Quaker Journals: Varieties of Religious Experiences Among Friends

by Howard H. Brinton

Book by Howard H. Brinton

Genres: Religion

130 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1972

About the author

Howard Haines Brinton was an author, professor and director whose work influenced the Religious Society of Friends movement for much of the 20th century. His books ranged from Quaker journal anthologies to philosophical and historical dissertations on the faith, establishing him as a prominent commentator on the Society of Friends.

(Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Dan Gorman]

Brinton shows his command of Quaker literature from 1650 to the 1900s and makes liberal use of quotes backing up his claims. He argues that all Friends follow a spiritual arc — childhood encounters with the Inward Light, youthful folly, a spiritual crisis with a "divided self," and finally a return to the Light. Brinton contradicts himself, however, whether this arc emerges authentically from the Quaker religion, or if writers pattern their journals on prior journals. He also contradicts himself regarding Quakers' adult lives: If Friends do not feel substantial anxiety after their re-embrace of the Inward Light, then why do Friends feel intense relief every time they chose to act the way the Light instructs? His description of Quaker authors as a singular figure is an artificial construction that elides the unique aspects of individual Quaker authors. (Perry Miller also used a reductionist artificial construction when he spoke of a single "New England [Puritan] Mind"; Brinton is likewise operating in this older scholarly mode.) There are lots of insightful quotes and details in this book, but Brinton is giving more of a personal religious testimony than a typical academic monograph. See also my review of Brinton's "Friends for 350 Years," another Brinton text that is contradictory, personal, and flawed in some of its claims.

[Matthew]

This was a really fascinating survey of Quaker journals. I’m brand new to learning about Quakerism and it was super helpful to get a sense of some of the common themes that Quakers of the past have noticed in their spiritual journeys and how those themes have shown up for me as well over time.

[D'face]

The Quaker practice of recording their spiritual experiences and growth in journals is one of the defining characteristics of early Quakerism. This slim volume surveys common themes across three hundred journals and these themes provide the work's structure. The author contends that many journals reveal common pathways amongst early Quakers beginning with divine revelations in childhood,passing through a period of youthful frivolity, recognition of a divided self and achieving unification through silence. Amongst Quakers the move from silent worship into spoken ministry is a defining point which amongst early Quakers was accompanied by adoption of the Quaker's characteristic plain speech, plain dress and simple living. The second characteristic element of Quakerism that remains today is the peace testimony which in early days often resulted in injury or loss of life due to persecution. Britton then deals with restriction of business (so as to have more time for spiritual activities), the other social testimonies, treatment of animals (an interesting and current issue) and he finishes with an examination of the religious philosophy of Friends where he outlines the history of schisms and divisions within the sect.

Quaker journals are an interesting and rich resource and this small book covers a lot of ground by providing a thematic structure supported by relevant excerpts from a number of journals.