The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-11
TIE HIcKsITEs.
Immense Annual Gathering Of Quakers from
Different States.
PHILADELPHIA, May 10, 1874.

PHILADELPHIA, May 10, 1874
The Hicksite Quakers, from almost every section
OF the country, met In Philadelphia t0-oay. They
come 10 exchange the congratulations OF the
season and TO carefully review the circumstances
In the midst OF which they stand. The HIcxs-
ties are totally distinct from the ordinary
Quakers. and the elements OF their iaith
are entirely different. The ordinary Quaker Is
In way Episcopaan, while the Hlcksitc Is Uni
tartan. Their religious ceremonies proceeding
rom different assumptions or creeas are cor
responoingly different IN their forms. Their
church ls located on Race street and occupies
position midway between Fifteenth and sixteenth.
1t Is quaint brick Structure, with the ped
white trimmings, and, while destitute OF all arcni-
tectura adornment. Is at the same time solid and
comfortable. 1t stands back from tue street at a
considerable distance, and the ground in 'front.' OF
1t Is planted with trees, underneath which Is q
ricn velvety turf Dordered by broad and com.
modious promenades. 10 all intents and pur-
poses It is . miniature p-rk, which IN
tue sunshine OF early mornlng as exceedingly
beautiful. AS your correspondence approached
the neIgnbofhood ne noticed that all tue adjoln-
ing courts aud lanes were crowded with nonlely
vehicles, from many OF which the horses were ue-
tached These, was informed, were the carriages
oil suburban NECESSITIES, wno long peore daybreak
mad lett their homes Sn0 driven tuer IamlileS INTO
town.
AS reached the church the little PARK in front
Lour later 1t became uncomlorr ably Iull 1t Was
funny to study the Characters standing around,
Tor many OF them were exceedingly quaint anu
peculiar. Leaning against tue Trees were
seen THESE STURDY SUBSTANTIAL old hlckstes
old customs, whom no worldly spirit OF enterprise
can inspire, out VINO, dressed IN tnelr DARK eolemn
costumes, Their low, sunny, PREDETERMINED mats
ana ther long, luii, continental vests nnd tier
sole happiness In remaining quiet, aud steadily
holding last To the habits and traditions OF taelr
ancestors. There they were, standing with tnelr
AGED anu venerable SISTERS. IKE their bretu-
rem, were happy ia their great Donnets and broad
aprons. at peace with the world without and
secure Win their own opinions. Every now
aud tnen there would slowly up q
ve.y atSenuated Old HicAslte, weak. liant
TO express his gratitude at being present, and
with Just Sufficient strength to smile. me others
hum draught OF cool well water In a tau porce-
lam mug wnIe the old man would receive IL with
one Oh those .ndescrlbaDle bows which were, no
doubt, at some time asnlOnaple though one
Can tell exactly wnen. And then again about
another tree could see other Hlcksltes, differing
from the above by vests slightly shortened and
hat Drins mol quite SO wide. Ihey we're clty bred
and city Taught, ana In habit II not In
faith seemed slightly estranged from the age
that Is past, ana whicn was represent ted
by the persons under the other tree. All along
walk winch surrounded the park, and even upon its
green curl were hundreds o. p opie almost all OF
Jnem young, the iemaes odtnumDering the
males. / do not think ever saw 80 many young
ladies' assembled together before In my llfe The
scene cannot be well described. The girls seemed
TO De exceedingly happy, either because the HICKS
ties mad survived TO meet again. or because tine
day was the first o. tue year IN which they could
display their new hats AID costumes. The
latter were Of every pattern and color, many
beautiful Forms clad In Silks OF blue,
green, black and lilac appeared TO move every
where, and often they. were attended by well
rustied the ribbons about many lair throat and
every lazy, like Nature, was arrayeu IN amDer
HicRsites, both male and female, walked in under
the main entrance, and many Of them, withJut re-
moving hats or b0nnets, TOOK their places IN
sort 81 box that Was surrounded ny railing, ana
that ronted tue seats reserved for the audience.
Behind Them followed parties young aud old,
delegations IRON New Jersey, Delaware, Mary
land and other states, until the vast chamber be-
came iuil ana until the crammed alses, starways
ana windows could hold no more. The scene rom
the large rear window which faced the people was
very odd. Below was an immense crowd OF men,
old, dark and solemn. Some or them raised their
eyes az u Ia praise, ana oilers bent their neaas
as DEATH mere was not q woman among them.
In the gallery above, however, how great was the
cOntrastl me gay costumes winch moment
ago nuttered In tue Park were gracefully arranged
on tine benches. Bright, pretty, healtnful faces
looked down upon the black human sea beneath,
ana many coy glances wandered from dark and
sparkling eyes, AZ one looked upward from the
window ne saw nothing but groups or girls, rising
ians were futtering .'Iike butterflies among The
MOVERS" There was man seated tn re. The
males were below, the women were aoove, and
tnerc was lor toe time no ASSOCIATION between
them. The chamber was crammed 10 over
MOVING and thousands without found 1t I'M
possible to enter. 1nere was another large
room In the bunding ana 1t was also opened in
an instant apparently, II, too, was MED and hum
dreds still clustered anxio sy In the PARK There
was a little buldinp standing on one SIDE OF tue
enclosure. IL seemed TO be Sunday school ROOM
II also was opened, and hence three Quaker meet
ings we're gong on at the same time. strange TO
say the Park appeared Just ma lu as ever. Tor ne
parties were arriving every momenr.
There was .otnlng o. lntstess parliculaaly going
more. When tie sprIt moves brother or sister