little, and never was my sight so clear into the intellectual world. The
works of the head may, I believe, usefully occupy such portions of time
as are not necessary for discharging our relationship in society. * * *
But above all things be humble, which a love of all perfection is, I
believe, not only consistent with, but the root of."

In 1811, Hannah C. Gurney married Jonathan Backhouse, and settled at
Darlington. The early years of her married life appear to have been much
devoted to her young family. For a time, her journal was entirely
suspended; but in 1815 she writes: "These last four years, are perhaps
best left in that situation, in which spiritual darkness has in a great
measure involved them; it may be the sweet and new objects of external
love, and necessary attention in which I have been engaged, have too much
drawn my mind from internal watchfulness, after the first flow of
spiritual joy began to subside; or it has been the will of the Author of
all blessing to change the dispensation, and taking from me the light of
his love, in which all beauty so easily and naturally exists, to teach me
indeed, that the glory of all good belongs to Him alone, and that He is
jealous of our decking ourselves with His jewels."

In 1820, she first spoke as a minister, in reference to which she writes:
3rd Month, 1820, "Had felt for some time, and particularly lately, a warm
concern for the interest of our family, which to my humiliation,
surprise, and consolation, I was strengthened to express to them in a
private opportunity, before I left Sunderland. On our ride home, I felt
the candle of the Lord shine round about me, in a manner I had not done
for years, accompanied with much tenderness and some foreboding fears. I
felt I had put my hand to the plough, and I must not turn back, but I
remembered the days that were past, and I knew something of the power of
Him in whom I had believed; though fear often compassed me about, and too