The New York herald., 1877-10-15
GEORGE FoX'S FOLLOWERS.

THE BRooDING SILENCE OF A QUAKKR MEET.
ING-TuE PEACE THAT PAssETH UNDER
STANDING.
[From the Woonsocket (R. ~ Patriot, oc. 13.l
II was beautiful morning, $50 calm so bright so
sweet with the tender ASSOCIATIONS OF early autumn.
We thought we had lett the churches behind wo
strollod lesurey along in eur morning walk, and
already the sound of tho steepc bells was dying away
in the distance. when suddenly turn in the road
brought to our view small neat, unpretending
wooden building, which but Tor Its somewhat isolated
condition and the long line OF carriages in
the sheds adjoining, would have passed with Tor
ample country farmhouse. No sound OF music or
psamody from the open windows. nor sound Of
voices deathlke silence reigned about the place,
which was only broken now and then by The stamp OF
q horse's foot. Not surmisng the Character oil the
meeting turned aside and entered the vestibule.
listened moment ut the door but heard nothing,
and II It had not been broad daylight aud If had
not been certain ot tho Assh ana booo nature OF the
horses outside there might have been something un-
canny about the place. AS u was we felt no ghosty
about lifting the latch Of the little door,
only the natural hesitation perhaps which prccedcs
one's sudden appearance. upon new scene, aud
tered. Some In the aisle on the right and
motioned US 10 a seat II only alter wore
fairly seated that began 10 take the character OF
tue surroundings Wnen we had looked Tor the pulpit
and the minister and found neither but 10 their place
raised platform with Two rows OF benches-ons on
the right occupied by four men ana one on the left by
tour women, and mad observed that the church was
kowse divided two parts with the same division
as regards sex, then II that became that
We among the Friends and In Friends meeting
house.
Then tho silence began make itself felt deep. OPP
prossive lethargc, silence broken by rusings OF
silks and in which we elt afraid move, lest
by the creakug OF board the motion should become
act proane. AT tlrsi tue stincss seemed burden
some aud aggravatng We thought OF the Gauls VINO
made the Mruption into tho silent Roman senate
chamber aud were almost inclined to apd an apology
for MIN VINO pulled tho aged SENATOR'S beard We
looked four male elders, sitting there with te
less downcast eyes ana long drawn faces and at the
female elders with their witnered faces framed
in the deop black bonnets and wondered II they had
always sat there and had become part OF the hx.
lures, Then noticed the pain and modest apparel
OF tho congregation, especially the female portion
OF IT, and somehow II seemed peculiarly in keeping
with the surroundings and gave 10 their worship
more sincere and unaffected air Soon the silence lost
all oppresiveness and seemed to permeatc tho whole
Of the world laded away, and there came ricn,
dreamy peace-a peace not untinged with melancholy.
Whatever of tender and sad there was IN the expo
riences past more to the recollection,
and We thought, with eyes filled with tears OF the
deai. SO bathed IN the rich blessing oi
our spirits This silent, inward communion
seemed grateful thing We thought with longing
oil open cathedras, full OF sacred ASSOCIATIONS, and
always open, IN whose holy shadows one could 60 in
soul weary hours and knee and know that higher and
pnrer influence that IS around us and above u.s. There
20 memory also the church In which we last
the heart Of great city. elegantly upholstered,
with carved seats and stained and decorated windows
tho ornamental pulpit and the ornamental minister,
black. .gowned, white kerchefed we listened 10 The
operatc singing OF the choir, while around US were
rustng silks and gorgeous bOnncts, and Droadcloth
to then with Rricvous distaste, and somehow this
simplicity seemed better and more Christian.