To Sarah Dugdale

NOTE: Sarah Dugdale (1787—1880) was an Ohio Quaker minister and a founder of the Progressive Friends.

Philada. 10 Mo. 7th. 1845

My dear Friend Sarah Dugdale

For many weeks I have had it on my mind to write to thee—believing some little account of thy dear Joseph’s visit this way, beside that which he and his sympathizing Ruth may have to relate, will not be unacceptable to thee and thy husband, as well as to some others, who are similarly tried with yourselves. We thought the course he pursued judicious, in presenting his minute—asserting his right of membership & unity as a minister. He varied a little in his practice, at our Yearly Meeting, more in submission to the advice of some timid AntiSlavery Friends here, lest the opposition should overpower him & them, than in accordance with his own judgment. The course he pursued however, may have had an effect to soften the hearts of some of the opposers—who manifested more friendly feelings than was anticipated. Indeed his ministry seem’d to carry an evidence to many, beyond Church authority—and all opposition—with a slight exception, was silenced. Their stay with us during that week was pleasant to us. We regretted that our Aunt L. P. Mott. and companion who were with us at the same time, pursued a non-committal course toward them—owing as we supposed, to a kind of pledge given to their friends at home. When once compromise of principles is made, for peace-sake and to please men, we may expect darkness and opposition to follow. Joseph will tell you how keenly he felt the treatment he afterward received from our dear Aunt, at Rochester. We felt it too. But to shew you that others equally estimable, judged very differently of what they heard, I enclose a letter recd. from a dear cousin of ours, residing on Long Island, who was on a visit to her brother Isaac Post. She has long had much to feel, on account of the proscriptive intolerant course pursued by Westbury Qr. towards I. T. Hopper, C. Marriott and others. I have not her liberty to send it—so you will see the propriety of not making any public use of it. What will be the ultimate result of all these high-handed measures, we cannot foresee. If all can preserve the temper & spirit toward our persecutors, that Joseph & Ruth manifest, there will be little to fear. It is hard, to have two such ordeals to pass through in our short generation. But such things must needs be, while an Ecclesiastical establishment finds place among us. Our duty therefore is, to submit with Christian grace—for surely "they know not what they do." How little have those, who cried out against "a ministry shack led by human authority," been able to bear Church promotion, themselves. When once we depart from the ground,—that "God is the Sovereign Lord of Conscience," despotism & cruelty are the unfailing result. Well for us that the age does not now license the stake and the halter.

We have lately received a letter from our friend Griffith M. Cooper of Farmington, informing that the meeting of Ministers and Elders had reported him to the Monthly Meeting as no longer worthy to be regarded a minister among them. He says he was a doomed man from the time that he bore his testimony against the proceedings of New York Meeting in the case of I. T. Hopper and Charles Marriott. Thus we have mournful evidence that an Orthodox Spirit still bears sway in various parts of our Society. Knowing full well what this spirit is, by what we formerly suffered at its hands, we may pray to be fortified with Christian patience to the end. Still there may be something for us to do, in bearing a faithful protest against intolerance as well as sympathizing with those, who have become discouraged & disaffected so far as to meditate a withdrawal from the Society. Some resignations are already offered in this & Gennessee Yearly Meetings.

I have not been able to see that another division & re-organization will afford more than a temporary remedy for the evils under which we are laboring. While our present Discipline remains as it is, giving power to a few over the ministry, we may expect such results to follow. A radical change is called for. Many among us would feel little inclined to associate under restrictions, which they have felt all too binding. Entire come-outerism is to be feared in its [sca?]ttering tendency with our young people. What then is the right step to pursue? It may be well for Friends to confer together and report the results of such conferences. Whatever is done should be done "openly, uncondemned". "In secret" let us "do nothing."

My husband & self propose to attend a conference of Friends in Chester Co. next week. Our present feeling is to urge that no movement may be made through impatience. If we are thr[own?] out of the synagogue as some of you have been, it may then be tim[e] to consider what course is most for the promotion of truth and righteousness. At present our duty leads to a faithful advocacy of what we believe right, whether the lovers of ease and quiet will hear or forbear.

You have had your keen & bitter trials. We have oft felt sympathy with you, and have rejoiced to hear how you have been supported through all. It is certainly "a small thing to be judged of man’s judgment."]

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