we came on to Annonay by 
 way of Valence, Bertrand Combe accompanying us, 
 with man and horse to drag us through the snow, 
 
28o MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 for several miles. Poor Claude Ruel was overjoyed 
 at seeing us, and on Sixth day we had some interest- 
 ing communication with him and the two or three 
 other individuals who unite with Friends. Truly 
 simple and honest-hearted Christians we found them. 
 Claude himself is no common man, remarkably 
 shrewd and discerning, uniting the wisdom of the 
 serpent with the harmlessness of the dove. In the 
 evening we had a meeting with the " Dissidents," or 
 dissenters from the National Church, held in their 
 own little chapel. There were nearly two hundred 
 present, and some of them sympathized in good de- 
 gree with many of the views of Friends. After we 
 had been sittmg a little while in profound silence, 
 one of the Darbyists arose and said he felt bound to 
 testify against the ministry of women, referring the 
 people to chapter and verse in the Bible to prove 
 they were forbidden to speak. Having borne his 
 testimony, which he did in no very Christian spirit, 
 he walked out of the meeting, which remained as 
 quiet as possible, being wholly unmoved by what he 
 said. 
 
 It was rather curious that at that very moment 
 my mind was dwelling on the enmity of the carnally- 
 minded Jews to the spiritual nature of the gospel 
 dispensation : " How can this man give us His flesh 
 to eat?" etc., and in connection with it the conver- 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 28 1 
 
 sation of our Lord with the woman at Jacob's well, 
 her leaving her water-pot and going into the city to 
 preach Christ, that many of the Samaritans believed 
 on Him because of her word. Having understood 
 very little that he said, I rose directly after he was 
 gone and dwelt some time on the subject, as I after- 
 wards found, to the surprise and satisfaction of some 
 of the company, who were much annoyed by the 
 attempt of the Darbyist to disturb and unsettle the 
 meeting. I think, however, it will all be overruled 
 for good, as there were several present who some- 
 times attend the reunions, and the spirit which this 
 man manifested may tend to open their eyes. I 
 have seldom been at a more solemn meeting; per- 
 haps the solemnity was increased by this singular 
 circumstance, as no one appeared to sympathize 
 with the zealous opposer. On Seventh day noon 
 we came to St. Etienne, and this morning we have 
 had a truly interesting meeting with the little flock 
 of serious-minded people, who in great measure 
 sympathize with Friends. It was indeed a season 
 of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. There 
 are about a dozen of them altogether, and we felt 
 that to most, if not all, we could extend the right 
 hand of fellowship and own, them as brethren in the 
 Lord. One young man in particular seems to be an 
 
 " Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile," and 
 
 24* 
 
282 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 strongly attached to our principles. There appears 
 to have been no human instrumentality employed in 
 gathering this little flock to the simplicity of the 
 truth as it is in Jesus, but they have lately been 
 reading some of our books with much interest. The 
 essay on " Love to God" they spoke of as being very 
 precious to them, and so did the flock at Annonay. 
 
 To-morrow we are going to Lyons, where we may 
 spend a day or two, from thence to Paris, and if we 
 find we may leave Germany till warmer weather, we 
 may be at home next week. 
 
 E. P. G. to Katharine Backhouse. 
 
 Paris, First mo. 13th, 1857. 
 As soon as I arrived in Paris I felt I was in bonds 
 and dare not move, though we were, greatly longing 
 to get on, and nothing opening at first made the 
 detention still more trying to us. I felt it right, 
 however, to invite some Christian friends to meet us 
 here last evening, and a choice company we had, 
 although a small, select one. I did not like to have 
 the notice given publicly, and now I find there are a 
 number, even in this hotel, who much regret they 
 did not know of it. A gentleman named St. Hilaire, 
 who is said to be one of the first men in France, a 
 professor in the Sorbonne and a true evangelist, 
 came with his amiable wife, and at the conclusion of 
 
ELIZA F. GVRNEY. 283 
 
 the meeting, after we had been sitting in profound 
 silence for some little time, he offered up a most 
 solemn prayer, not only for a blessing on the even- 
 ing, and that our thus coming together might be for 
 the good of our immortal souls, but he prayed fer- 
 vently that the Lord of the vineyard would bless the 
 seed that had been sown in every field in which we 
 had been laboring ; that He would bless the Society 
 to which we belonged ; that His choicest blessings 
 might descend upon us and upon every mission in 
 which He might be pleased to employ us. It was 
 very striking, coming from such a man, and truly 
 under the anointing. Directly afterward, and before 
 we sat down, the Methodist or Wesleyan minister 
 offered up fervent prayer, so that it was a truly 
 solemn opportunity. At Lyons we had a much 
 larger and very interesting meeting, — four or five 
 pastors present, who seemed very cordial afterwards. 
 
 Fourth day. 
 
 We spent a very pleasant evening at the Coque- 
 rels'. He is an uncommonly interesting man, but 
 slightly tinctured with Unitarianism, which caused 
 me to pass through some suffering, that ended 
 in faithfully preaching the unsearchable riches of 
 Christ : " Take heed to yourselves and to the flock," 
 etc. And when, after sitting a short time in silence, he 
 rose and, taking me by the hand, said, very earnestly, 
 
284 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 " Madame, we cannot thank you for what you have 
 said," I confess I was a little frightened. He added, 
 however, directly, " But I sincerely trust we shall 
 profit by it. You have spoken truth in so much 
 love and with such sincerity, we cannot help re- 
 ceiving it, and may the Lord abundantly bless you, 
 and bless your labors in His name !" I do not know 
 when I have met with a person of a more lovely 
 spirit. He is very popular here with a certain class, 
 and all speak highly of him. 
 
 The magnificent rooms we have here are a striking 
 contrast to some we have occupied. I am afraid I 
 like the luxuries of life too well. 
 
 Adele Revel to E. P. G. 
 
 La Tour, February 3d, 1857. 
 Dea5 and precious Friend, — It was indeed a 
 great delight to me yesterday to receive a letter from 
 dear friend Josiah Forster, announcing your safe 
 arrival in England. I have followed you with my 
 thoughts ever since we parted, and I prayed God 
 that He would keep you as the apple of His eye, 
 and bring you safe home, doing His work as you 
 went along. Oh, may you have been the means of 
 drawing many to inquire about the salvation of their 
 souls, and .strengthening many who are still waver- 
 ing between the world and Christ! not by might, 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 285 
 
 nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord. 
 Yes, that earnest waiting to be made an instrument 
 in His hands, ascribing all the glory to Him, is the 
 way we can best glorify and serve Him. I hope it 
 may be with many as it is with me: your visit has 
 left a fragrance inexpressibly sweet. I feel that I am 
 bound to you with a tie that will only tighten till we 
 meet to part no more. It does me good to recall the 
 sweet communions we held together, to dwell upon 
 them, to wait in silence for the Spirit to seal them 
 upon my heart. I know and feel that you continue 
 to pray for me, that I may be kept steadfast in the 
 faith. 
 
 In the Seventh month, 1857, E. P. Gurney felt 
 herself once more constrained to visit the Continent 
 on a similar mission to that of the preceding year, 
 Robert and Christine Alsop being again her efficient 
 helpers. Their route this time lay through parts of 
 Switzerland and Germany. 
 
 While at Potsdam they became deeply interested 
 in the case of a young man who had been long im- 
 prisoned for his conscientious refusal to bear arms. 
 Exerting themselves to obtain some relief for him, 
 they were finally gratified by learning that he had 
 been liberated through the representations they had 
 been able to make to those in authority. 
 
286 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 A remarkable interview with the royal family of 
 Prussia is thus described by E. P. G. : 
 
 E. P. G. to J. H. Gurney and E. Barclay. 
 
 Rehme, Seventh mo. 2Sth, 1857. 
 
 I was scarcely able to be off the sofa till Fifth 
 day, when, thinking we must really make a start, 
 and yet not feeling at liberty to leave Potsdam with- 
 out seeing the King, by the advice of our most kind 
 doctor, we concluded to drive to Sans Souci about 
 ten o'clock, ask for the Lord Chamberlain, and send 
 in our cards. When we got to the palace door, 
 we saw Count Keller standing on the terrace, and 
 Robert went up to him at once; but he told him 
 the King was fully occupied, and could not even be 
 spoken to till two o'clock ; that they were not at 
 liberty to send anything in after he had commenced 
 with the business of the day. Robert asked him if 
 there was any probability of our seeing him at two 
 o'clock; but he thought it very doubtful, as many of 
 his family were about him ; and Robert returned to 
 the carriage quite disheartened. I begged him to 
 ask Count Keller to speak to me. He did so, and I 
 saw, the moment he took me by the hand, his reso- 
 lution was shaken. Perhaps my sad and pallid coun- 
 tenance made him relent, perhaps some sense was 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 287 
 
 given him that I was striving to obey the " King of 
 kings." At all events he took my card at once, and 
 said he would soon ascertain whether His Majesty 
 had really commenced his business; if not, he would 
 send it in. Directly the coachman was beckoned to 
 drive to the door; the good, kind count was there 
 to hand me out and offer me his arm into the ante- 
 room, where we waited about five minutes, when the 
 King appeared. He was most kind and cordial, ex- 
 claiming, as he took my hand, " The prisoner is lib- 
 erated, and he will go to England." He then spoke 
 warmly of my sister Fry and the dear party that 
 accompanied her in 1841, then of my illness, how I 
 liked his doctor, etc. " But I will call the Empress : 
 she wishes to see you, and tells me you are an old 
 friend of hers, — she saw you at Nice." While he was 
 gone, the Chamberlain told us that it was in conse- 
 quence of the Empress being with him my card was 
 sent in. If she had not been there, he would of 
 course have been engaged in business. If she had 
 not been there, we should have missed the oppor- 
 tunity of seeing her, and this I should greatly have 
 regretted. Why was she with the King just at that 
 moment when the poor Quakers stood before the 
 door? "Whoso is wise and will observe these 
 things, even they shall understand the loving kind- 
 ness of the Lord." Directly the large folding-doors 
 
288 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 were opened, and certainly the scene that presented 
 was enough to dazzle our unpractised eyes. 
 
 The King, the Queen, the Empress, the Grand 
 Duke Michael, and a beautiful Princess of Baden, to 
 whom he is betrothed, appeared before us. The 
 Empress was splendidly attired in rich white silk 
 with lilac flounces, which is, I have been told, the 
 Russian mourning. Her tall, elegant, and graceful 
 figure set off the enormous width of her hooped 
 skirts. The Queen in blue and white; the King 
 dressed like a private gentleman, except perhaps a 
 little extra lacing on the collar. I think I hardly 
 ever spent so much time in describing dress before, 
 but really the picture before us was one long to be 
 remembered. Two ladies in waiting, Count Keller, 
 and the aide-de-camp filled up the group. The Em- 
 press raised her hands on seeing me, exclaiming, 
 " My dear friend !" and gave me both her cheeks to 
 kiss very affectionately. Perhaps that is hardly the 
 word, as she is remarkably stately and dignified, and 
 not very warm in her manner by any means, yet to 
 me she was truly kind, saying, " You must sit down ; 
 you are too ill to stand." And seating me beside 
 her- on the sofa, she asked me many questions, — 
 where we had been, how long I had been ill, etc., — 
 saying she had just that moment heard we were at 
 Potsdam. But my heart was too heavy to go on, so 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 289 
 
 in my usual rather stupid way, which she did not 
 appear to observe, I said, in great simplicity, " Will 
 the Empress ask the King if we may sit in silence?" 
 not thinking of her leaving her seat. However, she 
 jumped up directly and went to the other side of the 
 room, where the King was, and in a moment he was 
 looking about for a chair, for, as they always stand in 
 the royal presence, there were only a very few in the 
 room. All this I learned from Christine afterwards, 
 as I was too much absorbed by my own feelings to 
 observe what passed around me. 
 
 We fell at once into a solemn silence, and I think 
 I may truly say I was helped by my gracious Lord 
 to declare His truth, being remarkably without any 
 might or power of my own. With the Empress on 
 one side, and the King on the other, I felt just as 
 quiet and composed as I did in the cell of the pris- 
 oner, and was enabled fully to relieve my mind, ad- 
 dressing them for nearly half an hour, without inter- 
 pretation of course, as they all speak English. A 
 profound silence reigned whilst I was speaking, and 
 for some minutes 'afterwards, and then the King 
 seized my hand and said, with much emotion, " I 
 thank you a thousand times for your good desires 
 for me. May all the blessings you have asked for 
 me come down upon your own head a hundredfold. 
 God bless you ! God bless you !" We were now 
 
 25 
 
290 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDEMCE OF 
 
 standing, and the Empress* put Ker arm round the 
 King's neck and kissed him in the most affectionate 
 and sisterly manner. It was a striking scene. She 
 also evinced much feeling, and said to me, very- 
 kindly, " I am so glad to have met you again." The 
 sweet Princess of Baden came up and kissed me 
 warmly, and the Grand Duke shook hands with me 
 in the kindest manner, and with great simplicity, re- 
 minding me a little of Sir Edward Buxton, though 
 not at all resembling him in person, being a well- 
 bronzed Russian of the hardier sort. The Queen 
 appeared to me the least impressible, but she is very 
 open and good-tempered, apparently forgetting she 
 is a Queen herself, and suffering others to forget it 
 also. She spoke to me about my sister Fry, and 
 said she " loved her dearly ;" and Christine says she 
 questioned her about our darling Anna, and seemed 
 much interested in hearing of her precious boy, say- 
 ing she well remembered her, and Bessie also. After 
 spending about three-quarters of an hour with this 
 singularly interesting party, we took our leave, the 
 Empress again giving me her cheeks to kiss, and 
 begging me to remember her in my prayers. Poor 
 dear ! she looks less oppressed with grief than when 
 I saw her before, but still she is, I am sure, a thor- 
 ough mourner. Had I been well enough to see the 
 King when I first proposed it, I should have missed 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 291 
 
 this interview with her, as she did not arrive at Pots- 
 dam until two days afterwards, so that surely I may 
 say with the apostle, " In all things I am instructed." 
 It is now the 27th of the month, and my letter is not 
 yet off, and I find there are one or two things I 
 omitted to tell thee. One is that when we came to 
 settle with our kind physician he quite declined re- 
 ceiving anything, but asked how to spell my name, 
 and said he must make his report to the King ; so 
 thou seest I was in fact a royal patient. However, 
 of course, before we left the place we sent the kind 
 doctor a present. I liked him very much, and can- 
 not but believe he is a serious man. 
 
 E. P. Gurney had long felt desirous of paying a 
 visit of sympathy to the ex-Queen of the French, 
 the widow of Louis Philippe, and her grandsons, at 
 Claremont. This she was enabled to accomplish, in 
 company with her friend John Hodgkin, in the 
 Seventh month, 1858. The following is part of her 
 description of this occasion : 
 
 E. P. G. to Lady Buxton. 
 
 Seventh mo. 20th, 1858. 
 . . . We were first ushered into an anteroom, 
 and presently the Countess, ... a very agreeable 
 person, appeared, and conducted us into a large and 
 
292 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 pleasant-looking drawing-room, where we conversed 
 about five minutes, and then the poor dear sorrow- 
 stricken Queen made her appearance. I don't know 
 why, but I felt touched at seeing her, she looked so 
 pale and altered ; and then it was not easy to forget 
 that four of the small company who met at Neuilly 
 were gone, and would be seen of men no more, — in 
 fact, that we two were the only ones remaining. 
 She took me by the hand very affectionately, and 
 led me to a chair, at the same time requesting John 
 Hodgkin to be seated, whom I introduced as the 
 brother of Dr. Hodgkin ; and she directly said, 
 " Ah, he is a very clever doctor : he is so good for 
 my son." Very soon the Queen made some allu- 
 sion to our visit to Neuilly in 1843, which she 
 seemed to remember well, spoke of my sister Fry 
 and her works of charity with animation ; and now 
 she said, "You are following in her footsteps," which 
 I disclaimed. But she persisted in it, saying, " Yes, 
 you are ; you go about doing good, and so did she, 
 and now I hear you are going to America." I had 
 previously made some allusion to the loss they 
 had met with, expressing my hearty sympathy, 
 which was kindly and gratefully received. The 
 tears came in her eyes as she said, " Ah, you are 
 very kind. She was a great loss for me. And then 
 there were two in six "months, — two in six months," 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 293 
 
 she repeated, with much feeling, referring to the 
 Duchess de Nemours. I presently mentioned her 
 grandsons, inquiring how they were. She replied, 
 "They are very well," and added, to my great relief, 
 " they are both here.'' I ventured to ask if we could 
 see them, adding that the duchess had regretted they 
 were not at home when I had the pleasure of seeing 
 her at Sestri. She said they were very much occu- 
 pied in preparing for their Continental journey, as 
 they intended to set out the following day but one ; 
 she would, however, send to inquire if they could 
 come down for a little while, and requested John 
 Hodgkin to ring the bell. It was answered imme- 
 diately, and she spoke most politely to the servant, 
 desiring him to be so good as to inform her grand- 
 sons that Madame Gurney was here, and would like 
 to see them. Almost directly the Comte de Paris 
 made his appearance. I was quite struck with the 
 amiability and frankness of his manner as he came 
 toward me and shook hands cordially; and when I 
 made an allusion to his mother, he said, " Oh, yes, 
 I have often heard her speak of you; and I was 
 very sorry not to be at home when you were there." 
 On hearing that J. Hodgkin was Dr. Hodgkin's 
 brother, he shook hands warmly with him, saying he 
 knew the doctor, and that he had met him lately. 
 
 He asked how long I had been in Italy, Germany, 
 
 25* 
 
2Q4 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 etc., and presently the Due de Chartres appeared, 
 who also greeted us in a most friendly manner. 
 My heart was heavy laden all this time, and I felt 
 I could do nothing else but ask for silence, which 
 the Queen very kindly granted us, observing that 
 her grandsons' time was closely occupied, and they 
 could not remain very long; on which I said I 
 hoped that I should not improperly detain them, but 
 was quite reassured by the emphatic answer of the 
 dear young Count: "Not at all, not at all, I assure 
 you." We then fell into solemn silence, and I think 
 I may say I was strengthened by that gracious 
 Saviour, who is a present help in every time of need, 
 completely to relieve my burthened mind, both to 
 the Queen and to those two dear young men, 
 toward whom I felt remarkably attracted. The 
 Queen looked very serious, and bowed her head 
 repeatedly in token of assent while I was speaking ; 
 and afterwards she thanked me warmly for my good 
 desires for them, saying very earnestly, " Pray for 
 me, pray for my children, pray for my grandchil- 
 dren," motioning toward them as she spoke. Some 
 allusion had been made to the probability of our , 
 never meeting in this world again, and the hope 
 expressed that, through the riches of redeeming 
 mercy, we might all re-assemble round the Throne, 
 to which she thoroughly responded, saying, " That is 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 295- 
 
 the happy meeting-place ; there is no parting there," 
 or words to this effect. John Hodgkin set his seal 
 impressively to what I had communicated, and made 
 a few appropriate remarks ; and then the Comte de 
 Paris and the Due de Chartres both thanked us 
 warmly for the kind interest we had manifested. 
 Not knowing how to address them, I had said, "My 
 dear young friends, if you will so allow me to call 
 you ;'' and directly after the opportunity was over 
 the Count most kindly took my hand, and said with 
 earnestness, "Yes, you may call us your dear friends, 
 for you have been true friends to us, and we do thank 
 you very much." The Due de Chartres then took 
 my other hand, saying, " We are so much obliged 
 to you." And as I stood between those dear young 
 men, holding a hand of each, I really felt a hearty 
 love for them, and, making some allusion to their 
 sainted mother, which they both seemed to feel, I 
 expressed in a few words my heartfelt prayer even 
 that the best of blessings might descend upon them. 
 Thus ended this deeply interesting interview, and 
 we left Claremont with a feeling of peace and relief 
 which we could indeed acknowledge to be an abund- 
 ant compensation for the effort and. exercise this visit 
 had cost us. 
 
•296 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 
 
 Earlham Road. 
 My very dear Sister, — It is indeed a favor, and 
 one which I desire to be thankful for, to be permitted 
 once again to date my letters from this peaceful 
 home, after an absence of four months, and many 
 heights and depths and sparing mercies. How 
 great is the goodness of our Father in heaven to 
 His unworthy children ! I rather shrank from re- 
 turning to my desolate habitation without one kin- 
 dred heart to welcome me ; but I had two nice 
 young French companions, and the maids came out 
 to meet me, looking so neat and nice in their light 
 muslin dresses, and all seemed so pleased to see 
 their mistress safe at home again ; but, above all, 
 such an unusual flood of heavenly peace was poured 
 into my heart that, as I roamed about the velvet 
 lawn and flowery garden, I felt indeed I could 
 adopt the language, "We are abundantly satisfied 
 with the goodness of Thy house. Thou hast made 
 us to drink of the river of Thy pleasures." 
 
 With the foregoing and some other religious ser- 
 vice, E. P. Gurney's mission abroad seemed to be 
 accomplished, and on the 28th of the Eighth 
 month, 1858, she took her final leave of England, 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 307 
 
 followed, as before, by the loving remembrance of 
 her relatives and friends in that land, as evinced 
 by their letters of affectionate interest. 
 
 Katharine Backhouse to E. P. G. 
 
 Twelfth mo. 29th, 1858. 
 
 . . . Now the time draws near for this to go to 
 the post, and what more can I say to thee, beloved 
 one, but " grace, mercy, and peace be with thee," 
 through Him who has loved thee and given Himself 
 for thee? Oh, blessed provision for all who love 
 the Saviour in truth and sincerity ! Here thou and 
 I may meet, if nowhere else. 
 
 Esther Seebohm to E. P. G. 
 
 Third mo. 27th, 1859. 
 
 ... I have long deferred the expression of the 
 grateful sense of thy various kindnesses, which lives 
 in my heart, and often brings thee in vivid colors 
 before me, not only as the generous friend, the sym- 
 pathizer in the trials of the earthly pilgrimage, but 
 as the messenger of comfort and instruction, the 
 advocate of the great and glorious cause. These, 
 in looking round, seem few and far between ; and 
 the thought that thou art no longer one of us in 
 person, though still near in spirit, is not one we like 
 to entertain. But we know thou art amongst those 
 
298 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 whom thou loves and serves, and who greatly need 
 thy sympathy and encouragement ; therefore in this, 
 and all other things, be it ours to say, " The will of 
 the Lord be done." 
 
 E. P. Gurney continued diligent in the exercise of 
 her precious gift in the ministry, both in her own 
 meeting and in several visits to neighboring Yearly 
 and other meetings. Of most of these but few 
 memoranda are to be found. The following letter 
 refers to one of these engagements : 
 
 W. J. AUinson to E. P. G. 
 
 First mo. i6th, i860. 
 
 How often, dear friend, I have thanked God for 
 thee, that He has enabled thee so truly to maintain 
 the sacred trust given thee as the partner of such an 
 one ! His reputation, safe in the Record-book on 
 high, is in another sense safe in thy keeping, and no 
 words can tell the tenderness of feeling with which 
 we associate the two links, one bright in the ineffable 
 glory, the other kept bright amid the tarnishing in- 
 fluences of time, through Him " who is a crown of 
 glory and a diadem of beauty to the residue of His 
 people." 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 299 
 
 Thomas Evans to E. P. G. 
 
 Fifth mo. I2th, i860. 
 
 It was no surprise to me to hear thou wert going 
 from home. It came vividly before me while con- 
 fined to my bed, about Yearly Meeting time, and 
 brought me into near feeling with thee. I was ready 
 to wonder at my feelings, and almost to call them 
 into question as the working of a lively imagination. 
 Well, my friend, go on in thy simplicity ; and though 
 thou may seem to have neither scrip nor staff, bow 
 nor spear, yet, trusting in the God of Israel, He 
 will be thy shield and buckler, give thee the gospel 
 sling and the smooth stone from Shiloh's gentle 
 brook, guide them by His eye, and make them 
 effective through the power of His own spirit. 
 What a mercy that we poor, short-sighted creatures 
 are not obliged to plan and contrive and carry out 
 our work -for ourselves, but have a gracious Master 
 who goes before, opens the way and appoints the 
 work, and clearly shows what it is, and then gives 
 wisdom and strength to perform it, so that we have 
 no need to puzzle or trouble ourselves about it, 
 but simply follow His leading and do His bidding! 
 Do not let in any "doubts or reasonings, but just 
 go quietly on, trusting in and leaning wholly on 
 Him, and He will bring thee safely through, and 
 
300 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 cause thee in humble gratitude to set up thy Eb- 
 enezer. 
 
 E. P. Gurney's beloved friend and relative, John 
 Hodgkin, was at this time engaged in extensive re- 
 ligious service in this country, making West Hill a 
 point of occasional resort when his duties permitted, 
 to their mutual comfort and refreshment. Allusion 
 is made in the following letter to one of these visits : 
 
 E. P. G. to C. W. Stroud. 
 
 Fifth mo. 13th, 1861. 
 
 We have just said farewell to our friends in a feel- 
 ing of true peace, after a precious parting opportu- 
 nity, — a " season of refreshing from the presence of 
 the Lord." What shall we render unto Him for all 
 His benefits ? for this fresh token of His loving 
 care in sending to His weary heritage a publisher of 
 peace, a bringer of glad tidings, declaring unto Zion 
 and to Zion's children, " Thy God reigneth" ? I can- 
 not describe the deep and varied interest of his visit 
 here, — the public meetings, the family visiting, the 
 precious opportunities, both social and religious, 
 which have been graciously vouchsafed to us in our 
 peaceful domicile, the quietude and repose of which, 
 he said, had been a true enjoyment to him ; and he 
 does not leave us with any feeling of not seeing us 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 301 
 
 again. The meeting at Mount Holly was crowded 
 and a remarkable occasion. At Rancocas we have 
 heard it was a striking time. 
 
 A painful affection of the eyes and head, often 
 known as " rose cold," which was aggravated by the 
 luxuriant vegetation of West Hill, rendered it desira- 
 ble for E. P. Gurney to seek a sea-shore resort during 
 the summer months. With this view she erected a 
 beautiful and commodious cottage at Atlantic City, 
 on the New Jersey coast, commanding an extensive 
 view of the ocean, and swept by its health-giving 
 breezes. To this delightful retreat, which she called 
 Earlham Lodge, she continued to repair every sum- 
 mer during the remainder of her life, finding com- 
 pensation for her voluntary exile in greatly increased 
 vigor and comfort, and, with her unfailing hospital- 
 ity, sharing the benefit she received with numerous 
 relatives and friends, who came at her generous 
 bidding in almost constant succession. 
 
 Nor was she unmindful in her retirement of her 
 higher duties. Atlantic City had at this time a large 
 floating population and various places of public 
 worship, but no established meeting of Friends, al- 
 though many of that denomination were among its 
 visitors. A little congregation of these had for three 
 
 or four years been accustomed to gather on First 
 
 26 
 
302 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 day during the summer in the cottage of John M. 
 Whitall, kindly offered for their reception. E. P. 
 Gurney felt it incumbent upon her to open her spa- 
 cious parlors to those who felt disposed to sit down 
 with her for divine worship on First day morning, 
 after the manner of Friends, and large companies 
 frequently availed themselves of the privilege. One 
 of her nieces describes these meetings as " often 
 crowded with a mixed company of gay, fashionable 
 people, mingling there with simple Quakers, all ap- 
 pearing solemnized and impressed, both by the silent 
 worship and the loving, powerful appeals to accept 
 the truth as it is in Jesus. Many were the sorrow- 
 ing, heavy-laden hearts that were comforted and 
 cheered." 
 
 The notice of E. P. Gurney by J. B. Braithwaite, 
 before referred to, quotes from one of her own letters 
 as follows : 
 
 " I can hardly tell thee what these meetings are 
 to me, — both our large parlors and the hall packed 
 closely every First day morning, and myself feeling 
 so poor and weak to be made an instrument in feed- 
 ing the multitude. But I am bound in gratitude to 
 say that the great Minister of ministers makes Him- 
 self known amongst us, blesses the bread and breaks 
 it, and condescends to employ one of the most un- 
 worthy of His servants to hand it to the almost 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 303 
 
 famished ones, of whom there are not a few in this 
 vicinity, weary of forms and panting for the sub- 
 stance. With such as these we have sometimes been 
 permitted to sit down, as at the table of the Lord, 
 enjoying true communion, and realizing that the 
 blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." 
 
 E. P. G. to Thomas Evans. 
 
 . . . Thy sympathy with my religious exercises is 
 truly helpful to me, for no one but my heavenly 
 Father knows the depths that I have passed through 
 in this place year after year. These never have been 
 greater than the present summer, when people of all 
 classes and denominations come thronging into our 
 parlors till they are quite filled. The last two weeks 
 our meetings were unusually crowned by a remark- 
 able solemnity. 
 
 . . . And now, my dear friend, I may tell thee 
 that the encouragement contained in thy letter was 
 truly helpful to me in discharging what I felt to be 
 my duty in one of the most exercising meetings I 
 have yet attended. But, oh ! how all that is within 
 me shrinks from this continuous labor, except in- 
 deed the earnest wish to be found fully faithful to 
 my God. I had not the least anticipation of this 
 sort of service in coming here, and it is so unlike 
 
304 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 my home experience. But I suppose the constant 
 changes in the gatherings at this place, in part at 
 least, accoimt for this ; and I can truly say the only 
 time I have felt condemnation was when I wilfully 
 resolved on one occasion to hold my peace ; and there 
 were several there to whom I never, in all human 
 probability, shall be again permitted to declare the 
 blessed tidings of salvation through a risen Lord. 
 
 I thought thou ought to know how much thou 
 hadst helped and comforted a poor, weak, faltering 
 sister by the abounding consolation wherewith, I do 
 believe, thou hast thyself been comforted of God. 
 
 Thomas Evans to E. P. G. 
 
 Philadelphia, Eighth mo. 21st, 1862. 
 My beloved Friend, — It has given me pleasure 
 to learn that thy sea-side home has proved a means 
 of relief from some of the distress in thy eyes ; and 
 I doubt not the benefit it has enabled thee to confer 
 on others, by the exercise of a generous and noble 
 hospitality, bringing not a few within the healthful 
 influence of ocean breezes who would not otherwise 
 have partaken of them, affords thee solid satisfaction. 
 If there is anything that renders wealth desirable, it 
 is the pleasure it confers by thus benefiting others; 
 but too often, when the means are possessed, the 
 open heart and liberal hand thus to employ it are 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 305 
 
 wanting. Go on, my dear friend, in thy Christian 
 munificence, and a blessing will attend it. I have 
 received some very interesting accounts of your 
 religious meetings. The burden must rest heavily 
 on thee and our dear friends, J. M. and M. Whitall ; 
 but don't shrink from it, for if only one soul is helped 
 on its way heavenward the reward will be abundant, 
 and he that watereth others shall be watered himself 
 . . . Some memorable instances of strangers, at- 
 tracted by curiosity, being unexpectedly arrested, 
 and broken and contrited to many tears, have lately 
 come under my notice ; so that I am prepared to say, 
 Go on in faith, following the leadings of the Good 
 Shepherd. " In the morning sow thy seed, and in 
 the evening withhold not thine hand," whenever 
 the Master bids ; for thou knowest not which shall 
 prosper, this or that. And the promise is sure that 
 " His word shall not return unto Him void, but shall 
 prosper in that whereto He sends it." 
 
 Thomas Evans to E. P. G. 
 
 Tenth mo. i6th, 1862. 
 
 . . . The Lord's ways are not as our ways, nor 
 
 His thoughts as ours. He works by means which 
 
 to human apprehension seem foolish and despicable, 
 
 but being of His ordering, and sanctified by His 
 
 spirit, they are fruitful of holiness, and no flesh can 
 
 26* 
 
3o6 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 glory in them. We need have no fear or anxiety 
 as to the result of means which He appoints, weak 
 and inadequate as they may seem to us. How 
 precious is that word of ancient declaration to the 
 soul that is emptied of itself and of all sense of 
 good: " My God shall supply all your need, accord- 
 ing to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus. Be of 
 good cheer, and go on in faith, nothing doubting." 
 . . . Thy precious letter was as welcome as it was 
 unexpected, and I felt really obliged to thee for 
 making the effort to write it. I derived comfort 
 from the fact that thy feelings were so much like 
 those I had been laboring under, and to me thou 
 wast made a messenger of consolation. Ah, what 
 a mystery this is to the men of this world, — that 
 when poor and needy, and destitute of nearly all 
 sense of good, the servant of Christ is yet made the 
 minister of good to others, and, after watering them, 
 has to return again, perhaps, to her own feeling of 
 drought and emptiness ! Is it not a striking and 
 convincing proof that the service is of the Lord, and 
 not of man's contrivance ? Be encouraged, my dear 
 sister, to wait upon thy gift ; diligently occupy it, and 
 thou wilt reap the reward. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 307 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The outbreak of the Rebellion in the Southern 
 States occurred in 186 1, threatening for a time the 
 disruption of the government, and shrouding all 
 hearts in sorrow and dismay with its constantly 
 accumulating horrors. E. P. Gurney, in common 
 with her peaceful sect, naturally felt her sympathies 
 called into their fullest exercise for those at the head 
 of affairs, that they might be rightly guided in this 
 momentous crisis. 
 
 In Tenth month, 1862, she felt constrained to pay 
 a religious visit to Abraham Lincoln, then President 
 of the United States, in which she was accompanied 
 by John M. Whitall, Hannah B. Mott, and James 
 Carey ; and after some difficulty in obtaining an inter- 
 view, waiting two days for the purpose, during which 
 their faith was sorely tried, to use her own words, 
 " The great iron door seemed to open of itself." 
 J. B. Braithwaite remarks, in the notice previously 
 quoted from : " It was on the morning of the first day 
 of the week, in a beating rain, that the little party 
 
3o8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 repaired to the White House, where they were at 
 once introduced into the private apartment of Presi- 
 dent Lincoln. They quickly recognized his tall, 
 commanding figure as he rose to receive them ; 
 and the cordial grasp of his hand as they were 
 separately named to him at once placed them at ease. 
 Deep thoughtfulness and intense anxiety marked his 
 countenance, and created involuntary sympathy for 
 him in this great national crisis. He at first sup- 
 posed E. P. Gurney to be from England, but was 
 soon undeceived." 
 
 One of the party, in describing the visit, remarked: 
 " It was a time not soon to be forgotten ; the deep 
 solemnity, the almost awful silence that reigned 
 within that room formed, as thou wilt believe, a 
 striking contrast to the fearful scene of strife and 
 carnage that was enacted, almost within sight, just 
 on the other bank of the Potomac. And then to 
 see the tears run down the cheeks of our honored 
 President as E. P. Gurney solemnly addressed him ! 
 I cannot possibly describe the impressive scene. 
 When prayer was offered, he reverently bowed his 
 head, and certainly evinced deep feeling. When we 
 rose to go, he very kindly took leave of us all, and, 
 retaining E. P. Gurney's hand, he made a beautiful 
 response to what had been previously said. Her 
 address to him was taken down from memory by 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 309 
 
 our little party, — at least an outline of it, — and it is 
 as follows : 
 
 " ' I can truly say it is not from any motive of idle 
 curiosity that I have requested this interview. I 
 come in the love of the gospel of our Lord and 
 Saviour Jesus Christ, — that blessed gospel which 
 breathes glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, 
 and good will to men. In common with the mem- 
 bers of my own Society, — may I not say in common 
 with every true-hearted citizen of the United States? 
 — my spirit has been introduced into near sympathy 
 with our Chief Magistrate in the heavy weight of 
 responsibility that rests upon him ; believing, as I 
 do, that in the faithful discharge of his various and 
 important duties he does endeavor to preserve a 
 conscience void of offence toward God and man. 
 And earnestly have I desired that when weighted 
 with cares and anxieties he may commit his way 
 unto the Lord, that he may be careful for nothing, 
 but in everything, by prayer and supplication with 
 thanksgiving, he may let his requests be made 
 known unto God ; and then, whatever the trials and 
 perplexities he may have to pass through, the peace 
 of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep 
 his heart and mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 
 " ' In common with thousands and tens of thou- 
 sands on both sides of the Atlantic, my heart has re- 
 
310 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 joiced in the noble effort which our honored President 
 has made to keep the true fast, — the fast which the 
 Lord hath chosen, — to loose the bands of wickedness, 
 to undo the heavy burthens, to let the oppressed go 
 free ; and I assuredly believe that for this magnan- 
 imous deed the children yet unborn will rise up and 
 call him blessed in the name of the Lord. But trials 
 and persecutions are the lot of all who endeavor 
 to maintain a just weight and a just balance, and 
 who desire to be found walking in the path of up- 
 rightness. Then how sweet is the assurance to the 
 Christian believer that God is his refuge and strength, 
 a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not 
 we fear, though the earth be removed, and though 
 the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, 
 though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, 
 though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof 
 There is a river the streams whereof make glad the 
 whole heritage of God. And seeing how difficult 
 it is to accomplish that which we wish, and how 
 vain is the help of man, I have earnestly desired 
 that the President might repair day by day, and 
 oftener than the day, to this river of God, which is 
 full of water, even to the well-spring of Eternal Life, 
 that thus his spirit may be strengthened and re- 
 freshed, and be fitted for the 'right performance of 
 his various and arduous duties ; and by the grace of 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 311 
 
 God he may be made an instrument in hastening the 
 coming of that glorious day when the kingdoms of 
 this world shall become the kingdoms of bur God 
 and of his Christ, and He shall rule and reign for- 
 ever and for evermore ; when swords shall be beaten 
 into pruning-hooks, when nation shall no longer lift 
 up sword against nation, nor the people learn war 
 any more. What a glorious transition would be wit- 
 nessed here, from a scene of desolation and sorrow 
 and suffering to one of peace and joy and love ! The 
 wilderness would become as Eden, the desert as the 
 garden of the Lord ; joy and gladness would be 
 found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. 
 And now, my dear friend, if so I may be permitted 
 to call thee, may the Lord bless thee and keep thee, 
 lift up the light of His glorious countenance upon 
 thee, and give thee peace ! How precious is the 
 assurance, contained in the blessed book of Divine 
 inspiration, that they that dwell in the secret place of 
 the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the 
 Almighty 1 He shall cover them with His feathers, 
 and under His wings shall they trust. His truth 
 shall be their shield and buckler. A thousand may 
 fall at their sidfe, and ten thousand at their right 
 hand, but it shall not come nigh them, because 
 they have made the Lord their refuge, even the 
 Most High their habitation; there shall no evil 
 
312 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 befall them, neither shall any plague come nigh 
 their dwelling. 
 
 " ' May this be thy blessed experience ! May our 
 Father in heaven guide thee by His own unerring 
 counsel through the remaining difficulties of thy 
 wilderness journey, bestow upon thee a double 
 portion of that wisdom which cometh down from 
 above, and, finally, when thou shalt have served thy 
 generation according to the will of God, through 
 the fulness of His atoning, pardoning love and mercy 
 in Jesus Christ our Lord, receive thy ransomed spirit 
 into that rest which remaineth for the people of 
 God, unite it to the glorious company of victors 
 whom the apostle saw standing on the sea of glas^ 
 mingled with fire, having the harps of God in their 
 hands ! And they sang the song of Moses and the 
 song of the Lamb, saying, " Great and marvellous are 
 Thy works. Lord God Almighty, just and true are all 
 Thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear 
 before Thee and glorify Thy name, for Thou only 
 art holy !" ' 
 
 " E. P. Gurney then knelt in fervent prayer for her 
 country and for the President, who appeared bowed 
 under a sense of his deep responsibilities. After a 
 solemn pause he replied, very deliberately, nearly in 
 the following words : 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 313 
 
 " I am glad of this interview. In the very re- 
 sponsible situation in which I am placed, as an 
 humble instrument in the hands of my heavenly 
 Father, I have desired that all my words and actions 
 may be in accordance with His will; but if, after 
 endeavoring to do my best with the light which He 
 affords me, I find my efforts fail, then I must believe 
 that, for some purpose unknown to me, He wills it 
 otherwise. If I had had my way, this war would 
 never have been ; but, nevertheless, it came. If I 
 had had my way, the war would have ended before 
 this; but, nevertheless, it still continues. We must 
 conclude that He permits it for some wise purpose, 
 though we may not be able to comprehend it; for 
 we cannot but believe that He who made the world 
 still governs it. I repeat that I am glad of this 
 interview." 
 
 Nearly a year later, E. P. Gurney received a special 
 request from the President, through Isaac Newton, 
 United States Commissioner of Agriculture, that she 
 would write to him ; and having before had it on her 
 mind to do so, she wrote the following : 
 
 To the President of the United States. 
 
 Earlham Lodge, Eighth mo. i8th, 1863. 
 
 Esteemed Friend, Abraham Lincoln, — Many 
 
 times since I was privileged to have an interview 
 
 27 
 
314 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 with thee, nearly a year ago, my mind has turned 
 toward thee with feelings of sincere and Christian 
 interest; and as our kind friend, Isaac Newton, offers 
 to be the bearer of a paper messenger, I feel inclined 
 to give thee the assurance of my continued hearty 
 sympathy in all thy heavy burthens and responsi- 
 bilities, and to express not only my own earnest 
 prayer, but, I believe, the prayer of many thousands 
 whose hearts thou hast gladdened by thy praise- 
 worthy and successful efforts " to burst the bands of 
 wickedness and let the oppressed go free" that the 
 Almighty Ruler of the universe may strengthen 
 thee to accomplish all the blessed purposes which, 
 in the unerring counsel of His will and wisdom, I 
 do assuredly believe He did design to make thee 
 instrumental in accomplishing when He appointed 
 thee thy present post of vast responsibility as the 
 Chief Magistrate of this great nation. 
 
 Many are the trials incident to such positions, and I 
 believe thy conflicts and anxieties have not been few. 
 " May the Lord hear thee in this day of trouble, the 
 name of the God of Jacob defend thee, send thee 
 help from His sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of 
 Zion." The Lord fulfil all thy petitions that are 
 put up in the name of the Prince of peace, of the 
 increase of whose government and of whose peace 
 He has Himself declared there shall never be an end. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 3IS 
 
 I can hardly refrain from expressing my cordial ap- 
 proval of thy late excellent proclamation appointing 
 a day of thanksgiving for the sparing and preserving 
 mercies which, in the tender loving-kindness of our 
 God and Saviour, have been so bountifully showered 
 upon us ; for though (as a religious people) we do 
 not set apart especial seasons for returning thanks 
 either for spiritual or temporal blessings, yet, as I 
 humbly trust, our hearts are filled with gratitude to 
 our Almighty Father that His delivering arm of 
 love and power has been so manifestly round about 
 us. And I rejoice in the decided recognition of an 
 all-wise and superintending Providence, which is so 
 marked a feature in the aforesaid document, as well 
 as the immediate influence and guidance of the Holy 
 Spirit, which perhaps never in any previous state 
 paper has been so fully recognized before. Espe- 
 cially did my inmost heart respond to thy desire 
 " that the angry feeling which has so long sustained 
 this needless and cruel rebellion may be subdued, 
 the hearts of the insurgents changed, and the whole 
 nation be led through paths of repentance and sub- 
 mission to the Divine Will back to the perfect en- 
 joyment of union and fraternal peace. May the 
 Lord in His infinite compassion hasten the day ! 
 I will not occupy thy time unduly, but, in a feeling 
 of true Christian sympathy and gospel love, com- 
 
3i6 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 mend thee and thy wife and your two dear children 
 to the preserving care of the unslumbering Shep- 
 herd, who in His matchless mercy gave His life for 
 the sheep, who is alone able to keep us from falling, 
 and, finally, when done with the unsatisfying things 
 of mutability, to give us an everlasting inheritance 
 among all them that are sanctified through the 
 eternal spirit of our God. 
 
 Respectfully and sincerely thy assured friend, 
 
 Eliza P. Gurney. 
 
 In the following year President Lincoln sent to 
 E. P. Gurney the following acknowledgment of her 
 
 visit and letter : 
 
 Executive Mansion, 
 
 Washington, September 4th, 1864. 
 
 Eliza P. Gurney : 
 
 My esteemed Friend, — I have not forgotten, 
 probably never shall forget, the very impressive 
 occasion when yourself and friends visited me on a 
 Sabbath forenoon two years ago. Nor has your kind 
 letter, written nearly a year later, ever been forgotten. 
 In all it has been your purpose to strengthen my 
 reliance on God. I am much indebted to the good 
 Christian people of the country for their constant 
 prayers and consolations, and to no one of them more 
 than to yourself The purposes of the Almighty are 
 perfect, and must prevail, though we erring mortals 
 
visx^ finX»-tA fi^ /vi£-s«r /^»-Cv /^^^-e^ jB^ct^'o^ <^~ 
 kev4^ ^/^ C^»-i^ ,^p^k^ effy^^tiGZii 
 
£h K'A^ pi^^Z.,.c4^ /d^}r^ rt-ai^^^ <Urv9%y fv ./v^yi. 
 
 SyC& /.jTsw- O^ix^s^ 4r^^>«»-*»*e^'?5Sj e«x-.^^*'« 
 ^te^w' ,1/wtr ,^^rv»v' 0,'V^,a\^ ^fi^a^-~o jb^o rC^^'M^^ 
 
 /^^/ MiffV </ C^n-«Z*<^ <i/j — i^ c^-w^ ,t^ f>i~y ^Tvw 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 317 
 
 may fail to accurately perceive them in advance. 
 We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible 
 war long before this ; but God knows best, and has 
 ruled otherwise. We shill yet acknowledge His 
 wisdom and our own error therein. Meanwhile we 
 must work earnestly in the best light He gives us, 
 trusting that so working still conduces to the great 
 ends He ordains. Surely He intends some great 
 good to follow this mighty convulsion, w^ich no 
 mortal could make, and no mortal could stay. Your 
 people, the Friends, have had and are having a very 
 great trial. On principle and faith opposed to both 
 war and oppression, they can only practically oppose 
 oppression by war. In this hard dilemma some have 
 chosen one horn and some the other. For those 
 appealing to me on conscientious grounds I have 
 done, and shall do, the best I could and can, in my 
 own conscience, under my oath to the law. That 
 you believe this I doubt not, and, believing it, I 
 shall still receive for our country and myself your 
 earnest prayers to our Father in heaven. 
 Your sincere friend, 
 
 A. Lincoln. 
 
 The original of the foregoing letter, which E. P. G. 
 
 had treasured with great care, was finally presented 
 
 by her, at the suggestion of William Edward 
 
 27* 
 
3i8 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Forster, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania 
 for safe preservation. 
 
 The concluding letter of this interesting corre- 
 spondence is subjoined : 
 
 To the President of the United States. 
 
 Earlham Lodge, Ninth mo. 8th, 1864. 
 
 Esteemed Friend, Abraham Lincoln, — I like 
 to address thee in thy own familiar way, and tell 
 thee how grateful to my feelings is thy valued and 
 valuable letter, which I shall keep among va.y treas- 
 ured things, and for which allow me to return thee 
 my sincere and grateful thanks. In the close and 
 absorbing occupation of thy daily life, I know it 
 must be difificult to find a moment to appropriate to 
 courtesies of this description, and I appreciate ac- 
 cordingly the generous effort thou hast made on my 
 behalf, one which I certainly did not anticipate 
 when, from a motive of sincere and Christian interest, 
 I ventured to impose upon thee a written evidence 
 of my unfeigned regard. The visit which I paid 
 thee two years since, of which thou hast made such 
 gratifying mention, was not, as I believe thou art 
 aware, the effect of idle curiosity, but of a true con- 
 cern which, as I cannot doubt, was laid upon me 
 by my heavenly Father, and of which I could not 
 possibly divest myself in any other way. So that, if 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 319 
 
 there was any consolation in the message, I believe 
 thou mayest receive it as coming not truly from a 
 very feeble and unworthy instrument, but from that 
 gracious God who comforts all that mourn. 
 
 May He continue to sustain and strengthen, up- 
 hold and comfort thee in every future exigency; 
 and when He has enabled thee, in the meekness and 
 gentleness, the patience and forbearance, the firmness 
 and integrity of the truth, to fulfil His gracious 
 will, when all His blessed purposes concerning thee 
 shall be accomplished, through His redeeming and 
 unbounded mercy in the only Saviour, may He re- 
 ceive thy ransomed spirit into glory ! Friends have 
 been placed, as thou hast justly said, in a peculiar 
 and somewhat anomalous position. Decidedly op- 
 posed to all oppression, and believing as they do 
 that the holding of our fellow-men in cruel bondage 
 is a sin of the deepest dye in the sight of a just and 
 holy Judge, and .earnestly desiring their enfranchise- 
 ment from the galling chains imposed upon them by 
 their task-masters, nevertheless they cannot consci- 
 entiously resort to arms even to effect this blessed 
 and devoutly to be wished for end. The weapons 
 of their warfare are not carnal. The Saviour has 
 commanded them to love their enemies ; therefore 
 they dare not fight them. The only victory which 
 they as followers of the Prince of peace can with 
 
320 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 consistency rejoice in, is that which is alone obtained, 
 through the transforming power of the grace of 
 God, over the world, the flesh, and the Evil One. 
 " This is the victory that overcometh the world," 
 saith the apostle, " even our faith." And, again, 
 " Who is he that overcometh the world but he that 
 believeth that Jesus is the Son of God." May this 
 vital, operative faith, which is the substance of things 
 hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, be more 
 abundantly bestowed upon us ! Then, though the 
 surface may be tempest-tossed, being justified by 
 faith, the believer in Jesus will have a holy calm, 
 peace with God, a deep, still undercurrent of soul- 
 satisfying happiness which even the rudest storms of 
 time fail to disturb, and none of the vicissitudes of 
 life have any power over. An heir of heaven, with 
 childlike confidence he can adopt the language, 
 " The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom 
 shall I fear ? The Lord is the strength of my life, 
 of whom shall I be afraid?" "For in the time of 
 trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion, in the 
 secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me ; He shall 
 set me up upon a Rock, and now shall my head be 
 lifted up above mine enemies; therefore will I offer 
 in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy." That this may 
 be thy blessed experience is the fervent desire of my 
 heart. In conclusion, I would just remark that the 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 321 
 
 very kind consideration for the religious scruples of 
 the Society of Friends which has been so invariably 
 and generously manifested by the government, and 
 especially by our honored Executive, has been fully 
 and gratefully appreciated. I think I may venture 
 to say that Friends are not less loyal for the leni- 
 ency with which their honest convictions have been 
 treated, and I believe there are very few amongst us 
 who would not lament to see any other than Abra- 
 ham Lincoln fill the Presidential chair, at least at 
 the next election, believing as we do that he is 
 conscientiously endeavoring, according to his own 
 convictions of right, to fulfil the important trust com- 
 mitted to him, and to discharge the solemn duties of 
 his high and responsible office, "not with eye-service, 
 as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing 
 God." May our worthy Chief Magistrate yet see the 
 day when the Prince of peace, the Wonderful Coun- 
 sellor, shall rule and reign over this now distracted 
 country ! The Union unbroken, the oppressed set 
 free, and, instead of the sounds of lamentation and 
 woe which now so often fill the heart with mourning, 
 "Joy and gladness shall be heard therein, thanks- 
 giving and the voice of melody." That the Lord in 
 His infinite compassion may hasten the day is the 
 fervent prayer of thy sincere and obliged friend, 
 
 E. P. GURNEY. 
 
322 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 After the close of the war in 1865, followed in a 
 few days by the assassination of the President, E. P. 
 Gurney had the mournful satisfaction of learning 
 that " her first letter had been carefully treasured up 
 by him, and was in his breast-pocket when the fatal 
 shot reached him." 
 
 The summer of i860 was saddened by the illness 
 and death of E. P. Gurney's eldest sister, F. M. 
 Shoemaker, of Philadelphia, a bereavement which 
 affected her deeply. 
 
 In the autumn of the same year occurred a de- 
 lightful incident in E. P. Gurney's now quiet life, in 
 a visit from her husband's grandson, John Henry 
 Backhouse, the son of Anna Backhouse, accompa- 
 nied by his aunt, Eliza Barclay, and his tutor, Wil- 
 liam S. Lean. The little child whom E. P. G. had 
 left in England, so sadly bereaved of his mother, had 
 now grown into a tall youth of brilliant promise and 
 attractive manners, and his loving attention to his 
 grandmother and lively, intelligent interest in the 
 novel scenes about him afforded her the highest 
 gratification. 
 
 The party passed several weeks at West Hill and 
 in various excursions, among which may be noted 
 the attendance of North Carolina Yearly Meeting 
 by E. Barclay and E. P. Gurney, which proved an 
 interesting experience. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 323 
 
 The visitors returned to England in First month, 
 1861. 
 
 E. P. G. to E. Barclay. 
 
 West Hill, First mo. loth, 1863. 
 
 . . . My heart is turning toward thee and our dear 
 John Henry with loving interest, and earnest is the 
 breathing of my spirit that the new year on which 
 we have just entered, may, through the riches of a 
 Saviour's love, be full of choicest blessings to you 
 both. And in this wish I would include the two 
 dear youths who are so pleasantly associated with 
 you, in whose best welfare I do feel the truest inter- 
 est, both for their own and for their parents' sake. 
 There is something saddening to most hearts in 
 glancing at the pages of the old year's history, espe- 
 cially if we find recorded there, " somewhat against 
 us," duties neglected, hours misspent, and talents 
 misemployed. Though this may not apply to the 
 three dear ones who are now thy charge, I have de- 
 sired that on the unseen, unsullied pages of the 
 coming year may be inscribed a covenant of life and 
 peace, a covenant that never can be broken ; that the 
 blessed Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep 
 may betroth them unto Him in loving kindness and 
 tender mercy, and in very faithfulness; that they may 
 " know the Lord," that so the beautiful inspired 
 declaration may apply to each of them, " My cove- 
 
324 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OE 
 
 nant was with him of life and of peace, and I gave 
 them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me 
 and was afraid before my name." 
 
 The memory of past griefs still from time to time 
 cast a shadow over E. P. Gurney's spirit. She writes : 
 
 First mo. 5th, 1864. 
 
 . . . Alas ! these solemn anniversaries ! This was 
 the seventeenth, and yet almost as sad as any that 
 preceded it, everything did so vividly recall that 
 awful, memorable day in 1847. The moon, that 
 " faithful witness in heaven," seen through the hazy 
 twilight of the early morning, just as I saw it then, 
 just as I have continued to observe it since on each 
 succeeding anniversary, the only time in the whole 
 year I ever notice it; and then the ground all covered 
 with its snowy shroud for the first time, as then. 
 The resemblance was but too complete, making my 
 heart ache painfully. 
 
 To-day, however, I can rise a little from this depth 
 of sadness, and follow that most tenderly beloved and 
 sainted one to his bright mansion of eternal joy. 
 " When shall I wake and find me there ?" 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 325 
 
 Amy Y. Tatum to E. P. G. 
 
 Ninth mo. 6th, 1866. 
 
 ... I think of thee now, my beloved friend, as 
 again enjoying thy pleasant winter house, I hope 
 with increased health and strength. I could enter 
 into thy feeling in relation to the duty which de- 
 volved upon thee in thy seaside home, — duty which 
 necessarily involved peculiar exercise; but I do so 
 value a clear spiritual vision where there is scarcely 
 room to doubt the Divine requisition, that in think- 
 ing of thee as filling thy mission, though through 
 many exercises, it may be through much fear and 
 trembling, — yet, I do not, cannot doubt, with the 
 peaceful consciousness that thou art following His 
 bidding, — I think of thee, dear Eliza, as one pecu- 
 liarly blessed of the Lord. ... A little while and 
 the blessed summons will reunite the members of 
 the household of faith in that better land, where it 
 will be their glorious privilege to offer, without in- 
 terruption and from sanctified spirits, the tribute of 
 praise to Him who has redeemed them, and washed 
 their robes in His own precious blood. That this 
 will be thy experience, my dearest friend, I do not 
 for one moment doubt ; and wilt thou not pray for 
 me, that it may, through atoning mercy, be granted 
 
 to thy friend to witness the efficacy of the blood of 
 
 28 
 
326 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 sprinkling, that her sins, which are many, may be 
 blotted out, and she too be admitted, even though it 
 be to the lowest place in the heavenly kingdom ? 
 
 E. P. G. to M. Whitall. 
 
 Tenth mo. 31st, 1866. 
 
 ... I was right glad to hear was acknowl- 
 edged, believing that the time had come for it. My 
 heart salutes him in a fresh feeling, as I trust, of 
 gospel love, and bids him cordially Godspeed. 
 Dear fellow ! I do truly feel for him in entering as 
 it were upon the conflict, remembering vividly " the 
 misery and the affliction, the wormwood and the 
 gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and 
 is humbled within me.'' I know this is not a pop- 
 ular doctrine in the present d'ay, but I assuredly 
 believe these painful humiliations are inseparable 
 from a baptized and baptizing ministry, and there- 
 fore I could not ask exemption from them for any 
 one I love. But may this youthful soldier " be 
 strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus," willing 
 to "be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel," 
 not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, but by 
 the power of His spirit " rightly dividing the word 
 of Truth," fighting the good fight of faith, laying 
 hold on eternal life ! May he at last receive the 
 blessed welcome, not for any works of righteous- 
 
ELrZA p. GURNEY. 
 
 327 
 
 ness which he hath done, but through the fulness 
 of unmerited mercy: "Well done, good and faithful 
 servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord !" 
 
 In 1866, E. P. Gurney was called to part with her 
 beloved sister, Julia K. Clarke, who died Twelfth 
 month loth, after a lingering illness, in peace, and 
 in confident hope of a blessed immortality. Re- 
 markably warm and congenial in their feelings, yet 
 of singularly independent judgment, the sisters had 
 remained closely attached in heart through all the 
 separations of their varied lives, and E. P. Gurney 
 was deeply bowed under this affliction, in which her 
 family and friends largely shared. 
 
 William J. AUinson to E. P. G. and M. A. W. 
 
 Twelfth mo., 1866. 
 
 Dear Friends, — I long to speak a word of sym- 
 pathy, though I am well aware that, being comforted 
 of God, the mere assurance of what you know we 
 feel, cannot add to your consolation. What fulness 
 of peace there is in the contemplation of dear J. K. 
 Clarke's blessed decline and entrance into life! Her 
 faith reminds me of the language respecting Abra- 
 ham, that " He believed God, and it was imputed 
 unto him for righteousness." How wonderful the 
 completeness of her preparation ! All last words and 
 
328 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 leave-takings, all arrangements perfected; the full 
 assurance of pardon, peace, and acceptance granted; 
 the glorious rejoicing in a sense of the King's favor, 
 yet with sweet humility recognizing it as all of grace 
 and mercy; no cloud permitted to pass over the Sun, 
 which had risen to set no more; the anointing for 
 the burial continuing sweet and fragrant ; the per- 
 fectly painless dismissal ; the whole tending to the 
 glory of God, and loudly preaching the need of 
 readiness for the Messenger, who often, as in this 
 instance, cometh in an hour when we think not. 
 
 John Hodgkin to E. P. G. 
 
 Seventh mo. 4th, 1868. 
 
 ... I doubt not that with you, as well as with us, 
 patience and faith are largely needed, lest we faint 
 under the discouragements of the way. If this 
 should reach thee whilst at Atlantic City, I must 
 say to thee, as Moses did to Joshua, " Be strong, and 
 of a good courage." It does seem to be a part of 
 thy work which has in rather an especial manner 
 been owned of the Lord. 
 
 Israel W. Morris to E, P. G. 
 
 Green Hill Farm, Fourth mo. 3d, 1868. 
 My dear Friend, E. P. Gurney, — In a letter re- 
 ceived by me this day from our mutual friend, J. R. 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 329 
 
 Braithwaite, he says, " Will it be troubling thee too 
 much for one of thy children to transmit a message 
 of my dear love to E. P. Gurney ? I often think of 
 her, and had intended to write to-day. I hope to do 
 so before long." Now love is so precious an article 
 to deal in, that I have preferred myself to be the 
 means for transmission, and it affords the facility to 
 add that I am, in love, thy attached friend, Israel W. 
 Morris. 
 
 The warrant for all this is abundantly afforded by 
 Him in whom is our life, when He said, " By this 
 shall all men know that ye are my disciples : if ye 
 have love one unto another." Farewell ! 
 
 E. P. G. to Thomas Evans. 
 
 Fifth mo. isth, 1868. 
 
 I have a letter from Charles L. Willits, saying that 
 Friends of Haddonfield have come to the conclusion 
 to hold a meeting at Atlantic City, of which I am 
 truly glad. In some ways it will be a great relief to 
 me, taking away the burthen of responsibility, which 
 rested very heavily upon me. I do not see, how- 
 ever, how it would be possible to build a house in 
 six or seven weeks, and think they must intend to 
 rent a room. 
 
 The meeting referred to above was held for a time 
 28* 
 
33° 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 in a room hired for the purpose, and under the care 
 of a committee of Haddonfield Quarterly Meeting. 
 A commodious and pleasant house was soon after 
 built, and has since continued to be occupied by 
 Friends on First day during the summer. The re- 
 lief which this arrangement afforded to E. P. Gurney 
 was very great, though her services in the ministry 
 were still frequent, and often very impressive. 
 
 Some letters follow, though slightly out of chron- 
 ological order, expressive of the interest and sym- 
 pathy felt by her friends in these engagements. 
 
 M. Whitall to E. P. G. 
 
 Seventh mo. 26th, 1S68. 
 
 ... I do believe I never said farewell to thee 
 under a deeper feeling of true sympathy and a 
 stronger flow of sisterly love, with a sense that the 
 world, as it passed by thee at Atlantic City, knew 
 nothing of the burdens and the baptisms that were 
 sometimes thy portion. But there is an Eye that 
 sees and an Ear that is ever open, and a blessed 
 Arm extended for thy support. Its strength thou 
 hast again and again proved, and it will never be 
 withheld from thee. These meetings, with all the 
 sayings and doings, have been no small matter, and 
 now that they have been regularly commenced, the 
 responsibility will rest with no little weight some- 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 331 
 
 where. I do expect thou wilt have thy portion, and 
 believe that in and under all the Lord will be thy 
 helper ; therefore thou need not fear. Thy being at 
 Atlantic City and thy services there I doubt not 
 have been of His ordering and to His praise. Could 
 thou ask more? We heard through several chan- 
 nels that you had a very good meeting on First day. 
 I doubt whether thou wilt find it any easier than 
 when in thy own house. I cannot but believe that 
 it is the design of our Father that the healing influ- 
 ences of His love and mercy should flow there. 
 May they run even into a broad river, that shall 
 swallow up and carry to the bottom of the sea those 
 mountains of prejudice that seem at times as if they 
 would hide the love of Jesus. 
 
 William J. Allinson to E. P. G. 
 
 Seventh mo. 9th, 1870. 
 
 We hear with pleasure that your meeting has 
 opened, and that thou hast been employed therein. 
 This is an important part of thy life-service, — to raise 
 the standard when others would suffer it to trail. 
 As I recently hinted to thee, I often feel thankful, 
 not merely for the gift committed to thee, but for thy 
 fidelity in keeping very closely to it, so that there 
 is no room for gainsayers. This is a favor to the 
 Church, as thou hast not only thy individual work 
 
332 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 to perform, but art intrusted with sustaining the 
 character and memory of one so greatly beloved and 
 honored of the Lord. There is a beautiful Provi- 
 dence in this which has often affeeted my heart. The 
 clear sounding of the full gospel truth through thee 
 is a pledge and a convincing proof of his Christian 
 and Quaker soundness, the value of which it is im- 
 possible to overestimate. I do not know, in the 
 range of Christian history, an instance of equal value, 
 — of a true wife triumphantly holding the pure fame 
 of a noble husband, unscathed, untarnished, and glo- 
 rious, above the billows of threatening yet impotent 
 calumny. I do not touch lightly upon this sacred 
 topic. I trust thou wilt excuse the liberty. 
 
 H. K. H. to M. Whitall. 
 
 Seventh mo. nth, 1871. 
 
 . . . Thou wouldst have rejoiced in the meeting 
 on First day ; it was larger than that of the previous 
 week, and a particularly sweet feeling prevailed. 
 Darling Aunt Gurney spoke with much feeling and 
 power. It was one of her full sermons, and the silence 
 that followed was profound. She then knelt in solemn 
 prayer. Thou knowest what her prayers are. I 
 think I never more felt the sweetness and solemnity 
 of this privilege ; one forgot, as it were, the servant 
 in the felt presence of the Master. Many tearful 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 333 
 
 eyes gave witness that hearts had been touched and 
 comforted. George M. Elkinton said a few words in 
 conclusion, and the meeting separated under a feel- 
 ing of thankfulness to Him who had so truly fed the 
 multitude. ... I thought this morning, as I heard 
 
 her talking to and of the Lord's dealings 
 
 with His children, what a comforter she is to many. 
 She seems stronger and better for being here, and, as 
 thou sayest, she is truly in her right place. 
 
 J. B. Braithwaite to E. P. G. 
 
 Tenth mo. 29th, 1871. 
 
 . . . Whatever our anxieties may be, I have great 
 faith that, in the tender mercy of our gracious Re- 
 deemer, the vessel will be ■ preserved and guided 
 through every storm. There may be times when, 
 for the trial of the disciples' faith. He may be as it 
 were asleep ; but it is only that His power and love 
 may be magnified when He shall be pleased to arise 
 at their cry and say to the waves, "Peace, be still 1" 
 
 M. Whitall to E. P. G. 
 
 Eighth mo. 12th, 1873. 
 
 . . . We often hear the remark, " We have had a 
 most excellent sermon ;" but Vfhen a person can 
 say, " My case was so remarkably spoken to I was 
 helped forward and strengthened to trust and not be 
 
334 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 afraid," it means a great deal more. And I hope 
 thou, my dear friend, may be more and more filled 
 with an earnest desire to be found faithful in doing 
 the Lord's work, be it what it may. It is certainly 
 a very responsible thing to be intrusted with His 
 precious gifts ; and I believe the location of thy 
 summer home is of His ordering. The field there 
 is large and laborious. May the comparative rest 
 thou may feel now be sweet to thee ! 
 
 Dr. Joseph W. Taylor to E. P. G. 
 
 Ninth mo. l6th, 1875. 
 
 My dear Friend, — May I tell thee of the satis- 
 faction the retrospect of my visit to you affords me ? 
 Truly, it felt to me a continuous Sabbath, and the 
 "Son of Peace" seemed to dwell there. Was not 
 this favor granted to thee, and, in some measure, to 
 those around thee, as a reward for faithfulness in 
 bearing the burdens of the word, and in preaching 
 the gospel to that assemblage of attentive and in- 
 terested people who have been drawn to your meet- 
 ings at Atlantic City? I doubt not that the views 
 and principles of Friends have thus been dissem- 
 inated, and that many have been helped to see and 
 feel the beauty, simplicity, and power of gospel 
 truths beyond what they had ever known before. 
 That meeting I consider second to none in Phila- 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 335 
 
 delphia Yearly Meeting in usefulness and import- 
 ance, and upon thy shoulders has rested the burden 
 of its support. My thoughts often turn with interest 
 to these meetings, and with feelings of sympathy for 
 thee. But, dear friend, no one knows better than 
 thyself where to place these burdens, and find help 
 in every time of need. Who can doubt that for this 
 evening sacrifice a rich reward of peace will rest 
 upon thee ? 
 
 Samuel Battle to E. P. G. 
 
 Seventh mo. 24th, 1879. 
 
 . . . Inquiries of others and recent information 
 have informed me of thy settlement by the sea, and 
 of thy presence at meeting at Atlantic City. I am 
 always glad to hear of thee in assemblies of the 
 people, and especially at that city, where thy labors 
 have been, as elsewhere, long and abundantly blessed. 
 And the assurance is now evidently felt in thy heart 
 that " He who has helped thee hitherto will help 
 thee all thy journey through," and that the " dew of 
 thy youth" will not dry up, but that thou wilt be 
 found bringing forth fruit in advancing years. The 
 Lord is not unrighteous to forget thy work and labor 
 of love for Himself, and in ministrations to His ser- 
 vants and people. Continue thou, my beloved friend, 
 to rest in His love and to labor in His cause. He 
 
336 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 who has been thy morning light has not forgotten 
 thee, and will be thy evening song and crown of 
 rejoicing. 
 
 . . . How barren and fruitless of anything to in- 
 terest this poor missive seems ; but of this I can 
 assure thee, — that it is a real comfort just to think 
 of thee, to glance backward to our long, unbroken 
 friendship, and forward to " our Father's home." 
 May we through mere mercy be safely gathered 
 there ! Perhaps I cannot better conclude th9.n by 
 quoting a verse from a piece addressed to me on the 
 subject of our mutual friendship by a poetic friend 
 who died not long since, an Episcopal clergyman, 
 Charles West Thomson : 
 
 " May the seal of Eternity rest on the bond ! 
 
 Through life may it last, undiminished and pure ; 
 And when we may gain the bright region beyond. 
 May we find it still round us, redoubled and sure !" 
 
 E. P. Gurney's path was again shadowed with 
 deep sorrow by the decease, in the summer of 1869, 
 of her husband's grandson, J. H. Backhouse, who 
 had been so pleasantly with her some years before ; 
 and she could but bow in humble submission to the 
 mysterious Providence which called away, as in a 
 moment, this child of many prayers, just entering 
 upon manhood, and, to all human perception, on the 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 337 
 
 threshold of a life of singular promise and possibili- 
 ties. His character and happy end are well sketched 
 in the following letters. 
 
 J. Hodgkin to E, P. G. 
 
 Seventh mo. 31st, 1869. 
 
 My heart turns with especial sympathy and love 
 to thee in this great trial which has been dispensed 
 to us so unexpectedly, and in which thou ha.st so 
 large a part, both in thy own great loss and also 
 from the fresh opening of wounds with which it is 
 so closely connected. . . . My dear aunt and cousin 
 are " chastened, but not killed ;" they are " sorrow- 
 ful," and yet, I might almost say, " alway rejoicing" 
 in the blessed evidence which was so abundantly 
 furnished that death was swallowed up in victory. 
 It is indeed a privilege to be with them ; for while 
 we can but feel that dear Eliza is truly like a wid- 
 owed mother who has lost an only son just entering 
 upon a life full of promise of every kind, yet all her 
 loving care in his training, spiritual, moral, and in- 
 tellectual, seems to be crowned with complete suc- 
 cess, only it is a success for heaven instead of 
 earth. I wish thou couldst share the atmosphere 
 of this house. I feel that all who are brought 
 within the influence of the death-bed happiness of 
 this youthful disciple of the Lord Jesus have an 
 
338 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 added responsibility ; for what but the certainty of 
 the heavenly inheritance, the witness of the Spirit 
 so abundantly granted him, could have enabled him 
 to give up all his earthly possessions, interests, and 
 prospects without a tinge of regret, and to thank 
 God for the blessing and mercy and joy which were 
 before him, and seemed almost present to his view ? 
 
 A. Y. Tatum to E. P. G. 
 
 Eighth mo. nth, 1869. 
 
 My own beloved Friend, — What a blow is this 1 
 Can it be that that cherished scion of a noble and 
 venerated stock has been so early transplanted to his 
 heavenly inheritance ? How many hopes centred in 
 a life so full of promise ! Truly " death loves a 
 shining mark." Dear E. B., too ! Her best earthly 
 hopes were placed on this son of her adoption, and 
 now they are indeed crushed. His early and care- 
 ful training, his position, his many noble qualities, 
 and his ancestry all combined to create the fondest 
 expectations. True indeed it is that here we know 
 but in part, but there the veil so impenetrable to our 
 mortal vision will be lifted. We know not what 
 storms of temptation and of grief might have awaited 
 him in a world which lieth in wickedness, and now 
 he is safely housed from all. My own dear friend, 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^jg 
 
 my heart goes forth to thee in unutterable sympathy 
 and love, and I do rejoice in knowing that thou hast 
 an anchor sure and steadfast. He who has been 
 with thee in thy many deep trials will not fail thee 
 now, but will, as heretofore, uphold thee by His 
 strong arm of power, and enable thee, even in deep 
 waters, to praise Him who has been, and is, the 
 " light of thy countenance and thy God." 
 
 JOHN HENRY BACKHOUSE. 
 
 " He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest it him, even length of 
 days for ever and ever." — Psalms xxi. 4. 
 
 We asked for life, dear Lord, for him, 
 
 A life attuned unto Thy praise ; 
 We asked in faith. Thou gavest him^ 
 
 The length of everlasting days. 
 Thou gayest service, made him meet 
 
 To sit amid the blood- washed throng ; 
 Then led him forth to Jesus' feet. 
 
 To join the everlasting song. 
 
 We longed that earth might know his tread, 
 
 God-sent, amid the haunts of crime, 
 That his good record might be read 
 
 Throughout the coming years of time. 
 Thou hadst not thus o'erfiUed his hand 
 
 With seed to sow on life's broad plain, 
 But called him where the reapers stand 
 
 To gather in the golden grain. 
 
340 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE Of 
 
 We asked a grandsire's mantle white 
 
 Might fall upon him as he trod 
 Thy chosen pathway, in the light 
 
 Of Thy dear countenance, O God. 
 Thou hadst a better robe in store, — 
 
 Thou wouldst not give Thy dear child less ; 
 Full white, he wears on yonder shore 
 
 The robe of Jesus' righteousness. 
 
 Thou gavest richly, as a King, 
 
 In answer to our earnest prayer ; 
 And now those troubled hearts we bring. 
 
 Who in their cup have found full share 
 Of Marah's drops of bitterness 
 
 In parting from their loved one thus. 
 Be pleased their drooping hearts to bless, 
 
 For Thou alone canst comfort us. 
 
 Oh, comfort them while tear-drops fall ! 
 
 To Thy dear face their dim eyes raise. 
 And show them how Thou gav'«t him all 
 
 The wealth of everlasting days. 
 Unto their faith, O Father, prove 
 
 The blessing which he has with Thee, — 
 The fulness of a Saviour's love. 
 
 The glories of Eternity ! 
 
 A. B. T. 
 Ninth month, 1869. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. ,41 
 
 E. P. G. to H. K. H. 
 
 Atlantic City (no date). 
 . . . Now that the meetings are over, I feel as if I 
 really could enjoy a little social intercourse, which 
 I have hardly b.een able to do, from one cause or 
 other, since coming down, so great has been the 
 pressure on my spirit ; and the exercise of mind I 
 have had to pass through has been at times as much 
 as I could bear. But to-day, thanks to unmerited 
 mercy, " the whole earth is at rest, and is quiet ;" 
 and under a grateful sense of the tender loving-kind- 
 ness of my Father in heaven, thanksgiving and the 
 voice of melody are once again ascending from my 
 faithless heart. But, oh ! when I remember all my 
 doubts and fears and conflicts, the upbraiding 
 query will sometimes arise, " O thou of little faith, 
 wherefore didst thou doubt ?" The meeting yes- 
 terday was one of unusual solemnity, and though 
 some Friends had looked to having another before 
 the season closed, I felt satisfied the right time had 
 come to conclude them, in which some others quite 
 united, saying they thought it was " much better 
 they should end when the tide was up." 
 
 29* 
 
342 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 E. P. G. to Thomas Evans. 
 
 West Hill (no date). 
 ... I purposely avoided callingon thee in Phila- 
 delphia, because I do so thoroughly approve thy plan 
 of perfect quietness. Indeed, I have thought, my 
 dear and valued friend, that after thy late dedication 
 thou might afford a season of entire rest to mind 
 and body. " Come ye yourselves apart and rest 
 awhile" was the language of the compassionate 
 Redeemer when many were coming and going, and 
 the poor disciples had not time so much as to eat. 
 " He knoweth our frame ; He remembereth that 
 we are dust," and "by His gentleness He maketh 
 great." I feel it in my heart just to say, in reference 
 to what thou hast remarked about thy deep un- 
 worthiness, that I assuredly believe, when thou hast 
 finished all the work appointed thee to do, through 
 the rich mercy of that blessed Saviour whom, not 
 having seen, thou hast loved, the mansion is pre- 
 pared, the crown is ready, and the gracious sentence, 
 " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou 
 into the joy of thy Lord!" is there awaiting thee 
 in that heavenly kingdom, wherein it is declared 
 that sorrow, suffering, parting, pain, and death shall 
 never come. Oh, that through pardoning mercy 
 I may meet thee there ! 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 343 
 
 Mary Whitall to E. P. G, 
 
 Tenth mo. 4tli, 1870. 
 
 ... I received the book all safe, and am truly 
 thankful for thy great kindness in sending it. I am 
 reading and re-reading it with renewed interest, and 
 think thou must feel at times as though thou hadst 
 passed through two different worlds. I am sure 
 thou feels, in many a backward glance, how wonder- 
 fully the Lord has guided thee and helped thee, and, 
 in a prospective view, can believe " He will never 
 leave thee nor forsake thee." 
 
 . . . How is it faring with thee, beloved ? This 
 inquiry has very often arisen in my heart, with ten- 
 der longings for a reply, and, though it came not, 
 there was ever a sweet sense that it was well ; and 
 whether amid the blossoming and the flowers and 
 all the beauty of West Hill, or whether by the deep, 
 moaning sea and the rain as we have had it to-day, 
 the beams of the Sun of Righteousness were in thy 
 dwelling. And besides the dear little circle around 
 thee, thou had the companionship of that Friend 
 who sticketh closer than a brother, who in thy early 
 life called thee and took thee for His own. " I have 
 called thee by thy name : thou art mine." The 
 sweet young people about thee are cheerers I know, 
 and will give thee heartfelt sympathy ; but they are 
 
344 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 entering upon the early and brightly opening path- 
 way of life, while we are on the downward slope. 
 But how the clouds are brightened, and such lovely 
 views spread before us at -sun-setting! 
 
 The last remaining sister of E. P. Gurney, Mary 
 Ann Williams, died Eighth month 2ist, 1872. She 
 had been a member of her family since her first set- 
 tlement at Burlington, and by her gentle, unobtru- 
 sive, and efficient ministries had contributed largely 
 to the charm of the household. 
 
 A younger generation of great-nieces now clus- 
 tered round the solitary hearth, cheering its loneli- 
 ness with their fresh and buoyant life, and antici- 
 pating their aunt's increasing needs with watchful 
 care. 
 
 Hannah L. Neall to E. P. G. 
 
 San Francisco, Tenth mo. 23d, 1872. 
 
 ... I have been thinking a great deal about thee 
 recently, and recalling, with something of the pleas- 
 urable sadness with which one looks upon the 
 drifting autumn leaves, the dear days, now drifting 
 to and fro in my memory, that I spent with thee and 
 thine in thy quiet Burlington home. 
 
 My life, dear friend, has much to thank thee for; 
 and it seems to me it must be pleasant, as our foot- 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 345 
 
 steps lead along the distant ways and toward the 
 upward slopes, to hear now and then the echoes of 
 some word or work of ours in the gone-by days 
 which made others happier and better for our living. 
 I have many such sweet reminiscences of thee, when, 
 perhaps, thou little knew how much I needed and 
 valued thy help. I hear of thee occasionally through 
 home correspondents, of thy failing health and ina- ■ 
 bility for as active a life as formerly ; of thy in- 
 creased work, even in this state, for thy Master, 
 when, perhaps, thou art all unconscious of it ; and I 
 feel that I want to be near thee in these days of 
 " beautiful sanctuary," and to come with my heart- 
 felt love and blessing. Dear, true friend, I shall not 
 forget thee ! As the years roll on, and I near the 
 golden sands of the Eternal shore, I look back with 
 gratitude to those who have pointed the way, and 
 see, as I clambered painfully along over broken 
 arches, why they were sharp and rugged to my feet. 
 
 The summer wore her sweetest grace, 
 
 And roses flung their fragrance out, 
 While thou and I, with lingering pace, 
 
 Wandered the pleasant paths about. 
 The cottage doors were open wide, 
 
 The guests were gathered in the hall. 
 And I, from wanderings far and wide, 
 
 Returned as to a festival. 
 
346 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Oh, for that welcome once again ! 
 
 My heart cries out, and still I wait. 
 Dear Lord, if prayers are all in vain. 
 
 Grant us beyond the golden gate 
 With full and joyous hearts to come, 
 
 Leaving our burdens here below, 
 And hear the blessed welcome home 
 
 Which all Thy weary pilgrims know. 
 
 Extract from Baroness Bunsen's letter to Eliz- 
 abeth de Bunsen (daughter of Samuel Gur- 
 
 ney). 
 
 January 29th, 1874. 
 
 . . . How kind you are to give me an account of 
 your aunt, Eliza Gurney, whose image is so bright 
 in my remembrance. I am thankful for her that she 
 is bodily and mentally so well preserved as to be 
 enabled in old age to continue in real usefulness to 
 her brethren in Christ, having the gift of communi- 
 cating to others of the work of God in her own 
 soul. Pray, if you think of it, remember me to her 
 when you write, and assure her how thankfully I 
 recall her visit to my dearest husband at Wiltbad, 
 in 1857, when she sat with us through the afternoon, 
 and uttered so many words of Christian love and 
 eloquence. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 347 
 
 Mary "Whitall to E. P. G. 
 
 First mo. 30th, 1873. 
 ... I had such a lovely visit to thee in my wan- 
 derings in dreamland that I can hardly think of thee 
 as on a sick-bed, — thou came before me then in such 
 a glow of health, and I walked with thee over thy 
 house, where everything was so bright and fresh ; 
 the rays of the brightest sunshine pierced every cor- 
 ner, and I repeated in my sleep some lines of poetry 
 that I had not seen or thought of for a long time, — 
 
 " The sun shone on her house by day, 
 By night the moonbeams fair. 
 And as of old in Israel, 
 
 'Twas never darkness there," — 
 
 and then tried to repeat to thee the following, but 
 could only get hold of a line or two : 
 
 " He is my Lord, my Love, my all, 
 
 The sweetness of my life ; 
 He is my strength in weakness. He 
 
 Strives with me in the strife. 
 I am in Him and He in me, 
 
 My only hope and stay ; 
 In Him I take my rest by night. 
 
 In Him I work by day." 
 
348 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 It was just lovely, apd West Hill seemed like a 
 little heaven ; and when I woke, and thought how 
 thou hadst been going about comforting others, I 
 could rejoicingly believe that joy and peace would 
 be given thee. 
 
 E. P. Gurney's constant and helpful friend, Wil- 
 liam J. Allinson, died in Burlington, Sixth month, 
 1874. His widow, Rebecca W. Allinson, writes: 
 
 Eighth mo. 1 8th, 1874. 
 
 . . . My thoughts have been closely drawn 
 toward thee in a fellowship of sympathy unknown 
 before in the same degree. I know now, my pre- 
 cious friend, what it is to be glad for those who re.st 
 from their labors, while a sense of utter bereavement, 
 as regards an almost life-long companionship, comes 
 over one at moments with crushing weight. The 
 thirty-five years of our union cover reminiscences 
 blended with all that was lovely and of good report, 
 often mingled with trial and proving, but still, 
 
 " Through rough ascent and even slope. 
 Permitting us to mourn with hope," 
 
 and to rejoice with trembling. And then it will be 
 only a little while and we may join the general 
 assembly in our Father's house on high. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 349 
 
 I was rejoiced to hear thou wast with the mourn- 
 ing company assembled on First day morning, and 
 enabled to testify to the truth. Words are inade- 
 quate to express my sense of what thy sympathy 
 and Christian love have been and still are to all of 
 us. 
 
 The pure, beautiful shell is lovely to look upon, 
 and seems to bear with it sweet thoughts of ocean's 
 tossings, and of the time when there shall be " no 
 more sea." 
 
 E. P. Gurney greatly enjoyed a short visit about 
 this time from William Edward Forster, M.P., since 
 Chief Secretary for Ireland, the son of her lamented 
 friend, William Forster, together with Sir T. Fowell 
 Buxton, grandson of the philanthropist of the same 
 name, who were spending a few weeks in America. 
 The former was again at West Hill rather later. 
 
 E. P. G. wrote to M. Whitall : 
 
 And now what shall I say of the delightful time 
 we have had with our deeply-interesting and distin- 
 guished visitor ? He came to us most unexpectedly 
 on Seventh day, and left on Second, but not until we 
 had had two or three precious hours of his company, 
 including a sweet little reading and a heart-tendering 
 farewell, because we fully realized that it would be 
 
 3° 
 
350 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE Ot 
 
 the last. How I did long for some of you beloved 
 ones then ! Both mind and heart were so entirely 
 unlocked, and he appeared to such peculiar advan- 
 tage. Those who just see him for a moment can 
 scarcely appreciate the wealth of his affections, the 
 riches of his intellect, the sparkling humor, which so 
 reminds me of his uncle Buxton, and the remarkable 
 straightforwardness which from his earliest years 
 have marked his course. I was so glad to have the 
 opportunity of talking intimately with him about my 
 dear home relatives in England, John Henry most 
 especially, of whom he spoke in terms to please 
 even me. 
 
 Catharine M. Brown to E. P. G. 
 
 ... I can hardly tell thee the gratification it has 
 been to me to read again and again, with many 
 memories, thy little volume, " Heart Utterances." 
 It seems to me there may be only a few left who can 
 look back through the very same years, beginning 
 at Frankford and Westtown, and all the way forward 
 through our long and marked pilgrimages, — who can 
 read those pieces and trace them with more interest 
 than I have done. Now, is this egotism ? My eyes 
 are dim, but it feels like love. ... I can hardly tell 
 which I like the best, but " When the eagle stirreth 
 up her nest" seems just now to come impressively to 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 351 
 
 my heart; and surely, my dear friend, thou hast 
 deeply known all its truths. The sweetest balm for 
 all we suffer is to feel and believe 
 
 " 'Tis only the Parent hand of Love 
 That is stirring np the nest." 
 
 J. B. Braithwaite to E. P. G., on the death of 
 her beloved and honored friend, John Hodg- 
 kin. 
 
 Eighth mo., 1875. • 
 
 Surely these losses are designed to draw us more 
 close to Him in whom it hath pleased the Father that 
 all fulness should dwell. The longer I live the more 
 I love to • rest upon the words " Jesus Christ, the 
 same yesterday, to-day, and forever." And yet, 
 though we know that all our springs are in Him, 
 we cannot but deeply feel when the vessels are taken 
 away which were wont to convey to us such precious 
 draughts from the living. well. 
 
 E. P. G. to M. Whitall, 
 
 (No date.) 
 
 I have been hourly longing to acknowledge thy 
 precious little farewell paper messenger, with all of 
 which my spirit has true unity, but most especially 
 with the latter part of it, to which I say " Amen" 
 with all my heart. I often long to quit the " debata- 
 
352 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 ble land" forever, it is so thoroughly unprofitable to 
 dwell upon disputed points, and always leaves one 
 utterly impoverished. 
 
 " Why should we differ by the way ? 
 Why should dissensions come ? 
 We hope to spend an endless day 
 In one eternal home." 
 
 Give my warmest love to thy dear and honored 
 husband. Although we seldom meet, I always think 
 of him as one whose silent ministry testifies loudly 
 to the truth of the inspired language, that " the work 
 of righteousness is peace, and the effect thereof qui- 
 etness and assurance forever." . . . While some of 
 the dear, zealous Friends in Philadelphia are striving 
 about words to little profit, and warming themselves 
 with coals of their own kindling, I have been refresh- 
 ing my spirit by looking over some delightful letters 
 from veterans in the army of the Lamb, who are now 
 engaged in singing living praises unto Him who 
 hath washed them from their sins in His own pre- 
 cious blood, such as dear William Forster, Edward 
 Pease, Stephen Grellet, John Cox, and others. 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 353 
 
 J. B. Braithwaite to E. P. G. 
 
 Fourth mo. 24th, 1876. 
 
 I have been thinking much of you during your 
 Yearly Meeting, which is, I presume, now over. 
 The state of things is peculiarly trying to the faith, 
 especially for those who desire steadily to pursue the 
 even tenor of their way, without turning aside to 
 either extreme, but looking with the single eye unto 
 the one Lord. I feel deeply for our dear young 
 friends. The responsibility of the Church on their 
 account is very great. The sense of it often makes 
 me humble. But deeply as we may feel, nothing 
 should induce us to put forth our hands to stay the 
 tottering Ark in our own wisdom. The Lord's own 
 time and method must be waited for. In the mean 
 time we must watch with the listening ear and the 
 willing and obedient heart. Prayer, deep, fervent, 
 and believing, must be the atmosphere in which we 
 live. And I have faith to believe that our gracious 
 Lord, who has raised us up to bear testimony to so 
 many precious portions of His truth, will in His 
 mercy bless us and do us good, healing our bac^- 
 slidings and divisions, and uniting us in His love. 
 
 30* 
 
354 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Elizabeth Hodgkin to E. P. G. 
 
 Bournemouth, Ninth mo. loth, 1876. 
 
 My beloved Cousin, — I trust thou wilt not meas- 
 ure my gratitude for thy letter by my slowness in 
 acknowledging it. I did highly appreciate the effort 
 thou made in writing me, and I thank thee from the 
 depths of my wearied heart for those understand- 
 ing words of sympathy. Yes, it is the widow who 
 alone can understand the new-made widow's an- 
 guish. One year has rolled away since my lovely 
 Nellie went home, the first overwhelming grief, — I 
 believe more heavy now, being unshared by him 
 who best knew my heart's sorrow, and for my sake 
 concealed his own. But it crushed him; he never 
 rallied, and in three months the death-wound fell on 
 him. . . . Oh, how often our heart and lips are now 
 saying, " Oh, to be over yonder," where there is no 
 more separation, " in the presence of the King !" 
 
 I am truly grieved to hear of dear, kind Dr. Tay- 
 lor's failing health. I seem to love and value him 
 now more than ever, so closely is his memory bound 
 With my precious husband. 
 
 E. P. G. to M. Whitall. 
 
 (No date.) 
 
 . . . Since thou wast here I have been listening 
 to 's critique, and think it excellent, as far as 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 
 
 35S 
 
 it goes ; that is to say, I entirely unite with her views 
 in reference to justification by faith. But has she 
 not laid herself open to the mystical remarks of her 
 opponent by stopping short of the whole plan of 
 salvation through a once - suffering and crucified 
 Saviour, a now risen and reigning Lord ? Has she 
 not given an undue prominence to the blessed and 
 glorious work that has been done for us without us, 
 to the utter exclusion of the equally blessed and all- 
 important work which must be accomplished within 
 us, before we can be made meet for the heavenly 
 inheritance that has been purchased for us, and to 
 which we can have no possible claim but the free, 
 unmerited mercy of God in Christ Jesus ? While I 
 
 would utterly ignore the unsound views of , 
 
 I must confess my Bible teaches me that I must 
 not only be freed from the guilt, but also from the 
 pollution, of sin, — not only be justified by faith, but 
 sanctified by the Spirit ; for Christ loved the Church, 
 and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and 
 cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, 
 that He might present it to Himself a glorious 
 Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such 
 thing. So that, while justification gives us the title 
 to the mansion in the Father's house, sanctification 
 must give us the fitness for it, for " without holiness 
 no man can see the Lord." Dost thou remember 
 
356 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 what Jay says on this disputed question ? — " The 
 one regards something done for us ; the other, some- 
 thing done in us. The one is a change in our state ; 
 the other, a change in our nature. The one is per- 
 fect at once, the other is gradual. We need the one 
 as well as the other ; for if we were not sanctified as 
 well as justified, we could neither serve God prop- 
 erly nor enjoy Him. Suppose an unrenewed man 
 pardoned : he would be no more able to see the 
 kingdorh of God than before, but would feel the 
 company, the pleasures, and the enjoyments of the 
 heavenly state uncongenial and irksome. Or sup- 
 pose you had a son, and you forbade him to enter 
 a place of contagion, on pain of losing all you could 
 leave him : he goes, and is seized with the infection. 
 He thus is not only guilty by transgressing your 
 command, but he is also diseased ; and do you not 
 perceive that your forgiving him does not heal him ? 
 He wants not only the father's pardon, but the 
 physician's aid, and in vain is he freed from the 
 forfeiture of his estate if he be left under the power 
 of the disorder." Excuse my scribbling on at such 
 
 a rate. I was so much interested by dear 's 
 
 capital presentation of one-half the gospel plan, as 
 I consider it, that my pen would not be restrained 
 from adding the other. Wouldst thou mind sending 
 her the accompanying tract of Bishop Mcllvaine, 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^5/ 
 
 with my dear love, and ask her what she thinks of it ? 
 He is considered one of our soundest theologians. 
 But I should like to quote a line or two from our 
 own beloved and honored William Forster : " Oh, 
 how I love to dwell upon the mercies of God in 
 Christ Jesus ! How it humbles the pride of man 
 into the very dust of his unworthiness. And when 
 applied under the animating influence of the Spirit, 
 how it raises the soul in hope of an inheritance 
 incorruptible in the heavens ! No room for the 
 creature, its own works, its own merits, its own 
 excellences ! There every crown is cast down at 
 the footstool of the Redeemer, and Christ within 
 and Christ without becomes our hope of glory, — not 
 one without the other, but both in blessed unison, 
 exalting His own praise !" 
 
 E. P. G. to M. Whitall (on the death of John 
 
 M. Whitall), 
 
 Sixth mo., 1877. 
 
 I trust I shall not weary thee, my own dear friend, 
 but I must send one line, if only to assure thee that 
 thy sweet letter was a true help and comfort to me 
 yesterday, — more so than I can possibly describe. 
 ... I have so followed thee from day to day and 
 hour to hour, and in the silent watches of the night 
 the breathing of my spirit for thee is,. May the Lord 
 
358 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 bless and keep thee, lift up the light of His glorious 
 countenance upon thee, and give thee peace ! Thy 
 precious husband's message was a real comfort to 
 me. It is so sweet to think of him as " safe in the 
 arms of Jesus, safe on the Saviour's breast !" — safe 
 for Time, safe for Eternity ! " Blessed are the poor 
 in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 
 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see 
 God." Surely these beatitudes belong to him. And 
 there is one which at this moment rises in my heart, 
 as more especially appropriate to the beloved ones 
 who are gathering around him : " Blessed are they 
 that mourn, for they shall be comforted." 
 
 I feel sure, my beloved friend, thy prayer for a 
 submissive spirit will be answered. Indeed, I think 
 thou dost already realize that it is " sweet to lie 
 passive in His hand, and know no will but His." 
 
 E. P. G, to M. Whitall. 
 
 (No date.) 
 My precious Friend. — ... In bidding thee 
 lovingly farewell, I am comforted and cheered by 
 the persuasion that thou art indeed a portion of the 
 vineyard of the heavenly Husbandman, which He 
 Himself hath blessed, of which He has said so 
 sweetly, "I, the Lord, do keep it; I will water it 
 every moment ; lest any hurt it, I will keep it night 
 
ELTZA P. GURNEY. jjp 
 
 and day." Then to His tender care I do confidingly 
 commit thee, for life or death. Perhaps He may see 
 meet that we should look upon each other's faces 
 once again in mutability ; if not, I reverently believe 
 that, through the fulness of His own atoning mercy, 
 He will unite our ransomed spirits in that better 
 land, where there is no more sorrow, no more sepa- 
 ration, no more sin, and no more death, but where, 
 with those most tenderly beloved ones who have 
 gone before us, we may unite in singing praises unto 
 Him who hath redeemed us with His own precious 
 blood. So be it, saith my soul. I bid thee most 
 affectionately farewell in the Lord, and am thy faith- 
 fully attached and grateful friend. 
 
 E. P. G. to M. Whitall. 
 
 " Dearly beloved and longed for," — I am sure 
 I can adopt this language of the apostle in all sin- 
 cerity, for I do love thee dearly, and long to see thee 
 more than I can say, although appearances are cer- 
 tainly against me, not having written thee a line 
 since our sweet parting at Atlantic City. But how 
 often have I thought of thee with true and tender 
 sympathy, how often have I longed to share the 
 pressure which I well know at times weighs down 
 thy spirit, even when thy lips are uttering praises 
 unto Him who dealeth tenderly with His believing 
 
36o 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 children ! All are partakers of the cup of mixture ; 
 but how sweet to realize that it is in a loving 
 Father's hand, that He poureth out the same, and 
 giveth to His dear adopted children just so much of 
 joy and sorrow as He sees there is a " need be" for ! 
 Thus, I assuredly believe. He has been dealing with 
 thee, and the cheerful resignation of thy spirit is an 
 acceptable sacrifice unto Him. 
 
 I rather hoped to have seen our dear friend, 
 Stanley Pumphrey, at meeting this morning, but, as 
 usual, we were left to ourselves ; and now that R. 
 W. Allinson is gone, it is really a lonely allotment. 
 Only Sarah R. Smith and Robert Thomas in the 
 gallery, and not a single utterance but my own, 
 which I had hardly faith enough to render audible. 
 Oh, how I miss the help of thy dear, sympathizing 
 spirit at such times as these ! It was a real comfort 
 to me at Atlantic City, especially at the little cottage 
 meetings, in which there certainly did seem to be as 
 much solemnity as in the larger ones. But they are 
 all passed away like a dream, and probably I shall 
 never be there again. However, " secret things be- 
 long unto the Lord our God," and those that sufifer 
 according to His holy will must commit the keep- 
 ing of their souls unto Him in well doing as unto 
 a faithful Creator. We know in whom we have 
 believed, and are persuaded that He is able to keep 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 361 
 
 that which we have committed unto Him against 
 that day. 
 
 Speaking of Stanley Pumphrey, I was fain to say 
 that when I heard of his being so weighted by the 
 prospect before him, I felt quite drawn to him in 
 tender sympathy. Truly it is no light thing to 
 speak in the name of the Lord at such a time as 
 this, and I think he will feel it to be so. 
 
 E. P. G. to M. Whitall. 
 
 (No date.) 
 
 ... I have been completely absorbed by the 
 deeply interesting little memoir (of John M. Whitall). 
 Dear H. has given us such a life-like picture of thy 
 precious husband that I can almost fancy I have 
 been conversing with him and have seen the twinkle 
 in his laughing eye; but nothing has recalled him 
 with such sweetness as his own faithful record of 
 his inner life, his honest statement of his hits and 
 misses, and his graphic description of all the way 
 his blessed Lord had led him throughout the perils 
 of the wilderness, " to humble him and to prove 
 him, and to know what was in his heart, whether he 
 would serve him, yea or nay," thus sealing it upon 
 his dedicated servant's spirit that " man doth not live 
 by bread alone, but by every word which proceed- 
 eth out of the mouth of God." Indeed, I have felt 
 
362 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 it quite refreshing in these modern times to dwell 
 on the experience of a " Quaker of the olden time," 
 when men had fellowship one with another, and re- 
 alized for themselves that the blood of Jesus Christ 
 cleanseth from all sin. But I must not enlarge. In 
 these days of physical infirmity, when my heart and 
 my flesh are failing me, I desire to be clothed with 
 fervent charity, and to "owe no man anything, but to 
 love one another." Is it not sweet to feel, my own 
 dear friend, that the Great Shepherd of the sheep is 
 watching over us, and that He does keep those in 
 perfect peace whose minds are .stayed on Him, 
 because they are trusting in Him ? The breathing 
 of my spirit at this moment is that, even though 
 the billows may be suffered to arise and agitate and 
 discompose the surface, the very "peace of God, 
 which passeth understanding, may keep thy heart 
 and mind through Jesus Christ." 
 
 E. P. Gurney's love for children was a prominent 
 characteristic. The daily visits of her niece's little 
 ones, living near by, were an unceasing pleasure; 
 and her cordial greeting and endless store of inter- 
 esting converse and amusement made her chair a 
 centre of rare enjoyment to them. 
 
 A widowed niece, with her little daughter, about 
 three years of age, resided with E. P. Gurney at 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^63 
 
 West Hill. The winning ways and sweet disposition 
 of the child had endeared her very closely to her 
 aunt, and she seemed the sunshine of the house. 
 But a sudden attack of scarlet fever took her from 
 their loving arms, and E. P. Gurney was again 
 plunged into deep, but not hopeless, mourning. 
 Most touching and appropriate were the words 
 quoted by a dear friend at the little grave : " Suffer 
 the little children and forbid them not to come unto 
 me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 
 
 E. P. G. to H. K. H. 
 
 West Hill, First mo., 1879. 
 I know thou hast been with us in spirit while the 
 waves and the billows have been passing over us, 
 and it has seemed at seasons as if the water flood 
 must overwhelm, but — blessed be the name of our 
 compassionate Saviour ! — He has not suffered the 
 deep to swallow us up, though truly He has " sore 
 broken us in the valley of humiliation, and covered 
 us with the shadow of death." Thou canst hardly 
 imagine the depths we have been passing through, 
 or the wrench it has been to some of us to part for- 
 ever with this darling child, who had twined herself 
 so closely round every fibre of our clinging hearts, 
 — parted forever, as regards this fleeting scene, but I 
 confidingly believe there is a glorious meeting-place 
 
364 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 where, through the fulness of redeeming mercy, all 
 the Lord's ransomed children will be safely gar- 
 nered. . . . Do not think, dearest H., because I have 
 dwelt so much on the heartrending sorrow of giving 
 up this precious little one, that unmitigated grief has 
 been our portion. So far from this, that loving Sa- 
 viour, one of whose blessed offices it is to comfort 
 all that mourn, has been very near to His sorrowing 
 children, pouring the balm of healing into every 
 stricken heart, very remarkably into dear, precious 
 
 's, who, while writhing under the weight of His 
 
 chastening hand, has been enabled to magnify the 
 name of the holy Chastener. I have rarely ever 
 witnessed a more striking instance of the power of 
 Divine grace to elevate the soul above the crushing 
 trials of the present hour and fill it with thanksgiving 
 and the voice of melody. 
 
 E. P. Gurney's feelings sought expression in the 
 following lines: 
 
 Not lost, my darling Elsie, but only gone before, 
 
 To give us joyful greeting upon the other shore,— 
 
 To welcome those who love thee to thy genial home in heaven, 
 
 Where thou art now rejoicing with the washed and the forgiven. 
 
 With all the ransomed company who circle round the Throne, 
 
 The palm of victory in their hand, the crown of glory on ! 
 
 Oh, who would bring thee back to earth, with all its hidden snai-es. 
 
 Its sorrows, its perplexities, its burdens, and its cares ? 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 365 
 
 Yet how we miss lliee, Elsie ! we miss tliy gleeful tone, 
 Thy gentle step, thy ringing laugh, thou precious little one ! 
 We sadly miss thy look of love, thy words of tenderness. 
 Thy mother's arms are empty now ; she can no longer press 
 The babe she loved so dearly to her poor stricken heart. 
 Oh, it was agony indeed from that sweet child to part ; 
 But she turned the eye of faith to heaven, that she might there be- 
 hold 
 Her precious little lambkin, safe in the Saviour's fold. 
 " Mamma, I do love Jesus," were the solemn words she said. 
 Then on her gentle Saviour's breast pillowed her wearied head. 
 Singing with the whole host of heaven the everlasting song, 
 " To Him who washed us in His blood glory and praise belong." 
 
 The winter of 1879-80 was unusually prolific of 
 sorrow to E. P. Gurney. In the First month, 1880, 
 died her near neighbor and long-loved friend. Dr. 
 Joseph W. Taylor, a man upon whose sterling worth 
 and clear judgment she had been accustomed to rely 
 with confidence, and who was always prompt to ren- 
 der his efficient aid in her varied needs. Samuel 
 Bettle and Mary Whitall, of Philadelphia, with both 
 of whom she had maintained a close friendship for 
 many years, were also removed by death after a 
 short interval, leaving with her a sense of sore be- 
 reavement and loneliness. 
 
 E. P. Gurney had arranged and published, under 
 the title of " The Garland," a number of her favorite 
 
366 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 poems, generally of a devotional character. A col- 
 lection of some of her own poetical effusions was 
 afterward printed for private circulation, entitled 
 " Heart Utterances at Various Periods of a Checkered 
 Life." Reference is made to the latter volume in the 
 following letters. 
 
 Joel Bean to E, P. G. 
 
 West Branch, Fourth mo. i4tli, 1881. 
 ... I am disposed to take the pen to send thee 
 at least a message of love. Anna Potts mentioned 
 lately thy eightieth birthday. Years, ago it was one 
 of thy heart utterances, — 
 
 " Alas ! they have left me all alone 
 By the receding tide ; 
 But, oh ! the countless multitudes 
 Upon the other side !" 
 
 We think of thee as in one sense more alone than 
 often falls to the lot of the Zionward pilgrim. Yet, 
 in a better sense, we can think of no one less alone. 
 He who was thy morning light is thy evening song, 
 as He leads thee .still through proving and lonely 
 paths to larger knowledge and deeper experience of 
 the unsearchable riches of His grace. He is ever 
 with thee, whether with the conscious shining of 
 His face to comfort and lift thy spirit up, or with a 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 367 
 
 veil to make thee long more and press closer to His 
 side. And not alone His companionship : the moun- 
 tain is full about thee. "Ye are come to Mount 
 Zion, to the general assembly and Church of the 
 first-born, whose names are written in heaven, and to 
 God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men 
 made perfect." 
 
 Hannah E. Bean to £. P. G. 
 
 Fourth mo. 1 6th, 1881. 
 
 Beloved Friend, — Our thoughts have been much 
 with thee of late, and ever with the heart-cheering 
 feeling that, although feebleness of body may be thy 
 portion, yet He who has so eminently been "the 
 health of thy countenance and thy God" has thee 
 so safely sheltered under His Almighty wing that 
 the strength, of His spirit is thine. Faithfully hast 
 thou labored for thy King while health and strength 
 were given; now He has drawn thee aside to the 
 holy mount, where, as He prompts the vocal or un- 
 uttered prayers for the Church and the individual 
 workers in the vineyard, they arise as sweet incense, 
 "golden vials full of odors." For the Church's sake, 
 we long that thou mayst tarry long in the land of 
 Beulah ; but earnest is the prayer of my heart that 
 our Father will send many and continually brighter 
 tokens of His love to thee, both instrumentally 
 
368 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 through the dear ones who daily minister to thee, 
 and absent ones who cherish thy image, and ever by 
 His own best gift of Himself " I have graven thee 
 upon the palms of my hands ; thy name is contin- 
 ually before me." Purchased, redeemed, sanctified, 
 what can we ask more for thee but that patient en- 
 durance of the last tests may be rewarded with His 
 peace here and the crown hereafter ? 
 
 It would seem superfluous to attempt any fuller 
 delineation of E. P. Gurney's religious character 
 than has been already set forth in some of the fore- 
 going pages. Her ministry, like her correspond- 
 ence, gave no uncertain sound; and she had a happy 
 facility in conveying distinctly to others her own 
 clear views of gospel truth. Her public addresses 
 were seldom of great length, but delivered with 
 much dignity and solemnity of manner, and distinct, 
 deliberate utterance, and were especially attractive to 
 the young. Unshrinking when her duty required 
 the delivery of solemn warning or serious admo- 
 nition, yet the love of God in Christ Jesus was her 
 favorite theme, the key to all her interpretations of 
 Scripture. Controversy on points of minor impor- 
 tance was especially distasteful to her, as well as all 
 radical views in doctrine or Church polity. She 
 once wrote, " Extremes are painful and oppressive 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 369 
 
 to me, be they on which side they may. I prefer 
 the middle of the middle way." She loved peace 
 for its own sake, and delighted to dwell on the olden 
 days, when the name of Friend conveyed no thought 
 of coldness or estrangement. 
 
 " For there was freedom in that wakening time 
 Of tender souls ; to differ was not crime : 
 The varying bells made up the perfect chime." 
 
 The promotion of social intercourse and the main- 
 tenance of mutual interest, especially by those who 
 were prominent in the religious Society of which she 
 was a member, were regarded by her as important 
 duties. She wrote, in reference to one who had failed 
 in these respects : " I thought, surely this is only 
 fulfilling a part of the mission, — preaching the word, 
 but not being willing to communicate; reproving, 
 rebuking, exhorting in the public -gatherings, but 
 wholly neglecting in the social circle to 'rejoice with 
 them that do rejoice, and to weep with those who 
 weep.' Is it not a slighting of the exhortation, 
 ' Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law 
 of Christ'?" 
 
 Her own example in this respect was remarkable. 
 She possessed the happy faculty of drawing out the 
 latent powers of others, and her conversation was 
 rich with the ripened fruits of her large experience, 
 
370 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF- 
 
 and marked with the Christian charity that thinketh 
 no evil. She " opened her mouth with wisdom, and 
 in her tongue was the law of kindness." Her heart 
 instinctively prompted her to share with others what- 
 ever good she niight possess, and when, as so often 
 happened, she had guests whose corrversation she 
 thought would especially interest or edify her neigh- 
 bors, they were freely invited to partake with her of 
 the intellectual feast. 
 
 Some passages from one or two of the many inter- 
 esting letters received after her departure may per- 
 haps be properly inserted here. 
 
 Dr. J. C. T. to G. B, K. 
 
 Eleventh mo. gth, 1881. 
 
 . . . The charm of her graceful and brilliant con- 
 versation was peculiarly her own, and it was always 
 a privilege to be permitted to be with her. Few 
 persons have been possessed of so great an endow- 
 ment of heart and 'mind, to which her varied ac- 
 quaintance with men and manners gave additional 
 interest. Her association with the Society of 
 Friends has embraced all the periods of deepest in- 
 terest in its history for the last sixty years. She 
 might truly have said, " All of which I saw, and part 
 of which I was." Her work as a young woman with 
 Hannah C. Backhouse and her marriage with J. J. 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^/I 
 
 Gurney in after-years, threw her into the fore-front 
 of the agencies which saved the Society in this coun- 
 try and in England from Socinianism. How greatly 
 she enjoyed, how keenly she suffered during those 
 eventful periods ! Of her own service as a Christian 
 and as a minister of Christ all with whom she min- 
 gled can testify. She had pre-eminently the pro- 
 phetic gift, and spoke directly to the states of her 
 hearers. . . . 
 
 H. L. Neall to H. K. H. 
 
 February 17th, 1882. 
 ... A most rare and exceedingly lovely woman 
 was thy beloved aunt. She had the gift of knowing 
 when and where to touch sin for healing, sorrow 
 for comforting, evil for reproving, , grief for con- 
 soling. She carried with her an aroma of sweetness 
 and purity that made Christianity lovely and to be 
 desired as a joy and happiness ; she exemplified in 
 her daily walk its refining and beautifying influence. 
 She made goodness attractive for its own sake, and 
 won the timid and distrustful to confidence and trust 
 in the love which permeated her own life. If she 
 came, as I believe we all must come, to Christ 
 through tribulation, she bore the palm of victory so 
 assuredly that one saw more of the glory of con- 
 quering than of the pang of suffering, more of the 
 
372 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 strength of overcoming than of the anguish of en- 
 during, and thus realized the power of reh'gion to 
 put aside lets and hinderances and press forward for 
 the prize of the high calling which is in our Lord 
 and Saviour. I never felt ministrations so tender 
 and touching as were hers to me; and since I was 
 a young girl I have had a most reverent and endur- 
 ing affection for her, which neither time nor separa- 
 tion could in the least diminish, for it has been one 
 of the realities of my life. And although I may not 
 have written to or heard from her for months per- 
 sonally, I always knew my place in her heart, and 
 that she felt an abiding interest in me and in my 
 temporal as well as spiritual welfare. 
 
 The ample means at E. P. Gurney's disposal en- 
 abled her largely to enjoy the luxury of doing good 
 as well to the bodies as to the souls of the needy, 
 and her charities, though discriminating, were widely 
 spread. Rarely did she fail to respond to the call of 
 want or suffering, esteeming herself as simply a 
 steward, not only of the manifold grace of God in 
 spiritual things, but of her abundant temporal bless- 
 ings, endeavoring to administer wisely all the talents 
 committed to her keeping. 
 
 In person E. P. Gurney was somewhat above the 
 medium height, and remarkably attractive in appear- 
 
ELIZA P. GVRNEY. ,73 
 
 ance and address. In early life she was of rather 
 slender frame, becoming much stouter as years ad- 
 vanced. A sprained ankle, received in jumping 
 hastily from a carriage, caused a weakness from 
 which she never fully recovered, and debarred her 
 in her latter years from much intercourse with her 
 friends, except at her own fireside, where she ever 
 welcomed her numerous visitors with kind and 
 graceful courtesy. 
 
 Her naturally good constitution was now evi- 
 dently showing the inroads of time. The sight of 
 one eye had been gone for many years, and the 
 other partook of the weakness to such an extent 
 that reading and writing, except by the aid of others, 
 was often interdicted, and at times impossible. This 
 privation she keenly felt, the more so from the fear 
 lest some of her correspondents should fail fully to 
 comprehend her inability to respond as she would 
 have wished to do, and attribute to want of interest 
 the silence that was unavoidable. Surrounded by 
 loving and devoted nieces and relatives, all that 
 affection could suggest was done to mitigate the 
 infirmities of advancing age, and to soothe its in- 
 evitable loneliness. 
 
 During the winter of 1880 she was often missed 
 from her accustomed seat in meeting. In the follow- 
 ing summer she was again able to go to the sea-shore, 
 
 32 
 
374 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 but without receiving the usual benefit from the 
 ocean breezes ; and she returned for the last time to 
 West Hill in a condition of great physical weakness. 
 Her faith in her Redeemer, " undimmed by doubt, 
 undarkened by despair," sustained her through the 
 last weary days of bodily trial, and, after about three 
 weeks of suffering, the end came, in perfect peace, 
 on the 8th of the Eleventh month, 1881. 
 
 The funeral, which took place at Friends' l^eet- 
 ing-House, Burlington, on the nth of Eleventh 
 month, was a time of solemnity not soon to be 
 forgotten. All classes of the community seemed 
 anxious to manifest their regard for her memory, 
 feeling, as was truthfully expressed at the time, that 
 she had indeed been " a succorer of many;" and not 
 a few could add, " and of myself also." 
 
 The notice in the " Annual Monitor," already 
 quoted, says, " By a happy, undesigned coincidence 
 Richard Hanbury Joseph Gurney, her husband's 
 youngest grandson, with, his youthful bride, the 
 granddaughter of the first Sir Thomas Fowell Bux- 
 ton, and William Fowler, M.P., one of the nephews 
 of his second wife, all from England, were present, 
 and added to the interest of the occasion. Various 
 affectionate testimonies were borne to the graces of 
 her Christian life and the blessedness of her hope, 
 full of immortality." 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^75 
 
 Her mortal remains repose in the quiet burial- 
 ground attached to the meeting-house, surrounded 
 by those of many of her kindred, and of beloved 
 ones with whom she was accustomed to take sweet 
 counsel, and to go up to the house of God in 
 company. 
 
 " Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious 
 appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus 
 Christ." " For if we believe that Jesus died and rose 
 again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will 
 God bring with him." 
 
3/6 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 E. P. GURNEY. 
 
 Died November 8, 1881. 
 
 Fitting are sombre clouds to-day, 
 And wild November's wailing blast : 
 A noble soul, and true, hath passed 
 
 From earth away ! 
 
 Silent are lips that ne'er before 
 Were unresponsive to our tears ; 
 The life and love that blessed our years 
 
 For us are o'er. 
 
 Our steps are on the withered leaves ; 
 
 Clouds are alike within, without ; 
 
 Yea, sorrows compass us about 
 Whom Death bereaves. 
 
 But, oh ! for her who loved her Lord, 
 Who daily poured upon his feet 
 Love's precious ointment, rich and sweet. 
 
 Death is reward. 
 
 Hush, hush these selfish tears, this woe : 
 
 Do ye not hear a holy Voice ? 
 
 " Ye, if ye loved me, would rejoice 
 Because I go." 
 
ELIZA P. GURNEY. 
 
 So would she speak from that bright shore, 
 Beyond Death's darkly rolling tide, 
 Where she in glory shall abide 
 
 For evermore. 
 
 377 
 
 F. M. Sharpless. 
 
 THE END. 
 
T