Sandra Cronk

The dark nigh aptly describes the situation of those who have had a growing sense of God's presence, direction, and consolation, and are suddenly bereft of that experience. Aridity, meaninglessness, loss, and pain are hardly the milestones expected on a journey toward God -- yet this is a journey toward God. The brings a unique Quaker perspective to her interpretation of this powerful pathway, and offers sensitive guidance to dark night travelers and those who seek to understand and nurture show more them. show less

The dark night aptly describes the situation of those who have a growing sense of God's presence, and are suddenly bereft of that experience. The dark night is ultimately a lesson in powerlessness and humility, in the need for redemption and grace, and in the necessity that we must die to ourselves to be born anew.

This is a very important pamphlet for understanding Quaker practice. Cronk clearly explains the spiritual foundations of much Quaker practice. Gospel order was the term used to describe the communal, ecclesiastical, and societal dimensions of living by God's order. While this is not introductory material for understanding Quakerism, it is fundamental to faithful Quaker living and meetings.

Gospel order was the phrase early Friends most often used to describe communal/ecclesiastical and social dimensions of God's new ordering in their lives. This essay concentrates on the communal and societal aspects of Gospel order as the foundation of meeting – or church community life. "Gospel" does not refer primarily to the intellectual content of faith or a religious message. It is the actual life, power, and reality of the relationship with God. In the corporate and social dimensions show more of Gospel order, "order" refers to the patterns of daily living which flow from God's life and power and which allow the community to maintain and deepen its relationship with Christ. show less