Society of Friends - Quakers
Known
also as Quakers, the Society of Friends can best be understood through the
lives of the early leaders. The founder was George Fox,
whose youth saw the rule of Charles I and his marriage to a French princess who
was a Roman Catholic, the Petition of Right, Archbishop Laud's harsh rules for
Nonconformists, the Puritan emigration to America,
and the meetings of the Long Parliament. His public career coincided with the
defeat and execution of Charles I, the Puritan Commonwealth under Cromwell, the
Stuart Restoration and the rule of James II, the Bill of Rights, and the "Glorious
Revolution" of 1688. Some of his contemporaries were Locke, Hobbes,
Milton, Dryden, Bunyan, Cromwell, Newton, Harvey,
Baxter, and Ussher.
In
1647 Fox experienced a profound change in his religious life. In 1652 he said
that he had a vision at a place called Pendle Hill; from that point on, he
based his faith on the idea that God could speak directly to any person.
Some
of the first converts of Fox were called "Friends" or "Friends
in Truth." The term "Quaker" was described by Fox as follows.
"The priest scoffed at us and called us Quakers. But the Lord's power was
so over them, and the word of life was declared in such authority and dread to
them, that the priest began trembling himself; and one of the people said, 'Look
how the priest trembles and shakes, he is turned a Quaker also.'"
According to Fox, the first person to use the term was Justice Bennet of Derby.
Among the early converts were English Puritians, Baptists, Seekers, and other
Nonconformists. The work spread to Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Quakerism
took on certain characteristics such as simplicity in the manner of living,
encouraging women to be ministers,
(great error, according to the Scripture, 1 Timothy 2:12-15 But I do not allow a woman to teach or
exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was
first created, and then Eve. And it was
not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into
transgression. But women shall be
preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love
and sanctity with self-restraint. And again, 1 Corientians 14:34-35 Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not
permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says. And if they desire to learn anything, let
them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak
in church.) Spiritual democracy
in meeting, absolute adherence to truth, universal peace and brotherhood
regardless of sex, class, nation, or race. Quakers refused to remove their hats
to those in authority and used the singular "thee" and
"thou" in their speech, while the common people were supposed to
address their betters as "you." In turn, they influenced the thought
and social ethics of the English speaking world far out of proportion to their
numbers. Fox was imprisoned eight times during his life, but he pioneered care
for the poor, aged, and insane, advocated prison reform, opposed capital
punishment, war, and slavery, and stood for the just treatment of American
Indians. Many of the above things were
good, but some against the Bible, and will of God!
George
Fox died in 1691, and the movement went into a quiet period. The center shifted
to America. The first Friends to visit American were Mary Fisher and Anne
Austin, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1656. They were sent away by the
magistrates, but others arrived after them. In 1659 William Robinson and
Marmaduke Stephenson were hanged on Boston Common, as was Mary Dyer the following
year.
Probably the best known historical figure in
the Society of Friends was William Penn. Born in 1644, he became a Quaker in
1667 and was an embarrassment to his father, Admiral Penn. King Charles II gave
young William a grant of land in American to repay a debt to his father, and
thus was launched Pennsylvania, a "holy experiment." By 1700 there
were Friends meeting in all of the colonies. Penn's tolerant policies attracted
immigrants from many places. Difficulties arose from the fact that the Quakers
wanted only to be at peace, while the British expected them to support the
colonial wars against the French and Indians. A similar situation arose when
the colonists revolted against the British in 1776.
A
division occurred in the Society of Friends about 1827, with one group
supporting the views of Elias Hicks, who believed that one should follow the
inner light. The other group was influenced by the evangelical movement and put
great emphasis on belief in the divinity of Christ, the authority of the
Scriptures, and the atonement, something they did not do up to this time.
Friends
were also active in the antislavery movement. John Woolman, Anthony Benezet,
Lucretia Mott, and John Greenleaf Whittier were involved in such activities as
the underground railroad and the Colonization Society. Benjamin Lundy's ideas
were presented in The Genius of Universal Emancipation.
The
tradition of caring for others, carried on through the American Civil War, and
the American Friends Service Committee was formed in 1917. The purpose of the
organization was to provide young conscientious objectors with alternative
service opportunities during wartime. A red and black star was chosen to
symbolize the group.
The
Society of Friends are optimistic about the purposes of God and the destiny of
mankind. Their ultimate and final authority for religious life and faith
resides within each individual. Many, but not all, seek for this truth through
the guidance of the inner light. They believe that they are bound to refuse
obedience to a government when its requirements are contrary to what they
believe to be the law of God, but they are willing to accept the penalties for
civil disobedience. They practice religious democracy in their monthly
meetings. After discussion of an issue, for example, the clerk states what
appears to be the mind of the group; but if a single Friend feels that he
cannot unite with the group, no decision is made. Their stand for religious
toleration is symbolized by the inscription on the statue of Mary Dyer across
from Boston Common: "Witness for Religious Freedom. Hanged on Boston
Common, 1660."
The
Society of Friends has no written creed. Their philosophical differences can be
seen in the fact that Richard Nixon was born into the group, while Staughton
Lynd joined because of their teachings. They do have an interest in education,
with the founding of Haverford, Earlham, Swarthmore, and other colleges. The
teaching by example has caused some to ask why Quakers do not preach what they
practice. Their ideal is to pursue truth at all costs, and it is hard to
imagine a higher calling here on earth.
See also GEORGE FOX.