Opening of Iowa Yearly Meeting

no BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY unsettled & sentiments so various, that we are as yet quite uncertain what turn they will take, but are rather inclined to think that nothing less than a total Repeal of the Act for raising a Revenue in America will leave the business of the India Company respecting their Tea, in that peaceable situation we would wish to see it in. Be the event of this matter as it may, we shall retain a grateful Sense of your Friendship to us & shall be studious to discharge ourselves therein as faithfully & uprightly as may be in the power of your assured Respected Friends, Original per Captain Falconer Duplicate per All. Oct. 29th, 1773, to Pigon & Booth, London. [To be continued.] OPENING OF IOWA YEARLY MEETING. Charles F. Coffin. [The author of the following paper writes : "This account was written immediately after [my] return home [1863]. It has remained amongst my papers, without publication, until the present time, except that a few years since I sent a copy to Iowa Yearly Meeting to file among its archives."—Editor.] Iowa Yearly Meeting was opened 9th Month 10th, 1863, at Spring Creek Meeting House about 2^ miles from Oskaloosa, in Mahaska County. Oskaloosa was then estimated to have a population of about 3,500. It was then a beautiful portion of Iowa. The farms were well enclosed and in a good state of cultivation , but the farm houses were generally small frame buildings . Friends were, however, very kind and hospitable, and more persons were accommodated in a small house than would be considered possible in the older States. A Quarterly Meeting Boarding School near the Meeting House afforded accommodation for 50 or 60 Friends, mostly from other Yearly Meetings. Many Iowa Friends came to the Yearly Meeting in their covered wagons, bringing their bedding and food with them. Some of these found shelter in unoccupied houses, others lodged in their wagons, and others in tents—about 300 Friends were thus provided for. This outdoor life was a novel and interesting fea- OPENING OF IOWA YEARLY MEETINGm ture of the occasion. The interest shown by most of these Friends which led them to make such sacrifices of personal comfort to attend the Yearly Meeting, was truly affecting. The Yearly Meeting House, which was to be in Oskaloosa, not having been commenced, a temporary shed of rough posts placed in the ground covered and enclosed with unplaned boards, was erected adjoining the Quarterly Meeting House. This shed was 66 feet long by 50 feet wide. Raised galleries were erected, and rough benches set on the ground sufficient to seat about 750. This was occupied by men Friends, and the scene when all were convened , was truly novel and interesting—but God, who dwelleth not in temples made with hands, condescended to be present by the Holy Spirit and the voice of thanksgiving and praise was frequently heardj and seasons of reverent silent worship were greatly enjoyed by those present. The Quarterly Meeting House, 35 by 60, to which was attached a shed 15 by 60 was occupied by Women Friends, about 500 could be accommodated in the house adjoining the shed. The whole number present was from 1,200 to 1,300. Committees were present from the Yearly Meetings of New York, Baltimore, Indiana and Western, composed of 16 men and 14 women Friends. Fourteen Ministers were in attendance with minutes for religious service. David Hunt was appointed Clerk of the Men's Meeting, and Willet Dorland and Enoch Hoag Assistants. The Meeting was mostly composed of young and middle aged Friends of great energy and force of character and much religious weight existed amongst them. Those present from other Yearly Meetings were impressed with the belief that the establishment of the Yearly Meeting would prove to be a blessing to our Religious Society. The business which came before them was transacted with much good feeling, and with order and system. The question as to the location of the Yearly Meeting House was definitely settled and arrangements made to proceed with the building as soon as possible which is estimated to cost from $15,000 to $20,000. A plan was adopted and...