• Weaver’s son from EnglandWeaver’s son from England•Imprisoned for blasphemy during the winter of 1650Imprisoned for blasphemy during the winter of 1650•Founded the Religious Society of Friends in 1652Founded the Religious Society of Friends in 1652

• Branched off of Christianity during Protestant ReformationBranched off of Christianity during Protestant Reformation• Quakers would interrupt masses and have unauthorized Quakers would interrupt masses and have unauthorized

meetings, both crimes in Englandmeetings, both crimes in England• Persecuted by both Puritans and the Church of EnglandPersecuted by both Puritans and the Church of England• In 1656, about 1,000 Quakers were imprisonedIn 1656, about 1,000 Quakers were imprisoned• Many Quakers driven out of towns and 4 known hangings Many Quakers driven out of towns and 4 known hangings

occurredoccurred• Poor people especially drawn to Quakers because of Poor people especially drawn to Quakers because of

equalityequality

• The first Quakers in America were Ann Austin and The first Quakers in America were Ann Austin and Mary Fisher in 1656Mary Fisher in 1656

• They were later deportedThey were later deported• First Quaker colony founded in Rhode Island by First Quaker colony founded in Rhode Island by

Roger WilliamsRoger Williams• Quakers opposed the Revolutionary War and declared Quakers opposed the Revolutionary War and declared

themselves neutralthemselves neutral• More than 2/3 of Quaker men served in WW1More than 2/3 of Quaker men served in WW1• Quakers formed the American Friends Service Quakers formed the American Friends Service

Committee to oppose warsCommittee to oppose wars

• Main belief is no church or priestsMain belief is no church or priests• Didn’t believe in tithes or oathsDidn’t believe in tithes or oaths• Never removed their hats for anyoneNever removed their hats for anyone• Wore plain clothing of the working classWore plain clothing of the working class• Rejected the common names of months and days, Rejected the common names of months and days,

saying that they were pagansaying that they were pagan• Strongly opposed slavery and helped the Underground Strongly opposed slavery and helped the Underground

RailroadRailroad• Believe in an Inner Light that is God within the personBelieve in an Inner Light that is God within the person• Felt a direct connection with GodFelt a direct connection with God• No sacraments or rituals, but performed Baptisms as a No sacraments or rituals, but performed Baptisms as a

sign of membershipsign of membership

• Spiritual equality for both sexesSpiritual equality for both sexes• Emphasized on Jesus’ teaching to love one anotherEmphasized on Jesus’ teaching to love one another• Oppose any form of violenceOppose any form of violence

• Each meeting called a Monthly MeetingEach meeting called a Monthly Meeting• Monthly Meetings of an area converge four times a year Monthly Meetings of an area converge four times a year

to hold Quarterly Meetingsto hold Quarterly Meetings• All Quakers gather once a year for a Yearly MeetingAll Quakers gather once a year for a Yearly Meeting• Meetings have no paid ministersMeetings have no paid ministers• Money is gathered from each adult member in yearly Money is gathered from each adult member in yearly

noticesnotices• Meetings are usually led by a member, but are open for Meetings are usually led by a member, but are open for

discussiondiscussion• Some meetings will read from Scripture and have a hymnSome meetings will read from Scripture and have a hymn• Committee of the meeting is made up of a clerk, a Committee of the meeting is made up of a clerk, a

committee of overseers, and a committee of elderscommittee of overseers, and a committee of elders

• The term “Quaker” is derived from Fox’s famous The term “Quaker” is derived from Fox’s famous quote, “Tremble at the Word of the Lord.”quote, “Tremble at the Word of the Lord.”

• Quaker was originally a derogatory termQuaker was originally a derogatory term• Quakers call themselves Children of the Light Quakers call themselves Children of the Light

because of their belief of an Inner Lightbecause of their belief of an Inner Light• Quakers also call themselves Friends because of their Quakers also call themselves Friends because of their

pacifist beliefspacifist beliefs

• QuakersQuakers• FriendsFriends• Children of the LightChildren of the Light• Friends of the TruthFriends of the Truth• Religious Society of FriendsReligious Society of Friends• SaintsSaints• SeekersSeekers• Friends Among FriendsFriends Among Friends

• John Woolman (author of John Woolman (author of JournalJournal))• Lucretia Mott and John Greenleaf Whittier (Slavery Lucretia Mott and John Greenleaf Whittier (Slavery

Protestors)Protestors)• Susan B. Anthony (Women’s Rights Activist)Susan B. Anthony (Women’s Rights Activist)• Joseph John Gurney and John Wilbur (Quaker Joseph John Gurney and John Wilbur (Quaker

Leaders)Leaders)• Rufus Jones (Quaker Philosopher)Rufus Jones (Quaker Philosopher)

• There are about 600,000 Quakers in the world todayThere are about 600,000 Quakers in the world today• ½ of Quakers live in the United States½ of Quakers live in the United States• The top 3 Quaker countries are the United States, The top 3 Quaker countries are the United States,

Kenya, and BoliviaKenya, and Bolivia• Quakers are found most in or around PennsylvaniaQuakers are found most in or around Pennsylvania• Quakers fund schools and collegesQuakers fund schools and colleges• The headquarters of Quakers is called the American The headquarters of Quakers is called the American

Friends Fellowship CouncilFriends Fellowship Council• It is located in PennsylvaniaIt is located in Pennsylvania

• No hierarchyNo hierarchy• No elaborate meetingsNo elaborate meetings• No sacramentsNo sacraments• No ritualsNo rituals• PacifismPacifism• More conservative viewsMore conservative views