Elias Hicks

Workshop # 17
Paul Buckley

Elias Hicks was at the center of the 1827-28 separations among American Friends, yet he is largely unknown to modern Friends. Using transcripts of his journal and letters, we’ll meet this fascinating and complicated man, and examine how his beliefs on being faithful to our calling and the nature of God affect us today.

Percentage of time:
Worship/worship-sharing 25; Lecture 40; Discussion 25; Experiential 10

Open to all

There are moments in history that forever change the shape of the future. One such moment in the history of the Religious Society of Friends was the 1827-28 separations. The course of development for each of the current branches of the society depends critically on those events.

Elias Hicks was at the center of the controversies that resulted in those divisions – FGC can trace its roots to the “Hicksite” branch that emerged – but he is all but unknown to modern Friends. Even worse, much of what people believe they know about him, isn’t true.

Working from transcripts of his journal and some of his letters, participants in this workshop will meet this fascinating and complicated man and examine his beliefs about issues from the nature of God to slavery and from education to resisting the government. We will explore his advice on how to live a faithful life in the face of the world’s temptations and consider the significance of his views to the Society of Friends (both then and now) and to ourselves.

Expectations and objectives for the week:

Workshop participants will gain an understanding of who Elias Hicks was, what he believed, how that affected the subsequent development of the Religious Society of Friends, and what relevance he might have to Friends (and themselves) today.

Specific areas or topics that we will cover:

First, I will present a basic biography of Elias Hicks, some background information on the Society of Friends, and general information on the wider American society in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. We will then spend some time examining Hicks’ beliefs in three general areas – theological, Quaker, and with respect to the wider world. Next, we will consider how he was viewed by others – both within and outside of the Society of Friends – and how this contributed to the separations of 1827-28. Finally, we will look at the development of the Society of Friends in the last 180 years and reflect on where we find ourselves today.

A rough description of the format:

Each day will open with a substantial period of worship. I will make a presentation on the topic of the day, followed by questions and discussion. Workshop participants will then be invited to consider how they respond to the dayʼs topic in a period of worship sharing. Finally, participants will be encouraged to write down whatever feelings the day has generated. At the end of the week, there will be an opportunity (for those who wish to) to share these reflections.

Reading assignments during the Gathering:

Since much of the material to be used is not available in print, I will supply handouts each day on the flowing day’s topic. Participants may find it helpful to read Bliss Forbush’s biography of Hicks, Elias Hicks, Quaker Liberal or Larry Ingle’s history, Quakers in Conflict, but this is not necessary.

Specific requests for items to bring to the Gathering:

Bring enquiring minds.