In the Michener novel “Chesapeake”, the Quaker difference is highlighted in a colonial colloquy between a Catholic priest and an outspoken adherent of the new Religious Society of Friends.
After establishing that his once-persecuted counterpart ? a Quaker woman enjoying sanctuary on Maryland’s Eastern Shore ? accepted both Christ’s divinity and scripture’s validity, the priest asked if she then agreed with St. Paul’s 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 admonition that women should keep silent in church. “It is quite possible to love Jesus, but to wonder about Paul,” the woman brightly responded.
Emblematic of this Puritanism-breakaway’s mid-seventeenth century revolt against creed, sacrament, ritual and hierarchy in established English religions, Ruth Brinton’s simple, scrappy reply characterizes Quaker belief.
“It is fair to say thatfriends observe Easter, but Quakers have never emphasized holidays. There’s the feeling that every day should be in close communication with our spiritual self, with the inner light, and with God,” said Riley Robinson, general secretary of the society’s Baltimore Yearly Meeting.
Asked if Quakers believe in Christ’s resurrection, Robinson responded carefully, “Friends are quite individualistic [here] … Traditionally, they observe the teachings and of the life of Christ, and emphasize less individual events in Christ’s life.”
“Quakerism has a strong Christian base,” Robinson explained, noting that Quakers ? which name purportedly comes from its founder telling an English magistrate to “tremble” at the word of God ? reject intermediaries with God, “but allows for continuing revelation.”
The Quakers mid-1600s’ founding is attributed to Englishman George Fox, whose insights incurred widespread persecution. These insights led to Quaker holdings, or “testimonies” ? such as simplicity, integrity, peace and equality. Today there are some 45 Quaker congregations ? or “monthly meetings” ? within the Chesapeake Bay watershed-spanning (except Eastern Shore) Baltimore Yearly Meeting and about 4,000 members. Nationally there are about 100,000 Quakers.
Quakers have a communally mystical religion that relies on consensus and direct spiritual inspiration ? rather than in doctrine, theology, or, in some assemblies, scripture itself ? at Sunday (or “First Day”) meetings.
Stony Run Monthly Meeting
5116 N. Charles St.
Baltimore
443-703-2590
