The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-31
The Quakers-Their Yearly Meetings, Dfvf-
siOns and HlstOry.

this city the present week Of the two divisions Of Qua
kers Friends called Orthodox and Hckste There was
large assembage of both branches Of this respectable
sect which distinguished not only in the annals
of this city Philadelphia but in those Of other
lions Of this country, from the earliest period Of its
settlement.
The founder of the religious sect Of Quaker George
Fox who born in l624 and ourishcd in the times
Of the stuarts and of the English Commonwealth made
a short visit to this country during his career as q
preacher and mentions this city Long Island in his
journal parts Of the scenes of his religious labors in
1872 The life Of William Penn and his connection with
the history of this country the founder Of the colony
of Pennsylvania, familiar to most readers.
As religious sect the Quakers continued TO flourish
in this country until the Of the Revolution when
their progress somewhat checked by their connec-
ton with England, and their opposition to that aud all
other Many of them suffered persecution mprison-
ment, and other difficulties account of their sup
posed to the English during the revolutionary pc
rod but when the over, they restored to
their former rights and privileges In the commercial
cities of the United States particularly in Philadelphia
and New York, they became distinguished for their
terpre and society they rapidly advanced to wealth
and influence They were, and STILL most prosperous
in the Middle States
The Quakers continued united society until the time
ished in the first quarter of this century He
the of Queens county, Long Island, aud had long
career as travelling and resident preacher Although
uneducated man, he possessed evolutionary and con-
versationa powers of high order and attracted hosts Of
admirers He perhaps, made more converts to the doe
rne and profession of the Quakers than any preacher
of his time in this country In his advanced years he
became remarkably bold and startling in his style of
preaching and advanced doctrines and peculiar notions
in his dscourses which drew upon him the attention of
those who considered themselves the followers of
George Fox and William Penn
Elias Hicks accused OF denying the divinity of
Christ the doctrine OF the atonement and the divine
authority of the Bible as well as other matters of belief
which the leading members of the Society Of Friends de-
cared have been principles and doctrines which had
always been received truths by the followers of Fox
and Penn.
About the year 1922 the controversy between the
friends of Elias Hicks and their opponents in the socie
ty became animated and bitter the principal
between the two parties being at the Quaker
meeting houses in New York and Philadelphia The
controversy carried with extreme asperty and
violence in debate and many who had been friends from
their youth became estranged from and hostile to each
other The present society in England appealed to
for advice and counsel and several English Friends dis
tinguished speakers and skilfu in doctrina points
TO America TO look into the matter, and
desvor to settle the controversy by their advice and
counsel Anna Brsthwaite among the most promi-
nent of these English Frer ds sent 10 the United States
endeavor quench the flames of discord and passion
She the Atlantic in company with the late
Bishop Hobart who then on his return from visit to
Europe On comparing opinions religion Anna Brath-
waite found that of her views conceded with those Of
the Bishop the main objections her part being the
forms Of the Church Of England the ordinances OF zap
tism and the Lords supper, and the employment of
hireng ministry to preach the gospel This agreement
Of views between Anna and the Bishop was reported
among the uakers and added to the preJudices With
which the followers Of Elias Hicks prepared to
ceive her The preaching and counsels Of this female
preacher from England. did good among those who
we're devoted the mnistraons, and had imbibed the
doctrines of the great Long Island preacher and they
began be denominated iiicksitesh by their oppo-
ncnts Besides Elias Hcks. there other preachers
Of the same views who always held themselves ready 10
Anna Brathwae, and other preachers sent here
bear testimony against the doctrr and notions of
Elias Hicks aud the consequence that the Quaker
meetings which had been previously noted for their peace
full character became Of contention and aecrimo-
nious debates points of religious faith and the inter
probation the doctrines which had been taught by
the founders the sect Both the Hicksitcs and their
opponents who we're called Orthodox claimed to be
true followers Of George Fox William Penn, and other
Amer long contest between the two parties each
striving the control ~ the Quaker meetings final
separation took place in 1877 In this DIVISION the Hicks
ties found TO have majority Ia New York city and
Philadelphia They also established meetings in various
other psrs Of the country but the whole the ortho
dox Fri, nds formed large majority Of the society In
the United States In England ireland Virginia and
North Carolina. no separation took place.
After the SCI aration in 1877 the Quaker yearly meet
ing LONDON declined all intercourse and correspon-
dence with the Ilicksites communicating only with the
Orthodox Friends The Hieksites have yearly meetings
in Philadelphia New York and baltimore also, in Ohio,
Indiana, aud Western New York. BY statement pnb.
lshe years after the division viz ia ls29 II ap
peared that q 10000 Quskers in the United Safes,
$1,000 Heksitcs; but that did not probably give
their full proportion We not Informed what the
lstive proportions IL The branches present;
but il l. understood that the ora Siox much the
most numerous although the Hcssites prevail in the
large Atlantic cities There are IN the United States
about 500 Quaker meeting houses places Of worship,
including orthodox and Iiicksites In this city the
Hcksites have three meeting housesthe Orthodox only
one.
of Friends Who have visited this country from England
ly far the most talented and prominent was The late
Joseph John Quincy man of fortune and education,
and brother Of the celebrated Mrs. Fry the female
Howard a Europe. Mr. Quincy beneyolence Of cha
racter and his accomplished manners. ~ well ss his
style ofocuton attracted numerous audiences wherever
Ia appeared preacher. Hs discOurscs what
generally called evangelical his doctrines assintiug
to those II The trcter sects 81 Protestant They
not Of re-hed by the Hicksites, who did not,
indeed consider Quincy a. a true Quaker follower ~
George Fox lie wrote much for the press aud left
many published works on doctrinsl points chiefly ex
pauatory and IN defence q the belief aud principles u
orthodox Friends
tn centrally believed by the other secls that the
Quaker a. a religious denomination are on the decline
This de. not however appear from the crowded state u
tbcir yearly mectugs. st which bat irw others than
Quaker attend
There are AZ present in tho orthodox portion n The
Society ten yearly meetings a Friends, vz:-London
and Dublin for Britain aud Ireland Ncw kugland.
held a. Nceport Rhode Island, New York held in this
city Pennsylvania and New jersey hell 70 PhiadcPhia
Maryland held In baltimore Virginia. held IN that state
at Cedar creek and summerton alternately Norh Caro-
Ina Lpd 40 New Garden in that state, Ohio. held at
Mount Iioasaut and Indiana held az Richmond, in
Wayne county These according 10 tie account n the
OrthodoN themselves include an aggrrnte q from o0e
hundred and twenty 70 hundred and hiy thousand
members
In 1893 Rev Doctor Samuel H. Cox Published pom
derous octave volume of CSC pages against the Quaker
II which society he member by brthrieh until he
lcit thtm when he twenty years ~ age The work
II entitled Quake rism not Christianity but i met
with sorry reception from all quarters "a We believe
has never been much read The title considered
IN, hartabe and unfair that the work was condemned
VI once without regard its merits selection might
BE- made from a. doubtless, which, put into readable
Engh might attract attention among those curious ia
such matters The ctcF condemns bis former Quaker
brehr, n Orthodox ana Hrsite alike deny ing that
the Orthodox he recog lzed ly tn ehurchc q christ
lie says they are not orthodox The word i only
carcHiure AZ applied 10 them and i Just ouiy die
eliminating th,m ia contrast with the most extrayazant