USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Extracts from the minutes of the yearly meeting of Friends held in Philadelphia, 1923 > Part 2
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"to keep accurate lists of non-members of the Society of Friends married to members, of their minor children, of other non-member minor chil- dren whose parents are members, and of all other non-members who regularly attend our Meetings for Worship, etc.
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The recommendation of the Representative Meeting that Wm. B. Harvey be appointed Secretary to the Yearly Meeting was endorsed, as also the recommendation that George M. Warner, Walter T. Moore and the Clerk of the Book Committee, soon to be appointed, shall constitute an Executive or Advisory Committee for the office. These appointments are for three years.
The question of Associate and Birthright membership has claimed much consideration on the part of the mem- bership of this Yearly Meeting for some years past.
A year ago report was made that four of the Quarterly Meetings had had the subject before them and that they were a unit in their decision that no change be contem- plated in our Discipline on this subject.
This year we have reports from others of our Quarterly Meetings. One large Meeting states :
"After careful consideration it felt best satisfied to record its view that the method now authorized by our Discipline is the one best suited to our needs at present."
Another Quarterly Meeting forwarded the following minute :
"In considering the question of Birthright Membership which the Yearly Meeting last year called to our attention, this Meeting is united in the feeling that we are not pre- pared to recommend any{ change in the form of our present practice. At the same time we desire that all our mature membership should be founded on positive convic- tion. Whilst we are born into our families, our homes, our nation, born heirs of the past and of the promise of the future, we are also born into our religious associations ; yet we recognize that some of our members are nominal members only and that this fact is a source of weakness in our Society. In the words of a recent writer in the 'London Friend,' 'Birthright Membership is very incom- plete until it has grown into a membership of conviction.' "
We want to hold our young people and we want our Society to feel the responsibility for them and their spiritual growth. We all must recognize the value of searching periods in our spiritual development. We are not able at this time to suggest how such testing best
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may be brought about and there may easily be a snare in attempting to prescribe any form. If we ponder care- fully the latter sentence of the Sixth Query it shows that Friends have been alive in the past to this important question, whilst the different Meetings have been given freedom of action in relation to it. That Query puts to each one of us this pointed question :
"Do your young people receive the loving care of the Meeting, and are they brought under such influences as tend to promote their religious life and to give them an understanding of the prin- ciples and practices of Friends ?"
If we, in our corporate capacity as well as in our per- sonal relations with our co-members, are actuated by the - spirit toward which this inquiry is reaching out, we believe that any real objection to Birthright Membership will be largely obviated.
And still another states that "It does not see its way to recommend any change in our present principles or prac- tices in this matter."
It believes that where parents and the church are walk- ing faithfully our youth will naturally come, sooner or later, to share the spiritual experience of the generation that has nurtured them and that has led them in the way of truth and peace; yet we would press upon our younger members the importance of heeding the visita- tions of the Divine Spirit so that they may come to know the New Birth into the Kingdom of God, and in con- sequence become more than nominal members of our religious Society.
This Meeting is informed of the issuance by the Meet- ing of Ministers and Elders on the 24th instant of a minute for Gospel service in foreign countries granted to our Friend Max I. Reich.
The service contemplates visiting small groups of Friends in the north of Ireland and in certain parts of Great Britain and at various centres in Germany. Cordial sympathy and unity were expressed with the prospect of
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our Friend, and in his going forth on this labor of love the Meeting desires to share with him in as full a measure as it can.
We commend him as a member of our Yearly Meeting to the people among whom he may visit, and we commit him and his companion, should a suitable one be drawn to accompany him, to that Divine Guidance which we feel he has learned to know and to follow.
The Meeting feels a further obligation to offer such assistance as he may stand in need of from time to time in the prosecution of his serious undertaking, and in conformity with our rules of Discipline we appoint George Vaux, Jr., and Walter Smedley to keep themselves ac- quainted with his progress ; and further, it is the judgment of the Meeting that any Friend who may feel drawn to contribute to the expenses to be incurred should place their contribution with Wm. T. Elkinton, Treasurer, who is hereby authorized to supplement any deficiency by drawing upon the Treasury of the Yearly Meeting, as directed by the Committee of two just appointed.
Then adjourned to meet in separate session tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.
Fourth-day of the Week and 28th of the Month
The Meetings convened in separate sessions at the ap- pointed hour.
In answering the Queries which have been before us at this session we have been brought into a feeling of close fellowship and much helpful counsel has been handed forth. Many of the exercises introduced during the ses- sion will be referred to in a minute to be read near the close of the Yearly Meeting.
Educational statistics were given calling our attention to the fact that the whole number of school children members of the Yearly Meeting exceeds that of last year by 18.
Subordinate Meetings are directed to furnish the Meet- ing next year with the usual statistics on this subject.
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Report of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting First Month 1st, 1923
Whole number of children between 5 and 20 years, 827.
In Preparative and Monthly Meeting schools. .. 247
At Westtown school 136
At other schools under care of Friends. 27
At colleges under care of Friends. 20
Total number under care of Friends 430
At public schools. 224
At other schools not under care of Friends. 50
At colleges not under care of Friends 42
Total at schools and colleges not under care of Friends 316
Number considered too young for school. 25
Number who have finished school. 36
Number temporarily absent from school 13
Number taught at home. 1
Number about whom no information has been obtained 6
81
Whole number of children as above.
827
Number of children under 5 at school. 1
Number young men and women over 20 in col- leges or technical schools .. 73
The annual Queries were read, the answers including a list of eight Elders who have passed to their great re- ward during the year. May we be animated as we recall their walk among us to follow in the footsteps in which we feel they strove to tread.
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Fourth-day Afternoon
The Meeting gathered at the appointed hour.
The report of the Extension Committee was read at this session. The Committee has been diligent along the lines marked out by itself a year ago, and we believe results are following, commensurate with the efforts that are being put forth.
The Committee asks for no Yearly Meeting appropria- tion of money but it expressed a hope that the work may be continued either by itself or by a new committee and that the individual members of the Yearly Meeting may continue their practical assistance by aiding as they have done in the past with financial support.
This Meeting feels that avenues are opening up through the efforts of this Committee whereby, in a quiet way, we are enabled to present our message of Gospel truth to many who will reach large groups of people and thereby we shall be exerting an influence for good. The Com- mittee is continued and encouraged in its work.
There have been acceptably in attendance with us sev- eral Friends from other Yearly Meetings. Some pre- sented minutes of liberation from their home Meetings to the Meeting of Ministers and Elders held on the 24th. We also acknowledge with satisfaction the company of our fellow-member, Edith F. Sharpless, home on a year's furlough from her work in Japan.
We have been cheered by the companionship and strengthened by the labors of these dear Friends, and it is our earnest desire to assist them in any right service they may feel called to in these parts.
Our beloved Friend A. Neave Brayshaw, now present, has been a welcome visitor in our homes and schools and at our conferences and Meetings for several weeks past. He has been the bearer of real help and we have been made to feel that the very spirit of Truth has directed him as he goes about among us. For these seasons of spiritual refreshment we desire to return thanks to our Father in Heaven, who, despite our shortcomings and unworthiness, has in so signal a manner been mindful of
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us. It was directed that the Clerks of this Meeting sign the returning minute, issued for A. Neave Brayshaw by the Meeting of Ministers and Elders as having our full endorsement.
A year ago we appointed three delegations of Friends : one to attend the 250th anniversary of the founding of our neighbor Yearly Meeting in Maryland; one to attend a conference in the interests of peace, held at Bluffton, Ohio, and one to attend as fraternal delegates the Five Years' Meeting at Richmond, Indiana. It is to be noted that all the delegates were able to attend to the appoint- ments.
John Way reported briefly for the Conference at Balti- more. The other reports were more formal and will appear in full with our printed minutes. The reports were- all favorably received by the Yearly Meeting. The cordial. reception shown our delegates by the Friends and others. could not have been exceeded. Such opportunities should be cherished as occasions that should help bind us more- closely together.
The Friends who attended the Bluffton Conference are continued with the expectation on the part of this Meeting that should a like Conference or Conferences be called during this year they would endeavor to attend them as. representatives of the Yearly Meeting ; the Peace Commit- tee is left at liberty to add to this number if the plan meets. their approval.
Referring to the Conference at Baltimore, the occasion. was one of very great historic interest to those present and to others, and though this element was naturally uppermost in the exercises which had been arranged, our delegates also report that it was a time of helpful spiritual: fellowship which they shall long cherish. Throughout the proceedings there was a manifest desire that we should catch a vision of our Master's will for us and that we. should gather inspirations for the future as we had pleas- ant intercourse together.
Our Friend John R. Cary, of Baltimore, who had been Presiding Clerk at the Richmond Conference, was present.
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with us this afternoon. His remarks were cordially wel- comed, as were those from some of our own members who had gone as delegates to the Conference.
The Peace Committee presented their annual report. It reviewed in some detail the efforts put forth to circulate widely the Peace letter issued jointly last Spring by the Peace Committee of the Race Street Friends and our own Committee. The Meeting is grateful for the accomplish- ment of this important task and trusts the good work of the Committee may continue.
The report was spoken to by numerous Friends and we were earnestly pleaded with to give the cause for which we all profess to stand, the very best effort within us.
In connection with the report of the Peace Committee the Meeting has been led to give serious consideration to the present international situation. It seems to us that the issue between war and peace is growing clearer and :sharper. Looking at Europe we feel profoundly dis- turbed by the unrelieved breakdown of economic life, the continued misery of the people, and the deep-seated hatreds and conflicts, especially between France and Ger- many. The existing international unsettlement confronts the nations of the world with a critical and momentous choice. On the one hand they may follow each its own nationalistic interests and drift down into the whirlpool of another war. On the other hand an Association of Nations for the settlement of difficulties by conference and co-operation holds within it the hope of peace.
In our own country this issue faces us with a great responsibility. If our nation will disinterestedly add its great power to an association of nations, it may help to save the rising generation from the horror of a future war ; but if it pursues a course of selfish isolation, accom- panied, as seems inevitable, by fear and greater armament, it will be throwing its influence in the direction of an unthinkable disaster that may destroy civilization. We recognize that there are forces at work advocating and promoting this policy of isolation and armament. We un-
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hesitatingly declare for the opposite course of friendly participation in an association of nations.
In taking this position we in no measure recede from our opposition to all war as in violation of the way of love revealed by our Master, Jesus Christ, nor from our belief that this is the true foundation of international peace. But we feel the call not only to bear witness to this deeper truth, but also to do all in our power to for- ward those practical measures which may help to make it effective among the nations.
It was directed that a copy of the foregoing minute be sent to President Harding and to each member of his Cabinet, to the Vice-President and to all members of the United States Senate and House.
Our friend Murray S. Kenworthy, representing the Friends' Service Committee, was present with us, and by invitation outlined in great brevity the task in which the Committee is so earnestly engaged. Our thoughts were turned to our own fellow members of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting who are now giving their strength to the relief work in Russia, and to the bands of willing and devoted workers under the Service Committee, who are finding that the fruits of service are joy and peace of mind to. themselves.
We know of the bitter distress that exists abroad, but: the address of our Friend has, we trust, again quickened within us the thought that God has created us-the world! over-all in His own image and to His own glory, and: despite differences of blood and inheritance and tempera- ment we are all His children, brothers one of another and! all heirs of the blessings which He has promised to those whose hearts are yielded to the tendering influences of that spirit which He has implanted in every soul that He. has created.
The Meeting then adjourned until 2 o'clock tomorrow- afternoon.
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The Fifth of the Week and the 29th of the Month
The Meeting assembled at the appointed hour.
The Committee appointed last Second-day to name Friends to represent us on the Friends' Service Committee submitted the following nominations. These Friends were accordingly appointed to serve for the term of three years :
Alfred G. Scattergood and others.
The Committee to nominate 15 Friends to serve as the Executive Board of the newly created Missionary Board of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, as fully minuted at our session on the 26th, offered the names of the following to. serve the Yearly Meeting the coming three years. The nominations were approved and the Friends appointed :
Margaretta S. Alsop
Walter W. Haviland
Lloyd Balderston
Ellen W. Longstreth
C. Walter Borton
John H. Meader
Emily W. Buzby
Thos. C. Potts
Julia C. Collins
Edward G. Rhoads
J. Passmore Elkinton Margaret W. Rhoads
Wm. B. Harvey Rebecca N. Taylor
James F. Walker
The subject of a correction and revision of the Book of Discipline having been before us on Second-day, and the conclusion, as then minuted, having been reached that a committee of this Meeting be charged with the task, the Nominating Committee appointed at that time now offered the names of J. Henry Bartlett and others. These nominations were approved and the Friends accord- ingly appointed. The Meeting appreciates that the service it asks of this large and representative Committee is a very important one, and it desires that ample time be given for the undertaking. It will expect a statement from them next year, but does not limit them at present to the time when their final report should appear.
The Nominating Committee appointed to carry out the suggestion of the Indian Committee, as minuted Second-
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day, offered the names of George Vaux, Jr., and others. The nominations were approved.
As the attitude of the Yearly Meeting may be influenced in 'regard to our work at Tunesassa by the report of this. Committee, it does not seem wise to appoint Friends at this time to bring to our next Yearly Meeting the names: of those to constitute a new Indian Committee. The. matter is therefore deferred, awaiting the report of the- Committee just appointed, it being understood the present Indian Committee serve until released.
The plan of appointing a small Committee to examine letters received during the year by our Secretary and Clerk and addressed to the Yearly Meeting, having proved very satisfactory this year, the Meeting now appointed
Wm. Bishop Anna Moore Cadbury
Edward M. Wistar
Ann Sharpless
James M. Moon
Susan J. Dewees
to perform for us the coming year the like service as was rendered by the Committee this year.
The Committee to consider a plan for the best arrange- ment of the sessions of the Yearly Meeting reported as a tentative plan that the session on Third-day morning be relinquished by us, giving the Meeting of Ministers and Elders the opportunity of meeting then. It was felt that with an extra session on Sixth-day all could be accom- plished with becoming dignity.
It is expected that the Committee on Discipline will consider the matter some time during the coming year.
The annual report of the Social Order Committee was read. It briefly reviewed some of the activities of its sub-committees. The household and farmers' groups have devoted time to the consideration of very practical prob- lems. The business problems group has studied unem- ployment insurance and has definite results to show for the effort. Members of the Committee have addressed' meetings and a news bulletin is being issued which they hope to follow by quarterly publications. As the time of service of the Committee expires next year, they have:
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asked that a Nominating Committee be appointed to bring forward names for a new committee next year. In accordance with this request the following were appointed a Nominating Committee :
Walter T. Moore and others.
The report of the Westtown Committee was read. The annual presentation of these reports always elicits expres- sions of keen interest from the Yearly Meeting, and this year there is special cause for congratulations in view of the high standard of work that has been done there, and even more for the wholesome atmosphere that has been ·created and maintained.
The Yearly Meeting acknowledges that it is placed under great obligation to the Committee and officers of the school. It has followed with appreciation the advances made year by year in the scholastic standards of the insti- tution, in the home-like features that have gained a place there, but most of all it rejoices that the moral and religious life indicates that the concern of those directly intrusted with the management of the school, the princi- pal and his staff of teachers, is yielding tangible fruitage. The term of service of the present Committee expires in 1924. To nominate Friends to succeed the present Committee we now appointed :
George Vaux, Jr., and others.
The report of the Yearly Meeting's Education Com- mittee was presented. It reviews briefly certain features of each of the schools directly touching the Committee's operations.
The Meeting has felt since the creation of this Commit- tee many years ago that it was one of the most important avenues for service open to us as a Yearly Meeting.
Our schools (including the whole body of them) touch not only the many hundreds of children who attend them, but unconsciously they influence the even larger number of parents and friends of the childen who are brought into close contact with our teachers and Committees.
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The Committee states that in addition to the Y. M. ap- propriation, it has been generously provided for by an unknown donor in the past and the desire is earnestly expressed that in some way it may be able to meet the demands of the future. It is not alone for the education of our own people that it pleads, but that this avenue for service may not be clogged, but may be kept open and active.
The term of service of the present Committee expiring next year, the Committee charged with nominating Friends- for the Westtown Committee is now appointed to offer names for a new Education Committee when we meet: next year.
Then adjourned to 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.
Sixth of the Week and 30th of the Month
The Meeting assembled at the appointed hour.
The Committee appointed on Fourth-day morning by" women Friends to nominate Friends to serve as a lunch committee submitted the names of
Mary B. Test Mary Ellen Stratton Mary H. Thorp
Lydia B. Smedley
Mary F. Wistar Anna M. Darnell
These were approved by the Meeting and the Friends . appointed for the ensuing three years.
The report of the Visitation Committee was read. When so much is being demanded of our members, we feel deeply grateful that they have been as diligent in answering the call to this service as the report represents.
We would encourage them to continued effort, asking them to be especially watchful to know the leadings of Truth, for our Heavenly Father's blessings on any serv- ice, however small, will meet the end we crave when a. larger effort without His guidance must prove abortive of any good thing.
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As we come to know one another better, and the prob- lems that confront us, we are often enabled not only to pass on that which refreshes the spirits of those we visit, but are made willing to receive a like benefit ourselves in all humility, thus the visitor and the visited will be alike helped.
We would again ask you to watch carefully for point- ings of the Divine finger in your own particular case, and to remember that no group or committee can qualify you for such lofty service as this, but knowing the mind of the Master and heeding His promptings, your labors cannot be unfruitful of good.
Letters were read and addressed to The General Meet- ing of the Society of Friends in Australia; Friends in Germany ; New England Yearly Meeting held at Westerly, R. I .; Mount Lebanon Three Months Meeting in Syria ; West China Yearly Meeting of Friends; Iowa Yearly Meeting, held last year at Paullina; Ohio Yearly Meet- ing, held near Barnesville; London Yearly Meeting; the Fritchley General Meeting; and Japan Yearly Meeting of Friends at Tokio.
Following the reading of the letter to Friends of Tokio, our Friend Edith F. Sharpless, now home on furlough from her work there, briefly and most acceptably address- ed the Meeting.
It was directed that the letters be duly signed and for- warded, also that a letter expressive of the love we bear them, be drafted by our Clerks and forwarded to our Friends Wm. C. and Elizabeth C. B. Allen, who were liberated by our Meeting a year ago for Gospel service and who are now in South Africa. The Clerks were also left at liberty to cable a message of loving greeting to Japan Yearly Meeting very soon to be held, also ·to ad- dress a letter on the Meeting's account to Dublin Yearly Meeting, Ireland.
The annual report of the Committee on Race Relations was read. We are thankful that this little company of our members have embraced the openings for service
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alluded to in their report. We would encourage them in their labors, for we believe that along the lines they are following will be found the solution of one of the greatest problems that confront our national welfare.
The report of the Indian school at Tunesassa was in part the answer to the Query put by one of the workers at the school: "What is Tunesassa for? Is it for the pur- pose of teaching Indian children a trade that they may obtain a better living or is it broadly speaking, to help in the uplift of the race ?"
We commend the report to our members, and bespeak for the school at Tunesassa a greater interest on the part of our membership. Let us remember that here centers the chief opportunity granted to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to help in the advancement of the Indian.
Information was received that the Board of Education on Third Month 28th, 1923, had granted permission, sub- ject to the co-operation of the Superintendent of Public Education of Philadelphia, to representatives of the De- partment of War of the Federal Government to present the subject of Summer Civilian Training Camp to boys of the Philadelphia High Schools.
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