Guilford-Statewide County NcArchives News.....Friends' Yearly Meeting 1893 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Guy Potts http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00017.html#0004214 December 24, 2007, 10:42 pm Daily Charlotte Observer 1893 11 Aug 1893 The Quakers Versus Music - The Yearly Meeting in Guilford High Point, August 10 - Last evening's session was largely attended. The meeting was a lively one and that silence which the Philadelphia Friends so much desire was wanting. The main discourse of the evening was given by John F. Stanton, a visiting Friend from the West. The usual devotional meeting convened at 9 a.m. today. At 10 a.m. the meeting re-assembled for business. Jas. Jones offered a fervent prayer, followed by an exhortation from Abram Fisher. After the reading of the opening minutes, the appointment of clerks was declared in order. L.L. Hobbs, Josiah Nicholson and Dr. J.E. Cartland were appointed. The official report of Yadkin Valley Quarter, which was not at hand yesterday, was presented, together with the names of representatives of the meeting. The credentials of Anna J. Grimshaw, a minister, were read. Some of the best preachers present are women. A greeting from Isham Cox, an aged Friend who was not permitted to be present, was read, and the clerk was directed to send him a massage of love and sympathy on behalf of the Yearly Meeting. The reading of epistles from other Yearly Meetings was resumed. Those read were from New England, New York, Baltimore, Indiana, Western, Canada, Kansas, Iowa and Ohio. The Dublin epistle is daily expected. The reading of these epistles brought forth a lively discussion on doctrinal points. The Friends have what is called "birthright membership." A number of the North Carolina Friends are opposed to "birthright members," who have never been converted, taking part in the government of the Society. There was a sharp discussion on this point. Music Condemned Rufus P. King made strong objections to bringing musical instruments into Friends' meeting-houses and to their use in the meetings. Dr. Nereus Mendenhall and B.F. Blair said they were in perfect unity with the opinion of Rufus King, and went still further with their objections. Prof. George W. White stated that he had arrived at the point where he could worship God in any sort of a meeting, and he thought liberality should be shown toward those who hold different views on the subject of the manner of worship. Edward P. Parker spoke briefly on the subject, saying that worship should be such as to "win souls to Christ" and if music helped to do this, there should be no objections. "Amen" followed these remarks. The discussion on subjects mentioned will doubtless be brought up again, and in a lively manner. It was agreed that the North Carolina Yearly Meeting prepare but one epistle this year, a copy of which should be sent to each corresponding Yearly Meeting, and a committee consisting of Elihu E. Mendenhall and others was appointed for the purpose. The morning session closed with prayer by Rufus King. The Afternoon Session Convened at 2 p.m. David E. Sampson, who has just returned from England, gave an extensive and interesting account of his trip. He was liberated to go to England at the last Yearly Meeting and sailed February 25th. He attended London and Dublin Yearly Meetings. This was followed by the report of the evangelistic committee. The report was satisfactory and a voluntary subscription was taken towards the support of the evangelistic work. With a short period of silence the session was concluded. Notes The attendance increases daily. Over 5,000 people are expected at the different meetings on Sunday. Clerks in Women Friends' meeting: Priscilla B. Hackney, Elizabeth Nicholson and Mary E. Cartland. Messengers: Emma L. White and Elizabeth M. Meader. In the Kansas epistle the following incident was related: Some of the Indians in the West, speaking of the government breaking so many treaties with them, remarked that "the grass still grows, the waters still run, and the Quakers are still keeping their promises." Arrivals: Dr. Nereus Mendanhall, Prof. Geo. W. White and wife, Prof. C.P. Frazier, Julia S. White and Mary E. White. In an interview with Thos. C. Hogue, a prominent Philadelphia Friend, he remarked that "all true Friends, since the days of George Fox, held a testimony against instrumental music in Friends' meetings." Tomorrow night will be devoted to the cause of foreign missions. An interesting programme has been arranged. Instruction in vocal and instrumental music will be given at Guilford College next year. This college belongs to the North Carolina Yearly Meeting. The "Friends' Review," published in Philadelphia, regrets that this step has been taken. Some of the Friends think it should be more generally known that it is not the "Friends' church" but the "Society of Friends" that is in session. Edwin P. Sellew is publisher of the Philadelphia Friend. He says: "I was a Methodist minister in Philadelphia and became convinced that Friends' doctrines were right and joined the Society nine years ago. The foundation principles of the Society is the spirituality of worship and the ministry. Any vocal offering which does not come from an immediate prompting of the Holy Spirit I believe is not acceptable. Early Friends always had a period of silence in the beginning of their meetings, and a departure from this custom is painful to observe. I was convinced while a Methodist minister that music is a diversion and a hindrance to Christian work. I am glad to be here." File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/guilford/newspapers/friendsy165gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ncfiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb