Comments for A Friendly Letter, The Blog.

Comment on Esther & The Heathens: A Quaker Valentine Romance - Part Six by Etsuko Almond

Etsuko Almond — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:47:48 +0000

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Comment on Why I Wake Up Screaming on Jan. 27 – My Recurring Quaker Nightmare by Phil

Phil — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 04:08:28 +0000

I dreamt that Quakers gathered at “the pearly gates” agreeing that Art reveals Truths.

Comment on Thoughts on the Quaker “Testimony of Equality” by Jim Schultz

Jim Schultz — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 20:02:26 +0000

I agree that claiming a non-existant testimony is improper. Equality is of the heart and by approaching the scriptures as a living source from which the Holy Spirit can lead us to become little christs, quakers provide a culture from which equality can be championed. The problem of early quakers feeling superior as the apple of God’s eye is not uncommon as feeling special to God is a common experience amnongst those of us who are awakened spiritually though the Bible. Of course as we open ourselves up even more to what the Bible says about God’s love for us we find that God loves the World and all who are in it just as much. It’s just hard to comprehend the magnitude of God’s love and His ability to love everyone as if they were the most important thing ever created, which is exactly what He seems to do. There is just no way to express that sense that comes over you when you realize how much God loves you.
In my reading of Elias Hicks’ journals it was apparent that he didn’t see his slaves as equal socially even though he was led to free them and help set up schools for educating them. I think this is the way God works in us. He leads us to do what is right even when mentally and culturally we don’t understand the full reasoning behind what we are doing. That’s why obedience is so important. If we waited for understanding or complete revelation change would take forever. Obedience built on Trust built on a revelation of love leads us closer to a better place, here and hearafter.

Comment on Esther & The Heathens: A Quaker Valentine Romance - Part Six by Shelia Bumgarner

Shelia Bumgarner — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 18:39:27 +0000

Lovely story Chuck. Such a sad time in our history, but the course of true love endured in the end.

Comment on Thoughts on the Quaker “Testimony of Equality” by Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:14:41 +0000

Friends were never perfect, and sometimes their imperfection could reach shocking levels - as in the participation of some/many in the slave system.

But, Friends have often been the ONLY ones speaking out for equality. You mention Woolman’s trials without noting that that small victory of his was the beginning of the anti-slavery movement.

In 18th Century Ireland when the majority of people were the target of an elaborate system of legal religious criminalization, Friends were the only people who refused to recognize that system.

I could go on, but my point is simple: ‘equality’ has never been a ’state’ it has always been a quest. And while it is both correct and healthy for us to recognize the imperfections of those who have gone before, we should not lose sight of the often heroic struggles that many endured.

Would that we would do as well as Woolman in confronting evil that is deeply embedded in our world.

Comment on Thoughts on the Quaker “Testimony of Equality” by chel avry

chel avry — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:34:56 +0000

Chuck, I suspect the testimony of equality comes from Howard Brinton. In “Friends for 300 Years” and some of his other writings he lists 4 Quaker testimonies: harmony (later changed to peace), equality, simplicity, community. That book and that list were considered definitional by many Friends back in the 70s and 80s. (Maybe in the 50s and 60s, but I wasn’t around to observe.) If HB didn’t make up the list himself, I imagine he got it from Rufus Jones or one of that circle.

Comment on Why I Wake Up Screaming on Jan. 27 – My Recurring Quaker Nightmare by Tom Leverett

Tom Leverett — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 20:19:47 +0000

As a Quaker musician, I’ve always been concerned about where Quaker theology and music cross, and would be very uncomfortable with Quakerism if it truly had no room for music.

But I have an interesting story to tell about Mozart. When I was in an orchestra, I had a conductor who swore up and down that Mozart’s Requiem was commonly misinterpreted and that certain parts of it should be played faster and differently. It was an excellent piece and, sorry to say, our orchestra was probably not up to playing it as he truly wanted to hear it. But what struck me about the incident, or rather that period of my life, was that that piece really kind of represented an interpretation of death and the circumstances around it. Musically, I think the conductor was right: the world stole that piece and misinterpreted it. I wonder how often that happens, both in the field of music and elsewhere.

Comment on Why I Wake Up Screaming on Jan. 27 – My Recurring Quaker Nightmare by Mark Gooch

Mark Gooch — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 20:15:45 +0000

Love your heart Chuck

Comment on Eating Dr. King’s Dinner: Part One by Roberta Kilstrom

Roberta Kilstrom — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 16:04:22 +0000

Thanks for this on-site account of the march into Selma. You were incredibly brave. You have walked ” where angels fear to tread.” I loved that some of you still kept your sense of humor– like the comment that James Orange made that if you got killed, King would be preaching at your funeral. Thank you for what you all did.

Comment on Eating Dr. King’s Dinner: Part One by Howard Macy

Howard Macy — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 01:55:41 +0000

Thanks for sharing this, Chuck. I find it very moving.