Charles F. Coffin, 1823-1916

66BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Copy of Woolman's Journal," and Max I. Reich gave a thoughtful and suggestive address on " John Woolman's Message To-day."3 At the conclusion of the meeting, lunch baskets were produced , and, supplemented by coffee with milk and cream from the Woolman farm, ice-cream and cake, all furnished by the Mount Holly Friends, an excellent meal followed. When this was over, those who had come by rail, took the special train for Camden at 7.30 p. m., after an unusually pleasant afternoon. A. C. T. CHARLES F. COFFIN, 1823-1916. In the death of Charles F. Coffin, of Chicago, Eighth month 9th, 1916, in his ninety-fourth year, the Bulletin loses one of its warm supporters and frequent contributors. Charles Fisher Coffin, the son of Elijah and Naomi (Hiatt) Coffin, was born in 1823 in Guilford County, North Carolina. He was taken while an infant to Indiana, when his parents emigrated from North Carolina. His father became one of the most prominent Friends in Indiana, and was Clerk of Indiana Yearly Meeting from 1827 to 1858, when he was succeeded by his son Charles, the subject of this sketch, who held the office until 1884. Thus, father and son held the position fifty-eight years consecutively, a unique record in Quaker history. The Coffin family moved to Richmond, Indiana, in 1834, which continued to be the residence of Charles F. Coffin until 1884, when he removed to Chicago. His business was that of a banker, and he used to say that he had occupied every position in a bank from that of office boy to that of president. He was perhaps even more active in the Society than his father had been, and his influence was proportionately great. For many years no important committee in his particular meeting or Monthly or Quarterly, or Yearly Meeting was considered complete unless he was included. Of all general conferences, committees and delegations he was sure to be a member. His excellent judgment and power of clear statement made him invaluable. He was an admirable presiding officer, and was often called upon WILLIAM PENN'S PRAYER FOR PHILADELPHIA. 6? to perform this service, which he did with dignity and fairness. This is not the place to speak of his religious work, or the services, which he rendered to his town and State. Neither can his privateand home life be treated of. Except that he became somewhat deaf in later years, he retained all his faculties until the end, and he never lost his interest in current events. Those who heard him speak in the ministry in his ninety-third year, wondered at the clearness of thought, the logical order of his words, and the carrying power of his voice. He was tall, well-formed, courteous in his bearing, and had a fine-looking countenance with a winning smile, and charm of manner. WILLIAM PENN'S PRAYER FOR PHILADELPHIA. The bronze tablet,1 containing the prayer of William Penn for Philadelphia, after long delay is now in a fair way to be completed , and in about six weeks the contractors promise to have it in place in its new location. This will be in a recess on the east wall of the passage through the City Hall, looking north, up. Broad Street, immediately within the archway. The design has been drawn by the Acting City Architect,, Louis E. Marié, and has been passed by the Art Jury, so there will be no more tantalizing delays and objections. This tablet will be well lighted by day and night, and conforms to the high, arched recess in which it will find place. It is due to the earnest efforts of Stanley R. Yarnall and Walter Brinton that a new start was made and this second design —an undoubted improvement upon the first—has successfully passed the Art Jury. The order for casting the tablet has been given. When the work has been completed and the tablet is in place, a facsimile will be given in The Bulletin. Amelia M. Gummere, Chairman of Tablet Committee. 1An account of the tablet was given in The Bulletin vol. vi. pages 85...