Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-26
VAR STATEMENT
,ASSAlD BY FRIENDS
ociety Repudiates Action of
WilIful Men" Who Backed
United States
WOULD SPEAK TO WORLD
Committee Named to Spread Broad
cast Declaration Conforming to
Principles Of George Fox


ful men" who on Saturday In a state
ment to the newspapers declared that
the Friends wefe behind the Government
N pushing the war and we're opposed 10
- peace with dishonor or a temporary
peace with evil"
Members Of the Society were urged
t by Thomas Fisher. one of the delegates,
to ''absolutely refuse to do anything or
contribute one penny to the United
States or her allies in helping further
tho aims in this conflict against the
Kaiser" They were particularly urged
20 refrain from investing In Liberty
Bonds or in war savings and thrift
stamps. Any of the Friends who under
take to sell such bonds or stamps il was
made firm, would not be considered true
Friends.
A committee consisting of Edward W.
Evans, chairman, isaac Sharpless and
John b. Garret was appointed to draw
UP declaration conforming to the
statement of George Fox and to take
steps to communicate II to the world
II is understood that this statement will
be cabled TO London and Australia to
every Friend society in Europe.
To American Bodies
Every such organization in this cOun-
try will be teegraphed a day later 50
that all societies of Friends will re-
cefve II at approximately the same time
Letters urging the Friends stand in
this war we're read to delegates of the
meeting now being conducted in the
X Old Meeting House. Fourth and Arch
streets.
I'VE shall appeal to the Lord" said
Mr.. Fisher in urging the Friends to re-
frain from everything aiding the United
States In competing with the Germans,
"and IL He says we are wrong then we
shall act differently. But what man on
this earth can say We are not acting
Justly In following the dictates of our
Individual heart and conscience.
Il was approached by a Friend and
asked to buy a Liberty Bond. My God.
where are our members drifting? Where
10 their consistency. We are against
war and against very means in aiding
its operation"
willing to lie Hanged
s9 This speaker was followed by another
who said: ~ am not a Friend or either
a delegate to this Yearly Meeting. but
= l know you are all my friends because
you are allied with God and His work
am willing TO be hanged by the neck
until dead II It Is necessary for the
carrying out of my work. My mission
on this earth was not dictated by my
self or any other man but by the eter'
nal God Himself.
"And, like George Fox. l follow Him
Gentlemen. we must feel proud in Off
e cially telling the world that the Friends
are against war and against any pre-
tense for making war"
In urging the ratification of this doe
trine. which officially stamps the Society
Of Friends az utterly opposing all wars
=. nnd FOR whatever purpose, many urged
mat the wording be changed bit and
made to apply to present times. Ir
answer to this it was suggested that the
pacihst formula of George Fox was not
only meant for 1906 but for 2606 as
well.
W The committee will consider as to
whether the Fox formula may be trans
cribed in simple words so that "the
workingman as we'll as the college grad
= uate may read 1t and understand"
Among the several speeches urging
Z the Fox doctrine was one of Henry
Hunt. ninety years old.
Even though the loyal and conserva,
tive members of the Society Of Friends
are greatly in the minority. We shal
not shrk our duty to the worldly com
promising with our consciences."
Joseph Elkinton. delegate from the
Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting, mad,
this declaration today.
"what care we for the dictates oi
man, government or even the Bible It.
self. 30 far as that Is concerned. u oui
own hearts and consciences rule other
wise?" he asked.
II don't mean TO be disrespectful tC
any one; far be it from that But ever
since I can remember ! have never
raised one finger to strike another
human being.
Some say we are reformers and arr
seeking 10 better the world. What o
II? Christ Himself was a reformer
and II we are able to initiate Him. wh'
y IL omnipotent. why not II the worlt
can be made better for it?,
y "who gave man power to destroy
that which God has created. IL Is no
for us to slay one another. Let Hin
do Il 1t He so cares continued the
Friend.
Mr.. Elkinton said he spoke sincerely
; and mot with the biased mind, for eithel
: the American or German principles o.
y freedom" IL was the dictates OF his
4 heart he said, that urged him TO race
the truth, even though the present times
and happenings make his utterances un'
timely.
''The truth shall go on forever" he
concluded.
Mr.. Elkinton expressed qualification
because the EVENING PUBLIC LEDGER
In it's story of the Friends meeting yes
terday, published the entire appeal which
q George Fox took to Charles ii OF Eng
s land in 1890. The cause OF the triends
was given justice thereby, he said. he
siepiored the fact that other publications
elected only one paragraph and did moi
explain its true meaning.
n one of the delegates, in referring te
q <he formula of Fox. related that two
vears before the war the Berlin Society
a. Friends presented the formula &c
Xafser William of Germany, but he then
* refused TO pay any heed to its cohtel.s .
This was pointed out as a warning to
he United states In how II Is 10 loon
urpon the doctrine indorsed this aiter'
<lt is the only safe course for tins
a Ff1rnofing TO pursue. Reiterate IL aho
g noud It forward to the whole worid ano
~ them know once and for all ths'
< ~ Friends are opposed TO all ana an,
<rars for whatever purpose, he sald'
I; George NJ. Warner. another or the
& 1owates who yesterday said that ne
y IN this was not the time TO mix Into
<t ~ diplomatic or political field at Wash
4; II 5ton and that tht Friends were con-
sring ..perilous" work In 30 doing
4. Ir1nn felt elated as to the dictates OF his
Y. ltSart and conscience He said TO-
= >x that the spiritual dispute as TO what
b < meant by ''perilous" yesterday has
In the least hampered his original
nuhfs. He still Is Of the opinion tina;
xnrass the President now would be