MAGAZINE PAGE

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 9 (Supplement)

MAGAZINE PAGE

Amazing Record of Quakers CHEQUERED HISTORY OF 300-YEARS-OLD ’PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY’ SECT

By L. RASKAY

Sir Frances Acland, one of the best-known liberal members of Parliament, has declared in an open letter bis withdrawal from the Church of England and bis intention to join the Society of Friends, the so-called Quakers. This decision caused all the more amazement because it was taken out of pure persuasion.

It came about because the Church of England decided, with reference to the strict English divorce law which has eventually, after many years of struggle, been revised, that it would withhold its blessing from the marriage of divorced persons even when it has been established that they were guiltless in their former marriage.

According to Sir Francis Acland this strictly orthodox and unyielding attitude of the church is contrary to the spirit of Christianity. It was soon shown that he was not affected by this decision of the church, for only a few days after his withdrawal from the Church of England, in which ho had played a distinguished part, he himself married. Himself a widower, he married the former companions of his first wife. . .

It is well known that religious questions always arouse enormous interest in Britain. It is only necessary to recall the tremendous political passions occasioned by the Reform of the Prayer Book, which split Britain into two camps only a few years ago. Many statesmen and politicians play important parts in the various confessions, irrespective of party or policy. Ihus, for example, Lord Halifax, who has been in the news so much lately, and Sir Thomas Inskip, the Minister for Co-ordination, are pillars of the Church of England. The Minister of Labour. Mr Ernest Brown, is well known ns a Protestant preacher. The Liberal leader, Mr Lloyd George, and his two children all spend much time daily dealing with religious matters. Air George Lansbury and many of his Labour colleagues reconcile their Socialist opinions with an enthusiasm for religion which would amaze many a foreign observer Sir X r rarices Acland’s decision has brought attention once more to that silent but exceedingly productive community the Quakers, officially called “ The" Society of Friends.” They number approximately 140,000, of whom some four-fifths are in the United States. In Great Britain there are some 20,000.

ft is really amazing what they have achieved. The origin of their nick-name has been almost forgotten. Nobody remembers that in the seventeenth century the followers of George Fox. founder of the religion, were dubbed Quakers because in the grip of their religious ecstasy they were seen on occasion to tremble like leaves. In the seventeenth century it may well have been so, but to-day the Quakers, with every other religion, have abandoned these excesses. On the contrary, they practise special sobriety and gentleness, believing that Christianity is not to be expressed by externals and ceremony, but in everyday life.

The Quaker movement had its origin in a time when religious quarrels wore splitting Britain. Catholicism had lost a lot of ground, but under the Stuarts was near to regaining its old power. Cromwell’s puritanical revolution imposed extreme Protestantisim on the entire people for some years. The real Church of England, established by Henry VIII. was already recognised as the religion of the State, hut had not achieved the solidarity and power it has to-day. Into those troublous times came George Fox, born in Drayton, Loicestor-

shire, in J 624. At the nge of 1£) he left home under the conviction that he had a special call from God, and went about in severely plain clothes, preaching the doctrine that the “ inward motions of the Spirit ” were to be relied upon rather than the Scriptures and advocating virtue, charity, and the love of God He formed the Society of Friends, and, while recognising the broad lines of Christianity they denied all authority of the church. Finn in the belief that God and the faithful must come into direct and personal contact, they had no church laws, no prayers, no priests, no external theatrical ceremonies.

Fox’s radical doctrine soon got him into trouble, and he was often arrested. In ICoo he was even examined by Cromwell, who must have been persuaded of his sincerity, for he set him free. The Church of England in particular persecuted them for failing to conform to its worship, and it must be admitted that in the eyes of those times they made a considerable nuisance of themselves. They refused to pay tithes, as they did not recognise the authority of the church; they refused to take oath in court in strict observance of Christ’s injunction. “ Swear not at all.” They refused to take off their hats, holding that no man should do this except before his God.

They disturbed the peace by preaching in public places, and constantly broke the Sabbath by travelling beyond the bounds of the parish to distant places of meeting. In 1656, it is said, there were over 1,000 of the Friends in prison. Gradually they began to emigrate to the New World.

Tn 1666 two Quaker women went, to N ew England. They wore imprisoned and sent back to Britain, but others could not be dissuaded from emigrating. Once in the Now World, however. they found they had jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. Al-

though the Puritans had themselves been persecuted before their emigration, they were none the less indignant that the Quakers should follow their example.

There were amazing scenes of persecution. Men and women were stripped to the waist and flogged through the streets at the cart’s tail. Four Quakers, one of them a woman, were hanged on Boston Common.

But they wore men of sterling worth, ami their movement would not be denied. They increased in number throughout New England, and in 1681 William Penn founded the colony of Pennsylvania as a place of refuge for the oppressed Friends. The town of Philadelphia still shows traces of the original Quaker stock, and has been called the Quaker City. Like all other strict sects, the Quakers have certain abnormalities. Consistent Quakers refuse to perform military service. They speak of first day, second day, third day, etc., refusing to use the “ heathen ” names of the days of the week or month. Marriage is celebrated by the joining of hands in the presence of witnesses. When they meet they have no fixed programme. They assemble and sit in silence until one of the assembly receives holy inspiration and feels compelled to deliver a message. If no inspiration comes they separate without saying a word.

It must be admitted, however, that their services to mankind havy been amazing. It was they who began and carried through the campaign against slavery. Long before the Great War they taught {he folly of war. They were the first to advocate prison reform. The world must thank them specially for their work in the terrible years of the war, when they worked for the improvement of conditions for the guiltless victims of the war with untiring energy and self-sacrifice. In many countries they resurrected devastated areas and fed the hungry. They helped under-fed German children, just as they helped the Russian peasants of the Volga basin to recover from complete ruin. When in Greece or Syria persecuted masses suffered terrible privations, they came to their help. They were immediately at work to alleviate the suffering after the great Japanese earthquake.

To-day they have abandoned nearly ail their fanatical wish to convert the whole world to their creed. They merely try, by deed and example, to realise the ideal of a Christian life adapted to practical considerations. They have long since abandoned the idea of a world crusade, and now submit their recruits to searching examina-* tion, accepting only those who sincerely wish to follow their way of life.

In spite of their small numbers, many wealthy and influential people belong to the’movement. It is not generally known that the entire British chocolate industry is in the hands of Quakers. Rowntroe, Cadbury, and many others who have built special towns for their workers, with every possible comfort and convenience, are active Quakers. It is said that the ancestors of these industrialists were brewers. When they were converted to the Quaker movement they ceased the production of “ poison ” and altered their factories to produce harmless chocolate. In Eustou road, London, the Quakers have a palace-like building, called the House of Friends, which is the headquarters of various pacifist and humanitarian movements. In the rooms of this building members of every political party 7 and every religion who have a message for the world which is in keeping with the principles of the Quakers can speak freely, fearing no man.

ACROSS. 1 Instrument for a modest man. 9 Subdue. 10 it does not seem to matter whether the fairy is in or not. 11 There is a sheep in an English town. 12 May be member of tbe I.U'.A. 13 Scots ones will be found in the army. 14 Posted up. 19 Cargo is shipped, and it includes swine. 20 And this is the same. 24 Such a mill (anag.). 26 Has always got the hump, 27 Belgian town. 28 Cross between an apostle and a Galahad (2 words). 29 With time intervals. DOWN. 1 Biblical coin. 2 Hebe was one; our boarding house waitress is another. 3 Occurring in the year 1939. 4 Party providing fuel. 5 Vision. 6 Usually considered to he about 70 years. 7 Steal an egg and cook it. 8 Enter uninvited. 15 Coldness in speech and also in heart. 16 Recompense. 17 The Viking type. 18 Though his three components have lowly significance he is an important international figure. 21 Carriage that just misses being good looking. 22 The sum total could be a horse. 23 Primary coloured fits of depression (colloq.). 25 Although nearly round she was a famous charmer. LAST WEEK'S WINNERS Mr H. D. Inglis, 16 Highgate, Roslyn, first correct solution opened, three tickets. Mr N. Fitzpatrick, 43 Hunt street. Anderson’s Bay, two tickets. Mr W. Ruttledge, 10 De Carlo street, St. Kilda, one ticket. The following is the reauired solution;

GEOGRAPHY QUIZ. Of the following 10 names of places seven can be found in New Zealand. Can you pick the three “outsiders ”? Bombay, Cardiff, Aden, Jerusalem, Paradise, Opaka. Drybread, Elevation, Wakita, Pyramid. HOW SMART ARE YOU? While you’re having.your bath, tonight ponder over these 10 general knowledge questions. Six correct is a pass. 1. A diamond anniversary is the: 40th. 60 th. 70th. 2. A standard-size Rugby ground is: 100yds x 80yds. UOvcls x 75vds. 120yds x 80yds. 3. If you had to write a letter to the present Governor-General you W'ould address it: is Grace, Viscount Galway.” “ His Right Honourable Excellency Eoi'd Galway.” “ His Excellency, the Right Honourable Viscount Galway.” 4. A gallon of water weighs: 101 b. 9ilb. 731 b, 5. A heifer is a : Young bull. Young cow. . Female sheep. Male calf. 6. How many stars and stripes are embodied in the flag of the United States? 24 stars and 12 stripes. 40 stars and 12 stripes. 43 stars and 13 stripes. 7. A pediment is a: Handicap in speech. , Architectural adornment. Kind of necklace. Base for a statue. 8. A decagon is a plain figure having: 5 equal sides. 12 sides. 10 equal angles and sides. 5 unequal angles. 9. Quill pens were usually made from feathers of: Geese. Turkeys. Hawks. 10. The usual weight of a cricket ball is: sioz-SJ-oz. soz-olpz. 6ioz-Boz. SPELLING VAGARIES. Read this word: MNAIARATOUGHUU. acrostatTc. Find two opening words of a wellknown proverb from eight five-letter words: 1. Many people. 2. Happen. 3. Black. 4. Sweetened juice. 5. Flower. • 6. Bird. 7. Rugbv plavor. 8. Whip” A LITTLE FIGURING.

Get someone to write down the numerals Ito 9. Tell him to cross out the figure 8. Then have him select the figure he wrote most badly and multiply the lot by it. Then get him to multiply his answer by nine. If he should have selected, say, the figure 5 for the first multiplication the final answer will be 555,555,555, or 2 would give 222.222,222, etc. THE ANSWERS GEOGRAPHY QUlZ.—Bombay is an Auckland farming settlement. Cardiff is a Taranaki dairying centre. Aden is in Arabia and also in Alberta. Canada. Jerusalem is the largest Maori settlement on the Wanganui River. Paradise is a tourist spot near Queenstown, and at Rotorua a valley and stream are similarly named. Opaka is a town in Bulgaria. Drybread is a farming district near Omakau, Central Otago. Elevation is a farming district near Picton. Wakita is a town in Oklahoma, U.S.A. Pyramid is a farming district IS miles from Gore. HOW SMART ARE YOU?—(1) 60th. (2) 110yds x 76yds. (3) “His Excellency,” etc. (4) 101 b. (5) Young cow., (61 48 stars and 13 stripes. (7) Base for a statue. (8) 10 equal angles and sides. (9),Geese. (10) sJoz-520z. SPELLING VAGARIES.—Narrow, derived as follows: — MN for N as in mnemonic. AI for A as in caitiff. All for R as in bar. AT for R as in forcat. OUGH for O as in though. UU for W. ACROSTATIC— Crowd Occur Negro Syrup Tulip Agami Niven Thong

“Ernie” the Safe Cracker ONE-TIME SLUM BOY NOW MASTER AT HIS TRADE

London’s master safe remover, “ Ernie ” Grimsdell, one-time destitute East End slum child, recently removed all the safes from Imperial Airways old terminus at Victoria to their new building, Airways House, Buckingham Palace road. The job took “ Ernie V-yand the five men working under him frofn a Thursday morning to the Friday, night. But he does not consider this a big job, as he will have to remove only five safes, the heaviest of which weighs one and a-half tons.,., . “Ernie’s” rise to fame started 40 years ago, when, at the"age of 12, he ran away from home. At this time both hisfather and mother were dead and his brother and sister had no means of supporting him. For some time his home was the Embankment, and his first job was that of holding tho heads of horses of the local gentry, when they went into their favourite tavern for a drink. If he worked every day very' hard he managed to'earn 7s 6d a week. Then came his big'chance. A friend of his late father’s, hearing .of his destitution, offered him, a job oh" his East End business, which was that of manufacturing, repairing, and moving safes. His wages were 9s a week. Known throughout the trade he has closely followed for 40 years, “ Ernie,” otherwise Ernie Grimsdell/ lock and safe engineer, of llalston, is proud of the fact that ho is one of the half-dozen really skilled men in England to-day who can undertake this typo of work. The biggest job he ever did was the removal of 110 safes from Electra House, when they ‘moved from their premises in Moorgate do the Embankment. ,i; . ‘ “ Ernie ” is thorough at Ins work and always insists upon inspecting his own chain tackle of steel blocks and falls. He never ties any knots, always twisting the tackle. “ Just like knitting,” he said, “ you pick up two, drop two, pick up two.” Yet he has never knitted in his life! Born and bred amongst the cockneys of the East End of London, he has an inimitable sense of humour and philosophical outlook. Many are the times'he has been called upon to open the safes of people who have lost their keys, for “ Ernie ” has nimble fingers and swears there is not a safe in the world which he cannot crack.

“ The women are the worst,” ho said, “ for losing keys. They have two cut and put the second one inside their safe so that it shall not be lost. Silly, I call it.” He recalls one incident when he was called in to open a safe in a hospital in London which had not been touched for many .years. As hq opened the door the body of a man in a straitjack fell right into his arms. “ Was that ■ the biggest fright you ever got in your life? ” Tasked him in horror. ‘ .■ ' ■ “No,? he said,, “You see, it was only a dummy. The biggest fright I ever got was the day when' I got married;” “ Ernie ” has his own little flat near his work with a little garden, and wouldn’t change his job-for any other in" the world. He loves his safes, and the heavier the better, but ask him to remove a frigidaire, or even an ordinary table or chair, and he will flatly refuse. ;■