Whittier Friends School
A Quaker School
6726 S. Washington Avenue
Whittier, CA 90601
(562) 945-1654
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[Taken from "Preface to George Fox's Journal]
Two things are to be considered: The doctrine they taught and the example they led among all people. I have already touched upon their fundamental
principle, which is the cornerstone of their fabric, and in deed, to speak
eminently and properly, their characteristic or main distinguishing point or
principle, viz., the light of Christ within, as God's gift for man's
salvation. This, I say, is as the root of the goodly tree of doctrines
that grew and branched out from it, which I shall now mention in their natural
and experimental order. The Quaker Testimonies Besides these general doctrines, as the larger branches, there sprang forth several particular doctrines, that did exemplify and further explain the truth and efficacy of the great doctrine before observed in their lives and examples. As,
To love enemies. This they both taught and practiced. For
they did not only refuse to be revenged for injuries done them, and
condemned it as of a unchristian spirit, but the did freely forgive, yea,
help and relieve those that had been cruel to them when it was in their
power to have been even with them (of which many and singular instances
might be given), endeavoring through faith and patience to overcome all
injustice and oppression and preaching this doctrine as Christian for others
to follow. Another was the sufficiency of truth-speaking, according to
Christ's own form of sound words of Yea, yea, and Nay, nay, among
Christians without swearing... Not fighting, but suffering is another testimony peculiar to
this people. They affirm that Christianity teacheth people to beat
their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, and to
learn war no more, that so the wolf may lie down with the lamb and lion with
the calf, and nothing that destroys be entertained in the hearts of
the people... Thus, as truth-speaking succeeded swearing, so faith and
patience succeeded fighting in the doctrine and practice of this people. Nor
ought they for this to be obnoxious to civil government, since if they
cannot fight for it, neither can they fight against it, which is no mean
security to any state. Nor is it reasonable that people should be blamed for
not doing more for others than they can do for themselves. And,
Christianity set aside, if the costs and fruits of war were well considered,
peace with all its inconveniences is generally preferable... Another part of the character of this people was and is,
they refuse to pay tithes or maintenance to a national ministry, and that
for two reasons. The one is, they believe all compelled maintenance,
even to gospel ministers to be unlawful, because expressly contrary to
Christ's command, Who said, "Freely you have received, freely
give"; at least, that the maintenance of gospel ministers should be
free and not forced. The other reason of their refusal is, because those
ministers are not gospel ones in that the Holy Ghost is not their
foundation, but human arts and parts. So that it is not matter of humor or
sullenness but pure conscience toward God that they cannot help to support
national ministries where they dwell, which are but too much and too visibly
become ways of worldly advantage and preferment. Not to respect persons was and is another of their doctrines
and practices for which they are often buffeted and abused. they
affirmed it to be sinful to give flattering titles or to use vain gestures
and compliments of respect, though to virtue and authority they ever made a
difference, but after their plain and homely manner, yet sincere and
substantial way; well remembering... the command of their Lord and Master
Jesus Christ, Who forbade His followers to call men Rabbi, which implies
Lord or Master. They also used the plain language of thou and thee
to a single person, whatever was his degree among men. They recommended silence by their example, having very few
words upon all occasions. They were at a word in dealing, nor could their
customers [with] many words tempt them from it, having more regard to truth
than custom, to example than gain. They sought solitude; but when in the
company they would neither use nor willingly hear unnecessary as well as
unlawful discourses, whereby they preserved their minds pure and undisturbed
from profitable thoughts and diversions. Nor could they humor the custom of
"Good night, good morrow, Godspeed," for they knew the night was
good and the day was good without wishing of either, and that in the other
expression the holy name of God was too lightly and unthinkingly used and
therefore taken in vain. Besides, they were words and wishes of course, and
are usually as little meant as are love and service in the custom of cap and
knee. For the same reason they forbore drinking to people nor
pledging of them, as the manner of the world is: a practice that is not only
unnecessary, but, they thought, evil in the tendencies of it, being a
provocation to drink more than did people good, as well as that it was
itself vain and heathenish... |