Alastair Heron (1915–2009)

In the summary of his book, Heron writes of his belief that in the last remaining years of the 20th century, the Religious Society of Friends in Britain in the late ’90s is facing considerable difficulties. These difficulties are not structural or organizational, but spiritual. They the direct consequence of changes that began some 30 years ago in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Heron is of the view that if nothing effective is initiated soon, then thirty years hence Membership will need qualifiers such as ethical, humanist, secular. By that time, only a small minority will affirm a personal experience of the living power of the Spirit of God in their daily lives.

Those intimate with our Quaker history will identify this situation as a legitimate Concern. But Heron admits this is an essay he did not want to write.… (more)