The New York herald., 1873-12-07
QUAKER PROGRESSION

ktaid Forn,alifies Melting Away-Revc-,
lutionary Movement In Brooklyn
Society-Sexusi separation in Worship
Abolishcd--Nhat Does II signifys
The change in custom, manners and theological
ideas among the "meek followers Of George Fox,'
as the patronizipg world has so long condescendeW
10 call them has been one of very slow progress
Indeed 1t has been scarcely perceptble TO any but
the keenest observers OF the mutations OF the re-
ligous world. In late years papable indications
have appeared OF an assimilation in the thoughts
and practice OF this peculiar" people to the,
thought and practice OF the world about them-i
One OF these has been the silent vanishing away on
the ugly old-fashioned drab bonners and gowns
formerly worn by the elderly women. The toiera-
ton or music In their houses. the wear
ing OF clothing in accordance with EXIST
ing fashion, the decoration OF their persons
with gold and gems, the possession OF
elegant and elaborate residences, all OF when
their wealth could long since have afforded, but
which was not included in the simp ideal OF
a godly life kept ever in view by the gentle Fox.
have been SO many different but decided evidences
Of steps taken in the change, II not the progress,
which has been proceeding in the ranks OF the
denomination since its rsi prosecuting heat began
to cool In the indluerence OF the world to the az
Stract truth which was Its earliest animation.
The Quakers OF America have been somewhat
more conservative tnan those or Od England, DuG
recently they have drawn nearer ana nearer tc
the manners or 9th n churches processing, Ike
themselves, the name of Oh istans The latest
evidence OF this movement S presented IN the
Schermerhorn street Friends Society, OF Brooklyn,
which contains many active members OF the young
generation, and seems oath TO remain too IaI De-
hind the spirit OF the age in whicn 1t lives.
quiet agitation has Tor considerable time
been going on in tins church among the liberal por-
tion OF the congregation profess dy TO abolish the
stif lormalty so long IN vogue IN the Society on
compelling the sexes while at orship to sit separ-
ately ana also when in business session to trans
all affairs appertalning to the church OrganlZa-
ton apart and independently OF each other one
OF the first inroads upon this custom has now been
made and is significant in tsell OF what may follow.
meeting of the Schermerhorn street Friends
Society was held very lately IN Brooklyn, at which
the subject OF the proposed reform was first
brOached, and was discussed very fully IN all Its
aspects The younger ana progressive M members iSs
liberal growth OF ideas to the older minds OF the
church, and also to impress them with some pre-
on some day may wax strong enough to
work marvellous metamorphosls IN the
demure feminine portion OF the meeting apparently
united, albeit in chardcteristically modest man.
ner, with the arguments OF tile leading speakers or
the reform party IN favor or the idea OF family
union in worship at church.
The propositions as presented were adopted
They provide merely Tor change OF the trad-
tional custom of the society," so iar as to admit OF
families sitting together when at worship, IRE
spectlve OF sex, while single persons attending
church are it is understood, expected to still
adhere to the lormer practice OF going TO
distinct portion OF the edifce. The families oc-
cupy the seats pews arranged along the central
aisles, and other worshippcrs are supposed to ac-
comodate themselve, at the side aisles and In the
galleries.
The approval OF the ''monthy Yneetng'' OF the
district to which the Schermerhom street cOngre-
cation belongs, which it is stated by some Friends
VIII doubtless follow this successful beginning OF
the movement, Will ratfy the change and stamp
it as a tangible evidence OF modern assimilation
or religious ideas.
The next stage OF the progression OF this move
ment Is naturally the presentation OF the subject
to the yearly meeting OF the Society OF Friends,
which assemblies annually in this city. Its repre-
sentatives, coming rom all part oil the Middle and
Eastern States, comprise some of the clearest
thinking and most conscientious men OF the coun-
try, they not somewhat trammelled
by the restrictions OF tradItlonary custom
or discipline. There is little doubt,
however, that questions like this and
others OF lar more intrinsic Importance will, II
pressed with reasonable patience and logical
force, be more easily successful than many sup
pose. ana that In few years may be witnessed
such revival in this small! but respected denomi-
nation, impeled by the impressive power OF
moderniZed worship AMI ritual as VIII ast0nish
conservatives in religion, and even exceed in di-
mensons the great army OF quiet ''seekers after
truth' which was marshalled by George Fox In
Merry England in those old days Of religious laxity