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Early Quakerism and its Origins

This chapter begins with some historical background followed by a summary of the main scholarly literature on early Quakerism, together with an assessment of its merits. It then examines the origins of the name, comparing it with the ways in which polemicists used other terms of abuse, before suggesting that Quakerism had multiple, loosely interlinked beginnings rather than a singular basis. Other aspects of early Quakerism that are discussed include its defining characteristics, social composition, and the beliefs of its adherents: namely the supremacy of individual experience over religious traditions and dogma; their anti-sacramentalism, anticlericalism, hostility to tithes, pleas for toleration, concern for social justice, and calls for legal and medical reform; as well as their attitude towards the Bible, Apocrypha, extra-canonical texts, and the ‘occult’. In addition, consideration is given to Quaker preaching, literary style, modes of speech, use of silence, prophetic behaviour, and attempted miracle working within the context of a widespread belief in an imminent apocalypse and the re-emergence of Christian primitivism. Finally some reasons are suggested for early Quakerism’s success.