Society of Friends

“ He found in the doctrines of the Society of Friends exactly the framework which his nature needed, saying that “after a candid and kindly survey” of all the other creeds, “I turn to my own Society, thankful to the Divine Providence which placed me where I am ”

“ Born in the Lake Country, and belonging to the Society of Friends, she formed, as a girl, many happy friendships with the Wordsworths, the Southeys, the Coleridges, and all that charmed circle of intellect, every scrap of whose sayings and doings are so full of interest, and so dearly cherished. ”

“ I am very far from despising either the fine arts or their effects in awakening the dormant seeds of genius; and I believe The Society of Friends profit in their manners and enjoyments by the insensible and general atmosphere of those arts they contemn. ”

“ From a very early period in the history of the Society of Friends his ancestors had been members of that body, and he inherited from them the strong sense of personal independence, and the love of toleration and respect for the rights of others which have ever characterized that body of people. ”

“ The desire to preserve our country from the calamities and ravages of war, by cultivating a disposition, and pursuing a conduct, conciliatory and friendly to all nations, has been sincerely entertained and faithfully followed. It was dictated by the principles of humanity, the precepts of the gospel, and the general wish of our country, and it was not to be doubted that the Society of Friends, with whom it is a religious principle, would sanction it by their support. ”

“ Look at the Society of Friends, and at the small socialist community at this place. All the women in these have the right to speak in the public assemblies, but none avail themselves of the right but they who have talent for it, or who have something very good to say. ”

“ How much is left undone, for the sake of society! But let us pause a moment, and ask what society is. Is it a community of tried and trusted friends, united together by the ties of perfect love? Listen to the remarks of those, even of your own family, who return from the evening party, or the morning call. Is it a community of beings with whom mind is all in all, and intellectual improvement the purpose for which they meet? Observe the preparations that are made—the dress, the furniture, the food, the expense that is lavished upon these. ”

“ We see before the Society of Friends, as it renews its spiritual communion and its warmth of fellowship, a great service for which it has been wonderfully prepared—a service for the revival of vital, prophetic religion and for its expression in righteousness of life—but the service will be fruitful through discipline and suffering; if it is to be redemptive of society it will cost much ”

“ Such a society is no other than a company of men having the form and seeking the power of godliness ; united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation. No member is ever required to make a profession of faith, public, or private, before the church, or to the class, or to the minister. ”

“ It is said that the representative of the Society of Friends was a proper man of business, as, indeed, most of them are, and that he drove rather a hard bargain with the railway directors, who at last were obliged to give in to what they considered to be an exorbitant demand for such a small bit of freehold. ”

“ There is no Christian love without living faith. It is " faith working by love " which makes a Christian. Faith without love is like a flower which does not come to perfection. The Society of Friends would, in our opinion, have been spared many sorrowful episodes in its history, and peculiar difficulties, especially in dealing with young people such, for instance, as it has experienced at Manchester had it from its origin on principle uni- formly asked the question which Philip asked the Ethiopian, of all applicants for membership. ”

“ The Society of Friends was organized on the principle that men and women are alike moral beings, hence are equal in the sight of God. As a matter of experience, women were quite as often moved to break the silence of a religious meeting as were the men. ”

“ The Society of Friends have a large meeting-house in Bishopsgate Street, which is the head quarters of the society, where the annual meetings are held, when Friends from all parts of England assemble here, giving quite a picturesque aspect to the street, when it is thronged by them in their somewhat grotesque costume. ”

“ Another appeal was addressed by me personally to the Society of Friends through the Clerks of the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in England and Ireland.
It has proved eminently successful, and has led to the formation of a powerful “Friends’ Anti-vivisection Society,” which lately issued an appeal to other members of their body signed by 2,000 friends, many of them being among the most eminent in England. This has again formed the ground of a fresh appeal on an immense scale in Pennsylvania. ”

“ But we now began to learn that the people of England, particularly the Society of Friends, were taking a warm interest in their welfare, stimulating their minds in favour of industry, economy, and Christianity, and especially guarding them against the pernicious effects of ardent spirits. ”

“ The people everywhere seem very intelligent, and there seems much openness to receive missionaries from the Society of Friends, whose spiritual teaching is much needed in these parts; and we hope the feet of some may be directed to this Bible land, where the fields are already white unto harvest and the laborers few, and that Friends may see their way to lend funds to carry on this great work of Christian education among the females of the East. ”

“ With the help of the person who, by the dedication of his spare time, had, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, called this Society into being, they are as perfectly able in their measures to administer the affairs of their Church as any of our own Meetings, and have certainly done so as much for the glory of God. ”

“ He is, we will suppose, the son of some wealthy Friend, and well educated, but has never made any profession of belonging to the Society. He is known by them as a gay young man, caring nothing for religion, although he attends our Meetings. He falls into a snare and his moral character is at stake. His family are valued Members of our Body. His father rebukes him and for- gives him, and his moral nature eventually re-asserts its superiority. The matter, for the sake of the young
Birthright Membership. ”

“ Therefore there is a clear ground for the existence of the Society of Friends, the Baptist, Inde- pendent, Methodist, and Presbyterian Societies, &c. &c.t Freedom of conscience is secured by our perfect liberty to unite with one or other of these Societies. The principle of welcoming a man, who is known to be united by faith to our common Lord, and of holding religious communion with Him in some cases even admitting him to preach and pray in their assemblies, without asking him to unite in their work or Society is increasingly acted upon, and is, we ”

“ Among the various classes of benevolent individuals, to whom the Public have been indebted for their pecuniary and personal aid in promoting this design the Society of The Friends is peculiarly prominent. To the zeal and perseverance they have manifested, and the valuable time they have bestowed, in giving effect and utility to the System, is owing much of its success. ”

“ The ancient practice of Ministers giving an account of their proceedings to the Church, on their return from a religious visit with a certificate, is a familiar instance, which proves that Ministers were considered in the early Society of Friends as responsible to the Church. ”

“ It is obvious that any particular Church or Society of persons, such as have been described, have the power of laying down certain principles and rules for their guidance as an outward Society. How can any walk together unless they be agreed ? ”

“ In the women’s meetings she was equally struck with the ability with which certain ladies addressed this assembly on matters of business, and the practical eloquence to which they had attained. These meetings, and the society which she enjoyed in the evenings at different houses of wealthy and leading Friends, impressed her with a high idea of the solid merits and highly moral and philanthropic tone of the Society. She heard continually discussed those great topics of humanity which have always occupied the mind and aims of Friends. ”

“ The maxim, that ' what is easily obtained is lightly esteemed,' declares a true principle ; and from ' Membership ' being so indiscriminately granted to all the children of Friends, it is often regarded by them when rising into manhood or womanhood, in a false light; instead of being esteemed a privilege as Membership with a Christian Church should ever be it has been felt to be a burden, imposing restraints not demanded by their own con- sciences. Family ties, or other causes, often prevent such young people from separating the connection between them- selves and the Society ”

“ However, as the New Commonwealth Society is nearer to the Cause than perhaps any other organisation of its kind, the Guardian would advise the friends to participate, occasionally and in an informal manner, in its activities, to attend some of its meetings, and to contribute articles to its publications. Association, as you certainly realise, is quite different from affiliation, and it is the latter which the Guardian wishes the friends to strictly avoid. ”

“ How Our Friends Can Help Us.
1. Become members of the Society by sending the Secretary $50 for a Life member's certificate, or $3 for an Annual membership.
2. If you are already an annual member, see that your renewal fees are regularly paid.
3. Talk to your friends about the Society, and endeavor to induce them to become members.
4. Send us, and try to induce others to send us, material for our archives—such as is indicated above.
5. Many may find it convenient to make contributions of money to enable the Society
7
to carry on its work. ”

“ Aside from the matter of business, the social part of these gatherings is a distinct feature of the society, which serves to keep alive the interest of its members, bringing together congenial friends and giving "new-comers" an opportunity to become acquainted with their neighbors. ”

“ When we consider the large number of work-people employed by Members of our Society, we can hardly suppose that we have not a mission to them if to no others or that the same simple principles of the New Testament may not be equally beneficial to them as to our own children. ”

“ I was led to excite Friends to unity in this concern; as the want of uniformity would very much tend to lay waste those precious testimonies, and increase the sufferings of the society.
Fourth day. Attended our neighbouring monthly meeting of Westbury. My mind was engaged to call Friends’ attention to a more close adherence to discipline; the right management of which could not be profitably effected, without keeping to a right [Pg 199] and sound form. I felt satisfaction in my labour, in a belief that the honest-hearted were strengthened and encouraged. ”

“ It is the object of this society to promote parties and splits in general, and since of late we have perceived disunion among friends to be not nearly so ripe as in the Bible it is plainly commanded to be, we the members of this club have investigated the means of producing, fostering, and invigorating strife of all kinds, whereby the society of man will be profited much. ”

“ In speaking of the connection between music and worship, another person, not a member of the Society of Friends, observes: “I firmly believe” “that if we seek to affect 8the mind by the aid of architecture, painting or music, the impression produced by these adjuncts is just so much subtracted from the worship of the unseen Jehovah. If the outward eye is taken up with material splendor, or forms of external beauty, the mind sees but little of Him who is invisible ”

“ From this anomalous provision operating in con junction with their marriage regulations, the Friends, as they have declined in numbers, have become increasingly bound together by family relationship ; and whilst the spirit of clan- ship has conferred some elements of strength, it has also favoured the growth of that exclusive feeling which is rarely absent from any association of men, in which Membership is principally obtained through hereditary descent. ”

“ These youthful Christians only obtain a status and position after the qualification of many years of regular attendance at Meetings for Discipline, instead of being early and cordially welcomed, as they were in the early Society, and as they are in some other Churches, as the great means of their support and the perpetuation of their Christian principles. ”

“ It is, however, requisite to call at suitable times, and to avoid staying too long, if your friend is engaged. The courtesies of society should ever be maintained, even in the domestic circle, and amongst the nearest friends. ”

“ Corresponding Society, and the next year men of less extreme views founded the Society of the Friends of the People to promote moderate reform. Whether radical or moderate, however, associations of that kind could not live in those troublous times. ”

“ Many of the phrases in Scripture, are adapted to the usages and common sense of mankind; and the consideration of such usages, may often help us to ascertain the meaning of words. When we apply for a favour to any one in the name of his friend, the name implies a permission to avail ourselves of the friendship existing between the parties, as a claim on the favor of him to whom we apply. ”

“ The only other classification of the members of a small society worth making here is in accordance with the various degrees of their previous intimacy. They may either be a family party consisting of near relations, or a friendly party consisting of intimate friends, or a party of casual acquaintances who meet not unfrequently, or a chance collection of almost strangers. ”