The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-05-08


any thing like it. Regret that the length Of
this letter prevents a more extended notice.
We can conceive of nothing bigger, unless it
be Mr.. Wannamaker's four Sunday schools,
which we will visit tomorrow.
FRIENDS (QUAKER) MEETING.
PHILADELPHIA, May 4th
This morning at 1880 O'Clock, found your cor
respondent in Quaker meeting for the first
time. 1t was a noval scene. The severe sim
plicity of all the appointments, the absence Of
music of any kind and not word of prayer,
seemed SO strange in the house of God AS
rule the dressing of both the men and women
was plain and simple. Some Of the young ladies
were fashionably dressed. The men came in
with their hats on, and did not remove them
until they were seated A few Of the older men
kept their hats on during the meeting. We
met here Mr.. Samuel E. Griscom, known by
many of your people, and largely interested in
influential member of this society," as was shown
in the Conference meeting held as the third in
tne morning service. me f1rst meeting was for
remaining perfectly quiet. For thirty minutes
the silence was oppressive, then a brother rose
and spoke for thirty minutes. His line ST
thought was careful observance of the duties
of life, whereby we exalt God in the world.
There was no pulpit nor reading desk no bible,
no hymnboOk, no singing or praying At the
conclusion of this address the meeting broke up
The men all put on their hats, and the oppres-
sive silence was followed by such chatter as
can be heard in a Virginia country church after
preaching.
The next meeting was for children, which
consisted simply in reading different chapter
from the bible without a word of explanation
Mr.. Clothier of the dry goods house of Straw
bridge and Clothier, read an ESSAY, on the
the occasion. While he adhered to the system
of the friends, which is simply if one shows a
| talent for speaking in the meeting, he or she is
elected by the society to the ministry, yet he
gave full credit, and rejoced in the fact tnat the
paid ministry of all Christian bodies, had done
much good to the world. The Friends do not
LAY their minister's and this question of pay or
} pay, is causing much discussion among them.
| The admission Of Mr.. Clothier brought out a
! brother who said, that the paid ministry of the
churches had done more harm than good Sew
eral members, among them two ladies spoke in
opposition to these views One of the ladies, was
the finest speakers of the occasion. MIR. Driscom
took part in the discussion, sustaining the views
OF Mr.. ClOth1er, by fOrceful arguments clearly
put. The discussion quite animated and
lasted about an hour.
big Sunday school, Supt. by P. NJ. Gen. Wan
ma maker, who arrived at the building at 2lO.
OF ~ We're cdsed
and none allowed to go out OF come in, during
the 30 minutes opening exercises. Not
minute was lost, the most perfect system pre-
vailed and everything worked like clockwprk.
The school building is located on the corner Of
2Snd and cambridge streets, adjoining bethany
church. of which it is a part. The inside has
the appearance of theatre, has curtain
which separates the stage from the main audi
forum during the hour Of recitation but is
drawn back at other times. 1t has on the side
galleries, for classes, in front a gallery for
visitors and in the rear number of class rooms.
1t will hold 1900 people, and there were present
to-day lsl2, as follows, membership Of school
1898 visitors 267 visitors superintendent class A.
The orcheStre consisted of eleven persons with
flutes. violins, comets and organ. Mir Wanna
maker conducted the entire service, nearly
three hours, and taught his class OF 246, for one
hour OF the time. His manner is easy, social
and full of cheer. He seemed to know every
one present and to feel ii personal interest in
all, appeared to be thankful to meet them and
talk with them. He said ''children | am glad
to see you, hear you and to see you with your
bibles; here is my bible where is yours He
then called on the different divisions of the
school to hold up their bibles, and one after
another held them up, all having one Mr..
Wannamaker Joined in the singing, beat time
for the music, made three prayers and three
talks. and never seemed to tire. 1t was a re-
mar mari. display of system, work, and the
result OF effort. Mr.. Wannanaker impressed
your correspondent as deeply in earnest, to
greatly enjoy the work, full of zeal and inspir-
ing to all present. He is a man of wonderful
power, and appeared to have the loving regard
OF the entire school. Every visiting Phila-
delphia, should see this school.