The New York herald., 1871-12-10
RELIGIOUS QUAKINGS AMONG TIE QUAKERS
A Rattling Among the Dry Bones Of the Society
Of Friends Stirring Revivals and Another
Probable Schism-A Meeting Of Prayer
and Exhortation in Brooklyn.

Tie Society OF Friends has long been In state OF
seeming inanity as regards religious feeling; Its
name dead letter In the catalogue OF Christian
sects. This negative characteristic has been more
the result OF custom than OF principle, although in
the traditions OF the old Hicksite branch it is
venerated as q necessity OF
AN ORTHODOX OBSERVANCE OF THE GENUINE CREED
The first scnism OF the denomination occurred in
1928, when 1t was separated into two bodies, which
were called respectively Hlckslte and Orthodox
Friends Undoubtedly the iiicksites were really
the most "OrthodOx" In not departing from the
tmc-honored ways OF their fathers through many
generations, but 1t Is generally believed that the
Orthodox Friends, In giving free sway to
proselyting sptrJ-much condemned by the cOnscr.
vative Hicksites-are more nearly what were the
original founders Of the society. However, after
the first agitation In 1925 which stirred many Of the
stolid Quaker hearts to their deepest depths both
divisions dropped again into the old apathy, and
since that time they have only been occasionally
heard from by the world in connection with timely
missions Of benevolence and love 10 the Southern
negroes the Indians or the destitute French and
the world has not troubled itself very greatly about
what seemed SO far removed from its life and so
dimly defined in ITS knowledge. With comely yet
modest meeting houses in the MIDST OF several OF
our most populous cities and their general charac-
ter for
often before the people the real CUSTOMS door ines
history and aims OF this curious people really,
very little understood. save by those few per sons
who have made them special study. Now, how
ever, they are likely to appear moro promincn tly,
and through q progressive metamorphosis In
thought and religious fecling-at the sacridce per-
haps, OF some degree OF Deculiarlty-wi be better
known and comprehended. For some time past
MORE LIBERAL IDEAS
tnan the rigid primary discipline OF the society
would countcnance have been growing, not in
either particular branch but in almost every
individual mind in both branches. Within that
time the HicKsitc Friends have broken through
an ancient negative tradition OF theirs and estab.
lshed means OF public religious instruction for
their children similar TO those OF other churches,
and which by them are called First Day schools"
The success and welcome OF this movement Is
Sabbath scholars IN the Eastern meetings numbered
over sixty thousand This progress had In England,
however, taken place earlier.
Now
DEEPER AGITATION
has SHOWN itself In the Orthodox society, but might
easily have arisen in either branch, since II finds
sympathizers and enemies In both. In fact,
the original questions which ,csnn caused rot .he
about In each OF the independent sects as
they were before that In the united body OF the
Quakers. Many OF the members are widely adrft
as to their alleged beliefs and unfortunately by the
unique devicc OF "birtnrigh5 membership are
series OF revival meetings which nave been held
house, at the corner OF Washington and Lafayette
avenues, In Brooklyn, have precipitated renewed
and vigorous discussion OF most or
THE OLD POINTS OF DOUBT AND DIFFERENCE,
and have given rise to new ones OF rather less alb.
stract character. The manner In which the meet
ings are conducted has awakened the conservative
ire OF many persons whose mental cogwhees refuse
to be Joted out of the old ruts and an
almost Methodstic enthusiasm IN others VINO
as M ue woe e 81 TG
meetings." as a revolutionary movement contrary
to the traditions OF the society, have made the
attempt OF distributing tracts through the assem-.
blages containing extracts from The writings OF
George Fox, William Penn and other early lights OF
own IDEAS. The troubles have been fomentlng
more aud more on every succeeding night on which
tho meetings have occurred, until they have at
length grown 80 serious as TO portend regular
schlsm In the Church.
Last evening the fourteenth and the last or these
meetings was held, anu the gathering was as large
OF uia" .hS society :' % there was evieniy Plentiful
sprlnkling OF representatives or other creeds, and
especially Of the Methodist. A good many fashion.
able young ladies' sat upon foremost seats In tho
auditorium, while severe maiden ladies', with
vlsages unreaxed, were content to occupy more Oh.
scure positions. Scattered through the audience
were many individuals OF both sexes, OF lang. lean
and sharpened aspect with hair hanging behind in
ne %es, ssshii sssai eFssaes Oso
minds. Only one or two OF the traditional draB
bonnets and broad orims were visible IN the whole
olld.looklng men ana women. As many faces were
marked by curiosity as by reyevent feeling.
SERVICES
were opened by william Laid, VINO read lengthy
passage from the Scriptures upon which he AFTER
wards expounded for han an hour.
Brother France followed HIM, beg inning by saying
that he proposed to preach but lite and when lie
said that he meant what he said. Sensation OF re-
lief) He then delivered a sermon upon the text
which enjoins that all worship should be 10 spirit
and IA truth. While ne was preaching many would.
be listeners lapsed into the enfolding arms or Nor.
pneus, but were afterwards suddenly awaSened, IL
was observed, when he reached the
THUNDBRINo CLIMAX OF ELoQUENCE
which preceded his abrupt sitting down. voice
was then heard from some unknown par; OF the
assembiage saying, "Let us approach the throne,n
and one-half the audience was Immediately bowed
In prayer, wnNe the other half stretched Its neck
to catch glimpse OF the suppcant. the prayer
was very simple and touching, and responding
groans arose irom other wrestling brethren and
Sisters. The pith OF the supplication was ths.--
"Baptlze thy servans let backsliders be reclaimed
and make new converts.n Another sudden
transition OF exercise followed, meek woman
under brown bonnet recting IN low,
distinct voice and with her eyes fixed on the
ground, a series OF biblical texts and adding few
words OF comment, which produced deep impress
sion. Another faint female voice then arose from
distant OF the house, and this time most OF
hnao N how Caroline q