The Religious Society of Friends saw it’s beginnings in the mid 17th century following the English Civil War

George Fox

Feeling a deep void in the churches of his day, George Fox earnestly sought to find what was wrong. The answer came when a voice seemed to speak to his inmost soul. “There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition.” and when he heard it he said, “my heart did leap for joy.” He then knew that the way to communion with God could be found without aid of ritual or clergy and his distinctive message from then on to his generation was that Christ speaks directly to each human soul who earnestly seeks Him.

“Be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit from thy own thoughts and then thou wilt feel the principle of God to turn thy mind to the Lord, from whence cometh life.”

Growth

Throughout the second half of the 17th century the Society gained in numbers and spread from England to Ireland, Europe, the Caribbean and North America. During this period Quakers faced opposition from both the Church and State as dissenters and nonconformist. Many were imprisoned for not paying tithes, refusing to swear oaths and acts seen as disrespectful to the magistrates such as addressing them as “thee” or not doffing their hat. Many died in prison. The 1689 Act of Toleration eased the persecution.

From 1682 William Penn’s “Holy Experiment” in Pennsylvania provided a safe place for Quakers to worship and live. Many Friends came to Pennsylvania swelling it’s Quaker population. Over time Friends migrated from Pennsylvania down the eastern seaboard south as far as Georgia. Over the next two centuries Friends spread to the Midwest and the West as led. These years saw the Society grow, fracture and decline up to the present day.

Friends still look back to the early Friends for inspiration and to the Inner Teacher for guidance. Although smaller as a whole the Religious Society of Friends is widespread and active in upholding the testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship.

Any detailed look at Quaker history can be achieved by reading the many books concerning the subject held within our Meeting Library.