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OF THE

PENNSYLVANIA YEARLY MEETING

OF

PROGRESSIVE FRIENDS,

HELD AT

LONGWOOD, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNA.,

1885.

"Serves best the Father he who most serves man,
And he who wrongs Humanity wrongs Heaven.”

Reported by Geo. W. Black, Stenographer,
1338 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa.

ADVANCE STEAM-POWER PRINT,

KENNETT SQUARE.

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AARON MENDENHALL, Hamorton, Pa., Treasurer.

MINUTES.

FIFTH-DAY MORNING.

THE Thirty-third Yearly Meeting of Progressive Friends convened in the Meeting-house, at Longwood, Chester County, Penn., on Fifth-day, the 4-th of Sixth-Month, 1885, at 10.30 o'clock a. m.

In the absence of the Presiding Clerk the meeting was called to order by SAMUEL PENNOCK, and on his motion FREDERIC A. HINCKLEY and MARY M. BAILEY were elected Clerks for the ensuing year. After singing by Miss AMANDA M. TURNER, of Philadelphia, the Annual Call was read as follows:

The thirty-third Yearly Meeting of Progressive Friends will be held at Longwood, Pa., near Rosedale Station, on the Philadelphia & Baltimore Central R. R., on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh days, the 4th, 5th and 6th of Sixth-Month (June), 1885.

The object of this meeting now, as of old, is to recognize Truth as the supreme authority; even-handed justice as the foundation of all progressive living; and universal love as the bond which unites in one great human fellowship, all classes and conditions of men.

In furtherance of these ends, all who are interested in the consideration of the vital questions of our time, and who cherish a love for the elevation of humanity, are cordially invited to come and take part in the deliberations of the meeting. For the meeting,

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The Presiding Clerk, FREDERIC A. HINCKLEY, of Providence, R. I., then made the following address:—

Friends, I feel deeply the honor of being called to preside over the deliberations of this meeting and to occupy the chair which in times passed has been filled by so many noble souls. We are assembled in the truth-seeking spirit and a fellowship as broad as humanity, to study the living questions of our

times. For more than thirty years this spot has been consecrated to heroic thought. THEODORE PARKER and a long line of great and good men and women, have brought here the results of their most careful reflection and have spoken within these walls with unselfish devotion their uttermost truth. Let us hope that in the years to come the spirit which animated them may still prevade this place and in time conquer all the world. Now, as much as in their day, there are problems requiring the most earnest attention in order that they may be fully solved. Sometimes it seems as if now, more than ever before, there are questions which unless met by thoughtful minds and warm hearts will be met by minds not thoughtful and by hearts not warm. So as thinking men and women, it is still appropriate, it is still vital, we should meet here from year to year, and laying aside, for the time being, all our "isms," if such we have, or at least subordinating them, to the great human question in all its aspects, should face these problems and do what we can toward helping on their solution. I am sure, friends, that we come this morning, all of us, in this spirit. We come here that we may compare notes, lay side by side our deepest and most radical convictions, each in proper spirit anxious not only to tell what of truth has been told to him, but to learn from others the truths which have come to them. Thus recognizing for the time being but one leader, the spirit of truth, and but one mood in which that leader can be followed the spirit of human fellowship and love, may it be that we meet at this hour and continue all our sessions in the days to come. We miss from our number this year the harmonizing influence of Mr. MILL'S fine poetic genius, but we have with us already from abroad the Rev. GRINDALL REYNOLDS, of Concord, Mass., Miss MARY F. EASTMAN, also from Massachusetts, Mrs. MAY WRIGHT SEWALL from Indiana, Rev. FREDERIC HINCKLEY, of Newburgh, New York, and Miss AMANDA M. TURNER, of Philadelphia, who will sing for us.

Others are expected during the day and to-morrow, but here and now, it is my privilege, in behalf of the friends who

reside in this vicinity, to welcome such as have already come from a distance to the hospitality and the hearts of the Longwood people.

On motion of Mr. SAMUEL PENNOCK a Business Committee of five were chosen by nomination from the floor, with the privilege of adding to their number as occasion may demand. The following persons were named:-HENRY S. KENT, Chairman, Mrs. SEWALL, Miss EASTMAN, Rev. Mr. REYNOLDS, Rev. F. HINCKLEY, of Newburgh, and the Clerks of the Meeting.

On motion a committee was appointed by the Chairman to audit the Treasurer's account and to nominate a Treasurer for the ensuing year. The committee was composed as follows:ANNIE COX, SALLIE P. MARSHALL, SALLIE C. TAYLOR.

SAMUEL PENNOCK-There is a matter of business which I have been instructed to introduce at this meeting. It has always been a very disagreeable duty to raise the funds necessary to meet our annual expenses. In view of all the difficulties and annoyances involved, a few persons have, in consultation, agreed to form an association, to be called the Longwood Yearly Meeting Financial Association, for the purpose of raising the amount necessary to defray all expenses of the Meeting, except the publication of the proceedings. Thus far there are thirty subscribers, and the association is organized. The proposition which they now submit is this:-They, as an association, will be responsible for all expenses of the Yearly Meeting, except the publication of the proceedings, provided their Executive Committee, consisting of six persons by them chosen, together with the Clerks and Treasurer of the Meeting, shall constitute a Representative Committee to have entire charge of the arrangements for the Meeting during the recess, including the selection of speakers, etc.

For general information the By-laws of the new Financial Association were here read by the Clerk. Discussion followed, participated in by Messrs. PENNOCK, THORN, GALVIN and PYLE, after which the following proposition and resolution offered by Mr. PENNOCK were read and unanimously adopted :

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