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The Quaker Faith
The Quaker Movement was begun by George Fox in England during the 17th century, based on his insight that direct communication with God was available to everyone. In 1652 he came to the northwest of England. Here a large group of people known as Seekers found in his message that which they sought. Friends began "meeting" together, dispensing with the usual church forms and gathering in silence to wait upon the spirit. From these meetings stemmed the movement which the world called "Quaker" and which later called itself the Religious Society of Friends. Despite persecution, the movement grew and they set out to carry their message to all parts of the world - to Constantinople, to Rome, to Danzig, and America. The first Quakers arrived in Boston in 1656, and by 1657 there was a meeting established on Cape Cod, which exists today as the oldest continuous Friends' meeting in North America. In 1672, George Fox himself crossed the Atlantic to attend and give guidance at the |
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Quaker Marriage
From the beginning the Society of Friends has stressed the conviction that marriage is an individual commitment to be made in the presence of God and of witnessing friends, with no need of official pronouncement to complete it. But before this public commitment is made on the day of the wedding, the proposed marriage has already received the approval of the Meeting. This approval is given after careful investigation through an appointed committee, thus exhausting all human means to insure its success. The wedding itself is a meeting for worship, held after the manner of Friends, within which a marriage takes place. The bridal couple enter the meeting and customarily sit on one of the benches. In giving themselves to each other, they eliminate the need for the bride to be given by her father. Likewise, no third person officiates. No bridal party is necessary, although this is commonplace today. |
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recently constituted
New England Yearly Meeting. Quakers today are diverse in their religious belief. The most fundamental belief of the Quaker faith is that There is that of God in everyone . This presence, or inner light, can illuminate our lives and guide us if we choose to discern it. A personal relationship with God, rather than adherence to dogma and creeds, is an important feature of Quaker beliefs and practices. A direct experience of God is open to anyone who is willing to sit quietly and search for the light. We join together in seeking this presence of God. Our meeting is unprogramed and lasts about an hour. In expectant silence we meditate, pray, contemplate, or give thanks. We may consider the events in our lives, in the world around us, in a book we may have read or through other channels. During the silent worship, anyone who feels moved to share a message may do so. Ideally, these messages are framed by silence and deepen the awareness of the spiritual values on which the meeting is based. After a worshipper has spoken, we contemplate what has been said. The stillness of our corporate worship enables us to listen to others and to know better our fears, doubts, humor, strength, and God. The meeting is closed by the joining of hands. It is then our custom to introduce ourselves and make brief announcements. While there may be some who quietly depart, reflecting still on the experience of the meeting, other Friends will stay to greet one another. We invite all to share in this important part of our religious fellowship. |
In an atmosphere of quiet and reverence, following
a period of worship, the couple rise. Taking each other by the hand, they
make their promises in clear, audible tones, first the groom and then the
bride. "In the presence of God and these our friends, I take thee …. to be
my wife (husband) promising with Divine assistance to be unto thee a
loving and faithful husband (wife) as long as we both shall live." The
exchange of rings at this point is customary today, although this is not
necessary to Friend's procedure. The couple may salute each other with a
kiss. Thus they enter into a binding relationship before God and in the
presence of their friends. When they are seated again, the marriage certificate is brought for the couple to sign. The certificate is read to the meeting by a designated person. This is done with dignity and care in order to contribute to the atmosphere of worship. The meeting then gathers into silence for perhaps half an hour, during which those assembled share in the ceremony through prayer, meditation, and spoken messages. The person chosen to close the meeting may, if desired, first make opportunity for the bridal party to withdraw. After the close, those who have been present are asked to sign the certificate as witnesses of the marriage. This certificate becomes a cherished possession in the new home; a copy of it is made for the records of the Monthly Meeting under whose care the marriage takes place. Many of these certificates, handed down for a period of three hundred years, have proved to be valuable historical records. Usually a reception for the couple is held either at the Meeting House or at the bride's home. For Quakers, God alone can bless a marriage and give significance to the mystery of such a union. The personal promises before God made by each couple, together with the certificate signed by them and those present as witnesses, leave the contracting parties little doubt that they have been very thoroughly married when they leave the Meeting House. |
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