Can Quakerism Speak to the Times?

Friends have in the first half of this century won for themselves an enviable reputation in practical Christianity, mainly through their relief work abroad in caring for the victims of war. People are impressed by the fact that our concern is for human need, and is expressed without regard to race, color or creed. They are interested in learning more about a faith that is able to demonstrate such dedication; but we are better at doing the job in the right spirit than in explaining our basic philosophy and motivation.

From its earliest beginnings Quakerism has laid its stress upon experience rather than dogma; and has sought to express itself in life and conduct rather than in words. But there is a present danger in service work that we may be accepting assignments pressed upon us because of our past reputation, rather than waiting for true concerns to arise from our worship and silence together. Our service work involvement may well be outrunning our spiritual resources. Shall the Society restrict its activities or deepen its spiritual life? It may need to do both of these things.