The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-08-09
The Schism in the Society Of Friends.
THE GENERAL MEETING AT vAssALBoRo.

AooALbOfNU, aug Q, 1910
To the Editor Of the Press
Discord creeps in, even where harmony is the
prime consideration. The Quaker society is
now agitated by feuds as deep and bitter as
those which separated it from the church of
England. Never since the schism of Thomas
Hicks in 1927 have there been anything like the
profound differences of opinion, giving rise to
dissension, which now find expression in the
new General Meetings" of Friends, one of
which is now in session in this good old Quaker
town. There has arisen among the Friends a
strong party that seems to contemplate the
breaking down of the great barriers raised up
by George Fox and his contemporaries, two
hundred years ago, between this peculiar sect
and the world. So strong, indeed, are the
"New Lights or Methodist Quakers," as
they are reproachfully called by their more con-
sentative brethren, that they obtained control
of the last yearly meeting at Newport, thus
making their departure from the ancient usages
of the society legitimate
Association with other religious denomina-
tions in the worship of God, the liberation and
support of Sabbath Schools or sFirst Day
Schools" as they prefer to call them, and the
holding of meetings for the purpose of seeking
a revival of Gods work, are among the more
important particulars in which the revolution
lists have departed from the ancient discipline
of the church. These innovations are looked
upon by the men whe cling unyieldingly to the
peculiar tenets and practices of the Friends
with degree of adherence that is uprising
to those alone who have never observed the
singular vehemence with which religious opn-
lows bar- oil
The indignation of an old-school Quaker, when
he hears, in meeting called and conducted by
his own brethren, the voice of men of the world
raised in prayer or exhortation and even hymns
of praise chanted in the intervals hitherto con-
secrated to sacred silence, is only comparable
with that of Bourbon when he sees the red
cap of the mob crowded over the brow of his
monarch, or that of a Japanese nobleman when
he beholds the foreigner approach his sovereign
unchalenged. Indeed the leaders of the old
school refuse to countenance even by their pres
ence the gatherings, called General Meetings."
in which the new departure is signalized in
manner most offensive to their feelings. These
General Meetings are of recent origin, and re-
semhle in most particulars the 'protracted
meetings" which the Methodists have in tunes
past found the most efficient means of propa-
eating their doctrines and strengthening their
church. The "New Lights assimlate easily
and naturally with the disciples of Wesley, and
it is to them that their gatherings owe large
part of their enthusiasm and practical success.
In this quarterly meeting the leader of the
conservatives, who stays to watch the Canoes
like Charles O'Conor and his regular Democrats
in the last Presidential campaign, is John D.
Lang, one of Gen. Grants Indian Peace Com
missioners. His services as peace-maker, Of
fetal and unoffic al, extending over more than
a third of a century, have given him wide and
enviable reputation which he richly deserves
No man in the country, so far as ! know, has
shown more TACT courage and benevolence in
his dealings with the savages. 1t is unnecessa-
~ to add that he is man whose ideas of dis
ciplne are as strict as those of the great Fred
erlck; and notwithstanding his pacific theories
I should dread to be deserter or schismatist
in the Friends society if the power to punish
summarily were lodged in his hands.
The leader of the opposition is a man Of equal
reputation and ability. EliJones of China, with
his very eloquent and devoted companion, Sibyl
Jones, have called un believers to repentance in
every quarter of the globe. They are people of
remarkably catholic spirit, of liberal culture and
of most benevolent impulses. In the liberality
and kindness of their hearts they gladly recog-
nize all men as brothers, and unite with sincere
good will with all who desire to promote the
cause that is dear to them. Eli is noted for his
genial social qualities and for the rich vein of
genuine wit which enables him to enIlven any
company 10 which he happens to be,as success
fully as if he were professional humorist
Many years ago, when member of the Legis-
lature, his fellow members thought it would
be good joke to elect a Quaker Major-Gen-
eral, and the speech crowed with rollicking fun
in which he declined the honor is one of the
raciest traditions of the State capitol.
The General Meeting now in progress here is
very largely attended. Three services day are
held at the modest Quaker meeting house which
has for So many years been landmark on the
road from Augusta to Waterville. Yesterday.
Ell and Sibyl Jones were the principal speak
ers, but distinguished orators from abroad are
present and more are expected to-day. including
the powerful revivalst, Robert Douglass of
Ohio.