's mind turned towards the strict practices of the Friends, as
being those most likely to be helpful to her newly-adopted life. A visit
paid to some members of the Society at Colebrook Dale, intensified and
confirmed those feelings. She says in her journal that it was a dreadful
cross to say "thee," and "thou," instead of speaking like other people,
and also to adopt the close cap and plain kerchief of the Quakeress;
but, in her opinion, it had to be done, or she could not fully renounce
the world and serve God. Neither could she hope for thorough
appreciation of these things in her beloved home-circle. To be a "plain
Quaker," she must in many things be far in advance of father, sisters,
and brothers; while in others she must tacitly condemn them. But she was
equal to the demand; she counted the cost, and accepted the
difficulties. At this time she was about nineteen years of age.

As a beginning, she left off many pleasures such as might have
reasonably been considered innocent. For instance, she abandoned her
"scarlet riding-habit," she laid aside all personal ornament, and
occupied her leisure time in teaching poor children. She commenced a
small school for the benefit of the poor children of the city, and in a
short time had as many as seventy scholars under her care. How she
managed to control and keep quiet so many unruly specimens of humanity,
was a standing problem to all who knew her; but it seems not unlikely
that those qualities of organization and method which afterwards
distinguished her were being trained and developed. Added to these, must
be taken into account the power which a strong will always has over
weaker minds--an important factor in the matter. Still more must be
taken into account the strong, earnest longing of an enthusiastic young
soul to benefit those who were living around her. Earnest souls make
history. History has great things to tell of men and women of faith; and
Elizabeth Gurney's life-work colored the history of that age. A brief
sentence from her journal at this time explains the attitude of her mind
towards the outcast, poor, and neglected: "I don't remember ever being
at any time with one who was not extremely disgusting, but I felt a sort
of love for them, and I do hope I would sacrifice my life for the good
of mankind." Very evidently, William Savery's prophesy was coming to
pass in the determination of the young Quakeress to do good in her
generation.

CHAPTER III.

ST