The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-04-09

Quakcri.m in the Quaker CITY.
PnILADrIrnIA, April 1st |

MR.. EDITOR. wing many personal
and valued friends, among the friends
in Addison County, prompts or induces
me to collate a few facts, and brief his.
toric summary, relating to that highly re.
spectacle society Of Christians in this the
city of their stronghold. But before do
ing so, ] will premise, that George Fox
Of England, it is well known, was the
founder of the Society of Friends or Quak.
ers. He was born in the year 1924, and
it is said his mind became greatly excited
on religious subjects, and he finally or.
gained society Of his followers and ad.
herents, about the year 1850.
The cardinal and distinctive principle
of Quakerism is the inner light, spoken
Of in the Bible by John, as that light
that lighteth every man that cometh into
the world" This light is regarded as
superior to conscience by them, as that
faculty of the mind may become demon
alqed by prejudice, or changed by circum
stances, but that this light remains intact
through all the vicissitudes of life. They
have ever been outspoken against war
slavery, intemperance, pride, the taking
Of judicial oaths, vain amusements, anC
all species of frivolity. l understand thai
doing the Southern rebellion, large
number Of the young men belonging tC
the Friends society, went forth to Dixi,
and shouldered their muskets, un
sheathed the sword, and heriocally bat
tied for liberty, and the God given right
of man. All honor to them, for joining
hands with the cohorts of patriots, tina
faced death on the "tented field" tina
through their efforts, sacrifices, and suf
fering, this glorious union Of States nigh
survive, and its flag perpetuated, with
not star or stripe erased from its ampl,
folds. Yes, double honor to them, as il
cost them the sacrifice Of a cherished
principle, to help throttle the hydra head
ed demon slavery. On their return, some
were disowned, others retained theii
standing and membership, after explain
ing the causes that impelled them to helE
beat down what Wesley characterised az
the "sum of all villanes."
| suppose it is not necessary to State
that there are two divisions, or branches
of the Quaker church mlitant-Ortho
dox and Hicksites. Although a mere
lad at the time, yet [ distinctly recolIec
the great sensation it produced through
the country, when the division occurred
About the year 1927 or 8, ELLA
Hicks" the head and front of what i
now the "Hicksite Wing" was l think
resident of Long Island, and began tt
give evidence, many of the friend
thought, of being unevangelical. Hi
preaching at length produced disaffection
until division occurred. recollec
likewise the famous law suit that after
ward occurred in the state of New Jersey
in regard to the ownership Of the meet
house and other property in that State
The distinguished advocate, David Pau
Brown of this city, was one Of the lead
ing Counsel in the case as was also tn
late Hon. Samuel l.. Southland, who a
that time had no peer at the New Jerse
Bar.
There seems to be sort Of reticenc
among the friends in reference to givn
their particular views and doctimal belle
relating to religious matters. | have il
quired of two venerable Philadelphi
friends, in regard to the differences {
belief, between the Orthodox and Hicl
sites. Neither of them gave me yer
definite or ineligible exposition. Or
ronl,aA Int ha v,,nl 81 Io.
trinal man, but believed in living RICH
To that sentiment and utterance, ! coul
not object, although l did not obtai
much eight touching my question. Tt
other one replied about as inde6nitel
One of them knew to be Hicksite, til
other l supposed to be. Possibly the
did not fancy being interviewed on
short an acquaintance, but l have learr
ed from other and reliable sources, th
Hicks rather favored the Unitaria
theory. And still farther, that the lea
ing and prominent dogma or belief
himself and immediate followers tn
caused the disruption, was in relation
inspirational matters, or the inner light
The Hicksites adopt the theory, and a
here to the belief, that this light is supe
Tor, and paramount to any written boz
whatever, and is to be followed whether
agrees or disagrees, with the commonly r
ceived Interpretation of the Scripture
The Orthodox adopt the opposite belle
that the inner light cannot disagree wi
the scriptures, and is the true light, on
when it is in accord with the teachings
Holy writ.
William Penn, it is well known, car
over from England while young ma
and planned, laid out, and named Il
beautiful City, and with the colonists tn
came with him founded the society. The
are now about 500 friends in Philad,
phia, of which about 300 are Hicksits
and about 2600 are of the Orthod
school. Race street is the largest me,
ing in the City; it is also the largest f
oiety edi6ce in town. At the head of t
brethren on the mems side of the HOT
sits the venerable and eloquent minist
George Truman, a physician, upwards
seventy years Of age. He is preach
Of uncommon ability, and of comman
ing personal appearance. have hea
him expatiate very eloquently and alb
on 1.-THE inner light" At the head of
women's side Of the house, sits Lucre
Mott, long distinguished for philanthro]
and good works, in every good eau
Born in Massachusetts, in the year II!
now verging on so years, she appe
very active and vigorous for woman
that age. Judging from her looks, {
would suppose her to be ten years your
er. Among the elders, are Dilwyn p
IRISH, retired druggist his wife Sus
is also an elder. On Spruce street, n,
Ninth, is the oldest Hicksite Frie
meeting house in the City. 1t is fin
shaded, and has an appearance of qui
ude inviting peaceful meditation. I
vrsno,Dal ~, an ho- &c l. % 49, t..