PREFACE

Joseph John Gurney was one of the most controversial of the 19th century Quakers, and a figure who remains controversial even to this day. The editor wishes to specify that this publication is not meant to take a position on these matters or either advocate or critique his doctrinal views. They are being presented as and should be read only as religious and devotional poems.

A few words on some of the specific poems seem in order. "The Christians Race" is interesting in that it incorporates material from a couple of earlier pieces, included in the appendix; Amelia Opie was the widow of a painter, a former actress and novelist who became a Quaker through the influence of Gurney and other members of his family. " Mary (Fowler) Gurney, his second wife, died of "a fever" in 1835. "On Silent Worship" is probably Gurney's best and best known poem, and is actually, in the editor's opinion, a good introduction to the subject. "Hymn" is the oldest one in this collection, dating to 1808, when Gurney had not yet decided to throw his lot in with the Quakers. "On Prayer," "The World," and "The Death Bed of a Penitent Sinner" all come from a collection of verses edited by his older sister Priscilla Gurney, herself a minister of some importance at the time though not as well known as Gurney or their other sister Elizabeth Fry.

Peter Sippel

Warminster, PA