In the ‘Introduction’ to ‘The Second Period of Quakerism’ by William Braithwaite, Rufus Jones posits that the origins of Quaker Quietism are to be found in the writings of Robert Barclay.  The view of Jones is that Quakers were receptive to the teachings of Guyon and other continental Quietists because the basic teachings of Quietism are to be found in early Quaker works, particularly Barclay, prior to the Quaker community encountering continental Quietism.  Jones writes, “[I]t is a plain…

Dear Friends:

In the latest issue of Friends' Journal there is an article, featured on the cover, called 'Quaker Communion' by Bruce Neumann.  The author writes, 'for many years, I harbored a rather untypical Quaker longing.  Occasional oblique comments to other Friends didn't seem to engender interest, so I held the longing to myself . . . the longing was to share communion with a small group of other Quakers, after the fashion of Friends.'

Eventually the…

Dear Friends:

My favorite early Christian writer is Dionysius the Areopagite.  Traditionally this Dionysius was understood to be the one converted by Paul in the Book of Acts in Athens.  Dionysius' works are the source texts for Christian Mysticism, including the mysticism of the Quietist tradition.  For example, Molinos references Dionysius in his manual of contemplation.  The 'Mystical Theology' of Dionysius is one of the most beautiful and succinct (about five pages) and…

Silence is My Leading

Since I became acquainted with the Quietist period of Quaker history I’ve been attracted to it.  This period, which some Quaker historians refer to as ‘The Second Period of Quaker History’, is the one where I find the most nourishment.  It is the period which produced ‘A Guide to True Peace’ which has been of such help in my own inward journey.

Along with this attraction has been a searching out of what constitutes the difference between…