USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Extracts from the minutes of the yearly meeting of Friends held in Philadelphia, 1922 > Part 8
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While the opportunities for service are so apparent, we do not feel it right to seek release from our appointment. We believe that the Yearly Meeting should continue to work for the extension of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in this way, not only among our own members and in our own country, but in Germany and elsewhere abroad. There is in the immediate future an
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open field for the further distribution of our literature, and for the development of the other lines of work that have been undertaken during the year.
The earnest co-operation of every member of the Yearly Meeting is needed. Not until our membership generally is willing to give time and thought and prayerful consideration to the task of interpreting God to the men and women who are perplexed and discouraged, can we really fulfil our mission.
By direction and on behalf of the committee. J. PASSMORE ELKINTON, Chairman.
PHILADELPHIA, Third Month 17, 1922.
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REPORT
OF THE COMMITTEE ON RACE RELATIONS.
The Committee on Race Relations appointed last year has little to report in the way of specific accomplishment, but its members have been quietly and earnestly trying to think out some of the very difficult problems that such a Committee must face. In several communities in and near Philadelphia some of us have met with certain of the colored people from time to time in friendly gatherings to discuss local problems of interest to both races.
Several visits to and fro have also been exchanged between our friends on the Cheyney staff of teachers and a number of the committee, which have resulted in a very real and cordial friendship.
The housing problem of the negro has also been given careful thought.
At one of our meetings during the past year, it was our privilege to have the company of Carrie Parks Johnson, of Georgia, in intimate converse and heart-searching ministry. She is a Southern woman of culture and refinement, coupled with a spirit of unusual breadth and tenderness. Through yielding unreservedly to the all loving Spirit of Christ she has been brought into a wonderful service among the Blacks and Whites alike, in connection with the inter-racial com- mittees of the South. It is the hope that we may have a part, however small, in this great inter-racial service that has inspired us to seek for the truth and to publish it as best we know how. We feel that our task is a very difficult and delicate one and that there is profound need of a more gen- eral knowledge of the relations betwen the races in our country and of a greater effort to correct injustices. Inherited prejudice, ignorance and a totally unchristian attitude have created barriers of misunderstanding and
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wrongs that it will take more than human wisdom to over- come. The problem is one that increasingly threatens the welfare of our nation and the integrity of our form of government.
Race antagonism is one of the greatest problems of the world today, one race or nation being arrayed against another, the world over. It is a problem which is going to be settled, the only question being, in what way. Shall it be by force or by the Christian method of brotherhood? We have more than ten millions of citizens of African descent in the United States, an increasing percentage of whom are becoming conscious of their constitutional rights and whose leaders are encouraging them to contend for these rights. Is it surprising that with this growing con- sciousness of capacity and power, the outgrowth of the experiences of the war and the corresponding sensitiveness to restrictions and wrongs, a race once conspicuous for meek submissiveness, should now be cherishing bitterness and self- assertion? We also have about eighty thousand Japanese in the West, where prejudice is as strong against them as it is against the negroes in the East. These constitute a very grave and menacing problem in America, especially in some sections. Before the Christian Churches of America can do the most effective work in foreign lands, must they not take a definitely Christian stand on home problms such as these?
In a letter sent to the Monthly Meetings in our Yearly Meeting we expressed the belief that, "we who belong to the white race are largely responsible for the serious injustice, hatred and violence that have become so conspicuous in this country." The Society of Friends by inheritance and train- ing should be a leader in work for a better understanding and sympathy between the races. But have we been awake to the threatening dangers and to the opportunities for service?
What does the situation call for? To quote from a cur- rent magazine: "To overcome the sinister influence of race prejudices we need a better understanding between the thoughtful pople of both races. With better understanding will come larger faith. We are making progress. We are
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coming to see that the differences which distinguish one race from another are as nothing compared to our common human inheritance. Deep within us we have the same ideals, the same hopes, the same aspirations. Whatever is for the common welfare of community, state or nation, is of concern to us all, and we must live and work together in sympathy." To accomplish this, what more is required than simply the application of the Golden Rule, in the Spirit of Him, who was among men "as one who serveth"? We are too apt to forget that two-thirds of the people on the earth are not white people. If we would be serviceable in the ministry of reconciliation, we must recognize more fully than most people seem to, the great fact that "God hath made of one blood all peoples that dwell on the earth."
The Committee would ask to be continued.
ESTHER MORTON SMITH.
PHILADELPHIA, Third Month 24, 1922.
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REPORT
OF COMMITTEE IN CHARGE OF THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF THE YEARLY MEETING.
The work of the office has expanded during the year and among the many interests which have a bearing on our life as a religious society, in addition to the special work of the Yearly and Representative Meetings, our Secretary has been engaged in various outside activities of which we might mention the Associate Secretaryship of the American Friends' Service Committee with a privilege of attending its executive meetings, and being a member of its Mexican Committee; he is also Chairman of the American Friends' Literature Council and as a result of a visit to England in 1920, our Secretary has become acquainted with English Publishers and the Book Store is importing many more English books than in previous years.
The interests of the Book Committee which are very closely allied to those of the Book Store, occupy an increased amount of his time; and his efforts in securing for the store a field of enlarged usefulness have borne fruit.
Much time and energy have been devoted to the work of the Yearly Meeting's Committee on the extension of Chris- tian fundamentals whose work has been largely carried on in the office and in addition to this various committees and individuals are availing themselves of our facilities where Friends and others from distant points come for information in regard to matters pertaining to the Yearly Meeting, etc., etc. In some cases almost the entire day is devoted to ser- vice of this kind rendered to Friends who come among us.
Missionary interests through our connection with the Friends' Allied Mission Council also engage attention.
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It will thus be evident that beginning with work in con- nection with the conscientious objectors in military camps some years ago, the labors of the Secretary have developed along different lines and his work has been aided by the fine spirit of co-operation shown by the Yearly Meeting's Peace Committee in the adjoining office, whose help in clerical work has tended to efficiency and economy.
We would again testify to the willing spirit and efficient service which as Secretary our friend, William B. Harvey, has given to the work, much of which does not come to public notice and has a value not easily stated in words.
We attach a copy of a suggested budget covering the Secretary's office, $4,640, and the Book Store, $3,430, total $8,070, for the fiscal year ending Third Month, 1923.
GEORGE M. WARNER, WALTER T. MOORE, WM. F. WICKERSHAM,
Committee.
PHILADELPHIA, Third Month 13, 1922.
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REPORT
OF THE DOUKHOBOR COMMITTEE.
This Committee was originally appointed Sixth Month 17, 1898, to ascertain the needs and render financial and other assistance to the Doukhobors; with the passing of years, their situation in Northwestern Canada has very much changed.
Many Friends will recall the hardships endured by these sturdy people when they fled from persecution in Russia to Canada, the land of promise.
Friends in England and America responded promptly to the needs of the Immigrants, whose opposition to militarism brought about a special bond of fellowship between our people and the Doukhobors.
Locating as they did on Reservations distant from the centers of population, the school education of their children became a problem; here again Friends came to the rescue.
About this time, the Executors of the estate of Clementine Cope turned over to our Committee, the sum of $15,000 to be used for educational purposes among these people; this enabled us to erect suitable buildings at Petrofka, Saskatche- wan where, for years, many Doukhobor children received the rudiments of an English education.
Eventually the Canadian Government established public schools in districts occupied by them which resulted in the abandonment of our enterprise.
Efforts were made later to assist meritorious Doukhobor children in securing advanced education in order that they might, in turn help those among them who were less favor- ably circumstanced. Difficulties were encountered in this scheme, when, for one reason or another the young people would have to drop their schooling and go to work.
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Rewards in the shape of books for creditable progress in the District Schools met some success for years. The Doukhobors no longer need our financial support; the Dominion of Canada is quite able to cope with the problems of education, in which the Russians as a class co-operate none too warmly.
Situated as we are, so far removed from them, and, with only very limited funds under our care, and these being restricted for the purposes of education, we have felt that our time of usefulness as a Committee has perhaps passed; and possible future service might be accomplished by a special committee, appointed for definite need.
The Representative Meeting has authorized the transfer of our inactive educational fund to the Yearly Meeting Indian Committee, to be used by it for like purposes among the New York Indians.
We are all aware that a very large service of a spiritual nature remains unattended to among the Doukhobors, for with increased outward prosperity, they have apparently lost in great measure the tenderness of spirit manifested in their early years of Canadian life.
This labor of love we feel needs to be undertaken under direct concern and we sincerely hope that Friends will bear these people on their hearts and visit them.
If agreeable to the Meeting we ask to be released.
On behalf of the Committee.
WM. B. HARVEY,
Clerk.
PHILADELPHIA, Third Month 1, 1922.
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REPORT
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FRIENDS' FIDUCIARY CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR OF 1921.
The past year has been marked by the completion of the Corporation's Organization and by the acceptance of the initial trusts.
Early in the year the Representative Meeting loaned the Corporation $250 as a Rotary Fund to meet its expenses until it obtained some income of its own. This fund has been very helpful in our initial work and we hope to be able to refund it before a great while.
The rates of charge for the administration of trusts have been fixed for the present in accordance with the following schedule :
RATES OF CHARGE
All principal amounts refer to par values.
INITIAL CHARGES
Each Beneficiary to bear costs, if any, of vesting titles with the Corporation.
Registration Charge-
Personal Estates, per $1000 (not over $25) .. $1
Real Estate, each property .. $5
Over $30,000 subject to special arrangement.
Personal Estates-principal under $30,000 par. Upon income, 5%, covering investment, collection of income and disbursement in lump sum.
Real Estate-if unproductive. Per Annum $1.
If productive, 5% of rentals.
Where mere title to personality is held by Corporation, without duty to collect income, registration charge is renewed at each change of investment.
This schedule is subject to modification as warranted from time to time,
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The bill in the New Jersey Legislature authorizing the holding of titles to Jersey properties by a Pennsylvania Cor- poration with the retention of the tax emption feature, was passed this month due to the efforts of New Jersey Friends and signed by Governor Edwards, on the 21st instant. The Corporation is therefore now in a position to accept such titles in trust.
During the year we have received Trust Estates aggregat- ing $24,000 from the following Meetings:
Birmingham Monthly Meeting.
Bradford Preparative Meeting.
Chester, Pa., Monthly Meeting.
Media Preparative Meeting.
New Garden Monthly Meeting.
West Chester Preparative Meeting.
West Chester Women's Preparative Meeting.
We have also received titles in trust to Meeting House and other properties belonging to Abington Monthly Meeting, Chester (Pa.) Monthly Meeting, Media Preparative Meet- ing, West Chester Preparative Meeting. There are several other Trust Estates and Meeting House Properties in the process of conveyance.
The accounts of the Treasurer and the securities in his care, in the custody of The Provident Life and Trust Com- pany of Philadelphia have been audited and checked as per Auditor's statement attached hereto.
The statement of assets and liabilities and of income for the year follows:
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Twelfth Month 31, 1921 ASSETS
Cash
$1,098.33
Trust Investments :
Personal Bonds (Wm. P. Townsend Fund) . 1,235.00
Corporate Bonds 3,900.00
Government Bonds 985.00
First Mortgages 16,550.00
Deficit 95.44
$23,863.77
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LIABILITIES
Representative Meeting-Loan
$250.00
Sundry Trusts-Principal
21,634.75
Sundry Trusts-Undistributed Income. 277.32
Birmingham Monthly Meeting, Wm. P. Townsend Fund
1,701.70
$23,863.77
INCOME EXPENSE FOR YEAR ENDED TWELFTH MONTH 31, 1921 INCOME
Commissions
$3.00
Interest
9.96
Registration Fees
15.00
$27.96
EXPENSES
Initial and Organization Expenses
$73.25
Operating Expenses 50.15
$123.40
Net Loss
$95.44
On behalf of the Board of Directors. WILLIAM T. ELKINTON,
President.
Third Month 28, 1922.
FRIENDS' FIDUCIARY CORPORATION REPORT OF AUDITING COMMITTEE, THIRD MONTH 21, 1922
We have examined the securities in the possession of The Provident Life and Trust Co. of Philadelphia, Agent for Friends Fiduciary Corporation, and find that those on hand on Twelfth Month 31, 1921, agree with the list attached hereto. We have also examined the Treasurer's account, and the vouchers for his payments for the period ended Twelfth Month 31, 1921, and find the same to be correct; there being a cash balance of $1,098.33 on Twelfth Month 31, 1921. HERMAN COPE, J. SNOWDON RHOADS, CHAS LIPPINCOTT, Auditing Committee.
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ORGANIC CHURCH UNION
TO THE YEARLY MEETING
The Committee on Organic Union of Protestant denom- inations, appointed by the Yearly Meeting of 1920, and con- tinued in 1921, would report that :
As stated last year, the plan of union was before the denominations for adoption,-decision being delayed by their elaborate machinery. During the past year, however, decision has been rendered by one of the chief of these, the Presbyterian body. By a rather small majority the presby- teries throughout the United States rejected it. This is regarded as sufficiently conclusive in regard to that special plan. But at a meeting of the Ad Interim Committee, on Twelfth Month 2nd last, under an earnest, prayerful con- cern, then arose fresh life and zeal for this cause. To quote from their Minutes: "The unabated desire for closer rela- tions between evangelical denominations of our country has been impressed upon us in so many ways, and from so many quarters that the Committee feels that it would be a breach of trust to drop the task committed to it. The desire for continuation of conference on this subject has been wide and earnest."
Their plan therefore is to hold another General Confer- ence of the denominations during the coming autumn. At this Conference special endeavor is to be made to have "laymen" much more largely represented in it, since some feel the "clergy" are less progressive and open minded. The inclination now expressed by leaders of the movement is to recommend, not a plan of general union, so much as to urge unions of what they call "the families of churches"; for instance, that those having a Presbyterian form of church government should unite: that the various Methodist bodies should come together in one, and so forth. To us such a recommendation would mean that we should work for closer relations among bodies bearing the name of Friends.
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Our Committee gave consideration to this new aspect of the subject; and under a fresh sense of duty in the matter feel best satisfied to request their continuance for further service. They cherish the hope that the Yearly Meeting this year may be led to extend the hand of closer fellowship, both by direct correspondence and in other ways, to bodies bearing the name of Friend in whom we feel a brotherly interest, both those of a conservative and of a progressive tendency, that so there may be a drawing together, and way be prepared for the day when the will of the Great Head of the Church shall be fulfilled, in that all His fol- lowers shall be one.
For the Committee.
ALFRED C. GARRETT, GEORGE M. WARNER.
PHILADELPHIA, Third Month 17, 1922.
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LETTERS ADDRESSED TO THE YEARLY MEETING, RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR
FROM DUBLIN YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS, HELD IN DUBLIN FROM THE 28TH OF FOURTH MONTH TO THE 3RD OF FIFTH MONTH, 1921.
To PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING.
Dear Friends :- We are assembled in our Yearly Meeting with thankful hearts that Friends have been preserved through the dangers of the past year of trial and tragedy for our country. We are also thankful for the harmony and concord which have prevailed throughout our sittings.
All our business is overshadowed by the thought of sin and suffering in our country. The loss to the community through the interruption of the spirit of goodwill and fel- lowship cannot be estimated, and we desire that every word and act of ours may be in that spirit and power which take away the occasion of all strife and contention, and that God will guide our country into the way of peace.
We appreciate the Company of Friends from England and America. We are thankful for the sympathy shown to us and our country, and we ask for your continued prayers. We feel they were never more needed than at the present time.
We are your friends.
Signed on behalf of the Meeting. THOMAS W. BEWLEY,
EDGAR A. PIM, 22 William St., Clerk.
Correspondent.
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FROM THE GENERAL MEETING OF FRIENDS IN AUSTRALIA TO THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, 4TH AND ARCH STREETS, PHILADELPHIA.
Dear Friends :- This year we are holding our General Meeting in Adelaide, in the State of South Australia, and some of our number have had to undertake a journey of over 1,800 miles in order to meet with us.
Your kindly salutation of First of Fourth Month last has been read in our sittings and has revived in us the sense of helpfulness and loving fellowship that we have gained from the living epistles you have sent to us from time to time.
To some of us the visit of Samuel Morris and Jonathan E. Rhoads is still fresh in memory, and the more recent visits of W. C. and Elizabeth C. B. Allen, and William B. Harvey have been greatly appreciated by all of us.
We have throughout our General Meeting been conscious of the presence of our Lord, begetting a spirit of brother- hood and fellowship which has been an inspiration to us all.
In this great continent our numbers are so few and we are separated by such wide distances, that we find great dif- ficulty in compassing effective organized effort as a Society.
Still we are thankful to acknowledge that many amongst us are seeking to express the love of God to man in the witness of our daily lives, and our desire is that we may all be in this sense effective mirrors, reflecting outwardly in numberless brotherly deeds the light of the Christ in our own souls.
We have had under consideration the abolition of arma- ments, the closer friendship and co-operation of the races bordering the Pacific Ocean, and the industrial question, besides those more especially concerning ourselves as Friends.
We are with love, your friends.
Signed on behalf of the General Meeting of Friends, in Australia, held at Adelaide, Ninth Month 29, 1921. FRED COLEMAN,
Clerk.
TUELA, SADDLEWORTH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA,
Third Month 12, 1921.
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FROM NEW ZEALAND
EASTER, 1921.
To PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING
Dear Friends :- Your letter of Fourth Month 9th, 1920, was read at our Meeting this morning and we thank you for your kind and loving remembrance.
The uppermost thought in the minds of many of us is the fact that London Yearly Meeting and your Yearly Meet- ing are again in correspondence and we trust that nothing may ever arise again to disturb it.
Our Meeting this year has been held at the Friends' School, Wanganui. Our school is hardly worthy of the name, in comparison with your large and magnificently endowed schools. Our numbers are, at present, about 30 children, boys and girls, and varying in age from 7 to 14 years.
Last year we had the loving and helpful presence of your members, William C. Allen and his wife, and we trust it may be in right ordering for them to visit this little country again.
Those of our members who had the privilege to attend the World Friends' Peace Conference in London, have spoken of that most wonderful time of mutual fellowship; and the presence of your dear American Friends did so much in making the gathering the success it was.
We prayerfully trust that the community of interests which have lately woven the lives of Friends together in all lands, may be still further strengthened and under Divine guidance be, not only the means of relieving the physical needs of suffering humanity, but of bringing hope and cheer to thousands of souls who are deeply needing the love and sympathy of our hearts.
We value the privilege that some of our members have had in thus working in union with members of your Meet- ing and hope in years to come that we may be permitted to
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still further join, in spirit if not otherwise, in seeking to do the will of our dear Lord in whatever way He directs in the extension of His Kingdom.
With love.
Signed on behalf of the General Meeting of the Society of Friends in New Zealand.
ALFRED GOLDSBURY,
Clerk.
VIRGINIA RD., WANGANUI, N. Z.
1
FRIENDS' COLLEGE, UNION UNIVERSITY, CHENGTU, WEST CHINA.
THIRD MONTH 7, 1921.
DAVIS H. FORSYTHE, 207 Walnut Place, Philadelphia.
Dear Friend :- I have great pleasure to forward the Epistle from the Szechwan Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends. It will, I hope, safely reach you in time to be presented at your annual gathering. With best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
H. P. CHEN.
THIRD MONTH 7, 1921.
An epistle from the Szechwan Yearly Meeting, China, to the various Yearly Meetings of the Society of Friends in U. S. A.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Love of Our Lord :- Our 18th Yearly Meeting just held at Suining, realizing that we had had the guidance of the Holy Spirit that made the meeting excellent. The presence of Dr. and Mrs. H. T. Hodgkin also, in fact, had a great share of contribution towards the activities.
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Owing to the pioneer work started by our English Friends, we have now five Monthly Meetings established, such as Chungking, Suining, Chengtu, Tung-Chwan and Tungliang. This Meeting has been feeling the responsibility towards the development of the Church being very great in West China. We, however, would exert ourselves, as we did before, to subscribe apart from the funds and missionaries sent by our English Friends. As a matter of fact, we feel we are somewhat inadequate, for the time being, to carry on the work of the Kingdom of God in full sails. The harmful effects of the Great War are very great.
In the meeting we were so grateful to hear of the glad tidings which Mr. Simkin brought before us about your planning to take up part of the responsibility in West China. For this reason we urgently appeal to you to send mis- sionaries, in addition to Mr. and Mrs. Simkin, to China "and help us" as soon as possible. In this respect our peace testi- mony of the Society of Friends also will be approached. Confucius says, "All within the four seas are brethren." So we are liable to draw all men unto Him in this great family, the family of the new world. We hope that we all would feel that have a share in bringing the Good News of the Kingdom of God so as to be perfect as He wants us to be.
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