Howard H. Brinton (1884–1973)

This is a brief (16 pages) and succinct explanation of the basic doctrine, as Brinton calls it, of Quakerism and of the doctrines that derive from it. The declaration that the experience of the Presence of God is accessible to everyone and that we need no intermediary to know and heed God is the foundation, and the practices of meeting for worship and meeting for business follow from it. The implications for community and individual life flow from that, including the testimonies.
Brinton is show more insightful, cogent, clear, practical, and interesting, as always. (Brinton authored 13 Pendle Hill Pamphlets and various books.) Brinton's exposition is as up-to-date as ever, dated only by a bit of sexist language. Brinton does state clearly that the Society of Friends is a Christian society, which is a more controversial matter nowadays, though he states that this religion is an eternal gospel not exclusively related to particular historical events. Interestingly, he points out that Quakerism shares the primary doctrines (above) and the tertiary (the testimonies) with many other religious groups, and it is only in the secondary doctrines, about worship and meeting for business, that it is unique and clearly distinctive from other sects and opinions. show less

This excellent pamphlet is a clear and useful summary of the religion of George Fox, as Howard Brinton assembled it from Fox's Epistles, which were written to Friends and then collected and published in 1698. Brinton's work, in a readable and friendly style, is scholarly, brilliantly clear, interesting, and wise. Brinton has a lovely way of explaining Fox's ideas and 17th century language, and places them in historical context.
This is one of Brinton's four PH pamphlets that he regarded as a show more series on the classic Quaker theology of early Friends: #156, 161, 173, and 179. show less

Brinton has done an amazing job of describing Quaker practice in only 64 pages. Brinton’s aim is not to describe Quaker beliefs, but rather Quaker practice--the structure and conduct of the Quaker meeting as a functioning community. Included are descriptions of programmed and unprogrammed meetings, spoken and unspoken rules of vocal ministry, the function and duties of elders, the usually accepted rules of conduct in Meeting for Worship for Business, queries, education, social testimonies show more and more. Though first published in 1955, Brinton’s descriptions continue to hold true for most Quaker meetings. This is an excellent resource for both experienced Quakers and those who are new attenders. For those who are interested in learning about Quakerism but are not attending worship, there are better resources. One of my favorites is Geoffrey Hubbard’s Quaker by Convincement, which includes a history of Quakerism, as well as changes in Quaker practice since its inception during the English Civil War (1642-1651). This one is out of print, so check betterworld.com for used copies–or check with your closest Quaker library. There are shorter, less thorough treatments for those with curiosity about Quaker beliefs. One (that is also more current) is The Quakers: A Very Short Introduction by Pink Dandelion. I have not read this one, but Dandelion is an internationally recognized scholar of religious philosophy both inside and outside Quakerism. The most easily accessed sources are online. A good starting point is quakerinfo.org, which both gives information about the various branches of Quakerism and has referring links to various Quaker websites. (Portions of this review are from a review I wrote for West Australia Regional Meeting.) show less

The author is concerned with George Fox’s inner sources for outward action rather than his advice to early Friends on “dress, speech, and behavior.” He captures Fox as a philosopher of religion through his letters.