New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-29
THE PROGRESSIVE FRIENDS.
THE PENNSYLVANIA YEARLY MEETING.
Correspor deuce Of The y. Y. Tribune.

! L.. y
correspordenee Of The n. Y. Tribune.
KENNETT, Chester Co., Pa, May q, 1855.
The Third Yearly Meeting of the religious So
ciety of Progressive Friends adjourned sine die
last evening, after session Of three days. The
Society convened on Sunday morning in spa
cous and elegant ediiice just erected for It's
use on a beautiful site two miles east Of Ken
nett-square. The house was dedicated TO reli-
gious, moral, literary and scientific purposes
on the Saturday previous. The services OF the
occasion consisted Of the reading Of select pas
sages Of Scripture by Joseph 4. Dugdale prayer
by Theodore Parker of Boston; addresses by
Oliver johnson of NeW-York, Prof Harvey of
Philadelphia, and Theodore Parker, and music
by the Hutchinson Family. Chandler Darling
ton presided, and Edward Webb and Mary T.
Wilson acted as Secretaries
In spite of the pouring rain the house was
crowded to its utmost capacity. Mr.. Johnson's
address was designed only TO present a history
Of tie erection of the new house and an eX-
PLANTATION Of the objects to which it would be de-
voted Prof Harvey spoke of the divine law OF
Progress in tie material universe as exempliiylng
the operation Of a similar Law in the mental, moral
The address was vell-deliyered and every way
crodtable to IFS author The subject of Mr.
Parkers discourse, as near as / can recOllect,
Was, Tie Relation of Ecclesiastical OrganiZa-
lions to tie Religions Consciousness Of Man
He spoke for two hours and a quarter, in Il way
that con handed tie closest attention Of the whole
assembly The theme at first seemed somewhat
abstTuse. but bis manner of treating il such
a. To bring il within the comprehension of even
Al a l.
discourse, | understand, will be printed with
the proceedings of the Yearly Meeting.
Tie songs of the Hutchinson Family were a
great delight TO all. The Quakers, You know,
have always discOuntenanced music regarding lt
as "carual diversion" a mere tickling OF the ear
alto ether unworthy Of a Christian The Pro-
fTessire Friends have for the most part discarded
This sse idea still there is among thernas yet very
little Of musical culture. and singing consequentyis
quite rare in their religious assemblies IL was
interesting 10 watch the effect OF the singing on
this occasion. The Hutchinsons selected such
pieces as we've admirably adapted TO touch the
feelings and move the hearts OF the audience, and
tie tears that were seen cOursing down the cheeks
OF many venerable Friends showed that they tet,
as they had never done before, that music has
power over the human soul 20 inspire il with noble
thoughts and fl it with holy aspirations.
The Yearly Meeting. as have said, commenced
lIk ttttltls on SUNDAY mOILlLg MISUNDERSTANDING
the iast-ialling Rim the meeting house was
crowded. 1t seemed as if the people for miles
around were all astir ard many persons from dis
lance We're present. On the platform we're many
venerable ard ell.kDown Friends Of both sexes
Tie Proceedings 81 the meeting were conducted
in oct respects like those OF other bodies Of
Friends There was no President. and only two
Clerks (JOseph 4. Dugdale and Sidney Pierce
Curtis ~ keep record Of what was done The
utmost liberty OF speech prevailed, and little re-
gard was paid 10 Parliamentary rules; and yet the
debates we've courteous and the proceedings as
orderly ca the Whole as those OF an large assem-
by that ! ever attended There we're differences
OF opinion On minor points, but wonderful unanim-
iiy respect 10 the essential objects Of the Asso-
catGn; and this is tie more remarkable in view
Of tie fact that the privileges of the organization
are open without regard 10 sect party, sex or
creed 10 all the friends Of truth purity and prog
ress. Tie man OF orthodox views may stand side
By aide with those vhose theology he deems IN
souoG and both may labor together harmOniOusly
for the promotion Of practical Christianity
Soon after the meeting assembled, on Sunday
morning, Theodore Parker, being introduced by
enc Of the clerks, proceeded to deliver profoundly
able as well as touehingly beautiful discourse upon
The Blessedness and Beauty Of True Piety"
II was admirably adapted to the occasion and 10
the wants Of tie audience, and made deep i'm
preston. II viii be printed am told with the
proceedings OF the meeting
/ cannot without making this letter too long
sketch the proceedings Of the meeting during its