Quakers are chary of doctrine, feeling that it seeks to limit our understanding of God and to shut people out rather than bring them in. In his 1982 Swarthmore Lecture book, the late Gerald Priestland drew upon his experience in exploring the doctrines of the churches for his broadcast series Priestland's Progress. In his talks with more than a hundred thoughtful churchpeople he found doctrine to be far more flexible and useful than many of us suppose. In his own words 'It is not a set of unreasonable certainties, but of reasonable uncertainties. It is a way of packaging and passing on information. It is a set of tools to work with, not a row of idols to worship'. Quakers do not need to hammer out doctrines of their own, but they can be an authentic part of the One Great Church only if they are prepared to come to terms with doctrinal thinking and see what it means.

From 1940 to 1946, Roger Cowan Wilson was General Secretary and Travelling Commissioner of the Friends Relief Service. Soon after his wartime experience, in 1949 he delivered the Swarthmore Lecture, and applied his clear thinking and his understanding of Quaker processes to examine how a religious concern can be made manifest in practical work, and what needs to be considered so that this can be organised. 'The true "concern" is a gift from God, a leading of his Spirit which may not be denied.' How is the authority for this held by a human organisation? What kind of people does it need to lead and carry out its work? Subtitled 'A study in motive and administration in Quaker relief work', Authority, Leadership and Concern was soon recognised as an essential book, was reprinted in 1970, and is still valuable in the next century.

If the holy potential is in each of us, and we recognise it, our behaviour towards others must be deeply affected. How could we abuse or treat them as enemies? Must we not try to heal relationships fractured by anger, fear and incomprehension, making use of the universal capacity for peace making that flows from 'that of God'? To do so effectively involves understanding the nature of unpeaceful relations and recognising that there are different types depending on the power balance of the protagonists. But some methods are always appropriate: recognising and responding to the good in the other, establishing and maintaining a relationship of trust, listening, perseverance. There is no box of magic peace making tricks. All depends on love and concern informed by experience and understanding.

Beth Allen offers her understanding of faithful discipleship, starting with how we experience and think about God. She explores how we can think and worship today in integrity to our inner selves and to our knowledge of the world, and takes a practical approach to theological and philosophical concepts, from her Quaker and Anglican experience. We need a solid foundation to ground us as we reach for the ideals, the actions which will make peace and justice real today. For Quakers, this starts with the meeting for worship, and continues with the experience of God found in words from Quaker and other traditions. The cool stillness of the Spirit is the source of enormous, exuberant life.

"The right joining in marriage is the work of the Lord only, and not the priests' or magistrates, for it is God's ordinance and not man's; and therefore Friends cannot consent that they should join them together: for we marry none; it is the Lord's work, and we are but witnesses." So wrote George Fox in 1669 in Quaker Faith & Practice 16.01. How can any couple be clear that they are called to steadfast commitment to each other? How can the meeting witness this divine work, and uphold the couple? The Quaker understanding of marriage is rooted in our history, unique, yet evolving. How could a meeting support a couple of the same sex who ask to celebrate their life long commitment before God and in the care of the meeting? This is a practical and inspiring book for those responsible for oversight or eldership. It will help registering officers and everyone concerned for committed partnerships. Couples considering their life together may find this informative and supportive.

Outlining a life of discipleship in Christ, William Penn addresses topics relevant today such as daily bearing the cross, worship and our inner character. Selleck's modern English translation makes this classic (written in 1668) easily readable in the 21st century.

Where do we stand on lived witness, on social testimony? Both in the essay by Jonathan Dale, which carries forward ideas expounded in his Swarthmore Lecture of 1996, and the short contributions from many Friends, we get a glimpse of other people's experience of the living truth. As Jonathan Dale says, 'The more the Light is followed, the deeper the joy and the readier we may be for the next step'. Quaker Books hopes that this book will inspire readers to think more on how we live out our testimonies in our lives, to develop a culture of mutual accountability, and to share the lessons from our own journeys. When we say that God is love, the integrity of our claim is known by the degree to which it is lived out in our lives. The examples given here should provide much to stimulate further action by us all.

Rex Ambler's collection of passages from the writings of George Fox (1624-1691) is intended to make available his clearest and most profound writings from the whole range of his works, and to display them in such a way as to show the connections between them. It should therefore be possible, reading the text through, to gain a picture of Fox's whole vision. The anthology is presented in parallel with a translation into modern English, a glossary and a concluding essay 'Making sense of Fox'. This edition has some minor revisions.

This book is an attempt to study historically and critically the religious movement inaugurated in the New World by the Quakers, an important movement both for the history of the development of religion and for the history of the American Colonies, and to present it not only in its external setting but also in the light of its inner meeting. At the time of original publication in 1911, Rufus M. Jones, M.A., D.Litt., was Professor of Philosophy at Haverford College; Isaac Sharpless, D.Sc., was President of Haverford College; and Amelia M. Gummere, was author of The Quaker - A Study in Costume.

Doug Gwyn has researched and written extensively on early Quakers in 17th-century England. His other books include Apocalypse of the Word, and Seekers Found. He has taught at the Pendle Hill Quaker Study Center near Philadelphia, and at Woodbrooke in Birmingham, England. Doug has also worked with the American Friends Service Committee, and is Pastor of First Friends Church, Richmond, Indiana. The Covenant Crucified combines the scholarly and prophetic to compare "covenant," uniting people under the care of a transcendent God, and "contract," uniting them primarily through secular visions of self-interest. "This book, part of Doug Gwyn's trilogy on early Quaker history, is critical to our understanding of early Friends and how the movement changed in the first decades. Gwyn outlines the highly distinctive nature of the Quaker covenant of light, and how that was transformed within a generation into a more worldly contractual understanding. It is also a call to Quakers today to recover a sense of covenant for the journey ahead." - Ben Pink Dandelion, Quaker Studies tutor, University of Birmingham/Woodbrooke

This life of Fox was written, not primarily for those who are his followers and disciples in name and faith, but rather for that wider group of persons who are only remotely acquainted with him as a 17th century figure in leather breeches, the founder of the Quakers and an apostle of the divine in man.

Walter R. Williams presents a picture of the courage, faith, devotion, and sacrifice that have been displayed throughout the history of Quakerism. Biographical sketches of Quaker leaders challenge the reader to Christian integrity and selfless service.

Silence is a key characteristic of Quaker worship. The author shares his experience of learning to wait in the silence and find God. Perfect for seekers, inquirers and seasoned Friends.

Originally published in 1921. This is the 1930's enlarged and revised edition. . Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. A detailed history of Quakerism. The author has set forth an important historical sketch of the Society of Friends in England, with chapters on early American Quakerism and Quaker work world wide. Contents Include: The century preceding George Fox. George Fox: The name "Quaker" The Inner Light and Salvation. The inner light and the scriptures: The expression of the new experience. Publishing the message. Early Quakerism in Ireland and America. The work of William Penn. The Quaker worship: Meetings in early days. Members one of another. The leadings of the light: Plainness, Oaths, War, Honesty: The exaggeration of Nayler. The restoration: Persecution. The Quaker meeting for Church business. The 18th century. Quietism and seclusion: The "Circular Meetings." Tradition. Philanthropy. Work for slaves. The peace testimony. Social life. The 19th century. Emergence from seclusion. The evangelical movement. Joseph John Gurney. History of Quaker ministry. Foreign and home mission work. Adult and childrens schools. The new thought. John Wilhelm Rowntree. Peace service during and after the Great war. All Friends Conference 1920 and the Peace Testimony. The soul of Quakerism. etc.

27 Quakers from 13 Yearly Meetings in four countries tell how they combine committed membership of the Religious Society of Friends with rejection of traditional belief in a transcendent, personal and supernatural God. For some of these 'nontheist' Friends, God is no more (but no less) than a symbol of the wholly human values of 'mercy, pity, peace and love'. For others, the idea of God and 'God-language' has become an archaism and a stumbling-block. Readers who seek a faith or world-view free of supernaturalism, whether they are Friends, members of other traditions or drop-outs from old-time religion, will find themselves in the company of a varied group whose search for an authentic 21st century understanding of religion and spirituality has led them to declare themselves 'Godless - for God's Sake'.

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishings Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the worlds literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Imagine two churches or meetings located on opposite sides of the street in Anytown, U.S.A. Who can say with certainty why one thrives for generations and the other never does? Or why, with similar histories in terms of attendance, one congregation suddenly explodes with new growth while the other dwindles? A variety of factors influence patterns of growth and vitality. In 1998, Earlham School of Religion conducted a national consultation during which Friends discussed their hopes and fears regarding the state of the Religious Society of Friends. On numerous occasions the School heard reports of vitality that deserved further investigation. Where the Wind Blows is the result of surveys and conversations with nine groups of Friends. This project had two primary goals: share positive news of worship and ministry among Friends; and create a resource for Friends seeking assistance with their own quest for vitality. ESR is pleased to offer this book in service to its constituents and other interested readers.

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishings Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the worlds literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

This book is an attempt to study historically and critically the religious movement inaugurated in the New World by the Quakers, an important movement both for the history of the development of religion and for the history of the American Colonies, and to present it not only in its external setting but also in the light of its inner meeting. At the time of original publication in 1911, Rufus M. Jones, M.A., D.Litt., was Professor of Philosophy at Haverford College; Isaac Sharpless, D.Sc., was President of Haverford College; and Amelia M. Gummere, was author of The Quaker - A Study in Costume.

This volume begins with Appreciations of Fox by his wife and Thomas Ellwood. It is the record of his life and ministry. Fox developed strong opinions about religion and rebelled against the state control of the Church of England. In 1643 he began touring the country giving sermons where he argued that consecrated buildings and ordained ministers were irrelevant to the individual seeking God. After the formation of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, in 1652, Fox and his associates suffered under brutal persecution from the English government. His journal was initially dictated to his stepson-in-law when they were both imprisoned in the mid-1670s. It reads with the burning rage against social injustice and a visionary sense of God that came from Fox's own persecution and suffering.

This work presents the world with a brief, but true account of the Quakers' principles, in some short theological positions, which, according to the will of God, proving successful, beyond Mr. Barclay's expectation, to the satisfaction of several, and to the exciting in many, a desire of being farther informed concerning the Quakers, as being everywhere evil spoken of; and likewise meeting with public opposition by some, so long as the devil rules in the children of disobedience. He presents this apology of the truth held by those people. Due to the age and scarcity of the original we reproduced, some pages may be spotty, faded or difficult to read. Written in Old English.

This volume discusses the agreement of the Quakers in owning and asserting the principal doctrines of the Christian religion, demonstrated in the sermons or declarations of several of their public preachers, namely: Robert Barclay, George Whitehead, John Bowater, Charles Marshall, William Bingley, John Butcher, James Park, William Dewsberry, Francis Camfield, William Penn, Richard Ashby, Samuel Waldenfield, John Vaughton and Francis Stamper, exactly taken in shorthand as they were delivered by them at their meeting houses. Due to the age of the original we reproduced, some pages may be spotty or faded. Written in Old English.

Contents: brief outline of the Quaker movement; poor relief; education; battle against alcoholism; public health, care of the insane; prison reform; abolition of the slave trade and of slavery; conclusion; bibliography.