Friendly Guide to Quakerism

This a web based copy of a 2004 publication written by Janet M. Cameron,Simon C. Lamb,R. Aidan McCarthy, and A. David Morton and approved by the Youth Committee of Ireland Yearly Meeting

The Friendly Guide to Quakerism

The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), a Christian denomination which began in the middle of the 1600s in the North West part of England, has had an effect in many parts of the world since that time. It has influenced commerce, science, social justice, politics and many other aspects of western society. The number of Friends worldwide has always been relatively small. They have never controlled countries and rarely held power, yet they have often been the social conscience and a thorn in the side of many governments. They have never gone to war, yet they have done battle against hunger, poverty and inequality.

In the last century, they became a truly world-wide movement with Friends on every continent. Since the early groups of Westmoreland Seekers met in Preston Patrick and Swarthmoor Hall in 1652, the spectrum of belief among Friends has broadened considerably. Today Irish Quakerism includes a diversity of spiritual belief and expression. Worldwide some 65- 70% of Friends would consider themselves evangelical of various shades, the remainder being of a more liberal persuasion. Both traditions claim strong roots in early Quakerism.

It is thought that the name 'Quaker' came about when a Justice Bennett, was told by George Fox, the founder of Friends, to tremble at the word of God. He responded by referring to Fox and those with him as Quakers.

In this publication, the Youth Committee of Ireland Yearly Meeting hopes to introduce you to a picture of Quakerism throughout the world. It is not a complete picture and it has more emphasis on Irish Quakerism than on some other areas. However it may help to explain our concerns and beliefs, challenging those reading it to consider the effect, the transforming power of the Love of God can have on their lives.

We openly recognise that while many Friends have contributed in a valuable way within society that each of us struggles to be obedient to the callings that God gives us.

Friends in Ireland

Early travelling Friends brought the message of Quakerism to Ireland. Some settled and others travelled convincing people of the truth of their message along the way. William Edmondson, was one such person. He was born in Westmoreland in England. Originally apprenticed in York to a carpenter and joiner, he married Margaret Stanford and travelled to Ireland to become a shopkeeper in Antrim. Whilst on a trip back to England for more stock, he met James Nayler and became a Friend. In 1654, the Edmondson family moved to Lurgan and set up the first regular meeting in Ireland in their home. Although some Friends, such as Richard Jacob, moved from England to Ireland because there was less persecution, life for William Edmondson was not easy and he was sent to Armagh gaol in 1654. Others who came from England included John Pirn who became a butcher in Mountmellick and William Penn who travelled in County Cork negotiating tenancies for his father.

Despite persecution, the number of Friends in Ireland grew and by the time George Fox visited in 1669, there was an established regional network of Meetings. There were few Friends who spoke Irish. An exception was Katharine Norton (nee Maclaughlin) who was born near Coleraine. She travelled to Barbados where she became a Friend after hearing George Fox preach. She returned to Ireland in 1678 where she travelled and preached. To this day there are few Friends from the Irish speaking population. Friends are remembered in Irish history for two main reasons. Firstly, their stand against violence in the 1798 Uprising and secondly their work to relieve suffering during the potato famines.

Some of the Quaker families in Ireland Yearly Meeting can trace their Quaker roots for many generations and are also linked to well known businesses e.g. Bewleys (coffee) and Jacobs (biscuits). Friends were involved in setting up schools. Four are still in operation today in Lisburn, Waterford, Drogheda and Dublin. Bloomfield Hospital in Dublin originally cared for the mentally ill and now provides care for the elderly. They were involved in setting up the railways in Ireland, Thomas Pirn being chairman of the first Irish railway company.

Today Friends social witness in Ireland includes the work of the Ulster Quaker Service Committee in Belfast, Quaker House in Belfast and Bloomfield Hospital in Dublin but things are continually changing. In 2000, permission was given by the Yearly Meeting for the work at Bloomfield Hospital to move to a larger site at Stocking Lane in Dublin. The Yearly Meeting Headquarters will also move there. With new meetings being started and old ones closing down as Friends move, Quakerism in Ireland is constantly changing. On December 31, 2003 there were 1573 Friends and 466 attenders in Ireland belonging to 24 Meetings.

Commemorative stamp showing George Fox and Ballitore Meeting House issued in 2004 to celebrate the 350 years of Quakerism in Ireland

Famine Soup Recipe

100 Gallons of Water

75 Lbs. Beef

35 Lbs. Dried Peas

21 Lbs. Oatmeal

21 Lbs. Barley

1,5 Lbs. Pepper

14 Lbs. Salt

Quaker soup kitchen in Cork during the potato Famine

George Fox(1624 - 1691)

In 1624, George Fox, the founder of the Religious Society of Friends, was born in Fenny Drayton in Leicestershire. His father, who was known as 'Righteous Christer', was a weaver and church warden. His mother, Mary Lago, was well educated and her family came from a long list of martyrs. George was trained in shepherding and shoemaking. His parents encouraged him to understand his religious beliefs for himself and to question what others believed. In his observations of others, he saw hypocrisy within the established church. At the age of nineteen, he left home and began visiting and questioning those who were considered to be religious people but he found few answers to his spiritual searching. He did however find many people, known as Seekers, who were also questioning the teachings of the state church and who were looking for answers. During a period of despair and depression, George Fox records in his journal that he heard a voice which said "There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition and when I heard it my heart did leap for joy". As a result, he became an itinerant preacher, sharing this discovery with others.

In May 1652, Fox felt moved to climb Pendle Hill. It was at the top as he looked across the countryside that he had a vision of 'a great people to be gathered'. He travelled on to Brigfiatts where he made contact with members of the Westmoreland Seekers. One Sunday, he was taken to Firbank Fell where these Seekers were holding a large Meeting in the Chapel. After it had finished, Fox preached for over 3 hours to around 1000 people, who were gathered outside, and many were convinced by his message. From that day onwards, Quakerism began to increase in numbers and become a unified group. It was shortly after this that Fox travelled to the home of Judge and Margaret Fell who became important supporters. Fox appears to have been a powerful speaker and debater who had a profound influence on all those he came in contact with. He was imprisoned many times and yet remained steadfast to his beliefs. His journal, in which his spiritual experiences are recorded, remains an influential book among Friends today. He died on 31/01/1691 and is buried in Bunhill Fields outside London.

To Be Completed

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