Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-22
THE GREAT QUAKER CAUSE.
+ From the Trenton Emporium.

The great Quaker cause, as it is termed, has
been decided by the highest State tribunal. The
interest taken by the community IN the history
and termination Of this suit, will justify the space
this brief statement occupies in our paper.
It's matter of public notoriety, that from
the year 1925 to 1927, difference Of sentiment,
either in relation to fundamental doctrines or
important articles Of discipline, had arisen among
the Society Of Friends, which in the latter year
= produced a separation Of the Society. Prior 10
tins separation the two parties were known oy
the appellations Of Orthodox" and Hicks
lite. n-'rhe first from their alleged adherence to
the faith of the early Friends; and the last from
their partiality towards Elias Hicks, favorlte
speaker with them, although they also claimed to
believe with the early Friends. Upon the separa-
ton. disputes about the large property held by
the Society. naturally arose, to determine one ut
which in 1923, this present suit was brought IN
Chancery.
bill Tor relief was filed in the Court of Chan
eery, BY JOS Hendrickson, complainant, against
Thomas l. Shotweli, defendant, to foreclose a
mortgage given BY the defendant to the plaintiff
as Treasurer of the Preparative Meeting Of
Friends for Chesterfield, for the sun of Two
Thou sand Dollars. The sum was part OF trust
fund, raised by contribution in 1890, by the
members Of the meeting. and placed under the
control of Trustees to be appointed by 1t. Hen
erickson vas the Treasurer chosen by the Ortho-
dox; the Hicksites had, since the separation,
elected Stacy Decow Treasurer, who claimed
payment Of the money, as the proper representa-
tive Of the Trustees.
of either Society. finding himself thus placed
between two fires, for his own safety in 1929
filed bill Of interpleader, desiring that both
Treasurers might be brought into Court, and
each party there be compelled to make out his
title TO the money. This brought the disputants
face to face in Court, where the right Of property
was to he determined on the question, "which
is the true Society Of FriendsH
Ia showing forth, on behalf Of the Orthodox,
their exclusive right to that title, Hendrckson
stated their belief to be - in those doctrines al
WAYS held and maintained by the Society Of
Friends or people called Quakers; to wit:
First-Though they have seldom used the
word Trinity they believe in the existence OF
the Father, the Son or Word, and the Holy Spl.
rit-that the Son was God and became flesh
that the re is one God and Father. of whom are
all thinss-rhat there is one Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom were all things made, who was lori.
fed with the Father before the world began. who
is God over ali blessed forever-that there is one
Holy Spirit. the promise at the Father and the
Son, the leader and sanctfier and comforter OF
his people, and that these three are one, the Fa-
ther, the Word. and the Spirit.
Second-'rhey believe in the atOnement-that
the divine and human nature of Jesus Christ.
the Saviour, were united-that thus united he
suffered; and that through his suferings, death
and resurrection, he atoned for the sins OF men.
That the Son Of God, in the ful.ness Of time.
took flesh. became perfect man, according to the
flesh descended and came Of the seed Of Abra-
ham and David; that being with God from all
eternity. being himself God. and also in time
par,aking OF the nature Of man. through him is
the goodness and love OF God conveyed to man.
kind; and that bv him reeeiveth and par
taketh of these mercies-that ne took upon him
the seed Of Abraham, and his holy body and
blood was Offering and sacrifice for the sins Of
the whole world.
Third-They believe the Scriptures are given
by inspiration. and when rightly interpreted are
unerrins guides, adj. to make wise unto saliva
ton through faith in Jesus Christ that the spirit
s,i,i operates on the souls Of men, and in SO do
ing furnishes the primary rule of faith; that the
Scrip,ures must be secondary in reference to this
primary source from whence they proceed; but
as the Dictates Of the spirit are always true and
uniform, all ideas and views which any person