Faith and Practice

 Books, pamphlets and periodicals included in this list of suggested readings are, in the main, by or about Quakers and the Religious Society of Friends. To prepare a more extensive reading list is beyond the call of the Faith and Practice Revision Committee of Pacific Yearly Meeting.

 Sources for these and other materials which serve to undergird the life of the Society may be found by consultation with the staff of the bookstore of the Pacific Southwest Regional Office of the American Friends Service Committee, 980 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena CA 91103, or the bookstore of Friends General Conference, 1216 Arch St. 2B, Philadelphia PA 19107, < bookstore@ fgcquaker.org >, which publishes an annual catalog, A Resource Guide for Quaker Materials.

general interpretation

 Faith and Practice of the Quakers,
by Rufus M. Jones. Friends United Press, 1980.
The Quaker method of worship and business helps to develop an attitude toward life, peacemaking and service to others.

 Friends for 300 Years,
by Howard H. Brinton, Pendle Hill, 1964.
Classic statement of the history and beliefs of the Society of Friends.

 “ Introduction” from Quaker Spirituality,
by Douglas Steere. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1988.
Useful for serious inquirers. (From Steere’s volume listed in Quaker Classics section of this bibliography.)

 Quaker by Convincement,
by Geoffrey Hubbard. Quaker Home Service, rev. ed. 1985.
An especially readable account of fundamental Quaker beliefs and activities in the world.

 The Quaker Reader,
edited by Jessamyn N.West. Pendle Hill, 1992.
Anthology of Quaker writings from 1650 to 1960.

 What is Quakerism?
by George T. Peck. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 277, 1988.
A primer of Quakerism.

quaker classics: early writings

 Barclay’s Apology in Modern English,
edited by Dean Freiday. Barclay Press, 1967.
Systematic statement of Quaker faith by the first Quaker theologian.

 The Inward Journey of Isaac Penington: A Selection of Penington’s Works,
by Robert J. Leach. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 29, 1944.

 Journal and Major Essays of John Woolman,
edited by Phillips Moulton. Friends United Press, 1989.
Definitive edition of the abolitionist and prophet.

 The Journal of George Fox,
edited by John L. Nickalls. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1985.
Fox’s own account of his development and the rise of the Religious Society of Friends.

 The Light Within and Selected Writings of Isaac Penington,
Tract Association of Friends, 1984.
Abridged from four volumes of this early Quaker writer’s works.

 No Cross No Crown, by William Penn,
edited for the modern reader by Ronald Selleck. Friends United Press, 1979.
Penn’s writing on daily living.

 No More But My Love: Letters of George Fox, 1624-1691,
edited by Cecil W. Sharman. Quaker Home Service, 1980.
137 of George Fox’s letters, conveying the range of his teachings and experience, with a valuable introduction.

 Quaker Classics in Brief: William Penn, Robert Barclay, and Isaac Penington,
edited by H. Brinton, E. P. Mather and R. Leach. Pendle Hill, 1978.
Penn on practice, Barclay on belief, and Penington on the inward experience.

 Quaker Spirituality:Selected Writings,
edited and introduced by Douglas V. Steere. Paulist Press, 1984.
From the writings of George Fox, Isaac Penington, John Woolman, Caroline Stephen, Rufus Jones, and Thomas Kelly.

history and biography

 The Beginnings of Quakerism to 1660,
by William Braithwaite, 2nd edition revised by Henry Cadbury. Sessions, 1981.
Standard history of the early days of the Quaker movement, based largely on the writings of the first Friends.

 Daughters of Light: Quaker Women Preaching and Prophesying in the Colonies and Abroad 1700-1775,
by Rebecca Larson. Knopf, 1999.
Early history of women as ministers among Friends and their work in the world.

 First Among Friends: George Fox and the Creation of Quakerism,
by H. Larry Ingle. Oxford, 1994.
Grounded in primary sources, reveals hitherto unknown sides of George Fox and his times.

 Friend of Life: a Biography of Rufus M. Jones,
by Elizabeth Gray Vining. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1981 .
On early 20th century Quaker history.

 George Fox and the Quakers,
by Cecil W. Sharman. Quaker Home Service, 1991.
Very readable.

 History of Quakerism,
by Elbert Russell. Friends United Press, 1980.
Especially good on the 19th Century in the United States.

 Mothers of Feminism: The Story of Quaker Women in America,
by Margaret Hope Bacon. Harper, 1986. (reprint Friends General Conference, 1995)

 Portrait in Grey,
by John Punshon. Quaker Home Service, 1984.
Excellent, brief history. Interesting account of the Quaker reaction to the intellectual climate of the various periods of history.

 A Procession of Friends: Quakers in America,
by Daisy Newman. Doubleday, 1972. (reprint Friends United Press, 1992)
Biography as history.

 Quaker Universalist Reader,
edited by Sally Rickerman. Quaker Universalist Fellowship, 1986.
Articles from a variety of sources on Quaker Universalism.

 The Quakers,
by Hugh Barbour and J.William Frost. Friends United Press, 1994.
Probably the most comprehensive and complete major history of the Religious Society of Friends yet published.

 Quakers in California,
by David Le Shana. Barclay, 1969.
Includes the forerunners, founding and early history of Pacific Yearly Meeting.

 Quakers in Conflict: the Hicksite Reformation,
by H. Larry Ingle. University of Tennessee, 1986. (reprint Pendle Hill, 1998)
Valuable as history of this period.

 Quakers on the American Frontier,
by Erroll Elliott. Friends United Press, 1969.
A history of the Westward migrations of Friends and the development of settlements of Friends.

 The Quiet Rebels: the Story of the Quakers in America,
by Margaret Hope Bacon. Revised edition, Pendle Hill, 1999.
A picture of the commitment to public service of the American Quaker movement.

 The Second Period of Quakerism,
by William Braithwaite. 2nd edition, revised by Henry J. Cadbury. Sessions, 1981.
Sequel to The Beginnings of Quakerism, covers the years 1660-1725.

 The Transformation of American Quakerism,
by Thomas D. Hamm. Indiana University, 1992.
A study of Orthodox Friends, 1800-1907.

 Valiant Friend, Lucretia Mott,
by Margaret Hope Bacon.Walker, 1980.
Definitive biography of the 19th Century Quaker minister, teacher, and abolitionist.

additional titles on quaker faith

 Alternative Christianity,
by John Punshon. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 245, 1982.
The nature of the Quaker tradition, how a religion that arises from immediate and present experience gives form and structure to that experience.

 The Apocalypse of the Word,
by Douglas Gwyn. Friends United Press, 1986.
Fox believed that the apocalypse had already occurred in his time.

 The Burning One-ness Binding Everything: A Spiritual Journey,
by Bruce Birchard. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 332, 1997.
An autobiographical account of a modern Quaker activist.

 Catholic Quakerism,
by Lewis Benson. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1966.
A plea for the recovery and renewal of the vision of George Fox and the early Friends.

 Ethical Mysticism in the Society of Friends,
by Howard H. Brinton. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 156, 1967.
Describes a process of withdrawing from the world and returning to it.

 Faith & Practice,
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1997.
See note on Quaker Faith and Practice below.

 A Living Faith: An Historical Study of Quaker Beliefs,
by Wilmer A. Cooper. Friends United Press, 1990.
A systematic study of Quakerism, noting the many areas of diversity; helps the understanding of Friends heritage and theological roots.

 The Peace of Europe, The Fruits of Solitude and Other Writings,
by William Penn, edited by Edwin B. Bronner. Penguin, 1994.
A collection of essays reflecting the passion and vision of Penn.

 Quaker Faith & Practice,
Britain Yearly Meeting, 1995.
A valuable insight into the wider world and spiritual insights of Friends.

 Quaker Journals,
by Howard H. Brinton. Pendle Hill, 1972.
Describes the state of spiritual progress that individual journalists recorded.

 Quaker Strongholds,
by Caroline Stephen, passages selected by Mary Gould Ogilvie. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 59.
An abridgement which selects Caroline Stephen’s explanation of the tenets which she considered the cornerstone and foundation of Quakerism.

 To Lima With Love,
London Yearly Meeting, Quaker Home Service, 1987.
Response to the World Council of Churches document Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry. A clear statement of the Quaker response to aspects of traditional Christianity.

meeting for worship

 The Amazing Fact of Quaker Worship,
by George H. Gorman. Quaker Home Service, 1986.
Profound and comprehensive look at silent Quaker worship.

 Encounter with Silence: Reflections from the Quaker Tradition,
by John Punshon. Friends United Press, 1987.
About Friends worship; guidance for the puzzled first-time visitor and the seasoned Friend.

 Four Doors to Meeting for Worship,
by William Taber. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 306.
Four stages in the preparation for worship.

 A Joint and Visible Fellowship,
by Beatrice Saxon Snell. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 140, 1965.
Deals with Friends Meeting for Worship and the significance of preparation for it.

 On Speaking Out of the Silence; Vocal Ministry in the Unprogrammed Meeting,
by Douglas V. Steere. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 182, 1972.
The nature of the meeting for worship.

 The Wounded Meeting: Dealing with Difficult Behavior in Meeting for Worship.
Friends General Conference, 1993.
Explores options for loving solutions to problems and the need to take action.

quaker process and decision making

 Beyond Consensus: Salvaging the Sense of the Meeting,
by Barry Morley. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 307, 1993.
Discusses the components in reaching the sense of the meeting.

 Beyond Majority Rule: Voteless Decision Making in the Religious Society of Friends,
by Michael J. Sheeran. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1983.
Detailed description of Quaker process by a Jesuit priest.

 Fostering Vital Friends Meetings, Part I: A Handbook for Working With Quaker Meetings,
by Jan Greene and Marty Walton, Friends General Conference, 1999.
Valuable for finding materials to help a meeting with growth and/or problems.

 Fostering Vital Friends Meetings. Part II: Resources for Working with Quaker Meetings,
by Jan Greene and Marty Walton. Friends General Conference, 1999.
A supplement containing resources mentioned in Part 1, above. Excellent reading lists.

 Friendly Audits,
by Betsy Muench. Friends General Conference, 1990.
An aid for meeting treasurers and those reviewing accounts.

 Guide to Quaker Practice,
by Howard H. Brinton. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 20, 1955.
Broadens the understanding of the practice which at first sight seems based only on custom.

 Mind the Oneness: the Foundation of Good Quaker Business Method,
by Robert Halliday. Quaker Home Service, 1991.
Points out the importance of community to the proper functioning of meeting for worship for business.

 Survival Sourcebook,
by the Outreach Committee of North Pacific Yearly Meeting. North Pacific Yearly Meeting, 1990.
Advice and suggestions for setting up and for continuing worship groups or small meetings.

 When Friends Attend to Business,
by Thomas S. Brown. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1975.
One of a series of tracts available from Friends General Conference of value for meetings for distribution to members and attenders.

spirituality and personal devotion

 A Certain Kind of Perfection,
by Margery Post Abbott. Pendle Hill, 1997.
An anthology of Quaker writers from George Fox to the late Twentieth Century.

 The Eternal Promise,
by Thomas Kelly. Friends United Press, 1991.
Includes “The Gathered Meeting” and “Hasten unto God.”

 Friends, Let Us Pray,
by Elsie H. Landstrom. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 174, 1970.
About meditation and prayer.

 Listening Spirituality, Vol. I:Personal Spiritual Practices Among Friends,
by Patricia Loring. Openings Press, 1997.
Contemporary Friend’s writing on spiritual formation.

 A Testament of Devotion,
by Thomas Kelly. New edition. Harper 1996.
Devotional readings with a biographical memoir by Douglas Steere.

 There Is A Spirit: The Nayler Sonnets,
by Kenneth Boulding. Fellowship, 1945 (reprint Pendle Hill, 1992).
Poetic meditations on the life and words of James Nayler, early Friend.

 The World in Tune,
by Elizabeth Gray Vining. Harper, 1954 (reprint Pendle Hill 1994).
Meditations.

quaker witness

 For More Than Bread,
by Clarence E. Pickett. Little, Brown, 1953.

 Love is the Hardest Lesson: A Memoir,
by Margaret Hope-Bacon, Pendle Hill, 2000.
Memoir of her experience working in a psychiatric institution.

 Uphill for Peace,
by E. Raymond Wilson. Friends United Press, 1975.
A history of the Friends Committee on National Legislation, as well as the life of the author.

 Welcome to the World,
by Stephen H. Thiermann. AFSC, 1968.

 A Western Quaker Reader: Writings by and about Independent Quakers in the Western United States, 1929- 1999,
edited by Anthony Manousos. Friends Bulletin, 1999.
Consists mainly of articles written for Friends Bulletin since its inception.

 Witness for Humanity: Biography of Clarence Pickett,
by Larry McK.Miller. Pendle Hill, 1999.
Includes much history of the American Friends Service Committee.

 Witness in Washington: An Account of the First 50 Years of FCNL,
edited by Tom Mullen. Friends United Press, 1994.

stages of life

 Childhood and Youth Answering That of God in Our Children,
by Harriet Heath. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 315, 1990.
Clues to the budding spirituality of children.

 Children and Solitude,
by Elise Boulding. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 125, 1962.
Children do need time for developing a sense of the Spirit.

 Who Do We Think We Are? Young Friends Commitment and Belonging.
Swarthmore Lecture Quaker Home Service.
Presentation at Britain Yearly Meeting by Young Friends General Meeting. Non-linear organization of the material is helpful.

adult life

 Addressing Sexual Abuse in Friends Meetings.
New England Yearly Meeting, 1994.

 Living with Oneself and Others,
New England Yearly Meeting.
Available from AFSC Bookstore, 980 N. Fair Oaks, Pasadena, CA 91103

 Marriage: A Spiritual Leading for Lesbian, Gay and Straight Couples,
by Leslie Hill. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 308, 1995.
A report of one meeting’s experience.

 One Small Plot of Heaven: Reflections on Family Life
by a Quaker Sociologist, by Elise Boulding. Pendle Hill, 1989.
Twelve essays.

 This We Can Say: Talking Honestly About Sex.
Friends Press, U.K., 1995. Revision of the 1963 book,
Towards a Quaker View of Sex.

aging

 On Hallowing Our Diminishments,
by John Yungblut. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 292, 1990.
The diminishments are not limited to aging, but may include birth defects, etc., as well.

 Without Nightfall on the Spirit,
by Mary Morrison. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 311, 1994.
Reflections on many aspects of aging.

 Death and Dying Dear Gift of Life: A Man’s Encounter with Death,
by Bradford Smith. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 142, 1965.
Journal and poetry of one Friend as he was dying of cancer.

 Facing Death,
by Diana Lampen. Quaker Home Service, 1979.
Touches on death and bereavement, and the need for truthtelling.

 For That Solitary Individual: An Octogenarian’s Counsel on Living and Dying,
by John Yungblut. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 316.
The essence of the message is to become a contemplative in the later years.

 Planning Ahead: Meeting Our Responsibilities when Death Occurs,
1994.
Useful information for executors, family, friends and Meetings. Obtainable from Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting, P.O. Box 5065, Berkeley, CA 94705

 A Song of Death, Our Spiritual Birth: A Quaker Way of Dying,
by Lucy S.McIver. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 340, 1998.
A look at death as a spiritual birth, completion of a cycle.

stewardship and environmental concerns

 Caring for Creation: Reflections on the Biblical Basis of Earthcare,
by Lisa Lofland Gould. Friends Committee on Unity with Nature, 1999.
Spiritual roots of relationship between humans and the rest of creation.

 Ecology of Hope: Communities Collaborate for Sustainability,
by Ted Bernard and Jora Young. New Society, 1996.
Inspiring stories of successful collaborations.

 God’s Spirit in Nature,
by Judith Brown. Pendle Hill Pamphlet no. 336.
Meditations on being present in God’s world.

 Healing Ourselves and the Earth,
by Elizabeth Watson. Friends Committee on Unity with Nature, 1991.
An early statement expressing this concern.

periodicals and magazines

 BeFriending Creation: News of Friends Committee on Unity with Nature of North America.
179 N. Prospect St., Burlington, VT 05401-1607

 EarthLight: The Magazine of Spiritual Ecology.
Unity with Nature Committee of Pacific Yearly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends, 111 Fairmount Ave., Oakland, CA 94611. Originated by Pacific Yearly Meeting, Unity with Nature Committee.

 FLGBTQC Newsletter.
Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns, c/o Joe Franko 7649 Airlie Drive Tujunga, Ca 91042 or < www.quaker.org/flgbtqc/ >

 The Friend: An Independent Quaker Journal (weekly).
The Friend and Friends Quarterly Subscription Dept. P.O. Box 21366, London WC1B SLH. Valuable resource for information on Quaker service outside the U.S.

 Friendly Woman: A Journal for Exchange of Ideas, Feelings, Hopes and Experiences by and among Quaker Women,
1106 Caldwell Lane, Nashville, TN 37204. (Editorial committee changes every few years.)

 Friends Bulletin: Building the Western Quaker Community,
3223 Danaha St, Torrance, CA 90505. Organ of the three independent Yearly Meetings in the West.

 Friends Journal: Quaker Thought and Life Today.
1216 Arch St., 2-A, Philadelphia PA 19107.

 Pastoral Care Newsletter.
1515 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Published by the Family Relations Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

 Quaker Life.
101 Quaker Hill Drive, Richmond, IN 47374. Friends United Meeting publication.

 What Canst Thou Say? Friends, Mystical Experience and Contemplative Practice.
A worship-sharing group in print. c/o Amy Perry, 6180 N. Ralston, Indianapolis, IN 46220.