’I went to hear JOSEPH JOHN GURNEY, one of the most distinguished and influential, it is said, of the English Quakers.  He is a thick-set, beetle-browed man, with a well-to-do-in-the-world air of pious stolidity.  I was grievously disappointed; for Quakerism has at times looked lovely to me, and I had expected at least a spiritual exposition of its doctrines from the brother of Mrs. Fry.  But his manner was as wooden as his matter, and had no merit but that of distinct elocution.  His sermon was a tissue of texts, illy selected, and worse patched together, in proof of the assertion that a belief in the Trinity is the one thing needful, and that reason, unless manacled by a creed, is the one thing dangerous.  His figures were paltry, his thoughts narrowed down, and his very sincerity made corrupt by spiritual pride.  One could not but pity his notions of the Holy Ghost, and his bat-like fear of light.  His Man-God seemed to be the keeper of a mad-house, rather than the informing Spirit of all spirits.  After finishing his discourse, Mr. G. sang a prayer, in a tone of mingled shout and whine, and then requested his audience to sit a while in devout meditation.  For one, I passed the interval in praying for him, that the thick film of self-complacency might be removed from the eyes of his spirit, so that he might no more degrade religion.’

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’Mr. HAGUE is of the Baptist persuasion, and is very popular with his own sect.  He is small, and carries his head erect; he has a high and intellectual, though not majestic, forehead; his brows are lowering and, when knit in indignant denunciation, give a thunderous look to the countenance, and beneath them flash, sparkle, and flame,—­for all that may be said of light in rapid motion is true of them,—­his dark eyes.  Hazel and blue eyes with their purity, steadfastness, subtle penetration and radiant hope, may persuade and win, but black is the color to command.  His mouth has an equivocal expression, but as an orator perhaps he gains power by the air of mystery this gives.

’He has a very active intellect, sagacity and elevated sentiment; and, feeling strongly that God is love, can never preach without earnestness.  His power comes first from his glowing vitality of temperament.  While speaking, his every muscle is in action, and all his action is towards one object.  There is perfect abandon.  He is permeated, overborne, by his thought.  This lends a charm above grace, though incessant nervousness and heat injure his manner.  He is never violent, though often vehement; pleading tones in his voice redeem him from coarseness, even when most eager; and he throws himself into the hearts of his hearers, not in weak need of sympathy, but in the confidence of generous emotion.  His second attraction is his individuality.  He speaks direct from the conviction of his spirit, without temporizing, or artificial method.  His is the “unpremeditated art,” and therefore successful.  He is full of intellectual life; his mind has not been fettered by dogmas, and the worship of beauty finds a place there.  I am much interested in this truly animated being.’

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