This is a new release of the original 1943 edition.

The Progressive Quakers, though long forgotten by historians, were the radical seed of activist American religion in much of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They included pioneer crusaders for abolition and women's rights. They denounced authoritarianism in churches and many traditional dogmas as well. They championed the application of reason to doctrine, the Bible and theology; yet they were also welcoming to the burgeoning spiritualist movement. Come right down to it, the Progressive Friends were just damned interesting. They also shaped the contemporary liberal stream of the Quaker religious movement. Among other outstanding figures of the era, Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott and William Lloyd Garrison were associated with them. They deserve a much better deal from historians than they ever got. And with this book, they're finally getting it. The documents in "Angels of Progress," collected in print for the first time, trace where the Progressive Friends came from, sketch some of their outstanding leaders, detail their agenda for change in both society and spirituality and track their struggle for a voice and recognition. Beginning as a band of pacifists, it also shows their agonizing over the Civil War, which pitted one of their key values -- nonviolence, against another -- ending slavery. Then we follow their evolution and impact through the post-Civil War decades, into the first "Gilded Age," and the emergence of modern imperialism and militarism--all issues with striking contemporary resonance. It shows their ultimate success in shaping today's liberal Quakerism, even as their separate identity faded. The book includes extensive samples of their theological work, plus introductions and overviews.

An invitation to experience more fully the life-changing power of sacred silence For over a decade, J. Brent Bill's Holy Silence has been regarded as a contemporary classic on sacred silence. With warmth, wisdom, and gentle humour, Bill presents the Quaker practice of silence and expectant listening to a wider Christian audience. Features include: Revised and expanded edition Includes new spiritual silence practices New section on incorporating holy silence into worship Written by one of the most respected interpreters of the Quaker tradition Introduces a fresh way of connecting with God

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1850 Edition.

A broad portrait of a way of life and a way of thought which is a live option for vital, contemporary Christians. D. Elton Trueblood, author of more than 30 books, depicts the Quaker experiment in radical Christianity. His portrayal of early Quakers and their lives is vital background for the impact that Quakers have had on society for more than three hundred years.