Annual Meeting of Friends' Historical Society of Philadelphia, 1914

Abstract

102 BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY. ANNUAL MEETING OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA, 1914. Arrangements were made to hold the Tenth Annual Meeting of Friends' Historical Society of Philadelphia on Third month 2d, 1914, but owing to the severe snow-storm of the previous night and the resultant blockade of many lines of travel, the meeting was postponed until Third month 12th, 1914. The business meeting convened in the west room of the Meeting House at Fourth and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, at 6 p. m., with about seventy-five members present. The usual routine of reports and the nomination and election of officers and councillors first claimed attention. Amelia M. Gummere, on behalf of the committee having in consideration the preparation and publication of a complete edition of the Journal of John Woolman from the original manuscripts , made a brief verbal report. The editorial work is now in progress and it is hoped that it may be possible to have the work published in about a year's time. Allen C. Thomas, editor of the Bulletin, made an earnest plea soliciting those who have old papers, letters, bills, etc., etc., that might be of historic interest, to send such to him for examination or review. From such material oftentimes valuable items may be gathered and preserved by being published in the Bulletin . Papers sent for this purpose will be returned to the senders, if so requested, if they are not yet prepared to present them to the Society. Tong Sing Kow,1 who holds an important position as a mining engineer under the Chinese Government, and who graduated from the University of California about twenty-five years ago, was present as a guest. Upon invitation of the President he favored the meeting with a few remarks, which were expressive of his gratification of meeting with Friends in the old historic meeting-house and of his appreciation and interest in Quaker history. 1 Tong Sing Kow is the original of the story of " The Chinese Quaker," written by Nellie Blessing-Eyster, New York, 1902. ANNUAL MEETING FRIENDS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 103 The meeting was then adjourned. A few minutes later the supper room became an attractive scene, where members and their guests were comfortably seated at tables which were arranged tastefully with an ample repast. Carnations, daffodils and other flowers were used in decoration , and at each plate was placed an appropriate souvenir folder, representing a view of the Arch Street Meeting House, and the pictures entitled, " George Fox Refusing to Take the Oath " and " John Woolman and the Slave." After the supper Amelia M. Gummere read a valuable paper describing " John Woolman at Home." She emphasized especially the human side of his life, which was largely omitted in the published editions of his Journal, which represent more of his spiritual experiences. He represents the beginning of the type of the modern Friend in his work for the social betterment of mankind, but he worked as an individual and not in the organized corporate group. Having no taste for agriculture, he learned the trade of tailor, and later in his life he was a teacher of Friends' children. He traveled in the ministry from New England to North Carolina, and his death occurred while upon a religious visit in England. Gertrude Roberts Sherer followed with a refreshing, interesting review and characterization of the early Friends, entitled "When Quakerism was Young." George Fox and his co-workers having experienced the enlightment of the Divine Light in their souls, and being convinced of the Truth, felt confident of their message and hesitated not to proclaim it to the world. They believed that practical religious and social reforms would lead to the transformation of the world. George Fox gathered about him leaders, many of them youthful men, such as John Audland, Edward Burroughs, Francis Howgil, John Camm, Gervase Benson, Richard Hubberthorn and others, who accepted the call to service, and by their lives and teaching made it their business to proclaim the Truth to all conditions of people. They took time for fellowship and leadership and ministers were sent out to the little meetings that " they should not be left only to wait."M...