EDITORIALS
The Friends Conference on Religion and Psychology has passed an important milestone. Its anniversary celebrated 40 years of attention to the relationship between religion and psychology and the means by which this experience might be shared. Equally important to Conference members has been the celebration of the life and work of its founder, Elined Kotschnig. How fortunate that Lucy Eddinger was able to record Elined’s memories of how it all began, for on June 30, 1983, just four weeks after the Conference weekend, she passed from this world into the next. The mailing of issue number 99 was delayed so that a memorial might be inserted in it. In many ways the information included here is a finer testament to the person that she was and to the meaning of her life. Elined was delighted that conference members were to reconsider those early years at an Anniversary Tea. And she would have enjoyed knowing that the portrait of herself, which was to accompany Lucy Eddinger’s article in this issue, was the one taken by the nurse who had come to love and admire her. It is lovely to realize that a relationship fashioned during the last months of Elined’s life was one which led to a life change for one who cared for her.
The Conference “pioneers,” who were able to attend the Anniversary Tea and those who wrote, shared warm memories of our first times together. Elined’s article in Inward Light, called “Our First Decade, ” and Margaret I. Thomas’ historical survey, largely based on Executive Committee minutes, as well as the announcements, reports and articles which appeared in Inward Light, have provided a rich resource for our 40-year perspective on the Conference. The Conference “Manifesto,” the first basic list of conference topics and speakers which has been updated, and several personal letters are copies of those on file at the Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore College. Beyond that, personal visits and telephone calls helped to clarify blurred memories. It has been a challenging undertaking, which has changed its shape numerous times, but was always—and continues to be—exciting and thought provoking.
Editors, like Gilbert and Sullivan, or rather policemen, sometimes find themselves caught on the horns of a dilemma. When Lucy described the tall “Quaker” hats in a picture on Elined’s wall, these know-it-alls protested and hastened to Haverford’s Quaker Collection. After all we knew Quaker women wore bonnets and Quaker men wore flat tops! The catalog referred us to an illustrated book entitled Benjamin Furly and Quakerism in Rotterdam by William Isaac Hull. The retired archivist directed us to a picture hanging on the wall. Both showed women in tall Welsh hats apparently in Meeting for Worship! Both, we were informed, were engravings after the manner of Egbert van Heemskerk, a Dutch artist who enjoyed making caricatures of religious enthusiasts. Whether Elined’s picture was an “after the manner of,” a copy of—or even an original—is anybody’s guess. Well! What do you know about that!
And then there’s the matter of “sin.” Elined’s story regarding what John Wesley said about William Penn’s wife, makes an important point. As any Jungian knows the Quaker intent to do the will of God, referring conflicts and problems to the Inner Light, can be a denial of the shadow. We were certainly startled to discover that John Wesley died before the biography he was supposed to have been reading ever appeared in print. Who was Elined referring to? Another religious reformer? Another good Quaker woman? If you have any clues, please do let us know.
Your editors are especially pleased to include in this issue Robert Johnson’s presentation of the mandorla material in “The Relationship of the Inner and the Outer” and the Indian tale, “The Story of One-Two Man,” which they believe has never before appeared in print. Having surveyed forty years of Conference events and the goals which it has articulated, it seems altogether appropriate that the speaker for the Anniversary Conference should have so beautifully exemplified what we had come to expect.
Are you confused about which issue of Inward Light your subscription covers? Were you afraid the last issue might have been lost in the mail? All members, and all non-members with paid subscriptions, should have received issue #99 in July 1983. We are pleased that the present issue is nearly twice as thick as usual and, we hope, will compensate somewhat for only one issue again this year. Non-members will continue to receive two issues for $6.00 whenever they come out. Shortage of funds and the overhaul of non-member subscription records should be a thing of the past. Decontaminating the poisoned atmosphere at 749 Polo Road, following the removal of asbestos as well as termites, will continue to plague your editors for a while. Additional editorial assistance should move production forward more efficiently. Most of the material is on hand for the next two issues. An important article which had been delayed is now underway. Perhaps you can help. We’re looking for material on a dream which has brought insight and change for the dreamer.