Quaker History

Towards the 17th century, the Puritan-raised George Fox became increasingly discouraged by the worsening moral conditions of society. George was unable to fill the spiritual void inside of him, until one day, he discovered his inner "Light". Next came the godly visions. George began to preach about the "true" Word of God, and soon, amassed a following - the Religious Society of Friends, later known as the "Quakers".

Many other mainline Christians viewed the Quakers as a dangerous sect, so much so that they pressured the British Parliament to pass the Quaker Act of 1662. This act set forth in law the “prescribed form” of prayer and worship as designated by the state. It was a formula that specifically left the traditions of the Quakers out. Unable to gain acceptance in England, the Quakers would soon leave the place of their origin altogether and try their luck in a brave new world on another continent.

The "Revelations of Divine Love" is a 14th-century book of Christian mystical devotions written by Julian of Norwich. It includes her sixteen mystical visions and contemplations on universal love and hope in a time of plague, religious schism, uprisings and war. Published in 1395, it is the first published book in the English language to be written by a woman.

Of all the original 13 colonies in America, only one owes its conception to one man, and indeed, Pennsylvania was and still remains bound up in the life and character of its founder, William Penn. Here was a man born into a military family who saw his father rise through the ranks of the 17th-century English court to become a friend of the king, and he even considered a military career for himself, only to leave it all behind to become a member of the "Society of Friends", known colloquially as the Quakers.

A Sweeping History of the Great State of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's story is America's story. From William Penn's radical experiment in religious tolerance to the furnaces that forged a nation's steel, from the battlefield at Gettysburg to the factories that armed democracy, this commonwealth has stood at the center of every chapter in the American narrative. In this sweeping history, Daniel Hardy traces Pennsylvania's journey from indigenous homeland through colonial diversity, revolutionary crucible, and industrial dominance to post-industrial reinvention. Here are the dreamers and the ...

William Penn was a very early Quaker in England. He knew George Fox (the founder of Quakerism) and was with the movement from the beginning.

Rebecca Mendenhall is counting the days to Christmas, when she'll wed Johnny Whittier in their Quaker Meeting House. But in September, a division is formed between Rebecca and Johnny. The Fugitive Slave Law is enacted, making it illegal to aid runaway slaves in Pennsylvania, punishable by heavy fines and prison sentences. Rebecca's parents are avid abolitionists and Johnny' father is not, believing Quakers must abide by the laws of the land. Division's among the Quakers on how to deal with this new law splits their Meeting House in two: Rebecca in one house and Johnny in another. Will ...

An invitation to experience more fully the life-changing power of sacred silence. For over a decade, J. Brent Bill's Holy Silence has been regarded as a contemporary classic on sacred silence. With warmth, wisdom, and gentle humor, Bill presents the Quaker practice of silence and expectant listening to a wider Christian audience.

While many denominations claim to be growing, the largest group in American religious life is the disillusioned—people who have been involved in the church yet see few similarities between the church's life and the person of Jesus. In the midst of elaborate programming, professional worship...

The birth of a world-changing idea in the middle of a bloodbath Einstein’s War is a riveting exploration of both the beauty of scientific creativity and enduring horrors of human nature. These two great forces battle in a story that culminates with a victory now a century old, the mind...

It is 1969 and Glasgow is in the grip of the worst winter in decades, yet it is something else that has Glaswegians on edge: a serial killer whose name alone is enough to make them tremble with fear. The Quaker has killed another victim, snatching a young woman from a nightclub and dumping her body like trash in the back of a cold-water tenement. He leaves no clues, and the investigation has led police down one blind alley after another.

An intimate account of the American Revolution as seen through the eyes of a Quaker pacifist couple living in Philadelphia. Spanning a half-century before, during, and after the war, this gripping narrative illuminates the Revolution’s darker side as patriots vilified, threatened, and in some cases killed pacifist Quakers as alleged enemies of the revolutionary cause. Amid chaos and danger, the Drinkers tried as best they could to keep their family and faith intact. A master storyteller takes his listeners on a moving journey they will never forget.

A thrilling celebration of a forgotten early American renegade, Not Your Founding Father reconsiders just how radical the American experiment could have been. Early in the morning of October 9, 1776—in the small farming community of Cumberland, Rhode Island, in a house surrounded by cherry...

Black Fire: African American Quakers on Spirituality and Human Rights gathers together the voices of 18 remarkable individuals who spoke and wrote as African Americans from within the Quaker community. They testify about their viewpoints on racial justice -- both within the Religious Society of Friends and society at large - and they speak of their life in the Spirit. As a collection, these selections exhibit the vitality and wisdom that three centuries of African American Quakers have contributed to and on behalf of Friends.

People are coming to America, all kinds of people. If you're European, you come in search of freedom or riches. If you're African, you come in chains. And what about the Indians, what is happening to them? Soon 13 colonies are born, each with its own story.

A book about a tiny island with a huge history, from a New York Times bestselling author of the forthcoming book, Valiant Ambition (May 2016) “For everyone who loves Nantucket Island this is the indispensable book.” —Russell Baker In his first book of history, Away Off Shore, New York...

Great Deceptions in Military History is a captivating exploration of the art of military deception, showcasing the ingenuity and cunning that have shaped the outcomes of pivotal conflicts throughout history. From ancient battlefields to the digital age, the book examines the recurring themes, ethical complexities, and evolving strategies that define deception as a cornerstone of warfare. The journey begins with legendary tales like the Trojan Horse, a masterstroke of guile that exemplifies the enduring power of exploiting enemy assumptions. It continues through history’s turning points, ...

The Fearless Benjamin Lay chronicles the transatlantic life and times of a singular and astonishing man - a Quaker dwarf who became one of the first ever to demand the total, unconditional emancipation of all enslaved Africans around the world. He performed public guerrilla theater to shame slave masters, insisting that human bondage violated the fundamental principles of Christianity.

Do you want to learn about William Penn but don’t have the time or patience to read a thick book? Then this is the short and concise book for you! Some of the interesting accomplishments of William Penn covered in the book are: An early convert to the Society of Friends or Quaker religion. Wrote several books and pamphlets promoting his faith. One of the original proprietors of the colony of West Jersey. Was granted a large tract of land in North America from King Charles II of England. In 1681 established the proprietary colony of Pennsylvania in North America. Promoted the new colony of...

This is the story of John Minns, a Quaker abolitionist who was shipwrecked near Nassau, Bahamas in 1800, and was rescued from a watery grave by Rosette, an African slave who was part of the cargo on board. In time, John and Rosette fell in love and this novel is about their subsequent adventures and their rise to prosperity. The book transports readers to 19th century Bahamas, and its many historical facts are gently imparted through conversations between the cast of colorful characters within its pages. It also examines the complexity of race relations in the colony at that time. This ...