George Fox — Founder of Quakers

Unlike some other mystics George Fox resolved to share his experience with others. This became his life's work, and resulted in establishing the community known today as the Religious Society of Friends or Quakers.

At a time of political and religious turmoil, early Friends as a people were gathered, guided and ordered by God. From their experience of the immediacy of the presence of Christ sprang the form of worship and the way of life which became the distinctive testimonies of Friends, and which were upheld with courage in the face of great persecution. From the need to make provision for those suffering and the need to set boundaries to individual behaviour, came the insights into 'Gospel Order' and the setting up of meetings for church affairs which were also meetings for discipline**.

Over time this resulted in a small document called "Advices and Queries": a concise expression of Quaker faith and practice. Though a small booklet, it is intended for use in meetings, for private devotion and reflection, as a challenge and inspiration to Friends in their personal lives and in their life as a religious community. It comes with a caveat that is unusual for many religious communities:

Dearly beloved Friends, these things we do not lay upon you as a rule or form to walk by, but that all, with the measure of Light which is pure and holy, may be guided; and so in the Light walking and abiding, these may be fulfilled in the Spirit, not from the letter, for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.

** Extract from Quaker Faith & Practice