JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER. o.V.I 



"The title 'Quaker Poet ' is a true one, not simply because he 

 ■was a Friend by membership, but because he was permeated by 

 the spirit of Quaker Christianity. It is true that Whittier was 

 much broadened by association with men like Emerson, Long- 

 fellow, and others, Garrison especially; but he was to the end 

 a Friend in his religion." 



The letter from which I have quoted was addressed to a kins- 

 woman of Whittier's and of my own, who lias kindly sent me 

 some notes of her recollection of Friends. Though some yi 

 younger than he, she was trained under similar influences. Her 

 recollections, then, we may guess in some degree to have blended 

 with his. 



"During the early part of this century," she writes me, "1 

 think the Society of Friends throughout the rural districts of 

 New England retained in a great measure the stern, rigid sim- 

 plicity and exclusiveness which characterized the religious peo- 

 ple of the old Puritan days. They were thoroughly Orthodox,* 

 and gave little heed to the Unitarian controversy anion- others. 

 . . . Friends then had not, 1 think, all the aggressive fervor of 

 the earlier days. There was a degree of lukewarmness; but 

 they had among them many ministers,! untrained in the learn- 

 ing of the world, but full of spiritual life, who labored not only 

 among Friends, but wherever they felt themselves called. 



"The discipline of the Society was rigidly observed by most. 

 Queries were answered quarterly, and looked alter by appointed 

 committee. I will give some of those queries, as they un- 

 doubtedly exerted some influence over the children, who often 

 listened to them : — 



"Are meetings for worship duly attended? hour X observed? 

 Are they preserved from sleeping or other unbecoming behavior - .' 



"Are the Holy Scriptures frequently read? 



"Do [Friends] avoid spirituous liquors excepl for medicine? 



"Do they avoid unnecessary frequenting of taverns or other 

 places of public resort? 



"Are the poor looked after, and assisted in Buch business as 

 they are capable of? 



* I. c. Trinitarian Christians, but not Calrinists See the preceding letter 

 t Among the Friends in general, men and women may alike be minisl 



but a minister may not receive a salary 



J I. e. If no one feels called to -peak, do they regularly wait tor at least OHfi 

 hour in silence ? 



