_Note.--The Separation_.--The division vulgarly call'd between
Orthodox and Hicksites in the Society of Friends took place in 1827,
'8 and '9. Probably it had been preparing some time. One who was
present has since described to me the climax, at a meeting of Friends
in Philadelphia crowded by a great attendance of both sexes, with
Elias as principal speaker. In the course of his utterance or argument
he made use of these words: "The blood of Christ--the blood of
Christ--why, my friends, the actual blood of Christ in itself was no
more effectual than the blood of bulls and goats--not a bit more--not
a bit." At these words, after a momentary hush, commenced a great
tumult. Hundreds rose to their feet.... Canes were thump'd upon the
floor. From all parts of the house angry mutterings. Some left the
place, but more remain'd, with exclamations, flush'd faces and eyes.
This was the definite utterance, the overt act, which led to the
separation. Families diverg'd--even husbands and wives, parents and
children, were separated.
Of course what Elias promulg'd spread a great commotion among the
Friends. Sometimes when he presented himself to speak in the meeting,
there would be opposition--this led to angry words, gestures, unseemly
noises, recriminations. Elias, at such times, was deeply affected--the
tears roll'd in streams down his cheeks--he silently waited the close
of the dispute. "Let the Friend speak; let the Friend speak!" he would
say when his supporters in the meeting tried to bluff off some violent
orthodox person objecting to the new doctrinaire.
Pages:
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792