Penn’s Sword

Now I’m going to tell you a story, a myth perhaps, about George Fox and William Penn’s sword. I can’t prove that it did happen, but it illustrates an important point nonetheless. I think about it every time I ponder making any changes in my own life or decisions I have to make. 

“When William Penn was convinced of the principles of Friends, and became a frequent attendant at their meetings, he did not immediately relinquish his gay apparel; it is even said that he wore a sword, as was then customary among men of rank and fashion. Being one day in company with George Fox, he asked his advice concerning it, saying that he might, perhaps, appear singular among Friends, but his sword had once been the means of saving his life without injuring his antagonist, and moreover, that Christ has said, “He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.” George Fox answered, “I advise thee to wear it as long as thou canst.” Not long after this they met again, when William had no sword, and George said to him, “William, where is thy sword?” “Oh!” said he, “I have taken thy advice; I wore it as long as I could.”

Friends Journal<https://www.friendsjournal.org/2003142/>23.2.2020.

Change doesn’t necessarily happen quickly, but The Holy Spirit may lead us in the right direction in time. The Holy Spirit guided William Penn to stop carrying his sword, but not immediately: It took some time for him to give up carrying the sword. Everybody doesn’t change in the same pace and everybody isn’t struggling with the same issues. We have to be patient with shortcomings, mistakes and disagreements that occur in our Quaker community. I suppose we all have a sword we are carrying.

A quote from Advices and queries

"40 In view of the harm done by the use of alcohol, tobacco and other habit-forming drugs, consider whether you should limit your use of them or refrain from using them altogether. Remember that any use of alcohol or drugs may impair judgment and put both the user and others in danger."
Advices and queries < https://qfp.quaker.org.uk/chapter/1/>19.2.2020.

The Testimonies

The Quaker Testimonies

The Quakers in Aotearoa formulate the testimonies in a concise and in my opinion accurate way capturing the essence of the testimonies. I have copied and pasted the testimonies here below. I have copied them without changing anything because I feel I can’t improve them. Here goes:

Peace

The Quaker peace testimony arises from the belief of "that of God in everyone". Early Quakers recognised that they must seek to bring about God's will without the use of force or violence - a person labelled as "enemy" is equally precious to God. Quakers have refused to take part in war or preparations for war; we resist the culture of military values and the social and economic distortions which militarism causes. In a broader sense, the peace testimony includes action against unjust structures of society, racism, the denial of human rights, and other forms of oppression, which are themselves forms of violence. On the positive side, Quakers have acted to end slavery, to relieve the suffering caused by war and oppression, to mediate between parties in conflict, and to promote worldwide economic and cultural development on a basis of self-determination and dignity. A full testimony to peace includes a harmonious relationship with the many life-forms and diverse riches of our planet, and a commitment to live as part of Earth's systems, not as their proprietors. Responsible living means choosing not to waste, exploit or destroy. We encourage a reverence for life and a sense of the splendour of God's continuing creation. You can read the Yearly Meeting Peace Statement.

Equality

Each person has value and dignity, and is precious to God. On this basis Quakers work for equality in all areas of social, cultural, legal, political and economic life, rejecting artificial distinctions of race and social status. We try to treat all people on a basis of equality; we prefer to address people by their names without titles.

Quakers recognise that ministry can come from any person - God may choose anyone at any time. Decisions of the Society are made at business meetings open to all members. Quakers have always recognised the ministry and service of both women and men.

Simplicity

A life centred in God will be characterised by integrity, sincerity and simplicity. Simplicity does not consist in following a strict formula, but in basing our choice of purchases, activities and lifestyles on moderation rather than extravagance. Moderate living avoids over-indulgence and slavery to fashion; it requires a responsible attitude to alcohol and drugs of any kind.

Children and young people are under particular pressure to acquire, consume and do what is fashionable or aggressively advertised. Adults can help children to develop inner strength by their own example, and by working out together what is right and possible, given the family's circumstances.

Simplicity has its own beauty. It does not exclude artistic creativity, which is a deep human need, and can be an expression of the divine. Quakers look for an inner stillness in worship and in personal spiritual life, and a simplicity which lets go of inessential commitments in order to be truly centred.

Integrity

Quakers aim to be honest and straightforward in speech and in all our dealings. We try to honour our financial responsibilities, as family members and as citizens. Quakers try to ensure that their own lives are clear of any practice to which they propose to object.

The longstanding testimony against oaths is based on honesty - we reject the implication of a double standard of truthfulness. On any occasion where an oath is expected, all citizens as well as Quakers are entitled to make a legally acceptable affirmation.

Quakers have a responsibility of stewardship over our possessions. Historically, Quakers have avoided gambling, on the principle that money should be acquired through honest work. Today, we continue to frown on gambling, and raising money by games of chance, in view of the adverse social consequences.

Source: http://quaker.org.nz/quaker-testimonies

Eat such things as are set before you

"And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:" Luke 10:7-8

This piece of advice makes sense only in an environment where there are multiple diets followed by different groups of people. Jesus and his disciples were probably keeping kosher but Jesus instructs them to eat whatever they are served. This makes sense to me: I’m vegan but when I visit someone else I eat what they serve unless they are offering a vegan alternative.

Let thy words be few

"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:2

Luke 6:27-6:49 King James Bible

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Quaker Faith and Practice 26.65

"This central affirmation, that the Light of the Christ-like God shines in every person, implies that our knowledge of God is both subjective and objective. It is easy to misconstrue ‘Inner Light’ as an invitation to individualism and anarchy if one concentrates on the subjective experience known to each one. But it is an equally important part of our faith and practice to recognise that we are not affirming the existence and priority of your light and my light, but of the Light of God, and of the God who is made known to us supremely in Jesus. The inward experience must be checked by accordance with the mind of Christ, the fruits of the Spirit, the character of that willed caring which in the New Testament is called Love. It is further checked by the fact that if God is known in measure by every person, our knowledge of him will be largely gained through the experience of others who reverently and humbly seek him. In the last resort we must be guided by our own conscientiously held conviction – but it is in the last resort. First we must seek carefully and prayerfully through the insights of others, both in the past and among our contemporaries, and only in the light of this search do we come to our affirmation."

L Hugh Doncaster, 1972