Allendale Friends’ Meeting House

Allendale Friends’ Meeting House in Northumberland was built in 1868 but its datestone reminds us that it replaced an earlier building of 1733 (which was itself a replacement of one from 1688 which would have been very interesting had it survived). Small and plain, though in no way able to detract from its beautiful surroundings, its struck me as the archetypical Quaker place of worship. Peculiarly, a peace vigil is to be held there next month at the summer solstice; whether the violent presidents and giddy generals of the world take note, time shall tell.

Next to the meeting house, predicatably, is the caretaker’s cottage, from a top window of which a rather handsome border collie peered out at us. Whether he wanted to play (most likely) or give trespassers a good bite, I do not know. Yet I feared he would jump from the ledge to join us with sufficient encouragement; for this reason, I gave him less attention than I would have liked.

While many yearn to ‘get away’ from civilisation and move to places like this where problems are few and people even fewer, we also have a built-in desire for fellowship, both with God and with each other. The dog wanted to meet us, and I the dog; Friends troubled by war wish to gather and do together whatever happens at vigils. Those of us who have accepted the truth of the gospel have a desire to meet with fellow believers, be they ever so few. Fellowship is sweet, and dissenting meeting houses in particular, to which there has never been any legal compulsion to attend, are a testimony to this.

And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together. Numbers 8:9

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