Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

Now, as an observer at the Pole is on no one meridian, but is stationed at a point where all meridians meet, it is evident that "apparent time" for him has no existence.

A FLEMISH NUNNERY.

The nuns never lie down, but sleep upright. I went up a narrow, corkscrew, stone staircase into their cells, and saw these extraordinary beds; they consist of a hard and almost cylindrical mattrass, stuffed with straw, about three feet long, at right angles to which is fixed an equally hard upright palliasse to support the back. There is no pillow, neither are there sheets, and only one small thin blanket. A basin and ewer of water stood on the ground, and the sleeping habit hung on a peg behind the door. There was no other furniture. A small window opened on to the garden, and the honeysuckle which embowered it gave something of a cheerful aspect to the denuded little dormitory. They rise at half-past four, are only allowed five minutes to wash and dress, and go down to chapel, where they pray and meditate till half-past five, when their first mass is said; this is always at a fixed

hour and is followed by one and sometimes two more. After these they remain in chapel till half-past eleven. Their first meal, which they call dinner, is at half past twelve, and consists entirely of herbs, vegetables, rice, eggs, etc. Butter, cheese, milk, and what they call lait battu, they also eat, but not at maigre seasons. Their second and last meal is at seven, and consists of dry bread and the biere du pays. The sisters do everything for themselves-washing, mending, sweeping, scouring, etc. The rule of the lay-sisters is slightly less severe in every particular, but even this is ascetic enough to startle most secular persons. The sister who showed us the mysteries of the house was a very pleasant, amiable-looking woman of about thirty-five. She had a peculiar calm, holy expression of countenance, and expressed herself perfectly happy in the life of which she had made choice, now about fifteen years since. The discipline they observed, she said, was bon pour l'ame et bon pour le corps aussi. It seems they are removed from house to house, to prevent too great an attachment to one locality. She and another lay-sister were sent, a short time ago, on a mission to England and

this was another considerable grievance to her; but she said she kept her trouble to herself, and accepted it as one of the acts of submission to the will of her superior to which her rule bound her. The first night they arrived in London, when they put up at the hotel, they were shown into a room where the beds were, of course, horizontal. This was a difficulty which had not occurred to them, and they made up their minds

found it impossible to sleep; accordingly they relinquished the attempt, and taking the mattrass off the bedstead, placed it half upright against the wall, and had reason to be perfectly satisfied with their ingenious expedient.-Flemish Inte

riors.

We are apt to call things by wrong names. We will have prosperity to be happiness, and adversity to be misery; though that is the school of wisdom, and oftentimes the way to eternal happiness.- Wm. Penn.

PHILADELPHIA MARKETS.

FLOUR AND MEAL.-The Flour market is very quiet. We quote at $6 37 a 6 50 per barrel. Sales of good brands for home consumption at the same price, and extra and fancy brands at $6 75 a 8 00. There is very liitle export demand. Rye Flour is worth $3 75 per barrel. Corn Meal is dull, at $3 00 per bbl.

GRAIN. Wheat is dull, but prices are steady. Last sales of prime new Pennsylvania red were made at $1 52 a 1 54, and $1 60 a 1 62 for white. Rye is very scarce; sales of Penna. at 81c. Corn is scarce; sales of old yellow at 68 and new yellow at 64 a 65c. Oats are steady at 48c per bushel for Western and Penna.; inferior, from store, at 45c.

[blocks in formation]

RCILDOUN BOARDING SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. E The twelfth session of this Institution will comtinue twenty weeks. The usual branches comprising mence on the 19th of Second mo. next, and will con a thorough English education will be taught, and scientific lectures illustrated by appropriate apparatus will be delivered. It is situated three miles south

west of Coatesville, on the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, from which place pupils will be conveyed free of charge. For circulars address the Principal, Ercildoun P. O., Chester Co., Pennsylvania. SMEDLEY DARLINGTON, 12th mo. 26th, 1856. 6t. p. THESTERFIELD BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS.--The Winter Session of this institution

[ocr errors]

Principal.

will commence the 17th of 11th mo. 1856, and continue twenty weeks.

TERMS.-Seventy dollars per session, one half payable in advance, the other in the middle of the term No extra charges. For further particulars address HENRY W. RIDGWAY, Crosswicks P. O., Burlington County, N. J. 10th mo., 1856.3m.

to adopt the same position as the rest of the N&L. WARD, PLAIN BONNET MAKERS, North West

world; but no sooner had they tried it than they

corner 9th and Spruce streets, Philadelphia. 11th mo. 29th.-2m.

FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER.

VOL. XIII.

PHILADELPHIA, SECOND MONTH 7, 1857.

[blocks in formation]

Extracts from the Memoir of Priscilla Gurney Some selections from the correspondence of Priscilla Gurney having appeared in a periodical, and excited much interest, the Editor of the following brief" Memoir" has been requested to prepare, for the press, a Biographical Sketch of her character, and of the incidents of her life.

The experiences recorded in the following extracts from her Journal and Letters,-her sound reflections on Divine things,-the weighty impressions made upon her mind, through the teachings of the Holy Spirit, and the many striking lessons of instruction which are intermingled with illustrations of these workings of the spiritual life in her own soul, are calculated to serve as way marks to the Christian traveller as he journeys onward to the heavenly Canaan; and he may be encouraged to "run with patience the race set before" him, by tracing the footsteps of this dedicated servant of Christ, whose course on earth, though short, afforded a remarkable evidence of the sanctifying and preserving efficacy of Divine grace, and of its sufficiency to enable those who unreservedly yield to its power, to bring forth "much fruit" to the praise and glory of God; and proving, in no common degree, that "honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years; but wisdom is the gray hair to man, and an unspotted life is old age."

CHELMSFORD, Fifth Month, 1856.

S. C.

From a variety of circumstances, the large family of Gurney, of Earlham, has become geneally known, as consisting of persons, who, from conspicuous piety and benevolence, have been interesting to the Christian world. Placed in a prominent position through the advantages attendant on wealth, talent, and education, they

No. 47.

exercised no common degree of influence on the extensive circle in which they moved; and, from the example of their father, John Gurney, who evinced through life much nobility of mind and a generous nature, they imbibed, from their earliest years, a disinterestedness of character, which, as it became directed by the sanctifying influence of religious principle, induced these young persons largely to diffuse around them the channels of blessing which were so richly placed under their control. Two of their number-the late Elizabeth Fry, and her brother, Joseph John Gurney-were conspicuously devoted to the cause of Christian philanthropy, and their memory is cherished with reverential esteem and love by many, among the varied classes of society, who witnessed their untiring efforts to promote the glory of God, and the well-being of His rational creation. In the published memoirs of these two excellent persons, sketches of the domestic circle at Earlham have been so fully drawn, and so extensively read with lively. interest, that any minute recapitulation of them will not be requisite in introducing to the notice of the Christian reader the circumstances which marked the brief, but remarkable, earthly course of Priscilla Gurney, the youngest of the seven sisters, who, with four brothers, were, at an early age, bereft of maternal care and instruction. Their mother, who was characterized by peculiar loveliness of mind and person, and by a pious and well-directed solicitude for the true happiness of her children, was removed by death from her important sphere of usefulness, when the eldest of her flock was only seventeen years of age; leaving to her sorrowing husband the responsi bilities that now so weightily devolved upon him. He was an indulgent and affectionate parent, greatly beloved by his immediate family; his mind was vigorous and intelligent, his manners kind and courteous, securing the high esteem of his fellow-citizens of Norwich. His eldest daughter, Catharine, was, in an unusual degree, qualiified to watch over and to promote the right education of the younger members of the motherless group, and her influence was greatly blessed to them. For many years, Earlham was a peculiarly favored and cheerful abode; its inmates enjoyed much liberty;-some amusements of fashionable life were indulged in; yet the pursuits of literature and refined taste, united to careful and diligent attention to the duties of

benevolence and charity, uniformly occupied the greater portion of their time. As they became matured in age, the love of pleasure was gradually tempered, and their minds were impressed with a deep conviction of the vanity and unsatisfying nature of all merely temporal gratifications. Their bright sunshine of unalloyed prosperity became overshadowed by some dark clouds of affliction, and their youthful hearts, subdued under the chastening hand of a gracious Almighty Father, felt the need of a solace which earthly delights can never permanently supply: they sought the blessings of the redemption that is in Christ; and, although derived to them through somewhat diverse channels, they became partakers of the peace and love of God.

When, in 1792, John Gurney was deprived of his tenderly beloved wife, the loss, which to himself was well-nigh overwhelming, could be but very inadequately appreciated by his children. The three elder ones, Catherine, Rachel, and Elizabeth, could, however, in some measure, estimate it; but a profound experience of sorrow, and of the awfulness of witnessing a summons from the endearments of domestic life and from the possession of wealth and luxury, appears to have been, for the first time, abidingly made on the minds of these young persons, by the death of Elizabeth Gurney, the fondly beloved wife of their brother, John. She was a near relative of the Earlham family; and, from their infancy, a strong attachment had bound them to each other. She was united to her affectionate husband but a little more than a year, when, in the Fifth Month, 1808, she was removed from the circle of which she was the ornament and delight. "This," says J. J. Gurney, in his autobiography, was our first grand draught of family affliction since my mother's death; a draught which, in the bitterness and dismay of our spirits, we all drank together to the very dregs. Never shall I forget the overwhelming woe of our beloved brother. His bodily health was dangerously affected by his long watching and nursing; but, thanks be to the Author of all good, the affliction was blessed to his soul, and was the means of bringing him, in repentance and humiliation of spirit, to the Saviour's feet."

[ocr errors]

During the brief period in which the cup of temporal enjoyment appeared to overflow, the residence of John Gurney, jun., was at Lynn; but, after his bereavement, he was tenderly cherished by his father and sisters under the paternal roof; and it is in the endearing character of a sympathiser in his affliction, and an acute sharer in the deep sorrow that was again soon afterwards dispensed to the family, that we first become intimately acquainted with the subject of this memoir. Priscilla Gurney had hitherto been occupied in a comparatively inconspicuous pursuit of diligent, though quiet duty: she had, from her childhood, been inclined to commiserate the

sorrows and sufferings of the poor; she had been accustomed regularly to visit those of her own district, to relieve their wants, to inspect the instruction of their children, and especially to help and comfort the sick and aged. But additional interests of a most weighty character now claimed the solicitude of the Earlham household, and called forth the energies of Priscilla's mind. Scarcely a year had elapsed after the decease of Elizabeth Gurney, when the health of the beloved and honored head of that large family began to sink under the pressure of internal dis ease. His symptoms did not, in the view of those around him, assume a serious aspect, but he was, himself, strongly impressed with a belief that they would terminate fatally. In a letter to his sister Buxton, written in the Fourth Month, 1809, Joseph John Gurney thus alludes to the indisposition of his father:-" He is certainly better, and much more comfortable, though I believe him to be still persuaded that he is in great danger. This idea is most groundless, according to all the best opinions, but it is impossible to root it out of his mind." That the apprehension of his very critical state was graciously designed to stimulate the dear invalid to a diligent use of the few fleeting months that were yet to be added to his earthly course, appears evident from the visitation of divine love that was, in a striking manner, mercifully vouchsafed to him.

Early in the ensuing autumn, when, from deep mental conflict and increased bodily suffering, John Gurney was becoming an object of most painful interest to his affectonate children, another source of anxiety claimed their attention. Several of the family were attacked by scarlet fever. Priscilla appears to have been the first who was affected by this disorder, then Daniel, and afterwards Joseph; each of them being favored to surmount the disorder; but their faithful and excellent attendant, who had, for more than thirty years, been the careful nurse of the whole circle, and justly held by them in high esteem, was, whilst engaged in her assiduous efforts to promote their recovery, seized with the fever in its most alarming form, and soon removed from them by death. This distressing event was quickly followed by a dispensation of a most afflicting and solemn character. Their beloved father's state of health became rapidly worse, his sufferings were great, and his spirit was sorely agonized under a sense of "his past errors and infirmi ties;" but, says his daughter Rachel, “he wrestled with God in prayer, and grace and help were given him." He repeatedly addressed his family in a very instructive manner. He "spoke of the purity of the law laid down by our Saviour, extending even to the thoughts and desires ;" and, ere the hand of death was laid upon him, and the mortal anguish for ever closed, his soul was favored "to rise out of the fiery fur

nace, purified by the Great Refiner." "He
frequently expressed that he feared no evil, but
believed that, through the mercy of God in
Christ, he should be received in glory." "He
continued in the possession of joy and peace"
until, as we may reverently believe, he was per-
mitted to unite with the ransomed above, in the
endless song of praise to the Lord God and the
Lamb.

she writes, in a letter to her beloved sister,
Fry:-

better for meeting with those thus gathered, are not "rich," are not full, are not satisfied, confident, "settled on the lees," sluggish and sleeping in security. We may remember there is a woe "against those that are at ease in Zion." It is also worthy of remark, that all those who came to Jesus, when personally on earth, to be cured of their maladies, were in a very opposite state to that of those of whom I have spoken above; Priscilla Gurney had sufficiently recovered these were destitute, afflicted, forsaken, despised; from the effects of the fever to admit of her and what is still more, they were sensible of devoting herself, with most affectionate tender- their lamentable situation, their helplessness and ness, to the duties of her afflicted parent's distress; and they knew or believed who it was chamber; and she "left him almost less than that had power to stem the torrent of their any one." Six weeks after this solemn event, | troubles, the tide of their calamities. "Speak the word only," said one, "and my servant shall be healed." "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" said Jesus to two, who answered "Yea, Lord." "Lord I believe," said another, "help thou mine unbelief." So that the blessing which maketh truly rich, shall assuredly come down in abundance upon those who with a humble and a contrite heart wait upon the Lord, and are exercised and engaged in truth and earnestness to seek Him. O! what a rich reward of peace at times flows into the hearts of these true disciples, these poor publicans, these buffeted, bruised, broken-hearted little ones, whose help is placed and hope fixed upon Him that is mighty, the giver of glory and grace and of every good thing, but whose hands are ready to hang down, their knees smite one against the other, and their hearts to fail, because they find not Him whom their soul loveth, and feel not His aid, "who is able to save unto the uttermost." These are the poor of the everlasting kingdom, and are richer than the richest in outworks, though these also will not be wanting ward mammon, or even than the richest in good herein, because they are the "rich in faith," whom God hath chosen as heirs of the kingdom which he hath prepared for them that love him." J. BARCLAY.

"We have so many objects to interest and engage us that we seldom can feel any painful vacancy; but this does not, I believe, prevent us from mourning as we ought to mourn, for the loss of such a father as ours was. The recollection of him is dearer to me than I can well describe; and the separation from him, and from dear nurse too, is often most truly affecting to my feelings; but it is a sorrow so mercifully united with hope and comfort, that we ought rather to rejoice in their removal to a better

state.

[To be continued.]

EXTRACTS.

Those who are admirers of words, whether they be words printed or words preached, are very unlikely to be benefited really and truly by either, having gone from that which is beyond words and which alone can make words effectual.

It is a certain axiom, though a strange paradox to such as have not yet come to witness the truth of it in their own experience, that the true silence speaks louder than the best words.

I sometimes think that I, for one, have enough to do to steer my own frail vessel in the stormy sea of life, with the aid afforded; being willing often to leave others to the like engagement for themselves. For one finds it is a good thing to mind one's own business, to endeavor to rule one's own little house well in the first place; then there will be the better qualification to have charge over the house of the Lord: and this latter is a duty, which all will find, in some way or other, in due season to devolve upon them, if they are faithful, and as they, through obedience, come into a capacity for usefulness.

I question whether they who go empty away from our religious meetings, or from those gatherings of two or three in the name of the Lord, where he himself is in the midst, ready to heal each one of his diseases and infirmities;-I question much whether such as go home none the

A Friend (Samuel Mellis,) was one day accosted by a Methodist minister, and after the usual salutations of the day were past, the minister proclaimed against the manner in which Friends were educated, and amongst other things he said, you do not read the Scriptures. Fiend. Yes we do. Methodist. You cannot repeat the first Psalm. Friend. "Blessed is the man that walketh not after the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners," &c., to the end of the chapter. Methodist. You do not teach your children Mathematics. Yes, said Samuel, we teach them to measure the length, and breadth, and heighth, and depth of priestcraft.

PHILIP HENRY used to say, "When the mind and the condition meet, there is contentment."

ON BEGINNING ANOTHER YEAR-HOW OLD ART | added to the past, fewer remaining for the em

THOU?

The season puts the question to the reader. It says, come, let us sit down awhile and meditate upon the swift flight of years. Is the question worth answering? Sometimes we have a dreary misgiving that it is not, that what hath been, shall be, however much we meditate and moralize. But the question shall be heard nevertheless, were it only to meet this dismal doubt, and learn whether it is indeed so, whether it is settled that we are the creatures of circumstances,-that we have no spiritual or moral power, that we are steeped in slumber and cannot arouse, and so join ourselves unto Christ as to get victories. Are we forever given up to the pursuit of wealth, the slavery of fashion, the pride of learning, to luxury and indolence? If so, we ought not to talk any longer about "happy New Years." But the case cannot be so hopeless. The world is not forsaken of God. There shall come new life with the new time.

How old art thou? or, how young? for the question comes to those whose days on the earth have not been many, and for whom it is likely there are long years in store. For the young it is a word of hope and good cheer; no dark past throws forward a heavy shadow; choice opportunities await them; they are strong; their hearts beat fast; the clogs of habit are not nailed to their feet; it may be a beautiful, blessed world that lies out before them. They are young, and yet old enough to hear the voice of conscience, to accept the spirit of Christ, to pour a high, clear purpose of holy living, according to the law of the Gospel; old enough to be patient, brave, and hopeful disciples of Jesus Christ; old enough to forsake the evil and choose the good. Would that the lesson of the season might reach the hearts of those who are not yet old in worldliness; whose thoughts and lives have as yet taken no definite direction: who may exercise that blessed privilege of coming freely to the Father, in the joy and hope of youth, of their own choice and not fleeing to him as a refuge, when all else has failed. Could those, who are but just entering upon manhood or womanhood, only realize how many are praying to God vainly that He would give back to them the years which have been wasted in frivolity and sin; how many would give the whole world, if they had it, to be again at the threshold of life, no awful sorrow rooted in the memory, they would not let this season pass, without recording a solemn vow, as in the presence of Him who helpeth our poor hearts, to make their days beautiful with an unaffected piety, bright with shining deeds, distinguished by an unspotted purity, a tender humanity, a spirit of self-sacrifice. Seek first the kingdom of God. Trust Him to make you as happy as you need be. He is our true portion. How old art thou? More years, it may be,

bodiment of purposes in deeds; years not a few that we recall with no great satisfaction; opportunities lost, treasures of God selfishly misused, idle words for which no account can be rendered. How old art thou? Old enough, it may be, in months and years, but children in understanding, in Christian energy, in the life of love. No pleasant retrospect! And yet not for this reason to be avoided, but the contrary rather. Let facts be facts, and let them be known! If any one is throwing away his life upon trifles, let him realize it. It is better to judge ourselves, than to wait for God to enter into judgment with us. If we are old enough to be devoted Christians, redeemed, given to prayers and charities, and are not, it is better to know it. The occasion is a blessed one which compels us to think upon it, for the door is not yet shut, the day is not yet spent; we may at least begin, and through Christ, even those who have sinned much may repent and be forgiven.

How old art thou? Words cannot be needed to press the question, when the sun of life is already hastening to its setting. Surely it cannot be necessary to add anything to the solemn admonition which tells of a world from which we must soon relax our grasp, and of those treasures which alone can be carried with us to our true home.

How old art thou? The question relates no longer to years, many or few. How much real work have we ever done? how much that supplied any deep human want, fenced out any portion of the howling wilderness that works its way in at every unguarded point, how much abstract truth have we translated into visible, tangible life; how much sorrow have we converted, through a sweet Christian patience, into a pure and blessed experience; tell us that, and we will tell the number of the soul's years, its childhood or its manhood. Sometimes men live long lives, and go through repeatedly a vast amount of earthly work, before the soul is born into even a healthy infancy. There are fathers and mothers who are younger in these respects than their children. "Wisdom is gray hairs," and yet, who is so young, so vigorous, so hopeful, as they who have done their uttermost through a long life, and so have nourished to a healthy maturity that inward man of thought and feeling, which survives the body's decay? Such true souls know that their existence has only begun; each new year of faithful living awakens in their minds a fresh assurance of the everlasting life. The youngest may be the oldest, and the oldest may be the youngest. How old art thou? means, what has been thy progress in the attainment of that spiritual vigor, which, though it may be old age on earth, is youth in heaven?

If this question shall bring to a point any sober yet vague thoughts, the purpose will have been

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »