Quaker

A Christian sect that arose in the mid-17th century in England and the American colonies, advocating direct inward apprehension of God, emphasizing the immediacy of Christ's teaching and guidance, and rejecting outward rites and an ordained ministry. Quakers believe in a spiritual baptism and a spiritual communion. The group has a long tradition of opposing war and actively working for peace. Quakerism represents the extreme left wing of the 17th-century Puritan movement and its believers faced a great deal of persecution for their unconventional Christian practices. Divisions in the 18th and 19th centuries were overcome during and after World War I with suspicion subsiding and cooperation and reunion occurring. George Fox (1624-91), founder of the society in England, recorded that in 1650 "Justice Bennet of Derby first called us Quakers because we bid them tremble at the word of God." It is likely that the name was also used because they physically trembled to express their religious emotion during their meetings. Despite the fact that the term was probably originally derisive, it is used by the Quakers themselves and no embarrassment is caused by using the term today. The Quaker system of church government centers around the monthly meeting.