Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-09-22
Mtstelluneous.
THE CRISIS IN oUAKERIsM,

ness,', or when, as q Society per Sc, they will
undergo distinctive dissolution.
Philadelphia is the stronghold Of Qnakerisu
upon this continent. The gaity Of oIr streets is
sobered aud partially neutralized bS the scmbre
grey garments, collarless coats, sugar scoop b.n-
nets and broad brimmed hats VI these cxccilen
people. With all our chart a5,e institutions aud
with many Of our public Improvements, the names
Of Quakers are intimately connected, and anything
affecting their history or welfare must be Of specia
interest to us Philadelphia Ieoplc.
In the case Of Quukerism. the history Of the
experiences Of its founder is vital to a knowledge
Of the system, because it came in the fulluess OF
it's proportions from his hanl.. That branch Of
the Society of Friends, which is doubtless
the proper succession of the Quakerism Of.
the seventeenth century, in the belief Of many
American Quakevs, admits no improvement, in
the system, as such, since its revelation to Fox 10
the openings Of the Lord Historically, as we
have already said, the Society has had its infancy
and its growth; but, as a system, it sprung into
maturity at a bound. Barclay, Penn and Sewall,
with rare scholarship, have done it much service
in the way of arrangemnt and illustration; but
they have added no doctrine, modified no tenet, nor
prescribed any new rule or custom. The personal
history of George Fox is The perspective of Quak-
erism, and what Quakerism Is, is seen wherever
VIC cast our eyes over the fair proportions Of this
goodly city.
Living as we do amid broad brimmed and sugar
scooped influences, it is strange that as q general
rule people so little appreciate the philosophy of.
The Quakers. The shad 'belly coats and other
peculiarities of costume adopted By the Friends,
are. in many cases, supposed 10 be q distinctive
livery. Nothing could be further from the truth;
for the costume worn by the Friends of the pres
emit day was the costume of the middle classes of
the English people 10 the time of Fox, who, by
the plainness of their apparel, sought to admins
tel q silent rebuke to the excuses and extrava.
gsnces epgendered by the Court of King Charles.
But in England we now see that proposed re-
forms in the religious Society of Friends, which
had for some time been under consideration in
England, or rather by the London Yearly Meet
ing, we're favorably passed upon at the late Year
~ Meeting, will hereafter form part of the discip.
line of the Society within its bounds. These
reforms or changes refer to 'plainness of speech,
behavior and apparel Parliament has also
passed the necessary act to permit the marriage of
persons, not members but attendants Of their NEE.
tings, to be performed in their meetings. 1t can
not be doubted that these are important innova'
tons, which. if allow e to progress. must revolu-
tionise the society altering more or less, the whole
system of doctrine and testimonies handed down
from the forefathers Of Quakerism, and heretofore
believed by Friends to be in accordance with the
purity and spirituality of the gospel, and what ev-
cry true Friend has been accustomed to look on as
sacred and dear to his best feelings.
The result Of this change is, that members of
the Society of Friends will not be required to
dress plainly, to use the plain language, or to OBJ
serve the strict behavior hitherto a part Of the
discipline of Friends; while persons who show by
their attendance upon meetings that they have a
common belief with Quakers, will enjoy the priv
ilege of having the marriage ceremony performed
in meeting. The effect of this reform, therefore,,
will be to abolish the thee and thou the verify
'perndventure, and all those quaintnesses of die,
lion which go to make up the Distinguishing traits
of the Society, together with uncOuth bonnets,
hats shockiugly ~viOlative Of the unities, and coats
with unsymmetrical bifurcations. More than this,
it will touch the bosoms of our pretty Quakeress-
es, and render .hem succeptable to the imp essions
of worthy young men who swear by somebody else
than George Fox.
II seems that the party in the London Yearly
meeting faVoriug these changes, who have long
been at work to accomplish them, is large in num-
Der, respectable in position, and influential from
wealth and learning; and having boldly and frank
ly demanded The change, have taken an active part
in meetings is urging general acquielcence.
In Ireland a similar movement has been inau-
guratei, and will probably, at the next meeting of
she Dublin Yearly Meeting, be consumated.
Thence it will, of course, extend to this country,
where indications Of such q proceeding have for
some time been existing, and where the movement
will either effect a separation, or a confirmation as
in England. The result Of this departure from a
portion of the discipline of original quakerism,
which departure the reGormers contend has moth
ing to do with the doctrines p~rOfessed by the Soci-
ETY., will probably be a gradual increase in the
number of members. instead of a gradual de-
crease, which for some years has been steadily
progressing. As it now exists, Quakerism is rap
idly dying out in England. while its increase in
this country is scarcely perceptible. Organized
as they now are, the duration OF the distinctive
features OF the Society is a mere question Of time
and to the proposed change, in our opinion, il
must alone look for any additions to its vitality.
We have before us a copy of an English period
zeal, entitled The Friend, in which the editor ha'
written a long article in review Of this action o.
the English Quakers, in which it's argumcutati7e
Iy condemned as containing the seeds for the dis
o!ution Of the Society, and adds:
these changes have by no means completed The
Reforms contemplated. or exhausted the power oil
the party that has carried them through. Much
yet remains to be done before the Society will be
90 renovated and rejuvenated as to satisfy. An
arrangement for teaching during part Of the time
Of our meetings for worship usually held ia 81
lenee. by persons. who. from their knowledge OF
the Greek Syriae languages, and study OF the
Scriptures. aud tht-rvarious Commentaries upon
them, may think themselves qualified and called
apon 10 praeti ,e it in them; Scripture Meetings
where both learned or uuiearned may study and