July 19 – 20, 2024
Taking a break from the Theory U and presencing discussions, I thought I’d share about the four-day journey to Iowa I just finished. I’m reminded of a similar journey in September 2017. The PDF of that trip can be found at the end of this post. This covers the first half of the present journey. The rest will follow.
Note: This original 18-page hand-written document was made out in beautiful inked cursive script on standard-size lined paper and riveted together at the upper two corners. It had been tri-folded and kept in a repurposed business envelope on which the cancellation date was Dec. 10, 1920, posted in Chicago, Illinois and addressed to “Rev. Abner L. Newlin, Earlham, Iowa.” Across one end of the exterior of the envelope had been typed: “This document was directed to be kept for future refference [sic] by the Meeting.” Since that point in time apparently it has been stored in an iron safe within the Bear Creek Friends (Conservative) Meeting House north of Earlham, Iowa. The handwriting is likely that of Henry Standing (1857-1937), who had been a longtime member of the Bear Creek Monthly Meeting Friends Meeting (Conservative) until he moved in 1915 to West Branch, Iowa and became a member of the West Branch Monthly Meeting of Friends (Conservative) there. Abner L. Newlin (1851-1939) was a longtime member of the Bear Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends (Conservative). From the context of the writing in the document, it is surmised that it may have been generated in the years surrounding WWI.
Sample page:
There being several bodies bearing the name of The Religious Society of Friends (also known as Quakers) we, as one of these, felt that it would be right to prepare a brief re-statement of our views respecting the religion we profess; believing they are in accord with the ancient principles of the Society as set forth by Fox, Penn, Barclay and others; which principles we believe are based on and in full accord with the teachings of Jesus Christ and his immediate followers as portrayed in their narrative of the Gospel and their early letters to the early Christian churches.
Our fundamental belief is in the existence of one supreme, spiritual, eternal and Almighty God, pure and holy in all his attributes, the creator of all things, who, though invisible to mortal eye is ever present upholding his creation.
We believe that man in his original and sinless state was created in the divine image that is, possessing an undefiled spiritual nature like unto the nature of his creator, and holding communion and having fellowship with him; hence knowing God’s will; endowed with the power to obey or disobey. Had he not known the law nor had power to keep it he would not have fallen under condemnation or felt convicted of sin in transgressing the law.
Written on the exterior of the document:
Synopsis of Doctrine
Prepared by a committee of Iowa Y.M. for sufferings.
This paper was prepared to present to a meeting of delegates from all the Yearly Meetings (Conservative) with a view to print something to present to the world showing our present position. It was not used in full but was thot to be of value & worthy to be preserved and was so directed by the Representaly [sic] Meeting.
unflinching 