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This moet-ini^ having issuo.i a Tesliniony 11 nio., 21,1877,
in which was shown the ])i-iiu-i]>al causes which led lo the 8<jp-
aration from us of a poilioo of onr members, we ijive below a
brief atate.mont of the interi'uptioii to the transaction of the
business of our meetings for Discipline, and of the manner in
which the said 8e])aration was brought to pass, for the inform-
ation of friends and to correct unfounded reports.

Among the applicants for membership with Friends there
were some persons who had adopted the eroncous views alluded
to in the Testimony above mentioned, and were not convinced
of the religious principles held by Friends ; neither wore they
concerned to observe, or nphold, the testimonies which were
the outgrowth of those principles. One of the applicants be-
longed to the Masonic Order, and professed that he could see
nothing wrong in the institution. All the applicants were re-
ceived, excepting in cases of manifest obstruction. But a por-
tion of our momhers would not consent that anyone of them
should be rejected, 'hercforesuch cases were for a time deferred
for future consideration.

At our Monthly held 9 mo. 13, 1876, a i-equest for member-
ship was forwarded from the Women's Meeting, with a minute
endorsed on it, saying "We are united in receiving the within if
' you concur. Some objections on account of a musical instrument^
Many Friends thought such a case should be returned at once
to the Women's Meeting. Others urged that action should bo
taken and the applicant received into membership. While the
discussion was gomgon, another request came from the Women's
Meeting [this one from a music teacher] with two reports
appended lo it from the committee that had been appointed in
liercaso. One of these reports stated that she was convinced
of Friend's principles and recommended her reception. The
other asserted that she was not convinced of Friends principles
and advised that the request bo returned. After much contro-
vers;- both cases were returned to the Women's Meeting.

At our Monthly Meeting held in 10 mo. the Women's
Meeting again forwarded both the requests alluded to, asking
advice in the matter. The minute made on the^ occasion is a
fitting description, "Women Friends having asked the advice
of this Meeting with reference to the business presented from
their own, 'after much discussion the subject was deferred."
The Meeting was adjourned to the next fourth day at the rise
of the Meeting for worship. At the adjourned session after
much discussion, the following minute was made, "The subject
before us from the Women's Meeting was deferred to our next
Meeting, Adjourned to the usual time next month.

At our Meeting in 11th mo. the queries were answered
and representatives appointed to attend the Quarterly Meeting
and notice being taken of the attendance from a Monthly
Meeting of a Friend in the ministry*, and her companion*;
after which the following minute occurs, " The business
before us from the Women's Meeting, which was de-
ferred at our last Meeting, claiming attention, the Meeting was
j^ot united as to the course to be pursued." The Meeting was
adjourned to the rise of the Meeting for worship the next
fourth day. At the adjourned session held on the 15th a min-
ute was made as follows, "The request of -presented from

the Women's Meeting and deferred to this time, was road. The
Lldeting was so divided in sentiment as to be incapable of trans-
acting the business claiming its attention, according to our
jmLoi' Aud diitcinlino. TJifiroiora. it wa» A<]J4»m<f^ 4« the usual
time next month,

in consideration of such a state (
was made in tho last named imeeting (2
doing business; which su.spiinsion wouli
condition before tho Yearl|' Meetinj.',
conceded to, and consequdntly no rep
tho Quarterly Meeting, noijier were th
appointed to attend it.

In taking such a step! (as a mat t(
Friends were doepl^g^s^ib^e that it w
was better lo err in'^CTng 0ian to pro
had proved so uttierly'abortiva of good.
At the Quarterly Meeting, which
the same month, many of tho merali
Meeting expressed gi-eat concern on
presentation, terming it ins^ibordinatio
Quarterly Meeting, "and a.sserted that '.
thereby disqualified for taking part
Quarterly Meeting. To which Norwie
if their j)rivilege» as membci:s were dis:i
thereby disqualified for acting in an
cording to discij)line. Quarti^ly Mcctin
of two or more Monthly Milling:}. Bii
ham Monthly bvor-rulod, and prooeec
undertook to labor with Norwich Mon
qnency, as will appear by the foUowinj
ing was introduced into ujj^ccp oonec
being no oflBeial accotmt iVom Norw
which resulted in appointing the follow
tee of Enquiry with instructions to rem
vice as they may deem best j^nd report
Meeting." Taken from the Minutes,
There were nine of that committee
all attended our Monthly in Jfffn Mo., \i
foregoing minute, having previously
to appear before them with the recor
ing, but were told hy him that they we
proper course being, as he (the Clerk)
Monthly Meeting, to first present th<
meeting and obtain its official recogniti
ing invesligat^ijin they laid severe censu
sorting that the wrong rested at his d
in not forwarding a report tO tho Quart
informed them that ho was |?ot dircctt
so. The}' asked him various questions,
what minority hindered thoi reports /
Meeting, He replied that ^e did not
sen ted from the course that had been ]
tee at last proposed that ho sjiould resij
In the Monthly Meeting tho Coi:
enquiry into the cause of thedisunitv
to j)ropose the reading of ita minute
But in the attempt thai was mac
business many of the Comnntteo bein
give such expression as shcn'od them
which they projwsed that tli^ meeting
sion of the whole matter t<l_ them. .
not united in exercising such pnfidence
want of courtes}' t<)ward them. Thoro
mittee to which (hene rcmar^ do not a
-- AfUi* two Ko»Hit»im of-^^m-llieottnji
spent .;aid Committee insisted th;it the f

ilii

Mh^*

&TJ\Jn^WI^EMT

JTIiTO- OIP ZFE/IEHSriDS, OlsTTJLK/IO, OJ^IsT.

on of such i\ stato of Ihingn a ])roposition
it named 'iTieetinc; (2nd Mo 7th) to niispend
lich snstpfension would ultimately bring our
l>o Yeai'l^' Meetinj.', which proposition was
conscqudntl}' no reports wei'e forwai-ded to
Ling, noitiier were there any representatives
1 it.

h a step! (aa a matter of oxpedienc}') man}-
(l^eawiyo that it was not riirht, but that it
n^pmg tjhan to prolong a discussion which
rly'abortiva of good.

sriy Meeting, which was held at Pelham in
many of^ tho members of Pelham Monthly
I great concern on account of such non-re-
ing it i^8^bordinntion, and contempt, of the
:, and asserted that Norwich members were
id for taking part in tlie business of the
. To wljich Norwich Friends replied, that
18 niemboiis were disallowed the Meeting was
d for acting in an official ciipacil}*, for, ac-
le. Quai'tj^rly Meetings sliould be composed
nthly Motetingi. But the members of Pel-
r-rnled, and ijrooeeding with the business

with Norwich Monthly Meeting foi* <lelin-
|iear by the following minute : " This Meot-
d into ujjj^ccp conccru on account of tliero
account from Norwich Monthly Meeting,
ppointing the following Friends a Commit-
li instructions to render such service and ad-
eem best jipd report to our next Quarterly

from the Minutes, William Spencer, Clerk,
le of that figmmittee (names ommittod) who
)nthly in jffn Mo., 1877, and presented the

having previously sumtnoned our CMerk
them with the recoids of the Monthly Meet-
by him that the}' were out of order. Their
g, as he (the Clerk) was the servant of the

to first vrescnt their credentials to that
I it8 ofTioi4 recognition. But without mak-
ey laid severe censures upon said Clerk, as-
rong rested at his door, that he was remiss
1 report t6 tho Quarterly Meeting. But ho
it ho was ipot directed by the meeting to do
m various questions, one in particular as to
idered the; reports going to the Quarterly
ied that £e did not know that any one dis-
urse that had been per^ued. Tho Commit-
l that ho sjiould resign liis office as Clerk,
ily Meeting tlio Commitlee made no direct
luso of the disunity in the meeting, not even
sading of Us minute^ in reference thereto,
tempt thai was made in the meeting to do
the Coran|ittoe being w imprudent as to
ion as shefvod them to bo partizans. After
ed that tli^ meeting should leave the deci-

mattor tQ them. And as the meetfng was
ising such iL»onfidence they comphiined" of a
Dward tbeHi. Thoro wore two of that Conv-
ene remarM do not applj-.
*»Mm o#-4lte-«iecttng-4«id boon unprofitably
;eo insisted that tho following: bo entered on
■■WBMH^liMMiriBiitaHMailll^H

Yearly Meeting. That committee, virtually, received theirowo
report, and acting upoj) it, ap|)ointed tlieui.solvcs representatives
to the Yerrl^' Meeting and took stcp.s towards tho establish-
ment of a Preparative and Monthly Meoling at Milldale, with-
in the limits of Norwich Mouthl}' Mectinj;.

In soventh month, the meeting for worship was greatly
disturbed and thai for discipline opened in a disorderly man-
ner. As in time past the meeting had not boon able to transact
the business in unity. The Clerk at once informed tho meet-
ing that it was the usual time for the appointment of a commit-
tee to propose to tho ensuing Monthly Meeting the names of
Friends to serve Jis Clerks and Overseers the coming year.
Names for that committee wore offered in rapid succession, ap-
pai'ently for tho purpose of having persons appointed who
would favor the views of tUe nominators. But, befcu'e tho
Clerk had time to form the requisite minute, objections wore
raised to doing business in that unbecoming manner, as not to
the honor of Truth, which, meeting with respohbe in many
minds, corresponding expression wa.s given. The name-s had
been off'ered but the appointments not contirmcd. Some con-
tended that as both parlies had offered iinmcfi and no olijettions
bad been made until all were nwninated, it wak an act of full
unity, only reversible by the entire unity of tho meeting.
Friends taking the opposite view oonsidored lliere could bo no
unity in sti'ifo, thoi'd'oie not the united act of the meeting.

Alter considerable discussion the Clerk rend the following:
'• Tho time for which tho Ciorks and Overseers were appointed
having nearly expired, an attempt was made to appoint a com-
mittee to consider ot and propose names of Friends, to servo
the meeting as Clerk, Assistant Clerk and Overseers for the en-
suing 3 ear. Seveial names we^'e offered, but the appoint-
ment of such committee was strongly objected to by several
Friends on tho ground that the meeting was not in a position
to do business, and accordingly the appointment was dropped."
Then adjourned to the usual time next month, some of tho
members declaring themselves dissatisfied with the adjourn-
ment remained in the house.

At a meeting in 8th month apart of the Pelham commit-
tee attended, having previously examined the records of the
last meeting, together with the minutes made with pencil in
tJie meeting, discovered an unfinished minute, which they de-
clared to be the one binding on the meeting, advised its adop-
tion and the erasure of the one recorded. How they could
jud{>e of tho act of the meeting by an unfinished minute is not
ea.sy to conjecture, they not having been personally at t»»H meet-
ing. This interference of the committee being objectea lO, after
some uncomfortable discussion the meeting adjourned.

Some members remained in tho house and proeoedod to
organize what they styled Norwich Monthly Meeting, tho
committee remaining with them in violation of their own form-
er advice, advised and encouraged those members in the mea-
sure above described.

Tho Monthly Meeting in 9th month was so disturbed by
those who had set up a new Meeting that after the opening
minute was read. Friends remained quiet until the others with-
drew, when the qtierics were answered and representatives ap-
pointed to the Quarterly Meeting.

At the Quarterly Meeting held at Pelham in 9th months
the Clerk, after calling the names of the representatives from
Pelham Monthly Mootln|jftfia I'ecdrdfng their altendanco, calfed
for tho report of the committee in reference to Norwich Moathly

actffJg tho business claiming its attention, according to our
lunlermul- diauipliaoL . Tlirn'ofara it wa» A4ljou4H»e^ to the usual
time next month.

At the Meeting held in tho 12th. month, a joint committee
of men and women Friends were appointed i:i each of the
two requests that had hecn forwarned bj' Women Friends

At this time the Men's Meeting concurred with the
Women in receiving into membership three other persona who
had mnde application, there being no manifeNt obsti'uctions
to their i-eception. Further business was deferred and the
meeting adjourned.

At our Monthl}'' Meeting in First Month, 187Y, a minute
was made as follows: A portion of the Joint Committee in

case made a report which the meeting was not united in

accepting. Not being able to proceed with tho business be-
fore us the meeting was adjourned to meet at the rise of our
next Preparative Meeting. At the adjourned session held 2nd
Mo 7, a proposal of marriage was admitted and forwai'dod
after which the following minute appears : " Not being able to
proceed in unit}'' with the remaining business of the mooting a
proposition was made and united with to adjourn." Tho meet-
ing was then adjourned to the usual time next month.

It is meet to describe more clearlj' what those differences
were, or rather the view taken by tho I'espective parties.

One portion held that the Societ}'- of Friends had ever
maintained a testimon}^ against artificial music, and to admit
a person into membership who was in the practice thereof
would commit the Monthlj'- Meetintr to a compromise of
principle and that they felt conscientiously scrupulous in the
maintenance of our testimonies. Another poition maintained
that the applicant or applicants was or were converted, and a
child or children of God, and therefore ought to be received.
And oven went so far as to assert that their future well-bein<r
was contingent on their reception into membership. They
nUo assorted that it was to them a matter of indiflFerence
Avhether parties engaged in music or not, as they considered
there was no principle involved in it. Tho one portion held
that church fellowship was designed for mutual strength and
editication ; and that diflFerence in thought and action could not
contribute to that end, and that to have the name enrolled on the
church buoks was not essential to salvation.

Propositions were mado and urged by one part of the meet-
ing to lay the subject before the Quarterly Meeting, but the
other part claimed that according to discipline the receiving
])ersons into membership was business that pertained solely to
the Monthly Meeting, and that the subject was neither
weighty nor difficult, the trouble being in tho Monthly Meet-
ing itself, the members being so utterly divided in senti-
ment. Even in attempting to carr}' out such pro])Osition no
unity could be ari'ivcd at in regard to tho manner in which the
bubject or subjects should be laid before the Quarterly' Meeting.

During the discussions the Clerk was frequently urged by
one party to take the sense of the meeting and that ho should
base his decision upon the weight of numbers, and claimed that
the judgment of age and experience was entitled to no more
dofference in tho deliberations of the meeting than of those
•more recently brought into tho fold.

Such were the principal arguments made use of during
the painful discussions that took j)lacc. In fact all argu-
ments were exhausted and then again, and again, rc-asscrted.
One feature in the discussions wcic, that one party had much
more to sa}' than the othe>', and moi-e speakers engaged in it,
hence, the expression so often made i(sc of. thai a few ])er.so!is
1 tile the meeting. whiUt much of pci'soiudily and epithet was
indulged in.

dtaa

mittee to which the.-e remurlcjj do not a]

Aftfiv two KOAHioHH of-tlte -metrttni
spent said Committee insisted that the i"
its minutes: " It was advised by the Qui
mittee that we adjourn. It was furtlu
mittee that when we meet as a Monthly
cause we cannot proceed with the busi
unity we forthwith adjourn."

It Avill here be noticed that this
same course that seemed to awaken s
with the members of Pelham Monthly }
the authority of a Quarterly Meeting,
of tho meeting on that occasion tho Co
dissolution of the Monthly Meeting; als
opportunity previouslj' had with the
mittee stated distinctly that thet/ jf(
Monthly Neeting, and when told that su
the Quarterly Meeting, replied, we uull i

In 4th and 5th Months nu busine
the forwarding a mai-riage through it
issuing a renioval certiticalo on behalf o

At the Preparative Meeting in 6th
was manifested to answering the Quei
minute was made and lorwarded to
*' After an attempt being made to read
it was discontinued because protested a
members." At our Monthly Meeting i
great also was the opposition, that the
made : " Information was received froi
ing that the queries wore not answered*
quently the reading of them was not
No Representatives were appelated, Fric
proceeding with the business. Take
Jonathan H. lioger. Clerk." The prin
swering the queries was founded on
under dealing by the Quarterljr Meetin,
a situation for doing business.

The above minute of the Monthl}' I
to tho Quai-tely Meeting, ( which was 1
same month ) and read by the Clerk,
raised as to whether the members of
Meeting had any right to ])articipate
Quarterly Meeting. Tho Clerk at once
tlio negative, from which many Friend
controvc'i'sy the Clerk ruled it to be the
ing that Norwich Friends take no part i
alternative was presented either to a
their rights in tho meeting, or to rejc(
wich as unofficial. The latter course b(
was made stating that no official report
Norwich Monthly Meeting, and it Avas
meeting that the niembers of that meet
business of the Quarterly Meeting. Sa
false statement, as the report in qucstio
the minutes of tho meeting, and attoste(
Clerk, which rendered it official.

The members of Norwich Monthly
pi'ived of their just rights by the illegj
exercised by the Clerk of the Quarterh
members of Pelham Monthl}- Meeting,
all from that meeting, one of \Mhom (b(
tee) dissented from the course ifiirsued.
fioiii Pelham then, as the act ol! iho Qti

nod the case of Norwich Month

y Meet

three months Ioniser, thereby o prove

!*e rcmurlcH do not apply

ioiiH of- fills mccttntijhntl bcon unprofilably

00 insisted ihiit tho following bo entoi-ed on
IS advised by tho Qiuirterl}' Meotingis' Coin-
oiirn. It was furlhoi" advised by said Coin-
e moot as a Monthly Mooti'i«r, if from any
•ocoed with tho business of tho mooting in
adjourn."

je noticed that this Committee advised tho
eenu'd to awiilven such deep concern with
of Pelham Monthly Meeting while assuming
[uarterly Meeting. Before the adjournment
that occasion tho Committee threatened the
lonthly Meeting; also, after tho clo.so of the
)usly had witn the Clerk, one of tho Com-
inctly that they would lay down Norwich
id when told that such an act would destroy
iog, replied, we will establish another.
Lh Months no business was transacted, save
marriage through itH remaining stages and
eitificalc on behalf of a member,
itive Meeting in 6th month, such opposition
answering the Queries thsit the following
and forwarded to the Monthly Meeting,
being made to read and answer the queries

1 because piiotostod against by a number of
r Monthly Meeting in tho same month so
opposition, that the following minute was

tion was received from tho Preparative Meet-
s wore not answered* in that mooting, conso-
le of them Avas not proceeded witli in this,
were appelated. Friends not being united in
tho business. Taken from tho Minutes.
I", Clerk." The principal reason for not an-
os was founded on tho plea that wo were
le Quarlerljf Meeting, and therefore not in
g business.

uto of the Monthl}' Meeting was presented
soting, ( wliich was held at Norwich in tho
read by the Clerk. The question was then
>or the members of the ^N^orwich Monlh^j'
ight to participate in the business of the
. Tho Clerk at onco gave his judgment in
which many Friends dissented; after some
erk ruled it to be the judgment of tho incot-
Triends take no part in tho business. But the
esonted either to allow Norwich Friends
meeting, or to reject the report from Nor-

The latter course being ])ursued, a minute
hat no official i-eport had been I'occived from
Meeting, ani it was tho judgment of tho
nembers of that meeting take no part in the
irterly Mooting. Said minute containing a
the report in question was an extract from
meeting, and attested by the signature of its
ii-ed it official.

of Norwich Monthly Meeting were thus de-
t rights by the illegal and aibitrar}- power
ilcrk of the Quarterly Meeting and si.x other
VI Monthly Meeting, there being but eight in
ing, one of whom (being one of the coinu»it-
1 the course jUirsued. Those seven members

as the act ol! ilic Qiiailei'f3' Meoliii;:. coiiliii-
iwich Monthly Meeliug under llioir care for
prevcut its going before the

ei', thereby

^' Clerk, after calling tlio names of tbe rcpresentativos from
lam Monthly Meeting and recording their attondanco, called
lor the rcp»rt of the committee in reference to Norwich Monthly
Mooting, which was objected to as contrary to good order
for a meeting to transact business previous to its proper oi-pan-
izalion, there being representatives from Norwich Monthly
Meeting, also a report from that meeting on the table yet un-
read. Most of the Pelham members contended that Norwich
Monthly Meeting was still under dealings and not entitled to a
hearing until after its caso was decided, nnd in order to give such
decision the report of tho oommitteo must first be read, thus
assuming the unheard of precedent that one Monthly Mealing
has the right of exorcising the functions of a Quarterly Heel-
ing and deal with another Monthly Meeting. The result was
the reading of said report and the minutes of the newly set up
mooting wero received as emanating from Norwich Monthly
Meeting.

Five of the Pelham committee attended Norwich Mooting
in 8th month, counselled a separation and aided in affecting it.
Fiight of them signed a report advising that the newly set up
Meeting be accepted as the true one. One of that committee
refused to sign said report, and the members of Pelham Month-
ly Meeting gave decision in the matter, b}' which act Pelham
Monthly Meeting identified itself and entered into official re-
lationship with those who have separated from Norwich Month-
ly Meeting, and thereby became separatists themselves. It be-
ing the time for the appointment of Clerks tho representatives
from Norwich Monthly Meeting having conferred together pro-
posed Adam Spencer for Clerk, and William B. Stover for As-
sistant, which being approved they were appointed to those ser-
vices for one j'ear. After which Friends remained quiet until
the others left the house when tho business of tho Quarterly-
Meeting was proceeded with.

We aie persuaded that the a8sum])tion of the whole con-
trol of the Quarterly Meeting by members of Pelham Monthly
Meeting and the appointment of said committee was not ac-
cording to th,o mind of Truth, and that the action of said mcm-
bei's and their committee did not tend to the healing of breaches
but to hasten a separation.

Tho whole aim and object of those wlto have separated
from us seemed to bo to commit tho Monthlv Meeting to tho
official acknowledgement of the erroneous views set forth in
our Testimony' nnd to tiie sanction of practices contrary to tho
the order and discipline of our religious society. Therefore
tne alternative was before us, either to abandon the meet-
ing to those errors and their attendant evils, or to "con-
tend for the faith once delivci'cd to the Saints." and for the
maintenance of order and discipline.

The spirit of controvci'sy manifested bv those who have
thus separated was not confined to meetings for discipline, but
those for worship have frequently been scenes of confusion.
Utterances in the line of the Ministry have been replied to, crit-
icised and misinterpreted to the dishonor of Truth. Buf by the
step they have taken they have b-^rne testimony that they are
not of us ; therefore the Religious Society of Friends as tar "~

assurance ilmt " they shall pros|ier that kn-o thee.'*

By diiectioti of tho aforefatd Mce;in^' held Fourth
1 Month, 10th, 1878.

I ADAM SPENCER, Clerk.

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