Background
John Wilbur was born on June 17, 1774 at Hopkinton, R. I, a descendant of Samuel Wilbur and the son of Thomas and Mary (Hoxie) Wilbur.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
book
Republication of the Letters of John Wilbur to George Crosfield: Together With Some Selections From his Correspondence and Other Writings : With an ... New England Yearly Meeting of Friends, 1879
( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
https://www.amazon.com/Republication-Letters-Wilbur-George-Crosfield/dp/1378075579?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1378075579
John Wilbur
Edit ProfileEducation
He received a common-school education and for several years taught in the public schools of Rhode Island.
Career
Religion of the type in which he was bred by his pious parents soon became the supreme interest of his life. He was recorded a minister of the Society of Friends in 1812, and became an effective preacher of the inspirational or prophetic type. He was known for his rugged moral integrity and for his unswerving convictions. Wilbur spent the years 1831-33 in an eventful preaching tour in Great Britain and Ireland, where he became the zealous opponent of the evangelical movement, which, under the leadership of Joseph John Gurney (1788 - 1847), brother of Elizabeth Fry, the famous prison reformer, was invading the Society of Friends. In 1832 Wilbur published in England a series of letters which he had written to George Crosfield, under the title Letters to a Friend on Some of the Primitive Doctrines of Christianity. They strongly defended the old-time Quaker position on the Inward Light and emphasized what the writer believed to be dangerous innovations that were threatening to transform the Society of Friends. No mention was made by name of Gurney, but his line of teaching was obviously attacked. Gurney spent the years 1837 and 1838 on a preaching tour in America, and Wilbur became his settled opponent, challenging the distinguished visitor at many points in his extensive travels. The effect of Gurney's visit in America was quite extraordinary, and in most of the Quaker sections members of the Society of Friends were carried in large numbers over to the evangelical position which Gurney championed. In consequence of this changed attitude, Wilbur's attacks upon Gurney and his movement were resented and produced a serious amount of friction. Disciplinary proceedings were launched against him and as the Monthly Meeting to which he belonged loyally supported him the superior Meetings employed unusual methods to deal with him, which his friends resented. By such proceedings he was finally expelled from membership in 1843. His supporters appealed the case to the New England Yearly Meeting and failing to receive satisfaction, separated in 1845 to the number of five hundred. They were popularly known as "Wilburites" and the larger body, containing 6500, were known as "Gurneyites. " Officially the smaller body was called "New England Yearly Meeting of Friends" and the larger body, "The Yearly Meeting of Friends for New England. " Separations of larger or smaller groups followed in New York and Ohio, while a large part of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting gave sympathy and support to the "Wilburites. " In 1853-54 Wilbur made a second trip to England. He died at Hopkinton, R. I.
Achievements
Works
book
-
Republication of the Letters of John Wilbur to George Crosfield: Together With Some Selections From his Correspondence and Other Writings : With an ... New England Yearly Meeting of Friends, 1879
( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
-
Republication of the Letters of John Wilbur to George Crosfield: Together With Some Selections From his Correspondence and Other Writings : With an ... New England Yearly Meeting of Friends, 1879
Connections
On October 17, 1793, he was married to Lydia Collins of Stonington, Connecticut.
-
Born
-
Died
May 1, 1856 (aged 81) -
Nationality
American -
Religion
Quaker