Before leaving England, Joseph John Gurney printed a few Essays in poetry, under the title of Sabbatical Verses. Composed during a period of much affliction, they had helped to sooth some of his solitary hours of sorrow; and deserve the attention of the reader, both from their intrinsic merit, and from the interest attaching to the circumstances under which they were written and first presented to the Christian public, "as a farewell token of affectionate respect and regard."*

6th mo., 20th. I have to record with humble gratitude, that though it has been through considerable conflict, we are much advanced towards a quiet and satisfactory settlement of the various points, connected with the Earlham arrangements in my absence. I have not been very well or strong, and sometimes a little oppressed in spirits; but, through all, I have been mercifully favoured with great calmness; and no doubts or misgivings respecting the main object before me have been permitted to intercept my path, even with the alternative before me, that it may be either for life or for death. My brother Samuel has been most acceptably with us for a few days; and William Forster, my most effective friend and helper in the needful hour.

7th mo., 14th. I leave home to day in much quietness and peace. We had a very interesting leave-taking with my Norwich friends and associates on first day evening. I have been favoured to clear away all matters of business, and to leave things in such order, that if my life should drop, no one would be put to any difficulty about my affairs. affairs. Quietness and peace are permitted to reign over my mind. We had a solemn time with the servants this morning after reading. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be abundantly with

us all!

They will be found in Joseph John Gurney's Minor Works; vol. ii. pp. 251–294.

VOL. II.

G

CHAPTER XXX.

1837. ÆT. 49-50.

VOYAGE ΤΟ AMERICA; WRITES HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY; ARRIVAL AT PHILADELPHIA; JOURNEY TO OHIO, INDIANA, AND NORTH CAROLINA; ATTENDANCE OF YEARLY MEETINGS; EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS AND JOURNAL.

JOSEPH JOHN GURNEY embarked from Liverpool in the Philadelphia packet, Monongahela, Captain Mierkin, on the 8th of the 7th mo., 1837. Owing to a succession of head winds, and occasional calms, the voyage occupied seven weeks.

7th mo., 8th. On board the Monongahela, seventh day night. My circumstances are so new, so strange to my natural feelings, that it is no wonder that I can as yet hardly understand myself. But I can understand, that the Lord has condescended, in an astonishing manner, to hear the broken and feeble petitions of one of the very weakest of his children; so that, through infinite mercy, even I am not a castaway, but graciously protected by the wing of his love, and sent forth, under a measure of his own anointing, for his own service. Our parting from the little circle at Earlham last third day, our journey to Liverpool, our short sojourn there at the pleasant abode of our dear hospitable friends, I. and T. Hadwen, the precious meetings which we have enjoyed in that dearly beloved family party, have all bespoken the lovingkindness and tender mercy of the Lord; and, not least, our parting religious opportunity on board the vessel, when my

dear sister Fry once more raised her voice in solemn supplication. What am I, that the Lord should permit so many of his servants to be my helpers, and to utter blessed words for my encouragement-words full of hope and confidence, and flowing with a Saviour's love? Bow, O my soul, in reverent gratitude before the God of thy life, who has so richly provided for thy needs, cleared away every obstruction, and is now making a path for his servant through the mighty deep. The feeling of being on the bosom of the ocean for so long a voyage, is touching and sublime; and might lay painful hold of my nervous nature, were it not for some happy sense of the sustaining and protecting arm of omnipotent love. William Forster's last words in ministry to me, were for the purpose of reminding me of our blessed Saviour's declaration, “Behold I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Here is my security, here is my comfort, here let me take my rest on the bosom of the mighty deep.

7th mo., 10th. We have enjoyed a noble day's sail; a fine view of the Tuskar Lighthouse, on the coast of Wexford, about seven o'clock this morning; and soon afterwards we were clear of the Narrows of St. George's Channel. We have been since bearing to the south of west, in order to be clear of the Irish coast, and of Cape Clear, at its southwestern extremity, without being liable to the necessity of tacking. The entrance on the vast Atlantic, was peculiarly sublime, from the various considerations with which it is connected, in addition to the great beauty and glory of the ocean scene, ruffled by a gentle breeze, and sparkling, under the sunshine, with innumerable living diamonds. I have seldom experienced a more thrilling and pleasurable sensation than on this occasion. During the day, some little squeamishness, from the increased motion of the ship, has been my lot; but I have read a good deal, and have felt in comfortable spirits, favoured with some ability to trust in the Lord, and to commune with him.

The intervals of leisure afforded by the voyage were employed by Joseph John Gurney in several

minor literary undertakings. Besides the Tribute to the Memory of Jonathan Hutchinson, subsequently published, it was now that he wrote, at the request of one of his nephews, the little volume of Autobiography, of which so many extracts have been laid before the reader. Meanwhile his fellow passengers were not forgotten.

7th mo., 16th. The wind is clean contrary, which is somewhat of a trial to my easily discouraged mind; but I am thankful to have a little faith given me according to my need. We have enjoyed two very solemn meetings, in the cabin and on the deck, attended by about fifty, the captain, passengers, sailors, &c. I trust the glorious gospel was not preached in vain; the sailors especially, appearing very thoughtful and attentive.

Seventh day. This day completes our fortnight at sea, and although our progress through the waters has not been very great, yet, on the review of this time of novel experience, I feel that I have much for which to be very thankful. We have been preserved in safety, and, although conflict of mind has at times been my portion, I may commemorate frequent occasions of peculiar favour and peace. We have had adverse winds; dead calm; fair wind for a season, and now somewhat the contrary again. How incontrollable is this moving power by any human being; how consoling the remembrance, that our Heavenly Father holdeth "the winds in his fist." We are in lat. about 47 deg., in long. 23 deg. Nothing could well be more solemn to my feelings, than the calm which prevailed on fifth day, late in the evening; scarcely a breath of air playing with the sails, the ship motionless, in the midst of a mighty ocean. My condition was one of much lowness, for the enemy had been beating against me within, with many a stormy, restless wave; so that the suggestion arose, am I a Jonah, to stay the vessel on its course? This temptation, however, left me, after a very interesting meeting in the large dark hold of the vessel, with the steerage passengers before

they retired to rest; many of them, indeed, being in their beds. The voice of prayer and praise arose vocally, I humbly trust with acceptance through the Saviour.

7th mo., 27th. I had much satisfaction last evening, in lecturing a third time, to most of our party, on the Evidence for religion derived from Science.

Sixth day morning, lat. 47 deg., long. 45. We have been in the midst of a great fog since yesterday morning; and the bell at the head of the vessel was ringing ever and anon during the night, to warn any wandering vessel of our near approach. This sort of weather is very common in the neighbourhood of the banks of Newfoundland, and seems rather trying to the captain and most on board. It is calculated to make us especially feel the value of the guiding eye as well as the protecting arm of our God. The solemn sound of the bell during the night kept me awake for many hours. I felt both the singularity and the seriousness of my position, but, I trust, I was not mistaken in the belief, that the Master whose I am, and whom I desire to serve, quieted me with the gentle voice of his Spirit; giving me to believe, that as I had borne testimony to him, in the cities of my native land, so I shall have to do the same at Philadelphia. May I be bold, discreet, and faithful therein, seeking to be wise as the serpent, and harmless as the dove; above all seeking after the steadfastness and integrity which are in Christ.

8th mo., 10th. We have gone through some tedious navigation lately, having been compelled to make two long south eastern tacks, in order to get clear of Newfoundland, and the fatal Virgin rocks. Notwithstanding these efforts, rather an awful degree of anxiety prevailed last night, lest our course, after all, might not be clear of them. However, a nearly fair wind carried us swiftly forward; we found ourselves past the danger this morning, and are now about 1000 miles from Cape Henlopen. Thus have we renewed cause for thankfulness to the Author of our being, and I retire to rest with a quiet and hopeful mind.

Next morning. What rapid changes are we exposed to on this restless ocean! Soon after I made the above entry, the