The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-23

close 20 Stuyvesant square. whore Nature &C tnIs
joyous season presents herself IA one OF her
fairest and most attractive aspects The
annual meeting OF eQuakers commenced
yesterday 81 the place uamed. The Gay
might be considered the actual commence
ment OF summer. The very trees and plants
seemed revealing In the son atmosphere. and the
birds, as they new and hoped about In the
boughs, seemed happy ana full OF vIvaolsy. The
fountains played and the fam test semblance OF
breeze stole through the square with welcome,
grateful kisses on brow and lips and hands. The
ttme-honored tradition has been that tne advent
OF the Friends should be distinguished by the hoods
OF heaven being let loose IN unusually pro-
fuse manner and descending upon the earth with
refreshing gentleness call forth the climax or
verdure In the fields. How the superstition
attending this annual event arose 1t would be
hard TO find out; yet IL could be easily imagined
how the simple and cheerful demeanor and spirit
Of those quiet followers OF George Fox when they
assemble may pervade the atmosphere, and the
Denignant heavens pour blessings upon the
paIched earth. However yesterday there was no
ratns but, as the Friends To favor us for some
days to come with their presence, II would not be
all ogether safe TO conclude that fuvial vista
meeting. AT all events the Qua kers come with
the summer, the season OF flowers and they are
as welcome-rain or no raln--as the lowers OF
May.
TIE PROCEEDINGS YESTERDAY.
Yesterday the proceedings were conducted Dy
the ministers and elders, and were OF private
nature The representatives came from portions
ofNew YORK, New Jersey and Vermont. TIE s,aid
placidlooking men and women occupied different
alsles which ran down throngn tbs long row
Z OF plain cushioned seats In the Chapel. The doors
be observed the green bra6ches Oh trees. Ths
venerable and benevolent looking elders. With
n Nab Sss SUs scas
mo offence intendedl, In their places
o. dignity on the IN platform IN ns Of tao
place In peculiar and striking manner before
the proceedings commenced, with portion OF the
assembiaRe radiant with the lustre or youth,
beauty and fashion, for, alas fashion has made
its conquests among the fair Quakeresses as wen
es those OF the various children OF the world Il
was once the boast OF the Society OF Friends that
they were above such follies that, while fashions
might change, they would adhere TO their original
garb which for many long years was an essential
characteristic OF the EecL But IL has oeen found
too dinicult task TO make the deInoiselles OF
the period conform to the modes or their
grandmothers. AT all events the sunshine ana
songs or the birds among the trees surrounding
the meeJing house yesterday were In accord with
tie lair young faces and the feeling OF worship
and praise that see med 10 enveop the assembled
people ike quiet dream OF peace.
HICKS AND FOX.
the Quqkers now in TINS city adopt the views OF
Elias Hicks, who Was born Ia this state In lI4a
He labored jealousy In advancing the general ac-
ceptance OF the principles George FOX. but hav-
Ing he believed, discovered errors In these
tenets, he put forth views Of mis- own wncn he
defended with energy ana ability. Fox was the
founder or the sect. Among other Things ne
denounced the GOODNESS and lnsuticlency OF all
existing forms and ceremonies or religion and
asserted that the Office OF CHRISTIAN teacher had
become mere trade denied tue necessity OF any
special education for IL, and maintained tnat the
only proper warrant for IT'S assumption was the
Consciousness Of u divine summons TO enter upon
It's duties He opposed paid ministry and de-
clared IL TO be a Sin TO pay tItnes. he denounced
war, even wnen Waged IN se4-defence, ana urged
upon all TO refuse 10 do military duly.
lie asserted the equality and brotherhood
OF all men, anu used the second
person singular Ia addressing all persons
or Whatever rank He would not uncover his
head in any presence, even when brought before
the courts OF law. He declared every FORM OF Oath
10 De profane violation OF the express command
OF the Lord. lie put q literal construction upon
all those precepts oil the Gospel which seem most
difficult be carried out IN real life, and required
for them literal obedience. In their dress, as In
every thing else, the followers OF Fox endeayored
TO carry out the main principles they prolesseu In
regard 20 practical life--nothng Tor show, nothing
Tor ornament, nothing Tor pleasure.
CONDITION OF THE SOCIETY.
In late years some or tue elders present at the
meeting yesterday stated that the young people
are becoming mo G interested IN the society, nut
still emigration to the West with Its conse-
quences nas some effect on their members. In
some Of the older States the number Of Quakers
IS diminishing, while IN others, particularly Penn
sylvanis, they are increasing rapidly. There will
be services to-day Sunday, commencing At ten A.
NJ, In the Rutherfurd place meeting house; Mon
day ana Tuesday there WILL be business meetings,
regarding the general interests OF the society on
Wednesday public worship, and probably tue next
Jar the representatives will adjourn.