WORSHIP 8i 



on every worshipper. Indeed, the only legitimate 

 reason either for speaking or for remaining silent in a 

 Friends' meeting is an earnest desire to serve God by 

 helping our fellow worshippers ♦ 



What then is the consequence of thus abolishing 

 the one man ministry and throwing the responsibility 

 upon the rank and file of the worshippers ? 



The consequences are many and various, but the one 

 to which I wish to draw your attention is this : that, 

 whilst you may hear far more eloquent sermons in almost 

 any dissenting chapel, and whilst you may attend far 

 more elegant services amongst our brethren of the Roman 

 and Anglican communities, yet, when our meetings 

 are held in the life and power of the Master, nowhere 

 will you feel drawn so near to God and to your fellow-man 

 as in a Friends* meeting. 



But the final test of our methods cannot be a subjective 

 one. Indeed, I cannot imagine anything more utterly 

 demoralising than self-indulgence in a mere sentiment 

 or emotion of fellowship which finds no outlet in the 

 everyday life. The final test of a machine is the work 

 which it turns out, and the final test of a religious 

 organisation is the standard of character which it has 

 produced in the past, and which it is still capable of 

 showing. How does the Society of Friends stand this 

 test ? Has it produced men and women of sterling 

 character and integrity ? Good parents, good neigh- 

 bours, good citizens, good patriots, in the best sense of 

 the word ? Have its members shown themselves ready 

 and willing to sacrifice self-interest for the common 

 weal ? Have their lives borne witness to a full and 

 practical recognition of the deep and wide obligations of 

 a universal brotherhood ? 



Now I am fully aware that there is a great deal in 

 our past history, and still more in our present condition, 

 which may well forbid us to speak boastfully. And yet 



