Call Number:

Phg

Repository:

Quaker Meeting Records at Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections and Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

1.25 linear ft.

Language:

English

Date:

1933-1955 (inclusive)

Creator:

Philadelphia General Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (1946-1954)

Abstract:

Records of Philadelphia General Meeting, an annual meeting of members of both Philadelphia Yearly Meetings from 1946-1954. Also includes minutes, correspondence, and other records of joint committees involved in the process of the reunification of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting .

In 1945, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (Hicksite) instructed its Representative Meeting to consider possible ways and means of closer unity with its Orthodox counterpart; this direction was met with a similar proposal from Arch Street. A preliminary study resulted in the formation of a Philadelphia General Meeting of Friends, comprising all members of both Philadelphia Yearly Meetings. Philadelphia General Meeting convened in the autumn of each year. Direction of this Meeting was vested in a Planning Committee of fifty, half of which would be appointed by each Yearly Meeting. Initially the sessions were limited to consideration of those projects which were already conducted jointly, including the American Friends Service Committee Friends Council on Education, etc., with two evenings of an inspirational or educational nature.

In 1950, agreement on the complete merger of the two yearly meetings was reached; this organic reunification was finally accomplished in 1955. The last session of Philadelphia General Meeting was held in 1954.

Records of the Philadelphia General Meeting (Society of Friends) and the joint committees appointed in anticipation of reunification, including the Joint Committee on a Common Book of Discipline, Faith and Practice and the Joint Committee on Organic Union. Also includes the relevant papers -- minutes and correspondence -- of committee members.