| Description | In this address Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury remarks that solitary communion with God was only 'good' when 'coupled with a universal spirit, a sense of brotherhood' and 'an acknowledgement of the interdependence of the human soul'. She suggests that whilst meditation and solitude were necessary 'for the health and development of the soul', at times it was necessary to merge one's individuality 'in the life of the community, of the nation, or of the congregation', becoming 'one great voice' in worship.
Taylor Cadbury considers the political and spiritual force of 'great gatherings of people' with reference to biblical and historical examples. She describes the positive instances but also the negative forces of large gatherings with reference to meetings during the French Revolution and 'the evils of the Music Hall and the modern drama'. She contrasts these examples with the electric atmosphere created by 'meeting together in the right spirit for congregational worship'. Taylor Cadbury examines the 'effect of thought contact' amongst an audience and considers 'the recognition of the need of general assemblies, for the exercise of spiritual faculties' in the histories of different religions. She also refers to examples from the Psalms.
Taylor Cadbury provides an account of different forms of congregational worship, suggesting that 'the Meeting for Congregational Worship' was central to Quakerism. She states that Meeting offered 'the widest field for spiritual growth, & gives scope for most interesting developments.' Taylor Cadbury describes the atmosphere at Quaker Meeting in terms of an 'electric current passing from one to another'. She also remarks on the requirements for effective Quaker congregational worship, exploring the experience of hearing the 'Divine Voice'. |