Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-07
FRIENDS ASSEMBLE
FROM ALL OVER U. S.
IN TENT AT CAPE MAY
Biennial Conference, Which Will
Last Six Days, Attracts Mem
bers of Society for Discus
sion of Religious Topics
EFFECTIVE THOUGH QUIET
Bp a star corresrordent


yesterday from all over the country to
attend the Friends biennial conference,
which will last until Thursday, July 13
Some were In their eighties with canes
and ear trumpets, and their dear old
wrinkled faces showed years OF adherence
to the simple life. They came we'll on in
middle life, fine men, whose names stand
for much In the world of finance and then
the younger generation was also generously
represented Unlike the gay and boisterous
ad mems convention In Philadelphia few
days ago they make no noise and one
would hardly believe they were in town IL II
were not for the huge tent erected on the
Stockton lawn, where they hold their meet.
ings, but will know in time that they are
here and In their quiet way accomplishing
big things.
Todays program was as follows: A de-
votional meeting took place from $3.50 to
Q a. M, at 915 the Mayor of Cape May
welcomed the members of the conference.
Tho opening address was delivered by
DR.. o. Edward Janney, Of Baltimore, who
is chairman of the conference. From 9:45
a. M to 10:45 o'clock George A. Walton, of
George School, spoke on Development of
the Religious Life" and quoted from an old
monk, who once said, II would fain be
to the Almighty as the hand of man to a
man." He said that the best work for the
Society of Friends is in the future, and
that is to elevate men to better and higher
living. A moral life IL n good thing, but
the man who thinks that is all Ia making n
sad mistake; being power Is of more
value. Mr.. Walton is one of the younger
Friends and speaks with conviction and
spirit. He will deliver two more lectures
on Development in the Religious Life
during the conference.
II venture to think that the great period
of the Quaker meeting may not be in the
past but In the future: for Its fundamental
features are In accordance with the prin-
ciples of democracy of the time, democracy
which ! believe we are gradually working
toward in things political, industrial social
and religious, not only here In America
but in Europe and Asia as we'll The
European war seems to have called halt
in democratic progress, but those whose
faith in democracy Is based on the firm be-
lief that there is an inner light which
lighteth every man that cometh into the
world are convinced that this can only de-
lay but not prevent democratic progress.
1.-THE inner light of every man is devel-
oped by freedom, by giving a man oppor.
tunity to determine in n measure the con-
dtions of his life and to take the re-
sponsibility for his choice. For instance,
slave who Is obedent to n good master will
lead n blameless life, but he can never have
the power or the insight of the man who is
free to choose his acts: the free man will
make mistakes IL he has spirit and In
itiative, and he will suffer for them, but
he will gain wisdom which Is obtainable in
no Otner way. a DeneNOleUI ueSpOIlSIIl
might provide the most orderly and eff-
cient government, but n democracy makes
men. Such liberty, coupled with responsi
bilty. Friends meeting offers us. We
are not only free to speak IL we feel the i'm
pulse and free to influence the meeting in
any way we can, but the meeting is unsat-
isfactory and the fault Is ours, II we don't
do our part.
Each member has n responsibility in
regard to the quality Of the silence and the
character of the social intercourse. and he
should not only be willing TO help the meet
ing by the spoken word II the call seems to
come. but should even be on the watch for
the call and welcome it, for it may come
to any one whether he has particular gift
for speaking or not. AS by doing we learn
something that cannot be learned from
books, so by thinking over our own re-
ligious thoughts and expressing them In
meeting we gain something that cannot be
gained by merely inviting the religious
thoughts and feelings of another
This then is the great opportunity of
Friends meeting, the opportunity and
the responsibility of religious expression
like the political democracy, tend to make
men. What may we expect to receive in
Friends meeting? Surely not sermons,
preached with authority or orations en-
belllshed by the flowers of rhetoric, but If
the members are as they should be, all
looking toward the light from their diff
ferent angles and humbly seeking in diff
ferent ways to hasten the coming of Gods
kingdom opon earth. they will be able to
find thoughts helpful to one another. Even
when the language is awkward when the
thoughts expressed are not new to us, there
is always an inspiration in coming in touch
with the ideals and aspirations of our fell
lows. When a large number of members
occasionally speak in meeting. I believe
they should, then there are two advantages
over the church service-the many points
of view that are given us and the encour-
agement of fellowship, of knowing the
aspirations not of one, but many of our
fellows"
At 1O:46 a. m. Mary S. Mcdowell spoke
on "Our Vocal Ministry" She said:
The big event OF the morning was the
arrival OF Thomas Mott Osborne whose
address closed the morning session.
A golf tournament occupied the re-
mainder OF the day. and the committee in
charge of this part OF the entertainment
included Mr.. and Mrs, J, Milton Griscom.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Z. Biddle, Jr, Mr.
and Mrs. Dudley Perkins, Mr.. and Mrs.
]. Archer Turner Those who did not wish
to play golf took trips to Sewell's Point
and Cape May Point