| Description | Taylor Cadbury begins this long address by remarking that 'in order to have an intelligent point of view & to avoid the danger, by no means remote, of passing through the world as a blind automatom - the eyes of the understanding must be enlightened'. She emphasises the importance of developing 'mental eyesight' and understanding different points of view 'to form an opinion on any of the social questions of the day'. Taylor Cadbury refers to the studies of poverty in York undertaken by Benjamin Seebohm Rowntree (1871-1954), encouraging people to 'look below the surface'. She also includes different examples of seeing and understanding in relation to astronomy and botany, suggesting 'our faith may be strengthened by the possession of cultivated sight.'
Taylor Cadbury's address includes many literary, artistic and scientific examples with references to William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) and a long account of the contribution made by John Ruskin (1819-1900). She suggests that Ruskin was responsible for opening up 'new visions' to people 'whose life must be lived out within narrow walls & in dull soul-depressing streets.' Taylor Cadbury also remarks that 'the problems of the world' required 'enlightened vision', referring to the works of Browning and Arnold.
In the final section of her address Taylor Cadbury considers how 'members of the Society of Friends need quite specially this spiritual insight', remarking 'if the eyes of the heart or understanding are unenlightened the whole fabric of our mode of worship falls to the ground.' She concludes her address by emphasising the importance of enlightening the eyes of the soul to gain an appreciation of 'the love of God', encouraging her audience to recognise the higher spiritual dimension of life. |
| AdminHistory | Although this address is undated, Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's reference to the recent publication of Benjamin Seebohm Rowntree's study of poverty in York, 'Poverty: A Study of Town Life' (1901), indicates that it dates from the early 1900s. |