The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-09
HEATED DEBATE ENDS
IN REAFFIRMATION
OF FAITH BY FRIENDS

All reported dissention among the
Friends of Indiana Yearly meeting
found an end Monday afternoon with
the adoption of resolution proposed
by George Bird, of Van Vert, Ohio,
which read in substance:
That Indiana Yearly meeting re
affirm its faith in the inspiration OF
the scriptures. and in the Richmond
Declaration of Faith and in George
Fox's letter to the governor of Bar
BADGES"
With the resolution accepted follow
ing an hour and one half of discussion,
the reported discord said to have ex.
listed in some sections of the yearly
meeting comes to an end.
At the morning session of the meet
ing on ministry and oversight, COM
munications from Whitewater, Fair
mount and Winchester quarterly meet
;ngs gave expression to this feeling
of unrest because of the belief of
unsound doctrines in the church.
Evidence of Unity.
An element has been known to
exist which seemed to suspect the
absence of unity among the yearly
meeting members in the stand of the
church. To appease this element the
steps taken Monday in reaffirming
faith in the letters of Fox and of the
Richmond declaration. were unani-
mously accorded with.
The original resolution submitted by
George Bird included a paragraph
cautioning the ministers and teachers
10 use language which could not be
misunderstood
This article of the resolution, was
left to the committee on findings to
deal with as they see fit 1t appeared
probable that this committee would
draft message to be sent to the
yearly meeting at large with an adj
monition to this effect.
Before an understanding WAS
reached George Furstenberger, of
Portland. made a strong appeal for Il
reaffirmation of the Friends faith.
Quoting from a record of London
Yearly meeting in 1929. at which time
the London Yearly meeting made a
redeclaration of faith, Mr.. Fursten-
berger said:
Must Stand for Belief.
I'VE should reassert that which we
believe and if we do not re-affirm
our faith. we will throw our church in
jeopardy, for not only the Indiana
Yearly meeting, but all of Quakerdom
is watching what we do
s. Edgar Nicholson spoke. Just to
the extent that the Richmond Declare
lion of Faith helps us to find Christ,
Just to the extent that any body of
people rely on that declaration, or
any other declaration is that declara-
ton help.
"As a man, a Christian brother, and
on my honor, ! want TO say that | do
not think those who are suspicious
of our standing know all of the facts.
| believe there is not the ground for
suspicion that they believe.
IF the Richmond Declaration OF
Faith, or any other declaration. will
help anybody to find God, | endorse
it."
Marks Important Point
So tense became the situation at one
time that Ancil Ratliff, presiding
clerk, called for a period of devotion
At the close of this brief spell of pray
er and song, the meeting again re
sumed consideration of the impending
questions with calm reinsurance.
The session probably was one of the
most important ever held during the
100 years of the meeting.
It is held by many of the Friends
that there has always been unity IT
the church, and that reaffirming oil
the faith is but defining the stand the
church has maintained continuously
They say that the action of the
meeting Monday afternoon is but &
reiteration of what they have always
stood for, and that at no time has
Indiana Yearly meeting authoritative
ly taken any action which could bt
construed as detracting from the
stand adopted with the Richmond Dec
n+in,, Of It'll In 1857