The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1822-03-06
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
An examination Of on extraordinary natcre
took place q, ihe CONT houss 10 Salem, on
Tuesday last, before jas,icc Tucker. Five
persons Of the Quaker denomination, belong.
Ing 10 Lynn, were arraigned before the Jus-
tice, charged with rio,ous ard disordcriy con.
duct, on the preceding Sabbath, at the Quaker
House Of Worship in Lynn. II appeared
that some oi the persons thus charged, had,
in consequence Of circumstances connected
with a schism which, we regret to learn, has
for somo time prevailed among tho Friends,
with tho nature of which we are not fully ac-
quainted,) been road out or dismissed from
the Socie,y; that notwithstanding this, they
continued TO attend meetings, and 10 take tho
seats appropriated for tho elders and speakers
contrary TO tho regulations Of the Society.
On the last Sabbath, three or four them en-.
tered the high seafs, were ordered 10 leave
them, and Oh their refusing, were sctuaiiy
taken by force and carried on, Of the house.
II also appeared, that ono of the persons
charged an elderly, sedate, and respec, ,abie
looking Quaker, actually entered he hua
Of Worshih srifh sword hanging this side
He also was put out OF the house, but did
net attempt 10 make use of his dc sdIy weapon.
These are some Of the principal facts Of the
case, and II would be improper to ssy more
till their tfia! takes place, next month, before
the Court Of Common Piees q, Ipswich, tor
their appearance al which thcY were ordered
20 enter into recogniz,ncc. The defendants
deciuiog 10 give bonds, have oil been com.
miued 10 the Jai, 10 this town to await theic
trial ---Saiem Kegis'e-, 2iM uh.
==
II ought to be mcntinned. in justice to
those persons of the Quaker denomina.
ton who arr now suffering imprisonmen
in consequence of the unhappy difficult
ties in the Friends Society at Lynn, that
Oh The Same day they were examined
here, four persons Of the other party, and
the master Of the Lynn Work House,
were examined before Justice Hazeltine,
in Lynn, upon complaint Tor an assault
and battery, and false imprisonmen., by
taking Beyamip .ShaSv, now in Salem
jail) iorcibly out OF the Friends Meeting
House, in the mornirg of the Sunday
preyior,7, and carrying him TO ,he Work
House, and confirming him there Until
o'clock in the evening. They are TN.
der recognizancc for their appearance at
the next Court Of Common Pleas.
Satem Register, Mar 3.
.S.lettcr hos been received in thi. towc,
-NfoAt person not member Of the Societyi
iroulswhich Il appears, that certain individu.
ais 10 Lynn ard salem, having been long dis.
effected toward, the body OF Friends. and sup.
posing icemse'ncs TO hsvc attained 10 o much
higher state OF spirituality than the leading
Members have di.caimed The authority of
the Elders and Overseers, and the discipline
ssahd general good goyernmen, of the Soci.
cty.--That at late meeting, q young man
who had been d,sowned by The Society, went
to the meeting. and placed himself. at the
head Of it.--ll being considered by the lead
ing members, that his conduct was such as TO
render il improper TO be countenanced, by
letting him remain so eonspicuOosiy in the
Meeting, thought proper to remove from il,
which was effected after considerable resis-
tance--The keeper of tho Aims. house hap.
pcniDg to be at the meeting, and seeing tho
very disorderly conduct, took charge Of him,
end confined him for TWO days when he wa.
liberated, and Immediately commenced a suit
against the keeper and threc OF tho Society,
for assault and battery.
The nexi Sunday, the same young man,
accompanied by another man who had sv.,d
by his side, went to the meeting, and again
took the head Of II, for the purpose as they
said, of clearing the high seats--but they
were removed from the house, and afterwards
taken into custody by the civil authority,
found guilty Of a riotous sssemblage to die.
,utb the meeting, aod bound over TO take
their trial.
by the above it will be seen, that such con-
duct is confined TO few iodvidusls, end is
not countenane-d by the Society Of Friends
in aoy manner whatever.-Afereury.