News of the Association

News of the Association ANNUAL MEETING, 1948 17RIENDS Historical Association gathered for its annual session on Twelfth Month 11, 1948, at 8 p. m., in the great hall of the Old Customs House, 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia , following an adjourned meeting at Haverford College on the stated date, Eleventh Month 29. In the absence in Europe of Howard W. Elkinton, Director of the Carl Schurz Memorial Foundation, which now occupies the building, Friends were welcomed by Mary G. Cary, Librarian of the Foundation. President William W. Comfort conducted the brief business meeting, and reviewed the work of the Association during the year. Four Directors were re-elected to a three-year term expiring in 1951: C. Marshall Taylor, Frederick B. Tolles, Edward E. Wildman, and H. Justice Williams. In commemoration of the three hundredth anniversary of the birth of Robert Barclay, Professor D. Elton Trueblood of Earlham College spoke on "Robert Barclay, Quaker Thinker." He told of his recent researches in England and Scotland concerning Barclay's life and thought, and reported the discovery of a new Barclay manuscript which throws light on this man whose career is almost as little known as his Apology is well known. He concluded with an appeal for a re-study of Barclay's ideas and a re-appraisal of what he has to contribute to the thinking of Friends in the twentieth century. Following the lecture, Friends enjoyed refreshments in the Carl Schurz Foundation library, and had an opportunity to see the exhibit of Barclay's writings lent by the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. By action of the Board of Directors at its meeting on First Month 10, 1947, the manuscript holdings of Friends Historical Association have been distributed among suitable libraries having facilities for making them accessible to scholars. The great bulk of the material was divided between the Quaker Collection of the Haverford College Library and the Friends Historical 38 News of the Association39 Library of Swarthmore College. Some manuscripts of purely genealogical interest were given to the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania and certain non-Quaker documents went to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Several items, being of the nature of official meeting records, were transferred to the Department of Records of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (Arch Street) . * * * The Sixth General Index of the Bulletin of Friends Historical Association, covering Volumes 31-35 (1942-1946) was published in 1948, and copies have been sent to all the libraries on our mailing list. It is being distributed gratis, and any one desiring a copy should apply to the Assistant Editor, Anna B. Hewitt, Haverford College Library, Haverford, Pennsylvania . This Index was prepared, as were the two preceding it, by Mrs. Thomas K. Brown, Jr., and we are indebted to her for her careful work in listing the entries and supervising its publication. * * * The Library of the Society of Friends at Friends House, London, needs a microfilm reading machine. In view of the notable role which this great library has played for many years in preserving and making available to scholars (including many American Quaker historians) its rich collections of historical Quakeriana, it seems fitting that American Friends should show their appreciation by making it possible to fill this need. Accordingly , the Board of Directors of Friends Historical Association, at its meeting on First Month 14, 1949 approved an appeal for this purpose, the gift to be a memorial to our beloved Quaker historian, Rufus M. Jones. Approximately five hundred dollars will be needed to purchase a suitable reading machine. Any member of the Association who would like to share in this memorial gift is encouraged to send his contribution to President William Wistar Comfort, Friends Historical Association, Haverford , Pennsylvania. REPORT OF THE TREASURER For the year 11th Month, 1947 to 11th Month, 1948 RECEIPTS Cash on hand, 11 mo. 1947 ................................$1400.44 Dues received — Current ............ 1678.00 Arrears ............ 118.00 In advance...... 33.001829.00 Bulletins ................................................................ 135.70 Interest on investments ........................................ 151.10 Receipts for Mid-Winter Dinner .......................... 129.50 Gifts ($318.60—for investment) ........................ 355.60 $4001.34 4001.34 DISBURSEMENTS Annual Meetings 1947 — 171.25 1948 — 8.00179.25 Bulletin — Two issues .......................................... 1035.57 Editor's Fee ............................................................ 300.00...