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This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Quaker book review
I have just finished 'Observations on the religious peculiarities of the Society of friends' by J J Gurney. I quite enjoyed it. He writes very fluently and articulately. Other than a few things, there is nothing overall that technically disagrees with general early friends theology (however I am aware that he does much so in other writings of his). The only major things in this work I could find that might bear to be out of order with early quaker theology was this:

'Nor are we to forget that many of the original promulgators of the gospel on whom this work of establishing a new religion devolved, and several of whom were employed in composing those records of divine truth which are of permanent and universal authority, were gifted in a far more eminent degree with divine inspiration, than now appears to be the case with any of the Lord's servants. '

He isnt here saying that scripture is greater than the Holy Ghost but is obviously implying that today no one has matched or can match up to the inspiration had by the early apostles and promulgators, and therefore their scripture is of higher authority than what our contemporary inspiration can inspire.

This seems to go very strongly against the grain of what early friends believed. The early friends believed that they too could become equally the sons of God like the early apostles. And as far as I remember, none of them (early quakers) ever in their writings made a distinction between their level of inspiration and the apostles but claimed to be in the same Light and Life as them. Yet at the same time the early friends no doubt would use scripture to rebuke and suppress a friend who's Light contradicted scripture, or to justify their view of first hand experience of the holy ghost and their ways using scripture to an opponent because the scriptures contain the revelations of God's will in his first apostles and servants after the great christian dispensation.


Gurney also says this a little further on in the same chapter:

'Although we are very far indeed from pretending to those higher degrees of inspiration, which for peculiar specific purposes were bestowed on some of the immediate followers of Jesus, we know that there are individuals amongst us who have received that gift of prophecy, which is profitable for "exhortation, edification, and comfort":'

Without fail it seems that Gurney is indicating that yes we can experience God first hand but not to the same degree as that which brought forth scripture. And therefore like Barclay says, no experience will contradict it. But whereas Barclay never says that we cant get to the same degree of inspiration as the apostles in the bible, and also that such inspiration can produce written works just as valid (as long as they dont contradict scripture), Gurney denotes that such experience impossible and can only happen to a lower but valid degree.


But he seems to put it so smoothly and subtly that it doesnt stand out like this, mainly because people are aware that the early friends (and friends in general) took it for granted that the first disciples of Christ were living in the immediate influence of the Holy Ghost via their own inward light and thence acknowledged and honoured such experiences by their reverence for and obedience to the scriptures, that it doesnt seem like Gurney is out of place to have written what he has.

In the whole book it seems that what I have mentioned above are the only real technical inconsistencies. Other than this he mentions a measure of God's redeeming spirit in each of us occasionally without going into the depth and reverence the early friends did. He never says outright that the bible is of higher authority than Spirit other than in the way I have mentioned above . The rest is all fairly mainstream quaker stuff but well put and articulately written.


However I did find something I thought was very interesting concerning Quaker theology/eschatology. I found this:

'Those who are accustomed to read the declarations of Jesus and his apostles, can no longer conceal from themselves that man is born for eternity; that when his body dies, his soul ascends into Paradise , Luke 23:43 &c. or is cast into hell, Luke 16:23; and that, after the day of resurrection and of final and universal judgement, we shall all reap the full and eternal reward of our obedience or our rebellion, of our virtue or our vice. '

Can no longer conceal from themselves that when the body dies the soul goes into heaven or hell before judgment day aye? He is being quite presumptuous. However I find it interesting because from what I have read of the early quakers (and that isnt much) they never seem to have explained systematically or no, what happens to the soul after immediate death. I guess some early quakers may of had differences here or may have agreed. Barclay doesnt mention anything of the sort.

As for the contradiction of how souls before Christ was incarnate and died in the flesh could have been justified, Gurney doesnt do much to rectify it. He says this:

'That the Spirit which in these passages is probably alluded to, and which dwelt in the servants of God during the early ages of the world, was that very Spirit, the more abundant effusion of which was the most distinguishing feature of the christian dispensation--that this Spirit was the true enlightener and sanctifier of men, before as well as after the coming of Christ in the body--and that multitudes of those who lived previously to the christian era, and whose view of the character and mediation of the Messiah was comparatively faint, were really saved by its influence from the power of sin fitted for eternal life,---will not be disputed by any persons who esteem as sacred the records of the Old Testament. Since therefore so many persons in those ancient times were saved by the operation of the Spirit of Christ, who for the most part possessed nothing more than an indistinct apprehension of the person and offices of the Messiah, it seems a very reasonable inference that the outward knowledge of Christ is not absolutely indispensable to salvation, and that other persons who altogether destitute of that knowledge, may also be saved from sin and from penalties which are attached to it, through the secret operations of divine grace. '


I noticed he didnt use the word justify but sanctify when referring to the Spirit here. He doesnt in the book at all mention a difference or identification between the two. And since he talks about people before Christ in the flesh being 'saved by its influence from the power of sin fitted for eternal life' , how was Christ's death in the flesh any difference to the Spirit's operations of divine grace in fitting us for eternal life? Surely just a sanctification that fits us for eternal life is also a justification to be accepted so? Since the Spirit was doing that for us anyways? However Gurney seems to restrict himself to peoples of the old testament. George Fox did as well (when talking of those before christ in the flesh) but that is more likely due to lack of education of pious spiritual people outside what was recorded in the bible than anything else.


It is a shame Gurney doesnt mention anything about not only the old Jews who had no outward notion of Christ in the flesh but of pious Gentiles as well who were just as virtuous and equally if not more had less knowledge of an up coming Messiah, even if in vague prophesies. Did the Spirit sanctify them as well? Were they 'saved by its influence from the power of sin fitted for eternal life' ?

Ultimately where does Christ's death in the flesh stand as the means to access eternal life (even by his inward light that can work its redemption and salvation in us because of this death?)

Also What Gurney does which the other earlier quakers never emphasized or didnt acknowledge whatsoever was the idea of quakers realizing themselves as only part of the one and only true church instead of being it.

I give the book four stars because it is incredibly well written and fluent. Gurney is a charismatic writer (even if he was evangelical, but let us remember that he wasnt in the sense of hosting revivalist meetings as he was in outlook). The reason why I dont give it five stars is because Gurney himself was obviously being as subtle as possible as he could in steering away from the famous quaker doctrine of the 'inward Light'. He comes across more mainstream protestant than he does other eminent quaker writers. Quakerism is a collective mystic movement,there is little mysticism here in this book if you are looking for any.

However if you wish to see some of the evangelical views that were creeping into Quakerism and would eventually be the leading influence, this book is a great start and a satisfying read.
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This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishings Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the worlds literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Publisher: Philadelphia : W.H. Pile's sons, printers; Publication date: 1892; Subjects: Society of Friends; Quaker women; Religion / Christianity / Quaker; ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishings Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the worlds literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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This Scarce Antiquarian Book Is Included In Our Special Legacy Reprint Series. In The Interest Of Creating A More Extensive Selection Of Rare Historical Book Reprints, We Have Chosen To Reproduce This Title Even Though It May Possibly Have Occasional Imperfections Such As Missing And Blurred Pages, Missing Text, Poor Pictures, Markings, Dark Backgrounds And Other Reproduction Issues Beyond Our Control. Because This Work Is Culturally Important, We Have Made It Available As A Part Of Our Commitment To Protecting, Preserving And Promoting The World's Literature. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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This volume is produced from digital images from the Cornell University Library Samuel J. May Anti-Slavery Collection ... Read more

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This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Subtitle: To Which Is Prefixed a Brief Account of the Rise of the SocietyGeneral Books publication date: 2009Original publication date: 1848Original Publisher: For sale at Friends' Book StoreSubjects: Society of FriendsReligion / Christianity / QuakerReligion / Christianity / DenominationsNotes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free.Excerpt: MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS.At a Meeting of ihe Representatives of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the eastern parts of Maryland and Virginia, held in Philadelphia the 1'Jih of the 10th month, 1827 -- The Committee, to whose consideration was referred the preparing or collecting into one view, such a brief exposition of the fundamental principles held by us, as might evince to candid, unprejudiced minds, that they are Ihe genuine doctrines of the Christian religion, promulgated by our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, and his Apostles; having examined a compilation from the writings of our primitive Friends, illustrative of those principles which they held and laboured to spread in the world, and which we as a religious body have always professed and most surely believed; the work, after careful attention, was approved; and the author, Thomas Evans, is at liberty to publish it: it being hoped that it will be beneficial, not only to the members of our own Society, but to such others as are desirous of correct informaiion, and a clear understanding of the coincidence of sentiment and unity of lailh, which has continually subsisted in and among our worthy predecessors, and the faithful members of our Religious Society, down to the present day.Extract from the Minutes.JONATHAN EVAiNS, Clerk.The f... ... Read more