Voice In The Wilderness

Originally Aired: March 5, 1941 In Cavalcade of America #216, "Voice In The Wilderness," William Penn, son of Admiral Sir William Penn, faces his father's fury and disinheritance after repeatedly choosing his Quaker faith over a promising court career. Despite being trained to become an ambassador or minister, the younger Penn finds himself drawn to the Society of Friends and their belief in equality before God, even wearing his hat before nobility as a symbol of this conviction. His father pays his fines time and again, exasperated by his son's seeming waste of privilege and position. When royal officers close the Quaker meeting houses, Penn boldly preaches in the street, standing atop a balustrade to address his fellow Friends. This act leads to his arrest alongside William Meade for conspiracy to disturb the king's peace. At their trial before the Lord Mayor of London, Penn and Meade face contempt charges simply for wearing their hats in court. When the jury delivers a partial verdict finding Penn guilty only of preaching and Meade not guilty, the recorder refuses to accept it, threatening to starve the jurors until they produce a conviction for conspiracy that satisfies the court.