A member of Middleton Meeting visited the National Park Service site Guilford Courthouse near Greensboro, NC. The following image was on an educational display that highlights the hurdles that Friends have had to endure to ensure that peace remains at the center of our beliefs. More information on the Quakers and this NPS site can be found by clicking here: Quakers at Guilford Courthouse
The following is an excerpt from the Ohio Yearly Meeting Brief Synopsis of our faith. The entire synopsis can be found on the Ohio Yearly Meeting website (https://ohioyearlymeeting.org/our-faith/) or by clicking here: Brief Synopsis of our faith
"Perhaps that testimony of our Society, best known to the world, and the one that has brought it most conspicuously into public notice, in this country, is the one against war and bloodshed. For two hundred and fifty years, the Religious Society of Friends, has borne testimony, not only against war, but against the spirit of war, as well, until now the foremost statesmen and jurists of the world, weary of its record of violence and inhumanity, are looking to The Hague Tribunal, in the hope, that ere long a legal court of arbitral justice may be established competent to settle all international disputes, that cannot be adjusted by diplomacy. It is no time, however, for Friends to withdraw from the advanced ground we occupy, as followers of the Prince Of Peace! The whole trend of the Savior's teaching is in opposition to all war! What could be more comprehensive in its scope, what more clear and definite, than his words, as recorded in Matthew, (V. 43-45.) "Ye have heard that it hath been said Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."
A Christian is defined as "A disciple, or follower of Christ. One whose profession and life conform to the teaching and example of Christ."
Does the life of the soldier, who kills his fellow men, or the man who condones or justifies, or applauds the killing, conform to the teaching, or example of our Savior, the Prince of Peace? Certainly we can imagine nothing more at variance with the gospel plan, than the hatred and violence of war!!
As we submit our hearts to the dominion of Christ, he will so fill them with love to him and to each other, that there will be no place for hatred, malice, and those other evil passions that precede, and accompany the spirit of strife and war, but we will rather become peace-makers, who are to become the "Children of God." (Matt. V, 9.)"
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