The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-27
FRIENDS ARE FOR PEACE
THEY COMMENT SADLY on THE
GLARS PEACE CONFERENCE.
Express Faith that Wars Will Cease
First Business Session Held
Work of Tract Society.
,.eciaI 20 The Ind,anapolis journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal
RICHMOND, Ind, Sept. 2s-The business
sessions of the Indiana Yearly Meeting of
Friends began this morning. The forenoon
meeting was in separate sessions, this
meeting not yet having abandoned the plan
of separate sessions for the men and
women. 1t opened with a devotional serv-
ice, in which. after an Introductory state
ment by the clerk, the Rev. Elwood o.
Ellis, prayer was offered and remarks made
by Robert Douglass. Charles II. Stalker.
James r. Jones, William Hobson. Zenas
Martin and others The call OF delegates
showed eighty-six to be present.
Credentials were read for number or
visiting ministers. The following commit
tee returning minutes was appointed;
David Harris. Robert w. Douglass, VIII
liam West, Seth Stafford. Henry Pickett.
Alpheus Trueblood and Luke Woodard
The committee on gospel service TO have
charge of the devotional meetings OF the
Yearly Meeting consists of Timothy
Nicholson, Elkanah Beard Hiram Woolam,
Allen Jay, r.. w. Douglass, Aldred John
son, Edgar II. Stranahan. Joseph o. Bin
ford and Enos Harvey. The London
and Dublin epistles were read. The former
announces that London Yearly Meeting Is
not yet ready TO give up brthright MEM
bership I'm the church. The usual direc-
lions TO the delegates followed. They are
to propose means tomorrow morning for
clerk. two assistant clerks, messenger. an
nouncement clerk and three clerks TO assist
in arranging for the new business 10 be
proposed TO the meeting. They are also
TO audit the treasurer's accounts and pro-
pose the appropriations for the different
lines of work for next year, and the total
amount of money required
The women Friends held their first ses-
sion this morning. After prayer by Susan
Ratlim and Louisa Rush, the opening
minute was read by Mary Goddard Naomi
w. Harrison was chosen clerk Tor the day
and Esther Pugh messenger. COM
mittee was appointed TO have oversight OF
the gospel meetings during the week
Zenas l.. Martin. of Iowa, who is attend
ing the meeting, is on his way to Cuba TO
assume charge OF the Friends mission
work on that island.
A joint session was held this afternoon
and the first work was the reading of the
London general epistle by Mrs. Mary A.
Goddard, of Muncie. The fiftieth annual
report of the book and tract committee
was next read by the secretary, Timothy
Nicholson. He prefaced his report with a
brief history of the work done by his COM
mittee in Indiana Yearly Meeting. setting
forth the original plans of distributing
literature and tracts. Among other things
the report says: Our agent has purchased
about 100000 pages of tracts, which. added
60, 10000 published and purchased since the
organization of the committee fifty years
ago. Books have been supplied TO ministers
and Bibles and Testaments have been kept
on hand for sale at cost.
The central committee on peace present
ed its annual report, which in part was as
follows THE outlook may appear some
what discouraging when We take into con-
sideration that after the most noted peace
convention ever known. held last year in
Europe, some of the leading nations which
were represented have been, from the clos
ing of that great assembly to this time.
engaged in tremendous preparations for
war and in the actual slaughter of thou
sands of their acknowledges on the field
Of battle on account of difficulties which
could and should have been settled by
diplomacy. But we have faith TO believe
in the educational influence of this great
peace meeting"
Remarks on the report were made by
all were loud in their condemnation of the
more active work along the line of secur-
ing peace among the nations.
This afternoon Clerk Ellis brought up the
subject of the new constitution and dis
cipline proposed for the adoption of all the
yearly meetings in America. A heated dis
cussion developed and a decided sentiment
against the change manifested itself, al
| though this is in the minority. Action was
deferred until this evening, but tonight
| the discussion was continued without any
agreement being reached. and final action
was deferred until Saturday morning.