Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-06-01
Visit to the Yearly Meeting, by an
Exc uaker.

/
thought proper to recognise a member of their
Church, by addressing me several letters to that
effect; but, alas! only to assure that the
point of losing so inestimable a boon. l had perpe
trated matrmony contrary to the established order
of "our religious society,", aud in vain did my wife
whose chief concern it was, she being the only
suferer-protest that she forgave me from the bot.
tom of her heart The Society was inc xorable, and
was pruned away like Z" an abominable branch"
This cruel decree Of course cut off from the
privilege of attending this meetings for business in
which had enjoyed great satisfaction when boy;
for it then that the exciting scenes between the
Hcksite and Orthodox parties were carried to the
highest pitch, and the meeting for business became
for theological warfare; less bloody, indeed
than Marston Moor, but quite as interesting to the
Beloved youth"
left IKE city before the separation took place,
and had since visited it, until the close Of last
week. 1t may be imagined that had not lost all
interest in my late fellow members, and that, when
walking up the Bowery on Monday afternoon, saw
Friends swarming around the doors of their meeting
house, felt some inclination to witness more
their style Of operations. So, in obedience to the
intoard roice, marched directly to the gate, and
entered the house in grave and sober manner, sac
cordng to the good order of our religious society,""
| ne meeting was not yet nusneu INTO that m0men-
tary silence which precedes the opening OF business
although the ministers gallery was pretty we'll lined
with ,ceighty Friehds, dressed in that garb which,
in my youthful days, was wont to look upon as the
outward emblem of inward sanctity. Few, very
few Of them did recognize. But there was nay
old acquaintance John Wines, Of Flushing, whose
eloquence won HIM a fashionable Quaker damsel,
both beautiful and rich, and with whose spirit.
stirring tones my ears had been familiar
There sat John but twelve years had passed over
him since last my eyes rested on his countenance.
The glossy chestnut hair was now gray, unrelievcd
by a single fibre Of darker hue. The plump round
cheek had become elongated and the finger Of Time
had drawn sundry lines transverseiy from the inner
of the eye toward the outer anglo of the chin
Nevertheless, it was John Wines and his eye,
though somewh hat tanned, still emitted goodly por.
ton of its ancient enthusiasm. Among wrinkles,
hollow checks, and blossoming heads, sought not
unsuccessfully for several other well known coun-
tenances but the majority of these dignitaries were
utter strangers: knew them not.
| Having secured good seat, and perceiving that
attracted no attention, doubted not that should
enjoy my stolen visit without molestation. So 1
made sell at home. and for the time forget that
l was prescribed and outlawed man. A Friend on
the highest seat by the name OF Green,-cousin to
the revo utionary General,-arose and spoke a few
words, in which he exhorted the brethren to pre-
serve love and unity. he resumed his seat, ind
then up the consideration OF that part OF the
discipline which relates to the msrryng Of first
cousins and others of near Kindred Itappears that
the subject had been agated in Of the quarterly
meetings and while some appeared disposed to
settle the affair the spot, others favor Of
referring it to a Committee. One tall young Friend
the moor coAtended strenuously for the old land
marks. 1t is probable that he had already made his
market, and had no bowels for such youth as had
been penetrated by the bonny blue eyes Of some
loving The subjects OF going TO law, ministers
acting as jurymen, and kindred topics, were next
discussed, with some warmth, by Mr.. Isaac 4.
Hopper and others, during which English Grammar
was stretched the rack by country Friends, and
Lindley Murray crucfed atresh. Some of the
speakers appeaIs terribly afraid Of appointments to
the Legislature, whose style OF oratory gave faint
prelude to such an alarming event. Alas! few were
the voices that recognized Voices which, In the
golden days of Elias Hicks, had reverberated within
those walls were to be heard there no more. Time!
thou hast triumphed; and the daisy the long grass
and the weeping willow are the bays Of victory!
| As the time for adjournment approached, began
TO congratulate myself ON the success with which
had cvadcd the scrutiny Of concerned Friends and
had evea begun TO form a resolution TO repeat my
visit. But alas how little do we know what
moment NAV bring forth! AT that very instant,
voice lifted up IN some OBSCURE corner OF the
house, procaiming that during the afternoon some
ineropcrs had stolen 10 TO spy out the weakness Of
the lagd, and ad vsing the appointment Of com
mittee attend about the doors and in the house,
as guard against sacrilegious intrusion. The clerk
| caught at the proposition, aud prepared to take
names with an alacrity that led me 10 suppose the
turning out process was TO be Immediately entered
upon, aud that this arrangement had been made for
nv exclusive beneht ami oh! misT ere, already
observed several eyes ominously turned toward the
spot where was seated. Iassumea all the gravity
and unc saccrn which could muster, and screwed
my courage up to the sticking point, that # my
body corporate should be de fdcto elected from the
premises, might at least suffer with dignity; aud
| although could not regard myself precisely as
MARTYR vet I resolved to make mp in pluck whit 1
lacked in goodness.
/ Greatly was 4 relieved, therefore, when gathered
from the remarks Of the clerk that this committee
was not to perform its functions until Tuesday
morning could now listen calmly TO the OF
the committee. -Four were appointed The first
| tive names were new to me. Then followed Barney
Cor.e. and. az he replied to his cognomen, 1 well
recognised the tones Of my former schooImate, and
could not doubt his quali6ca ions for the station
had seen him mount the high brick wall an Pearl
street and calamity repel with various missiles the
embattled throrg Of urchns, who, pouring up from
Uapue street. threatened with snow balls and brick
bats TO take by storm the premises occupied by the
youth Of the monthly meeting school Then was
called the name Of timothy III. Berger well re-
membered Tim; all the world knows him He was
pet of an exemplary friend Samuel faieoner, who
cradled him in side of sole leather and brought him
up from his infancy TO the shoe business 1imothy's
same was called aud response at my elbow an
nounccd the alarming contiguty Of mine ancient as
sociate. But happily low partition separated us.
Tins head rested calmly against one side OF this
par,itio, while was supported by the other There
was oply a plank between us, and, by setting bolt
upright we could have looked into each others
faces I felt no inclination to revive old remnis
oences in Tins mind at that particular juncture but
! | looked at his head-that wel-remembered little
] mt halr MA