Kenneth S. P. Morse

20th Century Convinced Plain Friend


Photo of Ida Chamness and Kenneth Morse, 1944
(See Memorial for Ida Chamness (1867-1952), Quaker minister, written by Kenneth Morse.)

Kenneth Morse was born in Cleveland, OH, on 4th Month Seventh 1898 -- died 11th Month First 1982 in Baltimore, MD. He was convinced while sitting on a porch swing about the year 1914, when he heard a voice that said, "All war is wrong." Later in his academic career while at Harvard, he attended the Gurneyite Meeting at Cambridge. One First Day it was announced at meeting that two ministers from the "smaller body" would be in attendance at the afternoon meeting. These men were Cyrus Cooper and his companion, James Henderson. He remarked that he had never heard preaching after the Spirit before that time. He used to say that our duty as Friends was to turn people to the voice or light within them that is Christ. (As related to me by Friend Patrick J. Burns.)

Some of his Testimonies to the Truth

• No Need to be Ashamed of the Plain Language.
• The Fundamental Principle of the People Called Quakers—and Some of its Consequences.
• A Letter to the Truly Concerned.
• Be not Conformed to this World.
• For Those Who Profess to be Friends
• No. 12 Worldly Customs issued 6th mon. 1935.

With grateful acknowledgement to Friend Patrick J. Burns for sending me these Testimonies.

See also Ancient Worthy Elizabeth Stirredge.