A public exhibition was held at the Treasure House in Beverley in 2014, with panels and displays of artefacts such as the one shown in this picture.
The panels from the exhibition are available online here, and some of the content is shown below.
Live Adventurously
The remarkable story of Quakers in Beverley and beyond
One Sunday in 1651 a mysterious man, clad in leather, walked into Beverley Minster during a service and “declared truth to the priest and people there”. That man was George Fox. The people he would convince through his words and actions called themselves ‘Friends in the Truth’ but soon become known as ‘Quakers’.
Quakers have been in Beverley ever since, worshipping in homes and meeting houses.
Their conviction is that divine insight is available to each one of us if we are willing to let it in. Quaker worship was, and is, based on silent “waiting in the Spirit”.
Historically excluded from university education and the professions, Quakers founded well-known local industries such as Reckitts (the portrait above is of James Reckitt) and Priestmans, both of Hull, and Rowntrees of York. Often at odds with the authorities, their quiet, independent faith has led them to work valiantly for a peaceful and just society that values ‘that of God in everyone’.
“Live adventurously. When choices arise, do you take the way that offers the fullest opportunity for the use of your gifts in the service of God and the community?”
Advices and Queries 27, 1994
Beginnings
Who are the Quakers?
‘Quakers’ or simply ‘Friends’ are informal names
for members of the Religious Society of Friends.
‘Quaker’ was a derogatory nickname given to
the early members of the Society of Friends as
they trembled or ‘quaked’ in the revelation of
the ‘Truth’ in their silent meetings for worship.
George Fox
George Fox is regarded as the Religious Society of Friends’ founder. Born in 1624 in Leicestershire, he travelled the country as a young man seeking answers to his spiritual questions. Finding churchmen unable to help him, he eventually experienced a transforming insight, that “...there is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition”. His convincement was that each individual is able to relate directly to God so there was no need for priests, or for specially consecrated churches, which he called steeplehouses. Fox travelled widely, speaking in churches and meeting groups of ‘seekers’ who were looking for a freer way of practising their Christian faith. Fox recorded details of his travels in his journal.
George Fox's visit to Beverley
The mid seventeenth century was a time of turmoil. Following an outbreak of plague, travel was restricted but in 1651, only two years after the emergence of Oliver Cromwell’s ‘Commonwealth’, Fox came to Beverley and ‘declared truth to the priest and people’ in the Minster.
Beverley is notable in receiving him relatively sympathetically. He was not turned out of its churches as he had been in some areas. Joseph Wilson, the vicar of St Mary’s, was amongst those interested in what he had to say, and he was warmly supported by the local magistrate, Justice Hotham.
These humorous contemporary drawings by Geoffrey Makins tell the story of George Fox’s journey around East Yorkshire in 1651.
George Fox 400th Anniversary
George Fox, an early leader of Quakerism, would be turning 400 this year and Quakers in Britain and around the world are celebrating!
Fox made a point of living with integrity and acting against injustice. He helped to build a faith community that practised what they preached, looking for that of God in everyone. Quakers through history continued to live out these values, playing an important role in the abolition of slavery, modelling fair employment practices and working for humanitarian and social change. Today, Quakers in Britain work for peace, climate and social justice. Quaker communities create spaces for people of all faiths and none to explore their beliefs in quiet stillness. Following the example of George Fox and early Friends, Quakers continue to live and work by testimonies to peace, equality, simplicity, and truth.
To learn more about Fox, his relevance today and how to get involved in the celebrations click the link below.
https://www.quaker.org.uk/george-fox-400