The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-26
GATHERING OF THE QuAKERS.


ence or the Society OF Ericnds-scrmons
and Exhortations by Rachel Towns
end, Samuel Lcvick, George Turner and
Others-ReasOn AS y Helper to Saliva
tion-A Woman's Shot at the Credit
Mobilter COngress-Why Not Vote the
Poor Freedmen Their Back Pays-The
ssInward Light"
The first session OF the annual Conference OF the
Hicksite Friends-the meeting for the opening re-
lgious services Of worship and devotion-was
held yesterday at the Rutherfurd place meeting
house, opposite Stuyvesant Park. very large
congregation, numbering over two thousand per-
sons, was gathered In the church. Many OF the
worshippers had come from distant portions Of this
and other States, ana included both old and young.
The venerable and kind-faced elders and ministers
who sat upon the lofty seats OF dignity In the lore
ground were c0ntrasted in the dim light of the
place, with peculiar and striking effect, with the
main portion OF the assembage, which shone
brightly with
THE LUsTRE OF BEAUTY AND FASHION;
for fashion 1t seems has found its way even into
the staid community Of the Friends, as well as
among those who are styled the vainer children OF
the world. Yesterday, unlike many days upon
which this event has formerly aea, and totally in
disregard OF the TACT that tradition declares that it
always must rain when ''the Quakers are in town."
was sunshlny and exceedingly cheerful. The
songs OF the birds among the trees surrounding
the church were in happy accord with the feeling
OF worship and praise that prevailed within the
temple ana the assembled people seemed envel-
oped IN quiet and unbroken dream OF peace.
Among the prominent persons present were the
celebrated Rachel Wilson Barker Moore Town
send, samuel Levick aud George Truman, OF the
Philadelphia Conference, and Rachel HICKS tile
revered matrOn, who Is honored with the title OF
the "Mother OF the Society"
The solemn silence with which the meeting was
commenced was finally broken Rachel townsend
was the first speaker. She dscOursed eloquently
upon the value OF reason as helper to salvation,
holding TINS as the work of each individual. She
regarded every child being born in a state OF
negative innocence;" Jesus was born in this
state, ana We ike him, must grow up to positive
virtue The child must eat both
BITTER AND HONEY,
In order that he might know the good from the
bad. 1t was the will OF the Heavenly Father that
every should be saved-that none should be
lost Suffering, which was sent for our publication,
was Just as nsistent as thatAye SHOULD rejoice.
Every child might be instrumental in opening the
eyes OF the blind and bringing them 10 God, even
Jesus aid, lor she asked, was there doubt that
the miracles oil Jesus were performed spirituality
We must not believe that Jesus died to save ms.
WE MUST SAVE OURSELVES
She then drew the figure OF father sacrificing
gulng that 1t was not In accordance with sense.
She appealed to the society to no longer cast this
lndignity upon living God. There was no Saviour
but God, and they tnat stood on Mount Zion were
all saviours to lead people to God.
She closed with touching appeal to the Society
OF FRIENDS in behalf OF the colOred people OF the
South who are aged and sick-worn out in slavery,
and are now cast upon the world like ship upon
the sea without rudder. THIS course of the
American people-their lngratltude to the poor
blacks, who had earned much Of their wealth for
them-must meet the displeasure OF an Almighty
God. Could not the ricn OF the North help them
Might not part of their unpaid production be
now returned TO them? Why did
A HUMANE CONGRESS VOTE BACK PAY
to its members and let its colored children, the
old and the SICK go hungry anu without clothing,
begging crusslrom door to door, until they died,
and their bones lay bleaching in the sun and rain
Let each man labor, not for himself or to hoard up
earthly riches but for the poor, the aged and SICK
whom God had given us.
After she had concluded q touching prayer was
offered up by Esther Hayand that Gsd might be
with them in the labors OF the Conference.
Samuel Levick Of philadelphia lad then arose and
up to serve God was worshipper OF God, and he
would accept 1t. Should we turn our backs be-
cause We felt we had not yet attained goodness
Let US strive on until we should witness His
almighty power and should be saved. God so loved
the wsrd that He not only followed the hosts
through the wilderness, but had given US Christ
Jesus to exempliiy in man
THE CHARACTER OF THE PERFECT WORK.
they were not for private interpretaton, but We're
intended Tor the help and guidance OF all mankind.
The aw given on Mount Sinai was lamp to the
feet OF the sinner. God measured His instruction
to His chdren's condition. How shall we be
savedf Hearing of God and His Son Jesus Christ
would not give to us that knowledge that is
WE MUST BELIEVE IN CHRIST
and His doctrine. To Him that overcomes is
promised the true reward. 'Come unto Me all
We ends OF the earth and be savedu
lady from baltimore next spoke, and was fol-
lowed by an elderly gentleman, who discoursed
quite lengthily upon
THE NEW BAPTISM
that he had learned to love. Being satisfied that
he loved God, he craved naught alter the riches Of
this world, and quoted the text-"Seek first the
kingdom Of Gsd, and all things neediul will be
added.n He had sought the Lord early, and be-
ieved 1t was the duty OF parents and elders to be
an example to the young and TO lead them upward
Ito seek the kingdom OF Heaven and its righteous
nessn "The young are gathered home; the middle
aged die the old must die: therefore let us go up
In the mountain OF the Lord" and thus he sat
down.
After time OF quiet and the usual notice OF ar
ternoon services the congregation dispersed with
the usual shaking OF hands and kindly greetings
Afternoon Services.