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[Illustration: A STREET IN CAIRO. (See Mary Louisa Whately.)]
EXCELLENT WOMEN.
BY VARIOUS WRITERS.
CONTENTS.
ELIZABETH FRY. BY JAMES MACAULAY, M.A., M.D.SELINA, COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON. BY REV. R. LOVETT, M.A.RACHEL, LADY RUSSELL. BY JAMES MACAULAY, M.A., M.D.FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL. BY REV. J.P. HOBSON, M.A.HANNAH MORE. BY HENRY JOHNSON.SUSANNA WESLEY. BY REV. J. CUNNINGHAM, M.A.MRS. HEMANS. BY REV. S.F. HARRIS, M.A., B.C.L.MADAME GUYON. BY WILLIAM NICHOLS.ANN JUDSON. BY FRED. A. MCKENZIE.MARY LOUISA WHATELY. BY REV. W.R. BOWMAN.AGNES JONES. BY ELLEN L. COURTENAY.ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF GORDON. BY REV. S.F. HARRIS, M.A., B.C.L.
ELIZABETH FRY.
I.
BIRTH AND EARLY YEARS.
Elizabeth Fry was born in Norwich, on the 21st of June, 1780. She wasthe third daughter of John Gurney, of Earlham, Norfolk, and CatherineBell, daughter of Daniel Bell, merchant in London. Mrs. Bell was adescendant of the ancient family of the Barclays of Ury inKincardineshire, and granddaughter of Robert Barclay, the well-knownapologist of the Quakers.
John Gurney of Earlham, born in 1749, was educated in the principles ofthe Society of Friends, but as he advanced in life, and associated withpersons of various Christian denominations, the strictness of hisreligious opinions was much relaxed, and he showed liberality ofsentiment towards others, even if they were indifferent to all spiritualconcerns. In fact, in those times there was throughout England, in allthe churches, a decay of faith and a tendency to unbelief; against whicha few men made noble protest, till the religious Revival, led byWhitefield and Wesley, inaugurated a happier era.
We are, therefore, not surprised to read that the daughters of JohnGurney, deprived in early life of their mother's care, were accustomedto mingle with people entirely devoid of religion, although some ofthese were accomplished and talented in their way. The father continuedformally to attend the Friends' Meeting; and the eldest daughter,Catherine, being of a thoughtful mind and with desire for instruction,was of use to her sisters in somewhat checking their love of worldlypleasure and amusements. Of Elizabeth, it is said that in her young days"she was singularly attractive; her figure tall, her countenance sweetand pleasing, and her person and manners dignified and lovely. She wasgentle and quiet in temper, yet evinced a strong will." The visits ofdifferent Friends, especially her uncle Joseph Gurney, who always hadmuch influence with her, both then and during her future life, helped toconfirm the good teaching of her mother in childhood.
II.
BEGINS A PRIVATE JOURNAL: WITH RECORD OF HER EXPERIENCES.
In 1793, when in her seventeenth year, Elizabeth Gurney began to keep aprivate Journal.[1] In the early part of this record she frankly tellsher proceedings day after day, and describes the long and gradualstruggle that took place in her heart, which ended in her conversion bythe power of the Holy Spirit, and in her thorough consecration to theservice of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a most instructive record,especially for the young.
[Footnote 1: This Journal was kept up by her till the close of her life,and contains not only a full account of events, but a personal record ofher thoughts and experiences. It is preserved with pious care