The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-01
THE QUAKERs DEPARTING.
Closing Proceedings-The p..scipline Of the
Church Revised-The Andians-Memo-
rial 10 the International Peni-
tent,ary Congress

rial to the International Peni-
tent,ary Congress.
The Quaker Conference adjourned yesterday. In
many respects It has seen one OF the most lmpor-
tant and interesting ones that ever was held in this
city, and the last days session, to speak in Quaker
phrase, was very exemplary In its despatch Of
business. Three questions were settled-the
| revision OF the Church discipline, the me-
mortal to the International Penitentiary
Congress and the yearly action in regard to
| the civilization OF the Indians. The excited de-
bates OF the early sessions did nothing to disturb
| the apparent unity Of the sage and solemn synod;
and that there must have been exercised good
deal OF humility on the part OF some members is
shown by the fact that those things were fully
| accomplished which first met with such
strong opposition from the conservative party.
| The Quaker meetings do not recognize the
rule Of the majority, but continue the considera-
ton Of the subject until the whole sentiment ex
pressed Is In favor OF some decisive course. Then,
strange to say, there Is no formal vote taken, but
| he who wishes rises in his place TO express his
| opinion, and the Clerk very tardiy announces
| the will OF the assemblage. Where there is
| q wide and firm division OF sentiment the
| subject is usually postponed until some season
when more favorable opportunity for agreement is
anomaly in this age, and there is no doubt that,
among other old customs which stl exist in the
| Society Of Friends, will soon be changed to
| more modern and facle. The reform party, how
| ever, has already gained great victory over old
f0gyisD, and time will arm it TO win other battles
The Morning Sessions.
The men and women convened separately as
usual, and the former debated for a time upon the
proposed changes in the rule Of the Church. 1t was
then resolved that joint session take place, and
both bodies met in larger meeting house. Charles
| A. Macy acted as Clerk, and read the proposed
changes In q clear, deliberate voice. Many of them
| are merely verbal; few are of moment.
CHANGES CHURCH DISCIPLINE.
The fourth disciplinary query is amended SO as to
place at the discretion Of the member the charac
| tcrzing Of places OF amusement as to whether
they are moral or immoral. tenth query is
added as fOlOws:-
Are schools established for the education our youth
under the snperinendence Of committees appointed by
UNDER the care IN Win nss ne
In the adm0nitions to the subordinate meetings
tobacco is specially referred to and is denounced ;
| and the following paragraph is also new One:-
IL is desired that all may faithfully observe Chris
tan testimony to ar free gospel ministry r was shown
being bred at oxiord 81 Cambridge. enough to
I qualification higher than man could confer.
In the admonitions against frequenting taverns
tn "r %crd Is made s to modify the
latitude to the Judgment of those WHO are to OBJ
The following new article forbds the use OF to-
/ baccO:-
Friends advised to abstain from the OF tobacco
nr 70 see r" iii, %r IN an
so liable to become habitual and injurious to health.
On marriages there Is an articcle which permits
members of the Church to marry without its folds
II the ceremony Is performed according to the dis
c!pne. inc Quaker ceremony OF marriage consists
simply in one OF the couple taking the other by the
hand and declaring before delegates appointed by
the monthly Conference to which one Of them be;
| wife husband,
In regard to dress, manners ana conversation
the rule is made little less stringent; and the fol-
lowing about ''going to law'' is entirely new
According to ancient and comey order brother ought
urgent necessity as Is hereinafter expressed limited
ETY. about their temporal concerns the party thinking he
mas 5eas9 % G Sa4 M is TO SPEAK IN calm and friendly
danger suffering in his just right enasavorne BY
he p pe one or es
The he
are e use their to have the matter
the parties S live 1 e distance SS from each ether r
and friendly manner and in the latter course he NAV
write and empower some friend to act in his behalf
After the close OF the reading OF the amendments
to the discipline, the minutes Of the Committee of
before the joint meeting The committee was au-
thorized to continue the consideration OF the SUBJ
ject of capital punishment" with the power to
present memorials to the Legislature whenever 1t
would be deemed proper The death of the venerable
Quaker, George 7. Trmble, whose name is wel
known to all old KnickerbOckcr families, was men-
toned In the minutes.
At about eleven O'Clock the joint session ad-
journed, and the meetings reassembled separately
The business OF the women almost all accom-
pished. The epistles to the yearly meetings of
Indiana and Philadelphia were adopted: Addresses
were delivered by Rachel Hicks, Harriet Il. Stock
ney and others; and, finally, the revision Of the Dis
cipline was confirmed.
Afternoon Sessions.
In the mems meeting the subject was again
debated upon at good deal OF length, some Of the
old, white-haired Friends being In favor of post
poning 1t again indefinitely, cIinging to the old
progressive lash Of the younger generation. Two
Quakeresses announced to the Clerk the decision
submitted and the revision OF the Discipline was
fully ratified. great sigh OF relief was drawn by
ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY.
The committee appointed TO prepare an address
to the international Penitentiary Congress at Lon
adopted and ordered to be sent:-
To TnE IsrxnSAr,osAL oosenrss on rHE rsvEsTIos
monss @ or CRIME to be held in London Seventh
% III osc nS Of eras Of ali ne
organizations we embrace the opportunity of the assem-
he
That ali legal penalties for crime should have distinctly
their punishment yindctive imposition q penalties
begets like all punishment which, in its nature, has the
character OF retaliation tends to harden the criminal
rather than lead to true and lasting reformation We
regard human life nvioabc, and the death penalty
as yindicve to the criminal denoralizng to society," IN
ton. We hope, therefore, the way may open your
body TO recommend all civilized nations Its early abo
lton from their penal codes.
rhe efforts your Congress to promote more humane
sentiment In the governments of the world In dealing
with the unfortunate and the criminal meet sympathy
and appreciation.
THE POOR SAVAGE.
The subject OF the Indians was then introduced
" q nfnt n lie
very detailed view of the condition OF the Indians
on the Omaha Winnebag0, Sioux and Pawnee
reservations. The number OF the Sioux was 907, all
of uhn had AZ oidr