by Rufus Matthew Jones (Author)
In this classic text, Rufus M. Jones offers an insightful overview of Quaker history, beliefs and humanitarianism. The Society of Friends was founded in the seventeenth century by George Fox, who could not abide by the teachings of the established Church of England. Convinced that communicating with Christ need not involve a qualified clergyman, he founded the Society of Friends. Many found his approach refreshing, but it also stirred up resentment and resistance in the established Christian order. A defining difference between the Quakers and other denominations is the process by which Friends meet and communicate directly with God. Such spiritual conversation between adherents was immediately different from conventional gatherings wherein a preacher offers the congregation a speech on a given subject. Rufus M. Jones discusses these topics with maturity and respect, drawing upon the existing histories and accounts in a manner certain to sustain the reader's interest.