Quaker General History in Nova Scotia :
The Quaker movement in Nova Scotia grew directly from the general Quaker movement in the United States, dating back to around 1656 in the area of New England around Rhode Island which provided a respite for New World travellers who were not puritan and therefor not welcome in Massachusetts.
In June of 1657 a boat from England sailed with a few Quakers and eventually landed in Newport, R.I. and were among the founders of that area, famous for Friends such as Mary Dyer, a convert to Quakerism who championed the cause in Massachusetts. Eventually, Quakerism spread to Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts, and these people are the ancestors of those who would follow and leave the US during and just after the American Revolution, to come to a more "friendly", non-warring Canada. These people formed the Dartmouth (Nova Scotia) Quakers who are the ancestors of some in our area today.
A complete history of Quakerism in Nova Scotia is available from Lancelot Press of Hantsport, in the form of Douglas Triders book The History of the Dartmouth Quakers.
General Quaker Information:
(from Facts about Friends - Australia Yearly Meeting)
The origins of the society are found in the 1600's in England. George Fox (1624-1691) did not find the answers to his questions of faith in any of the churches of the time, and out of his searching came the message that resulted in the formation of the Quaker movement.
Fox challenged the notion of a hierarchical church, he claimed that
all could have a personal relationship with Jesus without the intercession
of a church or priest or minister. He taught that Jesus teaches to each
person's condition personally, so ministry rests with all. The Quakers
were the first to have women and men be totally and unequivocally equal
in this regard.
Friends hold that the Bible should not be taken as the final revelation
of God. The books were written by those under the spirit's guidance, the
same spirit that is in each person's heart. The Words are agents then that
will spring forth for some at the appropriate time to lead a seeker on
in his or her religious journey. Fox knew the bible well, and his use of
it and its teachings to reinforce the ideas of a personal God were key
to the Quaker beliefs.
Fox preached that the Light was in all, and each of us is given a
measure of this power or Light. Jesus possessed this light so that he became
the Light and the Light within is Jesus.
Friends believe that if they wait silently, there will be times that
God will speak to them in their heart. The silent meeting, then, is the
sacrament of communion with God, where Friends lay themselves open for
the Spirit's leadings. Openings may or may not occur to anyone at any time
in (or without) the meeting.
All are equal, and from this belief came the principles of plain
dress, simple living and plain speech which many associate with Quakers.
Today many Friends live simply, and a few do adopt plain dress.
ThePeace Testimony -
Probably the most known of modern Quaker teachings, the peace
testimony
is a simple statement that since God is in everyone, no one should harm
another. The complete testimony is linked above.
In Nova Scotia today all meetings are silent "unprogrammed"
meetings where we wait silently for a leading for someone to minister to
the group. Many meetings are very small, and some are in people's houses.
For a complete description of what to expect see our link
Summary -
The Religious Society of Friends is an alternative Christian group,
which emphasizes the personal contact with God that may be had by all.
This leads many Quakers into social issues and activities, many
are active today in native, Women's, Anti-violence, Educational, or poverty
relief efforts.
Being "Children of the Light" we find recourse to violence
intolerable, and our thought is both mystical (waiting upon God) and prophetic (speaking
truth to power). We believe the spirit is still leading us and unfolding
its message, and that we ourselves can find God, and establish a living
relationship. It is this search for a closer relationship with God that
is the Way.
Quakers also state that religion is not attained by logic and reasoning,
and that the Spirit's teaching is necessary, that religion is concerned
with all of life, and that therefore definitions are limiting.
You are welcome to join us, for while not proselytizing, we are welcoming
and assure all that the society is truly a Religious Society of Friends.