The New York herald., 1874-11-30
THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

Discourse bY Elder FOulke-The Higher
Law Considcred-Paramou Duty to
God.
The services at the Friends Meeting House, In
Rutherford place, near East Fifteenth street, COM
ulenced at the usual hour yesterday forenoon.
The attendance was not large, but this can be &C
counted for by the inclement state OF the weather.
The edince IN which the congregation assembled
Is exceedingly plain, in fact not the slightest at
tempt has been made to distinguish 1t from the
most ordinary chamber In which o meeting could
be conveniently held. There II no organ, as music
IL excluded from the services OF the society," CON-
mon muslin blinds are employed Tor the windows.
The sexes sit apart in the body OF the house,
and there was not perceptible yesterday
one single person who wore the subdued
colors IN dress or peculiar hat OF the Quakers In
times past. 1t was not difncut to see that the
congregation were cultured, sincere and devout.
II Is well known that the Quakers are opposed TO
all kinds OF frivolous amusements or vanity In
costumes. They deem classical learning, the
gift OF oratory or the rite OF ordination unneces-
sary to qualify person TO preach the Gospel.
They consider it TO be a special gift an insplra-
tion, call from on high to perform this function
and as all human beings are equal before God the
mission can be as acceptably fulfilled BY woman
as by man. In other words woman when moved
by the Spirit, can preach with as mach effect and
profit as a man. Quakers are opposed, on Scrip.
tural grounds, to the collection OF money for the
support OF public worship and to the payment OF
aaiarles to ministers. Tney are also opposed to
the taking OF oatns and the prosecution OF war.
THE HIGHER LAW OF THE CONSCIENCE
over human enactments which conflict with the
precepts OF Christianity, and mold that the State
should never, on any account. interfere with re-
hglous concerns AS stated, the Friends condemn
ali sorts OF amusements as u waste oil time in.
emDIOVe0 better
with their well known respect for the Sabbath,
are opposed, as matter or course 10 sunday
evening operate or theatrical performances
When the services commenced yesterday three
elders occupied seats on raised platform, and
men were IN cnalrs below, facing The cOngrega-
ton. Alter some time spent IN silent meditation
Mr.. (Rev.) Thomas Foulke rose and addressed the
meeting. He quoted the lnes:-
Deity adored Is JOY advanced;
and prorem q 10y human existence ia
wonderful. 1t is one In winch all are interested
and 1t would be well for US II we possessed right
understanding OF It, We OF this little company
have Draved the storm OF inclement weather, aud
have met to show our allegiance and veneration
shipping Him in The beauty OF holiness. This is
the object OF our congregating tOgether-to honor
the Omnpotent Author OF our being, the great
TO know God. such knowledge was
GIVEN FROM ON HIGH
for q noble purpose; but 1I would be vain for man.
with his limited and unalded intellect, to grapple
with the unlathOmabie designs OF the infinite and
AlpOWerful Architect oil the universe. GOD Is re-
vealed by light from heaven. We see and acknOwl.
edge Him IN the spirit and know that He Is. All
human philosophy contrary to this should be
wiped out as q Desom OF destruction. Our belief
so established all the powers on earth should not
disturb 1t. The next step Is to honor, adore and
worship God. Do intellect oratOry and
THE LOUD PEAL OF THE ORGAN
lead to lt2 No. Ii they so lead to 1t. WELL But
We want to know the substance OF alteration and
worship How are we to act so as to prove ac-
ceptable in tae sight OF God? That great and
good man, Elias HICKS, declared that mind set
tied and stayed upon God, looking to Him Tor sup
port, was happy beyond human expression. he
should not regard outer instrnmentalites, but the
inward purity OF spirit which L. always attainaDie
IL sought Tor with faith and sincerity. The light
and strength from above Is stamped with purity
and love, and enables US to lace the storm OF life
and cleave to what Is good.
OUR HIGHEST LAW
Is duty to God, but such duty should be pure and
dlslnterested, as the heavens are higher than tue
earth. as divine thoughts are higher than human
thoughts, so are the laws OF God higher than those
Of man. The higher law OF action clothed with
the higher intelligence is above all enactments.
Human intelligence Is or ought TO be controlled Dy
divine intelligence all the paths OF which conduce
to peace-that peace the world cannot give or take
away. The more we come 10 know OF our Maker,
the more we will love Him and the better we will
serve Him.
AT the conclusion OF Mr.. Foulke's discourse
silence ensued. The congregation ap.
peared to be absorbed In reflection. AT length, no
one rising to speak, Mr.. Foulke shook hands with
Q signal Tor the meeting to Close