QUAKERS, the name first given "in scorn," and since habitually, to the sect of Christians who call themselves the "Society, of Friends." [Fox, GY.OROE, in Bzoo. Dry] Origin.—The founder, or rather the first member of this society was George Fox, who towards the middle of the 17th century, after long wanderings about the country and much spiritual conflict and inquiry into the merits of the sects then raging against each other in Eogland, separated himself from all, feeling that " none could speak to his con dition." By degrees his religious opinions assumed a distinct form, and in the year 1647, when he was 23 years of age, he commenced his ministry by preaching at Dukinfield near Manchester. In a short time the number of believers in his doctrines increased ; in 1648 large meetings attended his ministry in Nottinghamshire, and, not withstanding cruel persecution, the society spread from the poor and uninstructed to many of the more opulent and educated classes.
It is not our intention to describe the process by which George Fox was led to adopt his peculiar opinions, or the course of conduct which these induced him, whilst yet a very young man, to pursue. Such a narrative might cast on the sect an air of extravagance, which belongs less to this body in particular than to the period of religious excite ment in which it had its rise. Notwithstanding instances of indiscre tion or enthusiasm in some of its first members, the early history of the society is full of examples of undaunted courage in passive and ultimately successful resistance to oppression.
Tends.— The Society of Friends have no articles of creed, subscrip tion to which is required of their members. Their principal tenets may however be gathered from the writings of George Fox, William Penn, and Robert Barclay, and their other approved authors, and from the minutes and epistles issued by their yearly meeting in London to the subordinate meetings.
They believe that it is the prerogative of God alone to declare him self to man ; and therefore they prefer expressing their religious opinions in the language of Holy Scripture. In full accordance with these sacred writings, they have ever believed that there is one God and Father of all, of whom are all things ; that there is one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom all things were made, who was glorified with the Father before the world was, who is over all, God blessed for ever ; that there is one If ely Spirit, the promise of the Father and the Son, the Leader, Sanctifier, and Comforter of his people : and that these three are one God. Whilst objecting to scholastic terms and dis
tinctions, and to all attempts to be wise in the deep things of God, beyond what lfe has plainly revealed, they have everprofessed their belief in the real manhood as well as the true deity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; that the Word which was in the beginning with God, and was God, was made flesh and dwelt amongst men. They maintain that man in the fall is separated and alienated in his nature from God ; that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and are therefore exposed to divine wrath ; and that it is solely through the mercy of God in Christ Jesus that any aro brought into recon ciliation with him ; receiving remission of sins through faith in the one propitiatory offering of the Lamb of God, and sanctification of heart through the influences of the Holy Spirit. They believe the Holy Scriptures to be given by inspiration of God, and to be profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous ness; and they have always professed their entire readiness that their tenets and practices should be tried thereby But that which may be regarded as the doctrine mainly distin guishing them from other Christians, is what they apprehend to be a fuller recognition both of the universality and of the teaching of the Holy Spirit. They believe that the light of the spirit of Christ does in measure enlighten every man that cometh into the world; that the effects of the death of Christ are coextensive with those of Adam's transgression, according to the declaration of the Apostle, "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive ; " and, as a consequence hereof, that even those who have not the outward knowledge of the Gospel history may, by giving heed to their measure of this light, become partakers of that salvation which comes by Jesus Christ.