Friends

(frendz,) or QUAKERS. (Eccl. Hist.) A religious sect which made its first appearance in England during the Protectorate of Cromwell. Their founder was George Fox (q. v.). He proposed but few articles of faith, insisting chiefly on moral virtue, mutual charity, the love of God, and a close attention to the inward motions and secret operations of the Spirit. He required a plain, simple worship, and a religion without ceremonies, making it a principal point to await in profound silence the direction of the Holy Spirit. They soon settled into a regular body, profe ing great austerity of behavior, a singular probity and uprightne in their dealings, a great frugality at their tables, and a remarkable plainne and simplicity in their dre . They were subjected for a long time to constant persecution; and their refusal to take oaths and pay tithes was a source of great suffering to them. But since the time of William III., their affirmation has been received instead of an oath, and is so received in the U. States. Their system or tenets are laid down by Robert Barclay, one of their members, in a sensible, well-written "Apology," addre ed to Charles II. Their pp. doctrines are:-" that God has given to all men, without exception, supernatural light, which light eth every man that cometh into the world that the Scriptures were indeed given by inspiration, and are preferable to all the other writings in the world;" but that they are no more than secondary rules of faith and practice, in subordination to the light or Spirit of God, which is the primary rule; that immediate revelation has not ceased, a measure of the Spirit being given to every one; that all religious ceremonies of mere human institution ought to be laid aside; that immodest society, the saluting one another by pulling off the hat, bending the body, or other humiliating postures, should be abolished; and that the use of the singular pronoun thou, when addre ing one person, instead of the customary you, should be strictly adhered to. They further laid it down as a solemn obligation, not to take an oath, encourage war, engage in private contests, nor even carry weapons of defence. On a most vital question of Christian faith, one of their body has lately thus written: " Although ' Friends' do not call the Holy Scriptures the Word of God, but apply this epithet exclusively to the Lord Jesus Christ, yet they believe that these sacred writings are the words of God, written by holy men, even as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; that they are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousne ; that the man of God maybe perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works, and that they are able to make wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. They also hold them to be the most perfect and authentic declarations of Christian faith, and the only fit out ward standard in all religious controversies; and that | whatever, either in doctrine or practice, any profe or do, though under pretence of the guidance of the Holy Spirit, if it be contrary to or inconsistent with the testimony of the Holy Scriptures, it is to be esteemed a delusion or error." The Society is governed by its own code of discipline, which is enacted and supported by meetings of four degrees, for discipline; namely, preparatory, monthly, quarterly, and yearly meetings. The preparative meetings serve to prepare the busine for the monthly meetings, in which the executive power is principally lodged, subject however to the revision and control of the quarterly meetings, which again are subordinate and accountable to the yearly meeting, and subject to its supervision and direction. Its authority is paramount, and it po e es the sole power to make or amend the discipline. There are at present ten yearly meetings, namely, those held in London, Dublin, New England, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Virginia, N. Carolina, Ohio, and Indiana, which include a total of about 150,000 members. They are divided into two branches: Friends and Orthodox Friends, the former being the most numerous. [s. 386]