Notable Visitors: Eliza Paul Kirkbride Gurney (1801-1881)Eliza P. Gurney visited the White House on October 26 1862 – in the company of three other Quakers – John M. Whithall, Hannah B. Mott, and James Carey. There was a driving rain outside the Executive Mansion, but the reception in the White House was warm. It was remarked that “Deep thoughtfulness and intense anxiety marked his countenance, and created involuntary sympathy for him in this great national crisis.” It took more than two days to obtain an interview with the President. Their visit was a time of prayer and silent meditation which apparently charmed President Lincoln. Before offering a prayer for divine guidance for the President, Mrs. Gurney reported told him: I can truly say it is not from any motive of idle curiosity that I have requested this interview. I come in the love of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, - that blessed gospel which breathes glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will to men. In common with the members of my own Society, - may I not say in common with every true-hearted citizen of the United States? - my spirit has been introduced into near sympathy with our Chief Magistrate in the heavy weight of responsibility that rests upon him; believing, as I do, that in the faithful discharge of his various and important duties he does endeavor to preserve a conscience void of offense toward God and man. And earnestly have I desired that when weighted with cares and anxieties he may commit his way unto the Lord, that he may be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, he may let his requests be made known unto God; and then, whatever the trials and perplexities he may have to pass through, the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep his heart and mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord.After Gurney prayed, the President responded: “I am glad of this interview. In the very responsible situation in which I am placed, as an humble instrument in the hands of my heavenly Father, I have desired that all my words and actions may be in accordance with His will; but if, after endeavoring to do my best with the light which He affords me, I find my efforts fail, then I must believe that, for some purpose unknown to me, He wills it otherwise. If I had had my way, this war would never have been; but, nevertheless, it came. If I had had my way, the war would have ended before this; but, nevertheless, it still continues. We must conclude that He permits it for some wise purpose, though we may not be able to comprehend it; for we cannot but believe that He who made the world still governs it. I repeat that I am glad of this interview.”2 One of Gurney’s companions wrote: “It was a time not soon to be forgotten; the deep solemnity, the almost awful silence reigned within that room formed, as thou wilt believe, a striking contrast to the fearful scene of strife and carnage that was enacted, almost within sight, just on the other bank of the Potomac. And then to see the tears run down the cheeks of our honored President as E. P. Gurney solemnly addressed him. I cannot possibly describe the impressive scene. When prayer was offered, he reverently bowed his head, and certainly evinced deep feeling. When we rose to go, he very kindly took leave of us all, and, retaining E. P. Gurney’s hand, he made a beautiful response to what had been previously said.”3 President Lincoln followed up with a letter on October 26: “I am glad of this interview, and glad to know that I have your sympathy and prayers. We are indeed going through a great trial – a fiery trial. In the very responsible position in which I happen to be placed, being a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, as I am, and as we all are, to work out his great purposes, I have desired that all my works and acts may be according to his will, and that it might be so, I have sought his aid – but if after endeavoring to do my best in the light which he affords me, I find my efforts fail, I must believe that for some purpose unknown to me, He wills it otherwise. If I had had my way, this war would never have been commenced; If I had been allowed my way this war would have been commenced; If I had been allowed my way this war would have been ended before this, but we find it still continues; and we must believe that He permits it for some wise purpose of his own, mysterious and unknown to us; and though with our limited understandings we may not be able to comprehend it, yet we cannot but believe, that he who made the world still governs it.”4 Political Scientist Joseph Fornieri wrote: “The rare personal tone of this correspondence suggests that Lincoln was sincerely moved by Gurney. Perhaps it was the nondoctrinal character of her Quaker faith, or perhaps it was her humble effort to serve the president in his time of anguish. Many of the religious figures in Lincoln’s time came to the White House not for spiritual consolation, as did Gurney, but to further their own political agenda. Since the Quakers were conscientious objectors, Gurney could make no partisan demands on Lincoln as a member of the war coalition.”5 Mrs. Gurney wrote President Lincoln on August 8, 1863 at the request of a fellow Quaker, Agriculture Commissioner Isaac Newton: “Many times, since I was privileged to have an interview with thee, nearly a year ago, my mind has turned towards thee with feelings of sincere and christian interest, and, as our kind friend Isaac Newton offers to be the bearer of a paper messenger, I feel inclined to give the assurance of my continued hearty sympathy in all thy heavy burtherns and responsibilities and to express, not only my own earnest prayer, but I believe the prayer of many thousands whose hearts thou hast gladdened by thy praiseworthy and successful effort ‘to burst the bands of wickedness, and let the oppressed go free’ that the Almighty...may strengthen thee to accomplish all the blessed purposes, which, in the unerring counsel of his will and wisdom, I do assuredly believe he did design to make thee instrumental in accomplishing, when he appointed thee thy present post of vast responsibility, as the Chief Magistrate...’6 Lincoln scholar Joseph Fornieri wrote: “Lincoln’s correspondence with Gurney reveals him reaching out to divine grace for assistance through his terrible time of trial. Rather than attempting to rely upon his own resources to overcome adversity, Lincoln acknowledged his reliance on God. 6” In September 1864, President Lincoln replied to Mrs. Gurney: “I have not forgotten – probably never shall forget – the very impressive occasion when yourself and friends visited me on a Sabbath forenoon two years ago. Nor has your kind letter, written nearly a year later, ever been forgotten. In all, it has been your purpose to strengthen my reliance on God. I am much indebted to the good Christian people of the country for their constant prayers and consolations; and to no one of them, more than to yourself. The purposes of the Almighty are perfect, and must prevail, though we, erring mortals may fail to accurately perceive them in advance. We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this; but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise. We shall yet acknowledge His wisdom and our own error therein. Meanwhile we must work earnestly in the best light He gives us, trusting that so working still conduces to the great ends He ordains. Surely He intends some great good to follow this mighty convulsion, which no mortal could make, and no mortal could stay.”7 Footnotes
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