Quakers
In 1647, a young man named George Fox stood in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and claimed to receive a revelation that Christ Jesus could speak directly to his condition. This moment marked the beginning of a movement that would challenge the established Church of England. Fox believed it was possible to have a direct experience of God without the aid of ordained clergy. He traveled extensively through England, the Netherlands, and Barbados preaching this message. The name Quaker originated from an incident in 1650 when Fox told a judge named Gervase Bennet to tremble at the word of the Lord. Bennet mocked him by calling them Quakers, but the term eventually became widely accepted. By 1680, the number of Quakers in England and Wales had reached a peak of 60,000 people. Despite their growth, they faced severe persecution under laws like the Quaker Act of 1662 and the Conventicle Act of 1664. Women played a crucial role early on, with figures like Margaret Fell helping to define the community's structure. They developed new concepts of family and community emphasizing holy conversation. In 1659, over 7,000 women signed a petition opposing tithes, showing their active participation in political life.
Quakerism spread rapidly across the globe after its founding in mid-17th-century England. Early missionaries like Mary Fisher and Ann Austin arrived in Boston in July 1656, facing imprisonment and banishment for their beliefs. Mary Dyer was executed near Boston Common on the 1st of June 1660, becoming one of four martyrs known as the Boston martyrs. William Penn established Pennsylvania and West Jersey in 1676 and 1682 respectively, creating colonies where Quakers could practice freely. These communities thrived in Delaware Valley despite ongoing persecution in areas like New England. By 2017, there were an estimated 377,557 adult Quakers worldwide. Nearly half, or 49 percent, lived in Africa, while 22 percent resided in North America. Kenya alone had 119,200 Quakers, making it home to the largest concentration of Friends globally. Other significant populations existed in Burundi with 47,600 members and Bolivia with 28,500. The movement also grew in Latin America and Asia through missionary efforts starting in the late 19th century. Missionaries founded schools such as Ramallah Friends School in Palestine and Brummana High School in Lebanon. Today, African Yearly Meetings often follow programmed worship styles influenced by Orthodox Friends from earlier centuries.
Differences in belief led to multiple divisions within the Religious Society of Friends over time. The Hicksite-Orthodox split occurred around 1827 due to ideological and socioeconomic tensions between agrarian poor and urban wealthy Quakers. Elias Hicks's universalist views precipitated this Great Separation, creating parallel systems of Yearly Meetings. Another division arose when Isaac Crewdson published A Beacon to the Society of Friends in 1835, leading to his resignation and that of about 250 other British Quakers. Joseph John Gurney led a movement toward evangelical Christianity known as Gurneyite Quakerism. This shift caused some Orthodox Friends to form Conservative Friends groups under John Wilbur after he was expelled in 1842. In 1887, the Richmond Declaration of Faith was adopted by many Orthodox Friends but rejected by London Yearly Meeting. Liberal Quakerism emerged later through figures like Rufus Jones and Rowntree, emphasizing social gospel and critical biblical hermeneutics. Universalist Friends formed in the late 1970s with John Linton founding the Quaker Universalist Fellowship in Britain. Non-theist Friends also appeared, with David Boulton establishing the Nontheist Friends Network in 2011. These splits reflect diverse interpretations of core beliefs ranging from strict orthodoxy to complete rejection of traditional theology.
Quakers made significant contributions to banking, manufacturing, and the British Industrial Revolution. Abraham Darby I played an important role in ironmaking innovations alongside Edward Pease who promoted the Stockton and Darlington Railway. This railway was the world's first public railway using steam locomotives. Prominent businesses founded by Friends include Barclays PLC, Lloyds Banking Group, Allen & Hanburys pharmaceuticals, Cadbury chocolate, Fry's confectionery, Rowntree sweets, Clarks footwear, and Huntley & Palmers biscuits. Voltaire noted the spirit of commerce and religious diversity in Great Britain based on Quaker examples. They also established educational institutions such as Friends School Saffron Walden in England and Friends' School Hobart in Australia which became the largest Quaker school globally. Many Friends worked in industries ranging from shoe making to biscuit production. Their success earned them descriptions like natural capitalists by media outlets. Despite their economic achievements, they maintained distinct practices separating them from mainstream society while contributing significantly to national development.
Two main types of worship exist among Quakers today: programmed and waiting worship. Programmed services feature prepared biblical messages delivered by pastors along with hymns and readings found in about 89 percent of global meetings. Waiting worship involves expectant silence where anyone may speak if led by the Spirit. This style characterizes roughly 11 percent of worldwide membership including most British and European groups. Meetings last around an hour ending when elders exchange a handshake signifying peace. Decision-making occurs through consensus rather than voting during business meetings called meeting for worship with concern for business. No one votes; instead, the group seeks God's will collectively. Recorded Ministers were once recognized for vocal ministry gifts but many modern meetings abolished this practice. London Yearly Meeting stopped acknowledging Recorded Ministers in 1924. Women historically held important roles overseeing domestic life and community affairs though influence varied across splits. Marriage ceremonies involve declarations before gathered witnesses without oaths or vows. Memorial services honor deceased members weeks after death allowing time for reflection. Same-sex marriages are recognized by some liberal meetings since Hartford Friends Meeting decided so in Connecticut in 1986.
Common questions
When and where did George Fox start the Quaker movement?
George Fox started the Quaker movement in 1647 while standing in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. He claimed to receive a revelation that Christ Jesus could speak directly to his condition during this time.
Why were early Quakers called Quakers by their opponents?
The name Quaker originated from an incident in 1650 when judge Gervase Bennet mocked George Fox for telling him to tremble at the word of the Lord. The term eventually became widely accepted by the group themselves despite its mocking origins.
Which country has the largest concentration of adult Quakers today?
Kenya alone had 119,200 Quakers as of 2017, making it home to the largest concentration of Friends globally. Nearly half or 49 percent of all adult Quakers worldwide lived in Africa according to 2017 estimates.
What historical event led to the execution of Mary Dyer near Boston Common?
Mary Dyer was executed near Boston Common on the 1st of June 1660 after arriving in Boston with fellow missionaries in July 1656 and facing imprisonment for her beliefs. She became one of four martyrs known as the Boston martyrs due to these events.
How many Quakers signed a petition opposing tithes in 1659?
Over 7,000 women signed a petition opposing tithes in 1659 showing their active participation in political life. This action demonstrated the crucial role women played early on within the community structure defined by figures like Margaret Fell.