New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-23
MEETING OF PROGRESSIVE FRIENDS.

Correspondence
LosGwooD, Chester CO., Pa, May Is, 1897.
This religious association, which was organized IN
Chester County, four years since, commenced us an
nual meeting on Sunday the l7thlnstan Ihenumoer
in attendance unparalleled in any of the preceding
years The commodous editce at Longwood was
literally crammed some time before the hour for
vening while more than thousand persons were
excluded from the possibility of an entrance; hun
dreds of vehicles of all sorts and descriptions filled
the fence-corners, from a quarter to half mile, in
every direction, while the vendors Of food for the
multitude had their tables arranged under the trees
upon the public highway; there was no intoxicating
drink on the ground. A number Of distinguished
speakers from abroad were present At the morn
ing session, Sarah B. Dugdale, avenerabc woman,
and long an eminent minister in the Society of
Friends, made few impressive remarks. Joseph
A. Dugdale followed in prayer; Oliver johnson then
read the call under which the meeting had convened.
One Of the clerks then quoted passage from the tx
position of Notwithstanding like this: we
welcome alike the word of exhortaton, the voice OF
PRAYER and the song of thanksgiving and praise,
whichever may well up from the inner tuness OF the
"devoted soul, and said there were those present
who desired to express, their sentiments IN song.
number of persons Of both standing on the plat
form, then united in singing hymn beginning with,
" Uafchman, tell us IF the night" Interesting ~
courses were then delivered by W. l.. Garrison OF
Boston who first read some portions OF ScnpmIel,
phia. Mrs. Mott, though still retaining her memhsr
ship in the Old Body of Friends, took occasion to
crticse its shortcomings, and to congratulate the new
society seed in weakness and raised IN power
AT the close of her sermon motion was carried for
adjournment. In the afternoon, the multitude was
still larger than in the morning. More than one hour
before the time designated, the house was hled TO
OVERLOOKING. The speakers were Oliver johnson,
William Barnard Eusebius Barnard, and William ii.
Horsington, blind preacher from Ohio, formerly
New School Presbyterian minister, now associated
with this new society. He is man, considering the
circumstances of his blindness, possessing singular
power and ability speaker. Messages were sent
in from the disappointed crowd outside, inviting
speakers out 10 address them. William Lloyd Garrl-
SON Rowland johnson, William ii. Horslngton and
William LLOYD responded; and it was said some OF
tie best preaching in the open air-GOds great
temple Near the close Of the afternoon session. Mr..
Wells, gentleman holding nua-Calvinistc views,
desired to be heard, and was listened TO with earnest
attention II appears that several yearly meetings OF
similar character have been formed in other States
and communications were read from them; also let
teri from Joshua X. Giddings, MOncure ID. Conway,
ID. A. WATSON, Thomas j. Mumford \. d. Mayo
James Freeman Clark and others-among them
communication from some persons III New-Orleans
claiming TO be the friends of progression. under
stand the meeting has committees OF last year TO re-
port on Education Spiritualsm and other subjects.
The Monday morning session was opened by reading
letter.; large committee was appointed 10 prepare
n report ON the various testimonies against Slavery,
TIE Oppression Of Woman, War, Tobacco, lntemper-
ance &c. An interesting discussion took place. in
which a large number participated and while there
was evidently much difference of sentiment, the best
spirit prevailed. While Of the Quakers evinced
disposition favor the general midness OF that in
offensive sect those coming from Presbyterian stock
urged the society TO be aggressive TO embrace
the storm, the sunshine and the rainbow, in their
moral and religious enterprise.
At the opening of the afternoon session, commit
tee was appointed TO hold meetings throughout the
country during the coming year. The deepest and
most absorbing interest prevails, and no interruption
whatever has occurred. j. Sidney Jones, and his
wife. Fanny Lee Townsend, were on the ground on
Sunday. but neither OF them uttered word in tbs
meeting Many strangers piesen from distant part,
among whom the writer Of this brief, imperfect
sketch i numbered-were amply provided for by the
generous hospitality of the Progressive Friends