The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-09-15
THE YEARLY MEETING
HEREAFTER QUAKERS WILL NOT
HOLD DIVIDED SESSIONS.
Women on an Equal Footing with
the Men at PIainfcld Meeting .
KOkOmO A. Nj. L. Conference.
to the indianapolis Journal.

fbA1Nf1ElLD lnQ., sept. l4.-Ine
Friends Yearly Meeting is now under good
Roadway and has brought together an at
tendance superior to former years. The
abundant harvest has added to the store
Of the farmers and many of them are
giving to the Lord in presenting their
bodies at this centralized place of blessing.
The service last night was purely devo-
tional and fairly well attended. Rev. Levi
Rees, formerly pastor at Indianapolis, but
now OF Thorntown. Ind, preached the SER
mon Of the evening. He exalted the
church. declaring its functions to be the
glorifcation Of God and securing happiness
to man. Referring to the modern critical
tendencies. he said that truth lies man
acled and weltering in her own blood,
while modern criticism stands ready to
carve into pieces the old relations taught
to exist between God and his people.
Righteousness is crushed, and gamblers can
dictate decisions to the courts. The liquor
power dares to dictate terms TO parties.
The inference was clear when he almost
shouted that the court sends men 10 the
Prison North. the Supreme Court grants
a supersedeas, and the men flee to healthier
chimes. But a poor boy steals some
chickens. goes to prison, but he has not
yet heard of the court granting suppressed
IDEAS. Referring to the present liberalistic
tendencies. he declared If he could not have
liberty of conscience in his own church.
he would find another and thus preserve
harmonious relations with the church.
AT the morning devotional meeting to-
day the large tent on the grounds was
nearly filled with eager worshipers. For
years this tent has been the scene of the
wonderful outpouring of the spirit of God,
and hundreds have gone from its covering
as mighty agents in winning others to
Christ. This morning Mary Moore Mere
dith, one of the most noted women evan
gelists In the church, had charge Of the
service, and in an earnest exhortation was
the means of bringing a rich blessing TO
the great audience. In her eloquent way,
were brought to tears, and every heart felt
the divine touch. The service, as usual,
HAS seldom been IN e n haiua at t the a ope SGne
session in the freedom in worship and
in the outpouring of the spirit of the Lord.
was on the platform and became an active
participator in the service, to the salts
faction of many. Following this there were
ness of God, which gave a liveliness to
the service so common to Friends In these
to the class meeting of the prosperous
Methodist Church.
meeting convened In separate session OF
men and women, with the usual clerks at
the table. Following a season of devotion,
Friend, feelingiy addressed the church
in an earnest appeal to be so prepared
that it can do the work to which it is
bend God most fully if we wrap ourselves
up in individual theories, but we must
comprehend God in unity with all saints.
In beautiful figure he portrayed the real
unity Of God and the believer in Christ.
From the reports it appeared that sixty
eight official delegates had been appointed
from the VariOllq meetings fOrtV-nina of
whom were present at the first session.
These delegates are authority merely on
matters as the church may ~relegate to
them, while every member has a voice in
the dsliberation of , the meetings;
read. and all were given a hearty welcome.
In addition to those already reported in
Rev fss ' 4sahel H. lhf Hu fealSw and R seS Militant wiiiiam
j. Thornberry, of Ohio: Rev. Llndley A.
Wells KaH Wa Rev; Thomas HM q s. G.; Carter an,n
the latter being well known throughout the
church.
forenoon session was the decision to hold
| all future sessions after this years in
| joint session of men and women with one
set of clerks. This Is quite a departure
from established customs, although some
| of the subordinate meetings have adopted
the system, and even the yearly meeting
has held a part of its sessions in this way.
have printed with the minutes the
l names anu addresses OI all the
prove of great convenience. A nominating
committee was appointed to name persons
Yearly Meeting in 1899. The committee on
reports to the press through S. E.. Nichol-
son reported that the committee had made
arrangements With the indianapolis Jour-
nal TO report .1e meetings, while the News
and American Friend had sent reporters to
the meeting. The attendance was mate
rally increased at the afternoon session.
many having arrived on the noon train.
Following a brief devotional service, the
report Of the delegates and officers was
presented and adopted as follows:
For mems meeting Presiding officers.
Rev. Thomas c. Brown. of Indianapolis;
recording clerk, S.. Edges Nicholson. OF
Kokomo; reading clerk, John n. Hadley,
of Danville; announcing clerk, L.. 1. Had
ley; messenger, Prof. Robert Kelley; rail-
road secretary. Aquilla H. Pickering. Chi.
For Yomen's m~eeting-Clerk, Lydia Tay.
lor Painter: assistants. Sarah j. King and
Carrie NJ. Wright; messenger. Louisa Bron.
son.
The committee on books and tracts and
peace and arbitration made a satisfactory
report. Nearly 100000 pages of tracts and
$500 books have been sent out during the
year. Inasmuch as 81 per cent. of Friends
families were reported without Bibles
numerous copies have been distributed dur.
ing the year. In the consideration OF the
peace and arbitration, earnest words were
spoken by William G.. Hubbard and Rufus
M. Jones. Rev. Jones urged that EVAN
CYCLISTS spend, not their time in denouncine
old soldiers. but In going among them with
the gospel of Jesus Christ and win then
for heaven. The yearly meeting, which las
Association of Friends in America, this
wear decided to rescind that action. and
again join itself with the national asso,
citation.
Tomorrow the meeting will consider
some important matters. Sunday Will ot
the big day and the grounds VIII pt
thronged by thousands.