MY DEAREST ANNA,

Earlham, 6th mo., 28th, 1844.

It is an inexpressible favour that I am able to continue the thread of my Journal in thy own peaceful "little parlour," with my window open on the garden, in its most flowery trim, and all, within and without, quietness and peace. Surely this is a happy termination of our long continued wanderings !

I wrote my last Journal on the day of our arrival at Jersey; just after we had taken a survey of that delightsome island, with its bowery lanes and bright green little fields and orchards, with the fine rocky coast, deep blue sea, and old castles, from the top of Prince's Tower. That was fourth day, the twelfth, more than a fortnight ago; but the flow of engagements since has left no room for journalizing.

That evening we attended the little week-day meeting of the few scattered friends, held in a pleasant cottage in a garden of roses; and though the flock is very small, we had a time of some refreshment, as well as searching of heart. After our meeting was over, I went with a Friend to the Methodist meeting, with the leave of the minister and his friends; patiently heard a rapid sermon, of a lively character; and then held a solemn little meeting, with no very large number there assembled.

The next evening a much larger meeting was held with the French-speaking Methodists, in another house; which was a time of peculiar weight, and very relieving to my own feelings. Perhaps it might be regarded as the best French meeting I have ever held. We received a kind call that morning from General Touzel; and the friends of the Bible Society called to solicit my aid at their approaching meeting. On sixth day I attended that meeting, which was spirited and interesting; and spoke with ease to myself, and I hope for some good purpose. I came home in time to take a walk on the shore of the beautiful bay of "St." Aubin's; on one side of which stands the prosperous and increasing town, ("St." Heliers,) now containing nearly 30,000 inhabitants, and a very considerable port in point of commerce, shipping, &c.

Seventh day was agreeable and interesting; General Touzel

called in his little open carriage, and conveyed us to his beautiful little residence, on a green wood-clad eminence, surveying the town and bay, studiously cultivated, and full of charm. After breakfast we had a comforting Scripture reading. Then the General took us a delightful drive of several hours, as far as Goree, and the fine old castle on an eminence above the rocky shore of Mont Orgueil. The scenery is quite charming; and the little properties of the numerous petty land-owners appeared flourishing with corn, fig-trees, apple-trees, and fine crops of potatoes and clover-all green and luxuriant, notwithstanding the long drought. Near the castle is an old Druidical temple, composed of large granite stones, upright, in juxtaposition, in the form of a circle, with a vast incumbent stone for the roof. How the last was raised, and placed on the top of the others without machinery, who shall say?

We returned to the General's to dinner; and having observed that morning a placard about the streets, indicating that "J. J. Gurney was to deliver a Temperance Lecture that evening, at the Temperance Hall," which was put forth without my knowledge, and only in consequence of my saying I was willing to attend and help, we were under the necessity of redeeming the pledge. They have a hall which holds some 300 or 400 people, or probably more. It was filled, and really we felt much peace and satisfaction in the effort. I did lecture to a very attentive audience, endeavouring to place the subject on a clear, moderate, Christian ground. They have $1,500 members in Jersey, which is an excellent thing, as spirits are imported at a very cheap rate from France; and brandy and water is the general beverage of male and female, to the great injury of the population.

Such was the origin of the well known little tract entitled Water is Best, which has been since widely circulated. Joseph John Gurney thus continues :—

Then followed our Sabbath; a very close, searching, exercising meeting in the morning with a little flock of Friends

and a few others; and family sittings in the afternoon. In the evening we had a large meeting in the English Independent Meeting-house, in which I had to dwell on the subject of the Kingdom of Christ, as unfolded in Scripture. It certainly was not a Jewish millenarian view, which is somewhat rife in Jersey, through the exertions of a little band of Plymouth brethren. I believe it was a solid, satisfactory meeting.

On second day in last week, we visited the infant school, prison, and hospital, or rather workhouse, and held satisfactory meetings in the two latter, our friend Wilks being our companion. We afterwards dined at Colonel Le Couteur's, "St." Aubin's, another exquisitely beautiful spot, commanding a delightful view of the bay. The colonel is Vicomte of the Island, a crown officer of importance. He was absent, but his wife and aged mother entertained us, Dudley, and Wilks, most kindly.

In the evening we attended the Bible meeting at "St."Aubins, and very lively, large, and apparently effective was the meeting. The following day was one of considerable interest and charm. We traversed the beautiful island in an open carriage, till we came to Greve de Lecq, on the opposite coast, where there are an exquisite bay, vast granite rocks, marine caves, and other picturesque objects, with a neat little hotel. Here we wandered by ourselves among the hills, and on the shore; and, after an early dinner, called on an old man connected with Friends, living in one of the true Jersey cottages; a dark place, with walls of great thickness, but clean, and replete with all the necessaries of life. The veteran of about ninety years old, looked something like an old Jacob or Abraham; with a fine beard, clean, and innocent as a child; and much pleased to see us, but so deaf that no words could be made to penetrate. We then proceeded to a large Methodist chapel at "St." Ouen's, about the centre of the island, whither crowds of country people were seen flocking, and when we took our seats, the house soon became very full. It was a French meeting, and I hope it was not in vain that I was led to dwell on the several points of our Lord's conversation with the woman of Samaria. The

attention of the people, who were as respectable, and as decent in appearance and demeanour, as those in Guernsey, was very great. It was late at night before we again found ourselves at our hotel, in "St." Heliers. On fourth day we breakfasted with the widow of Thomas Dumaresq, in the country; a pious, feeling, affectionate lady; and we met two or three willing hearted friends at her house. There is, in Jersey, a remarkably open door for all such labours of love. We afterwards finished our family visits. In the evening we had a noble public meeting in a vast room at the Arsenal, usually employed for drilling soldiers; quite full, and truly favoured with that cementing and quieting influence which we most value. The gospel was, I trust, fully preached to that large, mixed assembly.

We intended to leave the next morning, but the stormy winds, dark clouds, and rain, clearly forbad. And it was well we stayed, for it gave us the opportunity of holding a highly satisfactory and animating anti-slavery meeting in the evening, at the Temperance Hall; in which I told my story of slavery on the one hand, and liberty on the other. Such a meeting was greatly wanted; as the whole population of these islands, about 80,000, is now using slave grown sugar, chiefly from Porto Rico, which I know to be a land of deep abominations. Great feeling was excited and a committee formed. Thus ended our work. The next day (sixth day the 21st) we went on board the Transit, Captain Goodridge; and after twenty-one hours of steaming in quiet weather, but with the tossing of a ground swell, reached Southampton on seventh day morning, in time for breakfast; tired, but thankful, I trust, to be once more, and that comparatively for a permanence, in our own beloved and happy land.

CHAPTER XLIV.

1844. ET. 56-57.

EXTRACTS FROM JOURNAL; ILLNESS OF HIS SISTER ELIZABETH FRY; LETTERS TO HER; LETTER TO A FRIEND; ILLNESS OF SIR T. F. BUXTON, AND LETTER TO HIM.

Earlham, dear old Earlham, 7th mo., 2nd, 1844. A great favour surely to be writing my journal here once more, in peace of mind, as well as fair bodily health.

The sudden death of dear William Backhouse, so soon after being liberated by the Yearly Meeting for his mission to Norway; and the subsequent total wreck, with all on board, of the steamer from Hull to Hamburgh, in which their places had been engaged, have filled us with serious feelings, and a mixture of grief, wonder, and thankfulness. What can we say, what ought we to say, under such circumstances, but "Thy will, and not ours be done?"

I may gratefully confess, that, notwithstanding a great degree of mental poverty, with the heartfelt acknowledgment that unto me belong shame and blushing, we are favoured with sweet tranquillity and peace on our return home. Earlham is lovely; greener than we might have expected after the long drought, and clad in flowers; an earthly paradise for one who knows that he deserves none of its comforts, and who feels in some degree willing to resign any or all of them, should it be the Lord's will.

7th mo., 8th. I have been comparing myself to a vessel just returned from a voyage, and sent into dock to be thoroughly cleansed and re-fitted; a work of which, as I am very sensible, I stand much in need. May I abide in patience under the holy hand of him who can alone truly qualify for