Summer Meeting: Friends Historical Association

SUMMER MEETING53 MEMORIAL MINUTE TT IS with a sense of deep personal loss that the Board of -*- Directors wishes to preserve among the records of the Association an expression of appreciation for the services of our fellow member and Editor, Thomas Kite Brown, Jr., who died suddenly in Philadelphia on Sixth Month 5, 1944: He had served as Editor of the Bulletin of Friends Historical Association since the Spring Number of 1933, and had acted in this capacity with unusual competence and good judgment. Personally known to many of our members, his work has been enjoyed by a still larger number who had read his book reviews in the Bulletin, and who have appreciated the scholarly devotion he brought to his task as Editor. He was most faithful in his attendance at all of our meetings, and successful in securing many new members for the Association. Therefore, the Directors and members of Friends Historical Association adopt this minute in grateful remembrance of their friend and Editor, and direct that a copy of it be sent to his family.—Tenth Month 13, 1944. SUMMER MEETING FRIENDS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION ONE HUNDRED and fifty members and guests of Friends Historical Association assembled for their summer meeting in the barn at John Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia on the afternoon of May 10th. After welcoming remarks by Mrs. Bayard Henry, President of the John Bartram Association , Dr. Francis Harper gave a lecture of unusual interest on "John Bartram's Southern Travels." Dr. Harper had retraveled the trail John Bartram followed in 1765 from Charleston through Georgia to St. Augustine, Florida, and then on the St. John's River for almost four hundred miles. He was able to locate the route through Bartram's writings and with the aid of the present inhabitants of the places through which the great naturalist had passed. The lecture was accompanied by colored slides showing some of the trees and plants described by Bartram and points of particular interest and beauty along the trail. Vol. 33, Autumn 1944 54 BULLETIN OF FRIENDS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION Edward E. Wildman spoke briefly about the Bartram Garden, calling especial attention to the yellowwood, which was in full bloom. (The tree blossoms only once in three years.) He also told about Bartram's family life and his Unitarian religious belief for which he was disowned by the Society of Friends. He was a deeply religious person, and continued to attend Friends Meeting even after his disownment. A student from the John Bartram High School read a poem recalling the important but unsung contribution of John Bartram's wife, who carried the responsibility of twelve children and a farm during her husband's extensive travels. After the meeting, students from the high school showed guests through the house and garden, and many who had brought box suppers lingered to enjoy the beauty of the garden. E. Virginia Walker1 INDEPENDENCE HALL EXHIBIT OF FRIENDS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION The Friends Historical Association's exhibit of Quaker relics and treasures in the Old City Hall, 5th and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, has been moved to a first-floor room, at the left of the entrance door. It will now be possible for visitors to inspect this exhibit at all times when the building itself is open. This number of the Bulletin has been prepared for the press by Mrs. Thomas K. Brown, Jr., with the assistance of the President, the Secretary, and the Publication Committee of the Association. A KIND of debate has been going on in the current volume of The ^^ Journal of Religion (vol. 24, 1944) , about the beginnings of Quakerism . Winthrop S. Hudson, writing on "A Suppressed Chapter of Quaker History" (pp. 108-18), claims that Fox was not the real founder of the movement and that he was later exalted to that role by Quaker historians and editors. Henry J. Cadbury, writing on "An Obscure Chapter of Quaker History" (pp. 201-13), attempts by answering the argument point by point to vindicate the traditional pre-eminence assigned to Fox. Dr. Hudson replies (pp. 279-81), briefly reasserting his contentions. 1 Reprinted from Friends Intelligencer, June 10, 1944, p. 384. Vol. 33, Autumn 1944 ...