her spirit for the arduous combat, and armed her with those weapons that are "mighty through God, to the pulling down of" the "strong holds" in which Satan retains his government in the souls of the children of men. To trace the operation of this invisible power-the mainspring of the wonderful machinery that became so effective in the counteraction of evil-will, to the spiritually-minded christian, be the most instructive, and possibly the most interesting object that can result from a perusal of this Volume. For to the soul that is anxiously secking deliverance from the corruptions inherent in our nature, as the frail children of Adam's fallen race, there is no feature of mental delineation more encouraging than that which is presented by a co-operation with "the grace of God which brings salvation." Through the regenerating and sanctifying influence of this grace, in the heart of Elizabeth Fry, the prophetic vision was in no small measure realised-that "instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the briar the myrtle-tree;" causing "the wilderness" of the human spirit to "become like Eden," and its "desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness" to "be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." May the example, which this Volume exhibits, of constant and rigorous self-examination, of fervent love to God, and devotedness to promote the establishment of His kingdom of righteousness and peace, animate survivors to a like earnest endeavour to attain purity of heart, and to a diligent occupation with the talents bestowed on them that so, when : "their Lord cometh, and reckoneth with them," they may receive the sentence of "Well-done." A serious responsibility rests on every individual member of the Church of God, by whatever name outwardly distinguished; for, to each has been given the one, the two, or the five talents; by the faithful dedication of which, according to the direction of the Holy Spirit, they may be instrumental in accelerating the advent of that most glorious era, when "the kingdoms of this world" shall "become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever.” CONTENTS. 1780-1798. Birth-Parentage-Her Mother, her character-Memo- randa by her-Removal to Earlham-Death of her Mother- Recollections by Elizabeth Fry, of her own early life-Sketch of female society-Circumstances of Elizabeth Gurney and her sisters -Her character and habits-Natural qualities as a young person- Absence of religious knowledge--Established principles requisite to happiness-William Savery comes to Norwich on a religious visit -Effects of William Savery's preaching-Description by himself 1798-1800. Visit to London, gaiety there-Return to Earlham- Becomes a decidedly religious character-Letter from William Savery--Gradual development of opinion-Journey into Wales and the South of England-Intercourse with Friends-Colebrook Dale-Increasing tendency to Quakerism-Return to Earlham- Attention to the Poor-Journey to the North of England- 1800-1809. Marriage-First visit to Plashet-Settlement in London -Letter to a Friend-Yearly Meeting-Birth of eldest child, 1801 -Journey into the North of England-Second daughter, born 1803-Birth of eldest son, 1804; illness and journey to Bath-Her second son, born 1806-Death of her mother-in-law-Birth of her fifth child, 1808-Letter to John Gurney and his wife-Death of 1809-1813. Removal to Plashet, enjoyment of the country-Birth of her sixth child, 1809-Summons into Norfolk-Death of her father-Extract from the journal of Rachel Gurney-Commence- ment of her public ministry-Funeral of her cousin Anna Reynolds -Letter to a distant friend-Visit to Earlham-Journey into Gloucestershire--Birth of her seventh child, 1811-Acknowledged as a minister by Friends-Attention to the Poor, School, &c.— Norwich Bible Society-Death of a little niece-Journey with Henry Hull and her sister, Priscilla Gurney-Visit to the Meet- ings of Friends in Norfolk-Extract from a letter to her cousin, J. G. Bevan-Letter to Edward Edwards-Death of a domestic servant-Death of Eliza Shepherd-Birth of her eighth child, 1812-Letter to her cousin, J. G. Bevan-Removal to London for the winter-Religious visit to Friends of the London Quarterly Meeting-For the first time goes to Newgate-State of that prison 123—180 |