Smyrna times., 1883-05-30
The Deeadence of Quakerism.

phia. A Quaker meeting is always c
and practical, and there is 40 {
want of earnestness and practical '
shrewd common sense in this congress {
of keen-faced, middle-aged men and ]
placid, middle-aged women. There
are some things lacking, however-the {
force and energy which
belong to all growing bodies, physical ;
or social; want which is explained
by the simple fact that the members of
this and all the other six Yearly Meet
ings are almost invariably middle-aged
or venerable old people. Most of the
time this week was occupied in discus
sing the causes of the universal decline
in attendance at First Day meetings
and the general decadence of the Socie-
ty, decadence reluctantly acknowl-
edged, but too apparent to be longer
ignored. The cause is evident: the
sect is literally dying out for the want
of young blood. All over the country
the sons and daughters of Friends,
even of the most eminent preachers,
have assumed the worlds gaIb. They
are seen in the theatre and ballroom,
they hang pictures on their walls, are
musicians, artists, good or bad, and
either remain outside of any religious
body or slip quietly into some Protest
ant sect; usually those whose ritual
appeals most strongly to the senses and
imagination. Even in the stronghold
of Quakerism, Philadelphia, where it
once held absolute possession, young
man or woman in the plain dress is
now so rare sight on the street as to
attract remark. Not only in this
country are the children of Friends
deserting the Meeting, but in England
this desertion is so marked that re-
vision of the large volumes of Doctrine,
Practice and Discipline of the Society
has been ordered for this year. In
this revision the renonstrances with
backsliders arc energetic with note of
despair. Friends are urged mot to
seek help in forms or modes of worship
inconsistent with their own" to "call
the months and days by Scripture and
not heather Names; to adhere to
"plainness in speech. dress and behav-
iOr"; and to abandon the pursuit of
music, dancing, vain sports and thea
trical entertainments" The rules of
the Society are relaxed in regard to
the report which was exacted of the in
dividual condition of each member, the
f ceremonies preceding marriage, ETC.,
etc.
: There is something pathetic in the
) sight of this old failing Church, COM
1 posed almost wholly of old and failing
: people who watch their children &c
/, from them and make feeble, useless
efforts to keep them in the faith that
4 has strengthened and comforted them.
c selves. If they would face the issue
t with the keen hard sense that they
bring to secular affairs, they would see
e why it is impossible that the young
s man and woman of the present day
.. should remain in the Society as it is
IS and also the concessions which if mad
If by it would probably keep them
e Quakerism consists Of two parts-th
Ie spirit or soul of it is a fine pure devo
l. ton to the simplicity, the brotherl.
)" charity, the truth of Christ; but tn
at body of it is an adherence to a certai
d costume and popularity of speech, an
1 an inexorable prejudice against musi'
d, art and all the softnesses, courtesie
it and beauty of manner or surrounding
8? which refine and gentle everyday lifi
at Nothing could be more powerful c
ne purer than the inner motive of Quake
ut ism, the calming of the soul to receiy
rs. Light from God, the iron purpose
re live by the teachings of that Light
er, spite of all persecution, and the pract
nd cal wisdom shown in the simple dali
he life of its professors and their skillf
= conduct of vast charities. Nothing, {
the other hand, could be much mo
narrow than their obstinate adheren,
to their small peculisrities.
1t is these peculiarities that ha'
driven their children from them. IT
.re intelligent young man or woman of t
in day is not likely to be convinced th
III there is any sin in music, or fl
COG picture, or courtesy of manner; n
asa any especial religious influence in t
,;s- use of the second person singular
bv pronouns or a shad-bellied coat.
tly the religion of their fathers must col
sb to them cramped with these meanir
ns less restraints, they will have no
Of of it. The wise action for the SOcie
orn then, and the only one which will Ike
,bo the young people in it, is to clear tn
mol really high and strong teaching
bic Christ from all Fictitious peculiarit
arv which belong not to religion but ira
inc ton and prejudice. 1t is light a
oo0 healing for the soul which they shol
,oor offer to their children, not trick
the language or certain dye of dry goo
,o,,,, -NeW York Tribune.