,an ,int]pretation (                    
,fri5ds ,wor%ip                     ,,by
               ,n4 ,,jean ,,toom]       
,device                 ,publi%$ by  ,,!
 ,,committee ,,on ,,religi\s ,,education
 ,,(        ,,fri5ds ,,g5]al ,,conf]5ce 
#aeae ,*]ry ,/reet1 ,philadelphia #b1   
,pa4          ,price tw5ty-five c5ts    
,,cont5ts    ,introduction              
#c   ,wor%ip & ,love                    
#g   ,! ,basis ( ,fri5ds ,wor%ip & ,o!r 
,inw>d ,practices      #aa   ,:at to ,d 
9 ! ,meet+ = ,wor%ip                    
#bj   ,que/ions & ,answ]s               
#bh   ,= ,fur!r ,read+                  
#ce                                     
,copyright #aidg                        
,fri5ds ,g5]al ,conf]5ce   ,transcrib]'s
 ,note3      ,ext5sive rese>* did n     
uncov] any evid5ce t ! ,u4,s4           
copyright on ?is publication 0 r5ew$4   
,m9or spell+ &     typographical errors 
h be5 correct$ )\t note4                
,,introduction   ,i 0 n m ?an t5 ye>s   
old :5 ,i fir/ he>d m5tion ( ! ,quak]s4 

,! gr[n-ups ( my family 7 talk+ among   
!mselves1 speak+ ( an uncle ( m9e :o    
liv$ 9 ,philadelphia & op]at$ a ph>macy 
ne> ! univ]sity4 ,i _h nev] se5 ?is     
uncle & 0 curi\s ab\t him1 s my e>s 7   
op54 ,pres5tly a ref]5ce to ! ,quak]s   
caught my att5tion4 ,i want$ to "k :o ! 
,quak]s 74 ,:at 0 told me !n ,i h       
rememb]$ ev] s9ce4 ,! ,quak]s1 ,i 0     
told1 are p :o wait = ! _s to move !m4  
,a picture =m$ 9 my m9d4 ,_m a "t ,i _h 
se5 my gr&mo!r sitt+ quietly1 an aura ( 
peace ar\nd h] z %e sew$ or cro*et$ or  
did h] beautiful embroid]y "w4 ,s ,i    
pictur$ old] p1 mo/ ( !m ) :ite hair l  
my gr&p>5ts1 all ) k9dly faces1 ga!r$ 9 
sil5t assembly1 heads b5t slightly =w>d1
 wait+ to be mov$4 ,x nev] occurr$ to me
 t "y p1 boys & girls ( my age & ev5    
y\ng]1 might be pres5t & p>ticipat+4  ,z
 ! ^w _s meant no?+ def9ite to me1 ,i   
c\ld h no idea ( j :at w\ld move !      
,quak]s1 b ,i _h a s5se t x w\ld be     
some?+ )9 !m1 p]haps l ! /irr+s t       
sometimes mov$ me1 & ,i may h _h a vague

 notion t ?is some?+ )9 !m 0 someh[     
relat$ to :at p call$ ,god4 ,i nev]     
?\ght to ask :at ! ,quak]s might d aft] 
!y 7 mov$4  ,_h ,i be5 invit$ 9 ^? days 
to att5d a ,fri5ds meet+ = wor%ip ,i    
w\ld h gladly gone4 ,i w\ld h gone      
because my pictur+s _h giv5 me good     
feel+s ab\t ! ,quak]s4 ,i w\ld h gone   
because1 "y ?\gh ,i 01 ,i lik$ to be    
sil5t n[ & aga94 ,sometimes my be/ fri5d
 & ,i w\ld sit quietly toge!r1 happy t  
we 7 toge!r b n want+ to talk4          
,sometimes ,i w\ld g (f by myself on    
walks to look at ! wond]s ( nature1 to  
?9k my own ?\ghts1 to dream1 to feel    
some?+ /irr+ 9 me = :i* ,i _h no "n4 ,or
 ,i might )draw = a "t f ! activities ( 
! boys & girls & sit on ! por* ( our    
h\se1 my outw>d eyes wat*+ !m at play1  
my inw>d eyes turn$ to an inn] life t 0 
z real to me1 & sometimes m wond]ful ?an
 my life ) ! gr\p4  ,c]ta9 exp]i5ces ,i 
_h :5 alone1 c]ta9 exp]i5ces ,i _h ) my 
"y fri5ds1 attitudes & feel+s t w\ld    
sudd5ly arise 9 me at any "t or         

place--^! made up ! ma9/ream ( my       
religi\s life4 ,su* religion z ,i _h 0  
life-c5t]$1 n book-c5t]$1 n *ur*-c5t]$4 
,x arose f ! well ( life )9 me1 & )9 my 
fri5ds & p>5ts4 ,x arose f ! well ( life
 )9 nature & ! human _w4 ,x consi/$ 9 my
 response to fl[]s1 trees1 birds1 sn[1 !
 smell ( ! e>? aft] a spr+ ra91 sunsets 
& ! />ry sky4 ,x consi/$ 9 my devotion  
to pet rabbits & dogs1 & to "s int]e/ or
 project t caught my imag9ation4  ,i _h 
be5 taught sev]al =mal pray]s4 ,"o ( ^! 
,i said e night1 regul>ly1 be=e gett+   
into b$4 ,b ,i am ?9k+ ( ! un=m$ pray]s 
t well$ up 9 me :5ev] ,i _h ne$ ( !m4 ,i
 _h be5 read "s /ories f ! ,bible & "s (
 ! psalms1 & f ^! ,i _h d\btless ga9$   
attitudes ( rev]5ce4 ,b ,i am ?9k+ ( !  
wor%ip t spontane\sly arose z ,i beheld 
! wond]s ( ! _w :i* ,god creat$4 ,"y    
eyes are new eyes1 & to new eyes all ?+s
 are fre%1 vivid1 orig9al4  ,x is       
sometimes ask$ if *ildr5 & "y p are     
capable ( ! religi\s life4 ,c]ta9ly !y  
are n capable ( su/a9$ ef=t t[>ds an    

unsw]v+ aim4 ,c]ta9ly !y _c hold        
!mselves to a consi/5t discipl9e4 ,!y _c
 engage 9 ! religi\s life z a consci\s  
way ( liv+4 ,^! abilities come only z we
 gr[ up & subject ourselves to tra9+4   
,b1 j z c]ta9ly1 "y p d h religi\s      
exp]i5ces1 & ^! (t5 are m vivid & gl[+  
?an ^? ( ! eld]s4 ,t is x--*ildr5 c gl[4
 ,!y c light up4 ,?is capacity to gl[ is
 at ! v he>t ( :at we are talk+ ab\t4   
,to be sure1 p "y & old ne$ in/ruction4 
,we ne$ in/ruction 9 ! ,bible1 9 poetry1
 9 all lit]ature t conta9s tru? &       
beauty4 ,we ne$ to be help$ to /ruggle  
aga9/ our faults1 to ov]come our        
imp]fections4 ,& we ne$ to be curb$ on  
occasion1 z ! only way 9 :i* we may     
ev5tually become able to curb ourselves4
 ,b x %\ld n be =gott5 t all p1         
especially "y p1 h poetry 9 !m4 ,&1 m   
?an t1 accord+ to ! fai? ( ! ,fri5ds all
 p h )9 !m some?+ ( ! v _s t creat$ !   
scriptures4  ,religi\s education1 x     
seems to me1 is on ! wrong track if x   
assumes t religion is some?+ t mu/ be   

drill$ into p4 ,x is on ! "r track if x 
recognizes t ! s\rce ( religion is )9 u 
z a native end[m5t1 & t ! function (    
education is to call ?is end[m5t =?1    
supply x ) ! n\ri%m5t x ne$s 9 ord] to  
gr[1 & guide x 9 ways t promote matur+4 
,p %\ld h reason to be assur$ t =mal    
religion is n contr>y to ! spr+s (      
innate religi\s exp]i5ce & long+1 b is 9
 accord ) ! life & light )91 & simply   
seeks to direct & develop ?is spiritual 
life4  ,_h a ,fri5d approa*$ me 9 ^?    
days ) "s su* und]/&+ & assurance1 & _h 
,i be5 able to und]/& :at he said1 ,i   
w\ld h _h /ill ano!r reason1 & ?is a    
compell+ "o1 = att5d+ a meet+ = wor%ip4 
,& s ,i w\ld h gone4 ,i'd h sat !re ) ! 
o!rs1 feel+ mu* at home1 p]haps feel+ ,i
 0 9 a holy place4 ,i'd h sat z quietly 
z any = ! fir/ t5 or fifte5 m9utes4 ,i  
w\ld n h wor%ip$ 9 any =mal s5se1 = ,i  
_h n be5 taught any =m4 ,b ,i w\ld h    
practic$ my k9d ( inw>dness1 ?9k+ my own
 ?\ghts z ,i did :5 alone1 dream+       
wond]ful dreams1 feel+ a life /ir )9 me4

 ,_h !re be5 a spok5 message or two1 ,i 
w\ld h li/5$ att5tively1 tri$ to und]/&1
 & hone/ly respond$4  ,pres5tly1 h[ev]1 
,i w\ld h begun to fidget4 ,n kn[+ :at  
,i %\ld try to d 9 a meet+ = wor%ip1 ,i 
w\ld h _h no?+ to fall back on :5 my    
?\ghts ran out1 no purpose = curb+ my   
increas+ re/lessness4 ,?r\gh ! w9d[s my 
eyes w\ld h caught sight ( ! _w         
outdoors1 & ,i'd h wi%$ ,i 7 out !re    
hav+ fun ) ! boys4 ,"t w\ld h dragg$4   
,i'd h ask$ myself1 ,w ! meet+ nev] end8
 ,& :5 f9ally x did end1 ,i'd h be5 z   
glad = ! end+ z ,i _h be5 = ! beg9n+4   
,:at %\ld we try to d 9 a meet+ =       
wor%ip8 ,:at d we hope to atta9 ?r\gh x8
 ,:y is sil5ce desirable8 ,:at is ! ma9 
idea beh9d ! ,fri5ds mann] ( wor%ip8 ,x 
is true t ,quak]s wait = ! _s to move   
!m4 ,:y wait8 ,w\ldn't x be bett] j to g
 ahead8 ,besides wait+1 :at m is to be  
done8 ,c we n pray & wor%ip :5 we are   
alone1 or z we g ab\t our daily affairs8
 ,:y is x necess>y to meet toge!r8 ,:at 
is wor%ip8  ,^! are n que/ions t y answ]

 once & = all4 ,y cont9ue to ?9k ab\t !m
 & cont9ue to increase y\r und]/&+4 ,b x
 helps u to ?9k if we put our ?\ghts 9  
ord] & /udy ! ?\ghts ( o!rs4 ,s ,i am   
go+ to write d[n "s ( ! ?\ghts t h come 
to me4 ,we %all ?9k ab\t wor%ip & !     
c5tral fai? ( ! ,fri5ds1 & let ! answ]s 
come z !y may4     ,,wor%ip ,,& ,,love  
,wor%ip is ! action ( ! _s4 ,x spr+s up 
f our dep?s1 z love does4 ,x is a =m (  
love1 & j z desirable1 & j z necess>y to
 human life at its fulle/ & highe/4 ,to 
wor%ip is an innate ne$ ( man4 ,x is n  
impos$ ^u u f ! outside1 ?\gh ! way we  
sometimes g ab\t x may make x seem an   
imposition4  ,suppose y are hungry4 ,no 
"o has to tell y to eat4 ,no "o has to  
=ce y to take food4 ,suppose y are 9    
love4 ,mu/ y be told to ?9k ( ! p]son y 
are 9 love )8 ,mu/ y be =c$ to ye>n = ! 
lov$ "o8  ,wor%ip is a hung] ( ! human  
s\l = ,god4 ,:5 x really occurs1 x is z 
compell+ z ! hung] = food4 ,x is z      
spontane\s z ! love ( boy = girl4 ,if we
 feel x1 no "o ne$s tell u we %\ld      

wor%ip4 ,no "o has to try to make u d x4
 ,if we d n feel x1 or h no desire to   
feel x1 no am\nt ( urg+ or =c+ w d any  
good4 ,we simply _c be =c$1 f ! outside1
 to wor%ip4 ,only ! p[] )9 u1 ! life )91
 c move u to x4  ,b o!rs c guide our    
prelim9>y ef=ts4 ,!y c help u to prep>e 
to wor%ip4 ,su* prep>ation1 z ,rufus    
,jones has said1 is ! mo/ important     
bus9ess 9 ! _w4 ,o!rs c provide         
conditions1 su* z ! ,fri5ds meet+ =     
wor%ip1 ?anks to :i* ! desire to wor%ip 
may spr+ up & gr[4 ,! meet+ = wor%ip    
came into exi/5ce because ! e>ly ,fri5ds
 7 p[]fully mov$ to wor%ip toge!r & meet
 ! spiritual ne$s ( "o ano!r4 ,i use !  
^w ne$s4 ,_! spiritual ne$s 7 m dynamic 
?an ours--or !irs--= food & %elt]4      
,nei!r ?reats ( viol5ce nor active      
p]secution c\ld keep !m away f _!       
meet+s4  ,:y is x t "s ( u w\ld r g to a
 movie1 or li/5 to ! radio1 or see a    
ball game1 or read an excit+ book8 ,"o  
reason1 x mu/ be ackn[l$g$1 is because  
our meet+s today are sometimes dull &   

unliv+4 ,we assemble 9 our meet+ h\ses1 
b no?+ happ5s4 ,a relat$ reason is t _m 
( u h n yet awak5$ spiritually4 ,our    
bodies are active4 ,our m9ds are al]t4  
,b n our spirits4 ,su* awak5+1 h[ev]1 w 
come 9 due "t1 if we enc\rage x1 if we d
 our "p to prep>e = x1 if we live       
hone/ly & are true to ourselves1 face   
life ) cle> eyes1 & cont9ue gr[+4  ,!   
ma9 reason :y we d n wor%ip1 or d n want
 to1 is t ,god is n yet suffici5tly real
 to u4 ,he is n z real to u z our human 
fa!r4 ,8 p[] is n z real to u z ! p[] ( 
man's bra9 & muscles1 z /eam p[]1 z     
electricity4 ,wor%ip expresses man's    
relation%ip to ,god4 ,h[ !n c we wor%ip 
if we are n aw>e ( ?is relation%ip1 if !
 ma9 p>ty to x is unreal to u8  ,"s p   
speak ( wor%ip+ ?+s t are n ( ,god4 ,god
 be+ unreal to !m1 _! relation to ,him  
be+ unrecogniz$1 !y turn to :at is real 
to !m1 & engage 9 v>i\s s-call$ wor%ips3
 money-wor%ip1 h]o-wor%ip1              
ance/or-wor%ip1 ! wor%ip ( mat]ial p[] &
 ma*9es1 ! wor%ip ( political ,/ates &  

_! rul]s4 ,^! are false wor%ips4 ,god is
 ! sole object ( g5u9e wor%ip--,god & ,8
 p[] :i* ,he manife/s to u z love1      
light1 & wisdom4  ,all =ms ( true wor%ip
 arise f an exp]i5ce ( ! fact ( ,god1 f 
! realization t ,god is4 ,m5 su* z      
,george ,fox & ,john ,woolman _h _! fir/
 exp]i5ces ( ,god e>ly 9 life4 ,mo/ ( u 
come to ! exp]i5ce gradually & lat] on1 
if at all4 ,:at are we to d mean:ile8   
,mo/ religions (f] =mal (ficial /atem5ts
 ( :at !y believe ,god to be4 ,!y say   
:at ,god's nature is1 & set =? ,8       
attributes4 ,fri5ds make no su*         
pron\ncem5t2 & ,i1 = "o1 am glad !re is 
none4 ,man's words ab\t ,god _c         
sub/itute = a fir/-h& exp]i5ce ( ! liv+ 
reality4 ,fri5ds are direct$ to seek = !
 reality )9 !mselves4 ,mean:ile1 we are 
call$ ^u to h fai? t ,god exi/s & t x is
 possible = u to meet ) ,him4 ,we are   
call$ ^u to prep>e ourselves = ?is      
supreme exp]i5ce4 ,we are urg$ to try to
 s5se ,god's pres5ce1 daily to practice 
,8 pres5ce4 ,by su* practice1 if we     

p]sev]e1 we %all surely come to h a     
conv9c+ exp]i5ce4  ,wor%ip is our       
response to ,god's reality1 a reality   
:i* is1 to be sure1 )9 m51 b :i* also is
 ! radiant f\ndation ( ! entire univ]se4
 ,9 try+ to wor%ip1 we turn ourselves   
,godw>ds4 ,we ye>n = ,him & endeavor to 
"k ,8 w4 ,our lives are po9t$ t[>d ,him4
 ,if1 & z we succe$1 we make contact )  
,god1 & by ?is contact ,he is made real 
to u4 ,:5 ,he becomes real to u we      
spontane\sly love ,him4  ,c we see a    
sunset )\t respond+ to its beauty8 ,c we
 witness ^? we love1 9 _! goodness to u1
 )\t be+ t\*$ & mov$8 ,c we he> ! voice 
( our be/ fri5d on ! phone )\t eag]ly   
li/5+ & eag]ly reply+8 ,be sure1 !n1 t  
:5 we come into ,god's pres5ce we w be  
t\*$ & mov$ beyond our greate/          
expectation4  ,no?+ s det]s u f want+ to
 wor%ip z ! notion t wor%ip is unliv+4  
,if x is unliv+ x is n wor%ip4 ,if x    
seems dull1 t$i\s or difficult1 x is    
because we are n truly wor%ip+4 ,we are1
 p]haps1 prep>+ ourselves to wor%ip4    

,!re are difficulties to be ov]come 9 ! 
prep>atory /ages4 ,or1 we are b assum+ !
 appe>ance ( wor%ip1 !re be+ no life1 no
 ye>n+ )91 we be+ m dead ?an alive      
inside4 ,inde$ x is dull & t$i\s to hold
 ! po/ure1 if x is n back$ up by a      
quick5+ life ( ! _s4  ,true wor%ip is a 
liv+ exp]i5ce4 ,by & ?r\gh x we ent]    
into a life s vital1 s vivid1 s l>ge &  
glori\s t1 by comp>ison1 our life (     
ord9>y activities seems n>r[1 dull1     
dead4 ,by bodily action ! body comes    
alive4 ,by m5tal action ! m9d comes     
alive4 ,s by spiritual action ! _s comes
 alive4 ,wor%ip is spiritual action4 ,by
 means ( x our spirits awake1 mature1 & 
gr[ up to ,god4  ,all human be+s1 except
 ^? :o h be5 badly damag$ by man's      
inhumanity to man1 are mov$ to love4 ,"s
 love animals1 "s fl[]s4 ,o!rs love !   
sea or f>m l&s or m\nta9s4 ,"s love     
tru?1 "s love beauty4 ,all ( u want &   
ne$ to love & to be lov$ by our families
 & fri5ds1 & we w\ld be happy 7 we able 
to love all p ev]y:]e4 ,to love & be    

lov$ is a univ]sal human urge4 ,is x any
 wond]1 !n1 t we are mov$ to seek ,god's
 love8 ,x is inevitable t we %\ld desire
 ?is supreme =m ( love4 ,! ,fir/        
,comm&m5t expresses our inn]mo/ desire z
 well z ,god's w4  ,!re is no?+         
incr$ible ab\t our want+ to love & to be
 lov$ by ,god4 ,! incr$ible fact is t x 
c actually happ51 does happ54 ,"s day we
 w exp]i5ce x4 ,!n our d\bts w end4 ,!n 
we w wor%ip ,god ?r\gh love ( ,him4  ,"h
 is :at two religi\s m5 ( advanc$       
spiritual developm5t _h to say ( _!     
exp]i5ces4 ,george ,fox wrote1 ,! ^w ( !
 ,"l came to me1 say+1 ',my love 0      
always to !e1 & ?\ art 9 my love4' ,& ,i
 0 ravi%$ ) ! s5se ( ! love ( ,god4     
,bro!r ,lawr5ce wrote1 ,y mu/ "k t !    
b5evol5t & c>ess+ light ( ,god's        
c\nt5ance k9dles ins5sibly )9 ! s\l1 :i*
 ard5tly embraces x1 a div9e & consum+  
flame ( love1 s raptur\s t "o puts curbs
 ^u ! outw>d expression ( x4  ,x is to  
?is div9e love t we are call$4 ,?is is !
 high promise ( man's life4 ,we are     

call$ away f indiff]5ce1 f meanness1    
malice1 prejudice & hate4 ,we are call$ 
above ! e>?ly loves t come & g1 & are   
unsure4 ,we are call$ into ! deep endur+
 love ( ,god & man & all creation4      
,wor%ip is a door into t love4 ,once we 
h ent]$ x1 our e act is a pray]1 our    
:ole life a cont9u\s wor%ip4     ,,!    
,,basis ,,( ,,fri5ds ,,wor%ip ,,& ,,o!r 
,,inw>d ,,practices   ,"s p believe t   
:]eas ,god's nature is div9e1 man's     
nature is deprav$4 ,god is good1 b m5   
are evil4 ,god1 accord+ to ?is view1    
exi/s 9 heav51 remote f u4 ,we exi/ 9   
s91 remote f ,him1 9 hell or next door  
to x4 ,human be+s are completely sep>at$
 f ! ,div9e ,be+4 ,! only possible      
connection betwe5 m5 & ,god is t br\ght 
ab\t by ! m$iation ( ! *ur* & its       
au?oriz$ (ficials4 ,fri5ds h nev] held  
?is view4  ,fri5ds1 beg9n+ ) ,george    
,fox1 realiz$ t some?+ ( ,god dwells )9 
ea* & e human be+1 & t1 !re=e1 ,he is   
rea*able by u ?r\gh direct contact1 & we
 are )9 ,8 rea*1 subject to ,8 imm$iate 

influ5ce4 ,?is is ! well-kn[n basis (   
,fri5ds wor%ip4  ,s9ce ,god is )9 u1    
,fri5ds turn inw>d to f9d ,him4 ,?is is 
n a matt] ( *oice or incl9ation2 x is a 
matt] ( necessity4 ,turn+ inw>d1 we turn
 away f all ext]nals4 ,fri5ds practice  
inw>dness4 ,rufus ,jones writes1 ,!     
religion ( ! ,quak] is prim>ily conc]n$ 
) ! culture & developm5t ( ! inw>d life 
& ) direct correspond5ce ) ,god4  ,"s   
numb] ( ,fri5ds 9 ! e>ly days ( !       
movem5t n only s\ght ,god b f\nd him1   
?\gh x w\ld p]haps be bett] to say 7    
f\nd by him4 ,x 0 because !y f\nd ,god t
 !y _h su* liv+ wor%ip1 su* vital       
meet+s4 ,x 0 because !y truly wor%ip$ & 
_h vital meet+s t !y progressively      
discov]$ ,god & came increas+ly )9 8    
p[]4 ,! "o l$ to ! o!r4 ,)\t ! "o we _c 
h ! o!r4  ,t !re is t ( ,god 9 e man 01 
z already impli$1 m ?an a belief or a   
concept ) ! e>ly ,fri5ds4 ,x 0 an       
exp]i5ce4 ,x 0 a recov]y ( ! liv+       
,deity4 ,z he made & cont9u$ to make ?is
 recov]y 9 himself1 ,george ,fox w5t    

ab\t 8 apo/olic "w & laid ! f\ndation ( 
:at came to be ! ,society ( ,fri5ds4    
,:at did ,fox aim =8 ,h[ did he reg>d 8 
m9i/ry8 ,let him answ] 9 8 own words4 ,i
 exhort$ ! p to come (f f all ^! ?+s 7f 
*ur*es1 temples1 prie/s1 ti!s1          
argum5tation1 ext]nal c]emonies & dead  
traditions71 & direct$ !m to ! _s &     
grace ( ,god 9 !mselves1 & to ! light ( 
,jesus 9 _! own he>ts1 t !y might come  
to "k ,*ri/1 _! free ,tea*]4  ,po9t+ z  
!y d to ! basis ( ,fri5ds wor%ip1 ^!    
sev]al consid]ations d n1 ( !mselves1   
?r[ light on ! reason = c]ta9 o!r inw>d 
practices4 ,! basis ( ^! o!r practices  
is1 un=tunately1 less simple & less     
well-kn[n4 ,:y is !re ne$ ( p>ticul>    
occasions = pray] & wor%ip8 ,:y ne$ we  
ga!r toge!r & sit quietly8 ,:y practice 
wait+ be=e ,god8 ,if ,he is 9 u1 :y does
 ,he n manife/ to u cont9ually1 :y does 
,8 p[] n always motivate our actions8   
,:y d we h to practice ,8 pres5ce1 & :y 
is ?is practice s difficult8 ,to answ]  
^! que/ions we are =c$ to adopt a       

some:at complex & non-habitual view ( ! 
situation4  ,suppose we are approa*$ by 
a p]son ( inquir+ m9d :o says1 ,y say t 
!re is t ( ,god 9 e man4 ,all "r1 ,i am 
prep>$ to accept t z tru?4 ,b precisely 
:]e 9 u does ! div9e sp>k exi/8 ,is x 9 
our bodies8 ,is x 9 our ord9>y m9ds &   
ev]yday ?\ghts & emotions8 ,d y mean to 
say t ,god exi/s 9 ignorance1 9 man's   
prejudices & hatr$s1 9 human evil8 ,h[ w
 we reply8 ,obvi\sly ,god does n exi/ 9 
our trivial actions1 nor 9 our godless  
?\ghts & feel+s4 ,c]ta9ly ,he does n    
exi/ 9 our ignorance & evil4 ,b ^! ?+s  
exi/ 9 u4 ,!y con/itute a "p ( u4 ,?is  
"p ( u1 !n1 is sep>at$ f ,god1 :ile     
ano!r "p is relat$ to ,him4 ,ins(> z we 
id5tify ) ! sep>at$ "p & believe x to be
 ourselves1 we exi/ divorc$ f t ( ,god 9
 u4  ,! attitude1 9 brief1 is ?is4 ,!re 
is t ( ,god 9 e man4 ,!re=e man1 9 8    
entirety1 is n sep>at$ f ,god4 ,b man is
 divid$ )91 & aga9/1 himself1 into two  
diff]5t & oppos+ aspects1 & "o ( ^!     
aspects is sep>at$ f ,god4 ,?is is my   

view ( ! situation4 ,if ,i und]/& !     
writ+s ( ! e>ly ,fri5ds1 ?is 0 _! view (
 ! situation4  ,! e>ly ,fri5ds _h names 
= ! "p ( u t is sep>at$ f ,god4 ,!y     
call$ x ! natural man1 ! e>?ly man4 ,i  
%all sometimes ref] to x z ! body-m9d or
 ! sep>at$ self4 ,! e>ly ,fri5ds call$ !
 "p ( u t is relat$ to ,god & 9 :i* ,god
 dwells ! spiritual man1 ! new bir?1 !  
new creation4 ,i %all sometimes call x !
 inn] be+1 ! spiritual self4  ,x is (   
c\rse ! sep>at$ self t pres5ts !        
problem4 ,x ob/ructs our attempts to    
relate ourselves to ,god & to our fell[ 
m54 ,x int]f]es ) wor%ip z well z )     
love4 ,x is because ( ?is self t we d n 
pray & love z naturally z we brea!4 ,!  
sep>at$ self /&s 9 ! way4 ,!re=e x mu/  
be ov]come4 ,= div9e z well z g5u9ely   
human purposes x mu/ be subdu$ &        
ev5tually left beh9d4 ,e real religi\s  
practice1 :e!r ( ,fri5ds or ( o!rs1 ei!r
 directly or indirectly aims to enable  
human be+s to transc5d ! sep>at$ self 9 
ord] t we may be unit$ ) ! spiritual    

self or be+ :i* is ne> ,god because ,he 
dwells !re94  ,9 ! light ( ^! facts we c
 und]/& ! ne$ & ! purpose ( c]ta9       
specific inw>d practices1 su* z !       
practice ( cont5d+ ) oneself 7,isaac    
,p5+ton call$ x lawful w>r+7 & !        
practice ( ga!r+ sil5tly & wait+ ^u     
,god4 ,s9ce ! sep>at$ self exi/s1 & is  
an ob/ruction1 we mu/ cont5d ) x4 ,we   
cont5d ) x s z to remove x &1 at ! same 
"t1 activate ! spiritual nature4 ,ga!r+ 
9 sil5ce & wait+ ^u ,god is necess>y = !
 same reason1 & is ano!r means to ! same
 end4 ,m w be said ( ?is pres5tly4  ,!  
e>ly ,fri5ds1 :ile proclaim+ ! good news
 t !re is a spiritual man 9 ea* & all ( 
u1 t ,god dwells 9 ?is "p ( human be+s &
 is1 = ?is v reason1 close ev5 to !     
e>?ly man1 reg>d$ ! e>?ly man z         
unreg5]ate1 s9ful1 bl9d & dead to ! ?+s 
( ! _s4 ,only by ris+ above ! e>?ly     
aspect ( ourselves c we pass f s9 into  
righte\sness1 f dea? to life1 f t :i*   
exi/s ap>t f ,god into t :i* exi/s z "p 
( ,god4 ,only by yield+ to ,god's p[] c 

! e>?ly man be reg5]at$4 ,to ! degree t 
?is happ5s1 we are unifi$ ) our         
spiritual natures4 ,?us we are m5d$ &   
made :ole4 ,:at =m]ly 0 a sep>at$ &     
contr>y "p1 becomes ! in/rum5t (        
expression ( ! resurrect$ spiritual be+4
  ,if ! e>?ly man is dead to ! ?+s ( !  
_s1 !n1 z long z he rema9s s1 he        
obvi\sly c nei!r truly pray nor truly   
wor%ip4 ,nor c we1 z long z we rema9    
id5tifi$ ) him4 ,%\ld he try to pray1 he
 b prays accord+ to 8 own ignorant &    
faulty notions4 ,%\ld he try to wor%ip1 
he b wor%ips 9 8 own w1 n accord+ to ! w
 ( ,god4 ,rob]t ,b>clay call$ ?is k9d ( 
wor%ip w-wor%ip4  ,w-wor%ip 0 :at !     
,fri5ds condemn$ & tri$ to avoid4 ,!y   
aim$ = true spiritual wor%ip4 ,!y want$ 
to wor%ip ,god by & ?r\gh ! work+s ( ,8 
_s & p[] 9 _! spiritual be+s4 ,h[ 7 !y  
to fulfill ?is aim8 ,:at1 specifically1 
7 !y to d8 ,try1 by all available means1
 to quiet & subdue ! e>?ly man1 to lay  
d[n 8 w1 to turn ! m9d to ,god4 ,b1 hav+
 done ?is1 !y f\nd t some?+ m 0 want$4  

,!y discov]$1 z y & ,i h or w1 t x is "o
 ?+ to /ill our habitual ?\ghts &       
motions1 b q ano!r to cause ! spiritual 
self to arise4 ,by our own ef=ts we c   
subdue ! body-m9d to "s ext5t4 ,few ( u1
 by our ef=ts alone1 c activate our     
spiritual natures 9 a vital & creative  
way4 ,we ne$ ,god's help4 ,we ne$ ! help
 ( "o ano!r4 ,b ,god's help may n come  
at once4 ,our help to ea* o!r1 ev5 ?\gh 
we are ga!r$ 9 a meet+ = wor%ip or      
actively s]v+ our fell[ m5 outside ( !  
meet+1 may be & (t5 is delay$ z reg>ds  
our k9dl+ "o ano!r spiritually4 ,:at are
 we to d 9 ?is case8 ,!re is only "o ?+ 
we c d--wait4 ,hav+ done our "p to      
ov]come ! sep>at$ self1 we c b wait = ! 
spiritual self to arise & take comm& (  
our lives4 ,hav+ br\ght ourselves z     
close z we c to ,god1 we c b hold       
ourselves 9 an attitude ( wait+ = ,him  
to "w ,8 w 9 u1 to draw u fully into ,8 
pres5ce4  ,s ! e>ly ,fri5ds engag$ 9    
sil5t wait+1 humble yet expectant wait+1
 rev]5t wait+ ^u ! ,"l1 t !y might be   

emp[]$ by ,him to help "o ano!r & to    
r5d] to ,him ! honor & ! adoration :i*1 
z ,rob]t ,b>clay said1 *>act]izes true  
wor%ip2 t ,8 p[] might come ov] !m &    
cov] ! meet+2 t ,he might br+ ab\t !    
dea? ( ! old1 ! bir? ( ! new man4       
,fri5ds wait$1 bo? 9 & out ( meet+4 ,!y 
wait$ = ,god to move !m1 quick5 !m to   
life1 make !m ,8 in/rum5ts4 ,!y wait$ = 
! p[] ( ,god to d its wond]-"w1 lift+ up
 ! "p ( !m t 0 ak9 to ,him1 grac+ !m ) !
 miracle ( resurrection4 ,wait+ prec$$  
wor%ip4 ,wait+ prep>$ = wor%ip1 & !     
spr++ up ( new life4 ,by wait+ !y began 
wor%ip+4 ,! /illness ( ! meet+ h\se1 !  
sil5ce ( ! lips1 ! clos$ eyes & compos$ 
faces 7 ! tangible signs ( ! prelim9>y  
p]iod ( wait+4  ,x is in/ructive &      
reassur+ to note h[ frequ5tly1 among !  
e>ly ,fri5ds1 ! practice ( wait+ did h !
 desir$ sequel4 ,?is seem+ inactivity l$
 to spiritual action4 ,out ( ?is        
*rysalis :at a life 0 born6 ,god f\nd !m
 9 ! sil5ce4 ,bless$ & r5ew+ exp]i5ces  
came to ,fri5ds1 exp]i5ces :i* enabl$ !m

 to be ag5ts ( ! div9e _s 9 e situation 
( human life4 ,x is in/ructive because x
 po9ts u1 ( ?is day1 to a religi\s      
practice t is effective4 ,x is reassur+ 
because f x we may h s\nd hope t1 if we 
rightly & fai?fully engage 9 ?is & o!r  
inw>d practices1 we may rea* & ev5      
surpass ! high level ( religi\s exp]i5ce
 & s]vice atta9$ by ,fri5ds 9 ! days :5 
! ,quak] movem5t really mov$4 ,9 our    
pres5t-day lives & meet+s !re c be      
s\l-%ak+ ev5ts4 ,! ,light c invade u4   
,tru? c take hold ( u4 ,love may ga!r u4
 ,above all1 ,god himself may become    
real to u z ! supreme ,fact ( ! entire  
univ]se4  ,we ( ?is mod]n age are incl9$
 to be m l5i5t 9 our views ( ! e>?ly    
man4 ,we are dispos$ to consid] him a   
mod]ately dec5t fell[ except :5 "u !    
active p[] ( evil4 ,?is makes u m       
tol]ant1 less int5se4 ,x makes u m      
likely to indulge our fondness = ! e>?ly
 _w & its ?+s & pleasures1 less mov$ to 
seek ,god & ,8 ,k+dom4 ,nev]!less if we 
exam9e our exp]i5ce we %all recognize   

*>act]i/ics ( ! e>?ly man t are simil>  
to ^? se5 by ! e>ly ,fri5ds4 ,! outside 
_w has *ang$ consid]ably 9 ?ree hundr$  
ye>s1 b man's con/itution is mu* ! same 
n[ z !n 9 all ess5tial respects4  ,!    
e>?ly man1 :e!r we reg>d him z good1    
bad1 or indiff]5t1 is evid5tly an exile 
f ,god's k+dom4 ,our body-m9ds1 namely  
our ev]yday p]sons1 are out ( t\* ) our 
spiritual natures mo/ ( ! "t1 h5ce out (
 t\* ) ,god4 ,we1 z ord9>y p1 are n by  
incl9ation turn$ t[>ds ,god1 b1 on !    
contr>y1 are turn$ away f ,him4 ,day 9 &
 day out we d n ev5 ?9k ( ! possibility 
( lov+ ,god & do+ ,8 w1 b ?9k (         
ourselves1 & are b5t to enact our own   
wills1 h our own way4 ,:e!r we1 z e>?ly 
m51 c truly pray & wor%ip is a "q ab\t  
:i* !re is likely to be disagreem5t4 ,b 
:o w d5y t :5 we are absorb$ 9 our      
affairs1 z we are mo/ ( ! "t1 we d n    
pray or wor%ip8 ,recognition ( ^! sev]al
 facts w lead u to a position simil> to 
t ( ! e>ly ,fri5ds1 & po9t u to ! same  
ne$s z reg>ds :at we mu/ d if we w\ld   

truly pray & wor%ip1 &1 inde$1 truly    
live4 ,we too mu/ endeavor to subdue !  
body-m9d & turn ! m9d ,godw>ds4 ,we too 
mu/ try to ov]come ! sep>at$ self &     
re-connect ) our spiritual natures4 ,we 
too mu/ practice wait+4 ,we too mu/     
/rive to atta9 ! ,quak] ideal s well    
express$ by ,d\glas ,/e]e1 to live f !  
inside outw>ds1 z :ole m54  ,:5 comp>$ )
 bodily action1 :at c\ld seem m inactive
 ?an wait+ ^u ,god8 ,! mod]n _w asks1   
,:]e w t get y8 ,"y p say1 ,we want     
action4 ,yet1 z we h se51 x 0 precisely 
?r\gh ?is & o!r app>5tly inactive means 
t ! e>ly ,fri5ds came into a p[] ( :ole 
action t surpasses any?+ t we exp]i5ce  
today4 ,we say we are activi/s1 b (t5   
lack ! spiritual =ce to act effectively4
 ,!y said !y 7 wait]s1 & frequ5tly act$ 
z mov$ by ,god's light & love4 ,i ?9k t 
we 9 ?is age ( decreas+ inn]-action1 (  
ev] increas+ out] activity1 h a pr(\nd  
lesson to le>n f ! e>ly ,fri5ds4 ,we _h 
be/ le>n x n[1 & quickly1 le/ ! fai? &  
practices ( ! ,fri5ds become s wat]$ t  

!y lose _! "* & fl[ into ! activities ( 
:i* ! _w is full1 & are absorb$ by !m1 &
 ,fri5ds cease to be ,fri5ds4 ,i d n say
 we %\ld g back to ! old days4 ,t is    
impossible4 ,let u move =w>d1 z we mu/  
if we are to move at all4 ,b let u build
 ^u ^? f\ndations1 n scrap !m4 ,let ^?  
pa/ summits %[ u h[ high m5 c g1 )      
,god's help4  ,fri5ds are by no means ! 
only ones :o realize t ! body-m9d       
pres5ts a problem2 t1 9 its usual /ate1 
x is an ob/acle to wor%ip & to all =ms (
 ! religi\s life4 ,fri5ds are n alone 9 
recogniz+ t :5 ! sep>at$ self is upp]mo/
 & active1 ! spiritual self is subm]g$ &
 passive1 & t we are call$ ^u to rev]se 
?is4 ,all g5u9e religi\s p1 :atev] !    
religion1 h recogniz$ ! problem & h     
endeavor$ to solve x 9 "o way or ano!r4 
,g5]ally speak+1 !re are two ways (     
deal+ ) ! situation4 ,"o way consi/s ( !
 attempt to lift ! body-m9d above its   
usual condition1 s t x may be includ$ 9 
! act ( wor%ip4 ,! body-m9d is pres5t$ )
 sight ( religi\s symbols4 ,x is giv5   

s\nd ( religi\s music & ( specially     
tra9$ speak]s call$ prie/s or m9i/]s4 ,x
 p>ticipates 9 rituals1 c]emonies1      
sacram5ts4 ,?is way may be effective4   
,:5 x is1 ! body-m9d actually is lift$  
above its usual /ate1 ! spiritual nature
 is evok$4 ,b :5 ?is way is n effective 
x m]ely results 9 excit+ ! body-m9d &   
gives p ! illusion t ?is excitation is  
true wor%ip4 ,or x may result 9 a /]ile 
enactm5t ( outw>d =ms4  ,! o!r way is j 
! opposite4 ,x consi/s ( ! ef=t to r$uce
 ! body-m9d bel[ its usual /ate1 s t x w
 n int]f]e ) wor%ip4 ,all ext]nals are  
disp5s$ )4 ,no religi\s symbols are 9   
view4 ,no music is provid$1 no rituals1 
no appo9t$ speak]s4 ,! ext]nal sett+ is 
z pla9 z possible1 s t ! body-m9d may be
 m readily quiet$4 ,int]nally1 too1 !   
attempt is to remove all causes (       
excitem5t1 all ( ! ord9>ily /imulat+    
?\ghts1 images1 desires4 ,! "o ?\ght t  
%\ld be pres5t is ! ?\ght ( turn+       
,godw>d1 seek+ ,him1 wait+ be=e ,him4   
,?is way may be effective4 ,:5 x is1 !  

body-m9d is subord9at$ & ceases to exi/ 
z ! pr9cipal "p ( man4 ,! spiritual     
nature is activat$ & lift$ up4 ,:51     
h[ev]1 ?is way is n effective1 x m]ely  
produces deadness4  ,9 bo? cases ! te/  
is ?is3 ,does ! spiritual nature arise8 
,fri5ds h *os5 ! way ( subdu+ !         
body-m9d1 ( exclud+ x f wor%ip except   
ins(> z x may act z an organ (          
expression ( ! ris5 _s4 ,hav+ *os5 ?is  
way1 we are call$ ^u to d x effectively1
 creatively4 ,if we succe$--& we        
sometimes d--our inn] life is           
resurrect$1 ! :ole man is reg5]at$1 & a 
liv+ wor%ip connects man ) ,god4 ,b if  
we fail--& we (t5 d--! spiritual nature 
rema9s z if dead1 &1 on top ( ?is1 we   
pile a dead5$ body-m9d4 ,:at %\ld be a  
meet+ = wor%ip1 a place :]e man & ,god  
come toge!r1 becomes a void4 ,!re is no 
life1 only a /]ile quietism4 ,/]ile     
quietism is z bad z /]ile ritualism4    
,/]ility1 9 :atev] =m1 is :at we want to
 avoid4 ,creativity is :at we mu/       
recov]--aliv5ess1 gr[?1 mov+1 wond]1    

rev]5ce1 a s5se ( be+ relat$ to ! va/   
motions ( t ocean ( light & love4       
,,:at ,,to ,,d ,,9 ,,! ,,meet+ ,,=      
,,wor%ip   ,def9ite p]iods = wor%ip %\ld
 be e/abli%$ because1 con/itut$ z we    
are1 wor%ip does n occur z naturally z x
 might1 & at all times4 ,unless we set  
aside regul>ly recurr+ times1 _m ( u are
 n likely to wor%ip at any "t4 ,we      
appo9t times & places s t we may d :at  
some?+ deep 9 u ye>ns to d1 yet :i* we  
all too r>ely engage 9 because mo/ (t5  
we are caught up 9 ! curr5t ( contr>y or
 irrelevant ev5ts4 ,set times ( wor%ip n
 only aid u to wor%ip at ^? times b at  
o!rs too2 &1 ( c\rse1 ! m (t5 we try to 
wor%ip at o!r times1 ! m able we become 
to make good use ( ! e/abli%$ occasions4
  ,among ! p ( our day1 ,mahatma ,g&hi  
is an out/&+ example ( appli$ religion4 
,x might seem t he1 ( all p1 w\ld feel  
no ne$ ( special times ( pray]2 yet ?is 
is n ! case4 ,!re are appo9t$ times ea* 
day :5 he & ^? ar\nd him engage 9 pray]4
 ,:5ev] possible he att5ds a ,fri5ds    

meet+ = wor%ip4 ,! foll[+ quotation f ! 
,fri5ds ,intellig5c] gives 8 view ( ?is 
matt]4 ,discuss+ ! "q :e!r "o's :ole    
life c\ld n be a hymn ( praise & pray]  
to "o's ,mak]1 s t no sep>ate "t ( pray]
 is ne$$1 ,g&hi obs]v$1 ',i agree t if a
 man c\ld practice ! pres5ce ( ,god all 
! tw5ty-f\r h\rs1 !re w\ld be no ne$ = a
 sep>ate "t ( pray]4' ,b mo/ p1 he po9t$
 out1 f9d t impossible4 ,= !m sil5t     
communion1 = ev5 a few m9utes a day1    
w\ld be ( inf9ite use4  ,ea* ( u        
individually %\ld daily prep>e = wor%ip 
&1 n[ & aga91 g (f by himself 9         
solitude4 ,fre% /imulus & *all5ge are   
exp]i5c$ :5 a man puts himself utt]ly on
 8 own & seeks to come face to face ) 8 
,god4 ,alon5ess may release ! _s4 ,s may
 g5u9e toge!rness4 ,gr\p or corporate   
wor%ip is also necess>y because1 z      
already m5tion$1 we ne$ ea* o!r's help  
to quiet ! body-m9d1 to lay d[n ! ord9>y
 self1 to lift up ! spiritual nature4   
,_m a p]son f9ds x possible to become   
/ill 9 a meet+ = wor%ip z n[h]e else4   

,peace settles ov] u4 ,_m a p]son is    
inw>dly k9dl$ 9 a meet+ = wor%ip z n[h]e
 else4 ,! creative =ces beg9 to /ir4 ,:5
 a numb] ( p assemble rev]5tly1 & all   
engage 9 simil> inw>d practices ) ! same
 aim & expectancy1 life-curr5ts pass    
betwe5 !m2 a spiritual atmosph]e is =m$2
 & 9 ?is atmosph]e ?+s are possible t   
are impossible )\t x4 ,m p>ticul>ly1 we 
may h opportunity 9 a meet+ = com+ close
 to a p]son m quick5$ ?an we are4 ,by   
proximity ) him or h] we are quick5$4 ,x
 is true t 9 a ,fri5ds meet+ !          
responsibility = wor%ip & m9i/ry re/s ^u
 ea* & e memb]2 b x is also true t      
,fri5ds1 l o!rs1 mu/ some:at rely = _!  
awak5+ ^u ^? :o are m 9 ,god's _s & p[] 
?an ! av]age4 ,we m9imize an ess5tial   
feature ( our meet+s if we fail to      
recognize ! role ( ! %e] pres5ce ( m5 & 
wom5 :o are spiritually m advanc$ ?an   
mo/ & are able to act z leav54  ,! meet+
 = wor%ip %\ld beg9 outside ( ! meet+   
h\se1 on our way to x4 ,z we ent] !     
h\se1 we w\ld d well to rem9d ourselves 

( ! mean+ ( wor%ip1 ! significance (    
corporate wor%ip1 ! possibility ( meet+ 
) ,god4 ,be expectant t ?is may happ5 9 
?is v ga!r+4 ,lift up ! m9d & he>t to ! 
,et]nal ,be+ 9 :om we h bro!rhood4 ,!   
hope is t by ^! initial acts we w put   
ourselves 9 ! mood ( wor%ip & k9dle a   
w>m? ( inn] life t w cont9ue ?r\gh\t !  
meet+ & give spiritual mean+ to all     
subsequ5t ef=ts4  ,settle into y\r place
 z an anonym\s memb] ( an anonym\s gr\p4
 ,if y h come to h a reputation among p1
 =get ?is & become anonym\s4 ,if y h n  
made a "n = y\rself1 =get ?is4 ,!       
opportunity to practice anonymity is a  
preci\s "o4 ,! meet+ = wor%ip w\ld be ( 
great value if x did no m ?an make ?is  
practice possible4 ,if y are accu/om$ to
 feel y\rself important 9 ! eyes ( m51  
lay x d[n & feel only t y & o!rs may h  
"s importance 9 ! eyes ( ,god4 ,if y    
feel unimportant1 lay ?is d[n4 ,if      
articulate or in>ticulate1 =get ?is4    
,lay aside all y\r worldly relation%ips 
& y\r ev]yday int]ior /ates4 ,9 f9e1    

=get y\rself4 ,surr5d] y\rself4 ,imm]se 
y\rself 9 ! life ( ! gr\p4 ,?is is our  
*ance to lose ourselves 9 a unifi$ &    
great] life4 ,x is our opportunity to   
die z sep>at$ individuals & be born anew
 9 ! life & p[] ( ! _s4 ,seek1 9 ! words
 ( ,?omas ,kelly1 to w y\r w into ! w ( 
,god4  ,quiet & relax ! body4 ,we %\ld  
try to quiet its habitual activity1 to  
relax x f /ra91 yet n ov]-relax x4 ,?\gh
 relax$ x %\ld n become limp or dr[sy4  
,x mu/ be kept upright1 al]t1 wakeful4  
,:at we desire is a body s pois$ & at   
re/ t x is cont5t to sit !re1 tak+ c>e (
 itself1 & we c =get x4  ,/ill ! m9d1   
ga!r x1 turn x /eadfa/ly t[>ds ,god4    
,?is is m difficult4 ,x is contr>y to ! 
m9d's nature to be /ill4 ,x is aga9/ its
 gra9 to turn ,godw>ds4 ,left to itself 
x goes on & on "u its own mom5tum1      
roam+1 w&]+4 ,x ?9ks & pictures & dreams
 ( ev]y?+ on e>? except ,god & !        
practice ( ,8 pres5ce4 ,ev5 ^? :o       
develop$ great aptitude = tak+ hold ( ! 
m9d & turn+ x to ,god f\nd x difficult &

 ev5 pa9ful 9 ! beg9n+4 ,if we expect x 
to be easy & pleasant we %all be easily 
disc\rag$ aft] a few trials4 ,bro!r     
,lawr5ce w>ns u t ?is practice may ev5  
seem repugnant to u at fir/4  ,! m9d (  
an adult is m re/ive & all ov] ! place  
?an ! body ( a *ild4 ,h[ are we to curb 
its incessant re/lessness & /ay x ^u    
pray] & wor%ip8 ,h[ re/ra9 its w&]+s &  
po9t x to ! m>k8 ,h[ take x away f its  
automatic /ream ( ?\ghts & focus x on   
,god8 ,only by ef=t1 practice1 repeat$  
ef=t1 regul> practice4 ,x requires      
life-long prep>ation & tra9+4 ,we _c    
hope to make mu* progress if we attempt 
to /ay ! m9d only on ,fir/-days dur+    
meet+4 ,we mu/ make ef=t ?r\gh\t ! week1
 daily1 h\rly4  ,x is by /ill+ !        
body-m9d t we c5t] d[n4 ,put ! o!r way1 
x is by c5t]+ d[n t we /ill ! body-m9d4 
,i w\ld judge t all ,fri5ds h 9 common !
 practice ( c5t]+ d[n4 ,?is is our      
common prep>ation = wor%ip4 ,f "h on1   
h[ev]1 ea* ( u is likely to g 8         
individual way1 no two ways be+ alike4  

,?is is ! fre$om ( wor%ip :i* has ev]   
be5 an integral "p ( ! ,fri5ds religion4
 ,we are n call$ ^u to foll[ any fix$   
proc$ure4 ,?is is creative4 ,!          
individual _s is set free to f9d its    
way1 9 its own mann]1 to ,god4 ,yet x   
leaves "s ( u at a loss to "k :at to d  
next4 ,"s ( u are n yet able to press   
on4 ,we are unsure ( ! inw>d way1 & our 
available res\rces are n yet adequate to
 ?is type ( exploration4 ,we ne$ h9ts f 
o!rs1 sugge/ions1 guides4 ,to meet ?is  
ne$1 a numb] ( ,fri5ds h writt5 ( :at !y
 d aft] !y c5t] d[n4 ,among ^! writ+s   
may be m5tion$ ,d\glas ,v4 ,/e]e's ,a   
,quak] ,meet+ = ,wor%ip1 & ,h[>d ,e4    
,colli]'s ,! ,quak] ,meet+4 ,9 ! same _s
 ,i w\ld l to indicate :at ,i d4  ,once 
,i h c5t]$ d[n ,i try to op5 myself1 to 
let ! light 94 ,i try to op5 myself to  
,god's p[]4 ,i try to op5 myself to !   
o!r memb]s ( ! meet+1 to ga9 a vital    
aw>5ess ( !m1 to s5se ! spiritual /ate (
 ! ga!r+4 ,i try s to re=m myself       
inw>dly t1 z a result ( ?is meet+1 ,i w 

!reaft] be j a little less con=m$ to !  
unreg5]ate ways ( ! _w1 j a little m    
con=m$ to ! d$icat$ way ( love4  ,i     
enc\rage a feel+ ( expectancy4 ,i invite
 ! expectation t "h1 9 ?is v meet+1 be=e
 x is ov]1 ! ,"l's p[] w spr+ up 9 u1   
cov] ! meet+1 ga!r u to ,him & to "o    
ano!r4 ,?\gh meet+s come & g1 & weeks & 
ev5 ye>s pass1 & x does n happ51        
nev]!less ,i r5ew ?is expectation at e  
meet+4 ,i h fai? t "s day x w be        
fulfill$4 ,we %\ld be bold 9 our        
expectations1 look =w>d to mom5t\s      
ev5ts4 ,we %\ld n be timid or small b   
l>ge ) expectancy1 &1 at ! same "t      
humble1 s t !re is no egotism 9 x4  ,i  
k9dle ! hope t1 %\ld ! l>ge ev5ts n be =
 me & = u ?is day1 "s true pray] w arise
 f our dep?s1 "s act ( g5u9e wor%ip4 ,i 
hope t at ! lea/ ,i w />t "s exploration
 or cont9ue "o already begun1 make "s   
small discov]y1 feel my inw>d life /ir  
creatively & exp& to ^? ar\nd me4  ,hav+
 ar\s$ my expectancy1 ,i wait4 ,i wait  
be=e ! ,"l1 =gett+ ! words 9 :i* ,i     

clo!d my expectations1 if possible      
=gett+ myself & my desires1 lay+ d[n my 
w1 ask+ only t ,8 w be done4 ,9 attitude
 or sil5t words ,i may say1 ,i am be=e  
!e1 ,"l4 ,if x be ?y w1 "w ?y love 9 me1
 "w ?y love 9 u4  ,o wait1 wrote ,isaac 
,p5+ton1 wait ^u ,god4 ,be /ill a :ile4 
,wait 9 true humility1 & pure subjection
 ( s\l & _s1 ^u ,him4 ,wait = ! %utt+ ( 
?y own eye1 & = ! op5+ ( ! eye ( ,god 9 
!e1 & = ! sight ( ?+s !re)1 z !y are f  
,him4  ,sometimes1 :ile wait+1 a gl[    
/eals ov] me1 a w>m? spreads f my he>t4 
,i h a *ance to welcome ! well+ up (    
rev]5ce1 ! s5se t ,i am 9 ! pres5ce ( ! 
sacr$4 ,sometimes1 ?\gh r>ely1 !        
practice ( wait+ is invad$ by an        
unexpect$ s]ies ( inn] ev5ts :i* c>ry me
 by _! action ?r\gh ! meet+ to ! end4 ,i
 feel ,god's _s mov+ 9 me1 my _s awak5+ 
to ,him4  ,m (t5 ,i come to h ! s5se t  
,i h wait$ long en\gh = ?is "t4 ,to     
=e/all ! possibility ( fall+ into dead  
passivity1 ,i volunt>ily discont9ue !   
practice ( wait+ & turn my att5tion to  

o!r conc]ns4 ,i may summon to m9d a     
vital problem t confronts me or "o ( my 
fri5ds1 try+ to see ! problem by ! inw>d
 light1 seek+ ! decision t w\ld be be/4 
,i may br+ into consci\sness someone ,i 
"k to be suff]+4 ,?is may be a p]sonal  
acqua9tance or someone ^: plight ,i h   
le>n$ ( ?r\gh o!rs1 or p 9 di/ress      
br\ght to my att5tion by an article 9 a 
newspap] or a magaz9e4 ,i call to him or
 !m 9 my _s1 & suff] ) !m1 & pray ,god t
 ?r\gh _! suff]+ !y w be turn$ to ,him1 
t by _! v pa9 !y may gr[ up to ,him4    
,h>dly a meet+ passes b :at ,i pray t ,i
 & ! memb]s ( ! meet+ & p ev]y:]e may h 
?is exp]i5ce3 t our wills be ov]come by 
,god's w1 t our p[]s be ov]p[]$ by ,8   
light & love & wisdom4 ,& sometimes1    
?\gh aga9 r>ely1 ,i f9d x possible to   
hold my att5tion1 or1 r1 to h my he>t   
held1 )\t wav]+1 ^u ! "o supreme        
reality1 ! %e] fact ( ,god4 ,^! are !   
mom5ts t ,i feel to be true wor%ip4 ,^! 
are ! times :5 ! ef=t to h fai? is      
sup]s$$ by an ef=tless assurance born ( 

actual exp]i5ce4 ,god's reality is felt 
9 e fibre ( ! s\l & br+s conv9cem5t ev5 
to ! body-m9d4  ,i w\ld n give !        
impression t :at ,i h describ$ takes    
place 9 j ?is way e "t1 or t x happ5s   
)\t disruptions1 lapses1 roam+s ( ! m9d1
 day-dreams4 ,frequ5tly ,i mu/ recall   
myself1 aga9 /ill ! m9d & turn x        
,godw>ds1 aga9 practice wait+4 ,all too 
(t5 ,i awake to f9d1 no1 n t ,i h be5   
actually sleep+1 b t ,i might z well h  
be51 s f> h ,i /ray$ f ! pa? t leads to 
,god & bro!rhood4 ,& ,i mu/ confess1    
too1 t dur+ "s meet+s ,i h be5 buri$ "u 
in]tia & deadness & unable to ov]come   
!m4 ,hav+ meant no?+ to myself1 x is n  
likely t my pres5ce meant any?+ to !    
o!rs4 ,my body 0 b an object1 unliv+1   
fill+ space on a b5*4 ,x w\ld h be5     
bett] = o!rs _h ,i /ay$ away4 ,a dead   
body gives (f no life2 x b absorbs life 
f o!rs1 r$uc+ ! life-level ( ! meet+4   
,z ,i am "o ( ^? :o are sometimes mov$  
to speak 9 meet+s1 ,i may indicate h[   
?is happ5s 9 my case4 ,fir/ let me say  

:at ,i d n d4 ,i nev] try to ?9k up     
some?+ to say4 ,i am q cont5t to be     
sil5t1 unless some?+ comes into my m9d &
 ,i am mov$ to say x1 or unless ,i s5se 
t ! meet+ w\ld l to he> a few liv+      
words4 ,9 ?is latt] case1 ,i may se>*   
myself to see :at may be f\nd2 & by ?is 
se>*+ ,i may set 9 motion ! processes   
:i* discov] hidd5 messages4  ,i nev] g  
to ! meet+ ) an it* to speak1 ?\gh x    
sometimes happ5s to me1 z to o!rs1 t ,i 
am mov$ to speak be=e arriv+ at ! meet+ 
h\se4 ,ev5 s1 ,i usually re/ra9 ! urge  
until we h _h at lea/ a %ort p]iod (    
sil5t wait+ be=e ,god4 ,"o is va9 inde$ 
if he ?9ks t 8 words are m important ?an
 ?is wait+4 ,if ,i h n be5 mov$ to speak
 be=e arriv+1 su* an impulse1 if x comes
 at all1 is likely to arise aft] ,i h   
be5 wait+ a :ile4 ,x arises )9 my       
sil5ce4 ,an insight or und]/&+ fla%es   
into my m9d4 ,a pray] or a plead+ or a  
brief exhortation comes ^u me4 ,i hold x
 9 m9d & look at x1 & at myself4 ,i     
exam9e x4  ,is ?is a g5u9e mov+ t       

des]ves expression 9 a meet+ = wor%ip1  
or _h ,i be/ curb & =get x8 ,may x h "s 
real mean+ = o!rs1 & is x suit$ to !    
condition ( ?is meet+8 ,c ,i phrase x   
cle>ly & simply8 ,if x passes ^! te/s1  
,i reg>d x z some?+ to be said b ,i am n
 yet sure x %\ld be said "h & n[4 ,to   
f9d out h[ urg5t x is1 ,i press x d[n & 
try to =get x4 ,if "t passes & x does n 
take hold ( me ) increas$ /r5g?1 ,i     
conclude t x is n to be spok5 ( at ?is  
"t4 ,if1 on ! o!r h&1 x w n be d[n$1 if 
x reb\nds & insi/s & w n leave me alone1
 ,i give x expression4  ,if x turns out 
t ! words 7 spok5 m 9 my own w ?an 9 !  
p[]1 ,i feel t egoti/ical-,i has done x1
 & t ?is self-do+ has set me ap>t f !   
o!r memb]s ( ! meet+4 ,i am dissatisfi$ 
until aga9 imm]s$ 9 ! life ( ! gr\p4 ,b 
if x seems t ,i h be5 an in/rum5t ( !   
p[]1 ,i h ! feel+ t ! p[] has done x &  
has1 by ?is v act1 jo9$ ^? assembl$ ev5 
clos]4 ,hav+ spok51 ,i feel at peace    
once aga91 w>m$ & made gl[+ by ! passage
 ( a liv+ curr5t ?r\gh me to my fell[s4 

,) a height5$ s5se ( fell[%ip ) man &   
,god1 ,i resume my sil5t practices4  ,i 
nev] speak if1 9 my s5se ( x1 spok5     
words w\ld break a liv+ sil5ce & disrupt
 ! life t is ga!r+ und]nea?4 ,b ,i h on 
occasion spok5 9 ! hope ( break+ a dead 
sil5ce4 ,spok5 words %\ld arise by      
common cons5t4 ,! sil5ce %\ld accept !m4
 ,! invisible life %\ld sanction !m4 ,! 
memb]s ( ! meet+ %\ld welcome !m & be   
unable to m>k exactly :5 ! message began
 & :5 x ends4 ,! message %\ld =m ) !    
sil5ce a seamless :ole4  ,if ! message  
be a g5u9e "o1 ! long] ,i re/ra9 x !    
bett] %ap$ x becomes 9 my m9d & ! /rong]
 ! impulse to express x4 ,a =ce ga!rs   
beh9d x4 ,pres5tly1 h[ev]1 ,i mu/ ei!r  
voice x or put x f my m9d completely1   
le/ x dom9ate my consci\sness ov]long & 
rule out ! o!r conc]ns :i* %\ld engage u
 9 a meet+ = wor%ip4 ,x is good :5 a    
message possesses u4 ,our meet+s ne$    
compell+ utt]ances4 ,b x is n good :5 a 
message obsesses u to ! exclusion ( all 
else4 ,?is is a dang] :i* articulate p1 

p>ticul>ly ^? l myself :o h mu* deal+ ) 
words1 mu/ avoid4 ,we miss our *ance if 
we d n use ! meet+ = wor%ip z an        
opportunity to dwell 9 ! dep?s ( life f>
 bel[ ! level ( words1 ris+ to ! surface
 only :5 we are =c$ to by an up?ru/ ( ! 
_s :i* seeks to unite ! surface ) !     
dep?s & ga!r ^? assembl$ into a quick5$ 
s5se ( creative :ol5ess--ea* 9 all & all
 9 ,god4     ,,que/ions ,,& ,,answ]s    
,,:at ,,moves ,,u ,,to ,,pray ,,&       
,,wor%ip8 ,sometimes we are mov$ by a   
quick5$ s5se ( a sacr$ ,pres5ce4 ,pray] 
& wor%ip are our spontane\s responses z 
we awak5 to ,god's unutt]able radiance &
 wond]4 ,sometimes we are mov$ by a     
realization t1 left to ourselves1 we are
 inadequate1 t ap>t f ,god we are       
insuffici5t4 ,realiz+ t our k is        
insuffici5t1 we turn to ,god's light &  
wisdom4 ,& !re are ^? :o pray & wor%ip z
 a consci\s means ( gr[+ up to ,god &   
becom+ firmly e/abli%$ 9 ,8 k+dom4  ,,:y
 ,,d ,,n ,,m ,,p ,,pray8 ,:y d n all ( u
 wor%ip m (t58 ,_m lack a quick5$ s5se (

 a sacr$ ,pres5ce4 ,?\gh aw>e ( mat]ial 
?+s1 !y are in]t to ! ?+s ( ! _s4 ,!y   
wait to be spiritually awak5$4 ,mo/ ( u 
p]si/ 9 feel+ t we are self-suffici5t4  
,we feel we are adequate = all ord9>y   
affairs1 & x is only :5 we f9d ourselves
 9 ov]p[]+ situations t we recognize we 
are n self-suffici5t1 & may !n turn to  
,god4 ,b :5 ! crisis passes we are      
likely to lapse into an assumption (    
self-suffici5cy4  ,,:y ,,d ,,n ,,!      
,,lead]s ,,( ,,nations ,,turn ,,to      
,,god8 ,did n ! rec5t w>1 does n !      
pres5t *aos ( ! _w %[ !m t _! p[]s & k  
are inadequate8 ,x w\ld seem t ! lead]s1
 despite all evid5ce to ! contr>y1 /ill 
believe t _! own p[]s & politics are    
en\gh to prev5t w> & to secure an ord]$ 
& peaceful _w4  ,,:5 ,,w ,,! ,,p ,,le>n8
 ,,:5 ,,w ,,! ,,lead]s ,,le>n8 ,i d n   
"k1 b = ! sake ( mank9d ,i hope we le>n 
soon4 ,! p ( all nations w\ld d well to 
susp5d _! ord9>y affairs = an h\r ea*   
day1 &1 9 conc]t1 turn _! m9ds & he>ts  
/eadfa/ly t[>ds ,god4 ,! purpose (      

reg5]ation w\ld be bett] s]v$ 9 ?is "o  
h\r ?an 9 all ! o!r h\rs ( ! day4  ,,is 
,,! ,,meet+ ,,= ,,wor%ip ,,bas$ ,,on    
,,sil5ce8 ,no4 ,fri5ds "k t x is n1 yet 
"s ,fri5ds h fall5 into ! habit ( say+ t
 x is4 ,jane ,ru%more br\ght out ?is    
po9t 9 "o ( our meet+s ( ,m9i/ry &      
,c\nsel4 ,%e rem9d$ u t ! meet+ = wor%ip
 is bas$ on ! conviction t we c directly
 communicate ) ,god1 & ,he ) u4 ,sil5ce1
 we believe1 is a necess>y means to su* 
communion4 ,= if we are busy ) our own  
talk1 ,god w n speak to u4 ,/illness is 
a necess>y condition = practic+ !       
pres5ce ( ,god4 ,= if we /ir ab\t 9 our 
own wills1 ,god w n move u4 ,9 ! meet+ =
 wor%ip we try to obey ! comm&1 ,be     
/ill1 & "k t ,i am ,god4 ,god is ! goal4
 ,a liv+ sil5ce is a means !reto4       
,rec5tly ,i 0 visit$ by ?ree "y ,fri5ds1
 ?irte5 ye>s ( age4 ,!y _h "s problems  
to talk ov]4 ,i ask$ if !y felt !y knew 
:at to d 9 ! meet+ = wor%ip4 ,_! happy  
confid5ce t !y did "k 0 a pleasant      
surprise1 z ,i h f\nd _m ,fri5ds1 "y &  

old1 :o are 9 ne$ ( sugge/ions & guides4
 ,i ask$ ^! ?ree :at !y did 9 ! sil5ce4 
,aft] "s hesitancy1 "o bright5$ &       
repli$1 ,i talk ov] my problems ) ,god4 
,i told h] t 0 a spl5did ?+ to d4 ,= "y 
p ( ?irte5 or !reab\ts1 x is en\gh t !y 
talk ov] _! problems ) ,god1 or engage 9
 "s o!r simple & s9c]e ex]cise4 ,= "s   
old] p "o or two simple practices are   
en\gh4 ,i am 9 sympa?y ) ^? :o w\ld     
wor%ip 9 simplicity ( m9d & he>t4 ,b    
o!rs are 9 ne$ ( m1 & ! prec$+ *apt]    
tries to speak to ?is ne$4 ,:atev] !    
means us$1 ! important ?+ is t we       
spiritually awake & come alive dur+ !   
meet+ = wor%ip ev5 m ?an at o!r times4  
,,:o ,,%\ld ,,speak ,,9 ,,! ,,meet+ ,,= 
,,wor%ip8 ,anyone :o is g5u9ely mov$ to4
 ,age has no?+ to d ) x1 ?\gh old] p may
 be m able because ( long] practice4    
,education has no?+ to d ) x1 ?\gh      
education may facilitate v]bal          
expression4 ,! ess5tial matt] is ! inw>d
 prompt+1 "u ,god's guidance4 ,! ,book (
 ,discipl9e says1 ,our conviction is t !

 ,_s ( ,god is 9 all1 & t vocal utt]ance
 comes :5 ?is ,_s works )9 u4 ,! v>y+   
ne$s ( a meet+ c be be/ suppli$ by      
diff]5t p]sonalities1 & a meet+ is      
enri*$ by ! %>+ ( any liv+ exp]i5ce (   
,god4  ,,:at ,,are ,,we ,,to ,,d ,,if   
,,we ,,feel ,,g5u9ely ,,mov$ ,,to       
,,speak ,,b ,,are ,,inhibit$ ,,by ,,!   
,,fe> ,,( ,,n ,,express+ ,,ourselves    
,,well8 ,att5d to :at y h to say4 ,put  
y\r m9d on t1 & take x (f y\rself4 ,d n 
be conc]n$ t y\r spee* may be halt+ &   
imp]fect4 ,d n comp>e y\rself ) o!rs1   
?9k+ t !y speak flu5tly1 y poorly4 ,be  
conc]n$ to communicate4 ,summon up y\r  
c\rage & break ! ice4 ,try4 ,if y c once
 ov]come an inhibition1 y h brok5 its   
hold4 ,x w /ill be !re1 b y c ov]come x 
m readily ! next "t4 ,keep try+4  ,x is 
true t "s p seem born ) ! facility to   
speak1 b x is also true t ! ability1 l  
o!r abilities1 is develop$ by practice4 
,mo/ ( ^? :o speak well n[1 began )     
emb>rassm5t1 self-consci\sness1 & an    
imp]fect comm& ( words4 ,fri5ds c be    

c\nt$ on to und]/& if at fir/ y\r ?\ghts
 & feel+s are n express$ z well z !y    
might be4 ,!y w att5d m to :at y are    
try+ to say ?an to h[ y say x4 ,"h aga9 
! ,book ( ,discipl9e gives wise c\nsel4 
,"o :o is timid or unaccu/om$ to speak  
%\ld h fai? t ,god w /r5g!n him to give 
8 message4  ,,:5 ,,%\ld ,,we ,,speak ,,9
 ,,! ,,meet+ ,,= ,,wor%ip8 ,:5ev] we are
 mov$ to4 ,we may be mov$ to speak ne> !
 beg9n+1 midway1 or t[>ds ! end4 ,!     
important ?+ is n ! "t b ! mov+4 ,h[ev]1
 z ,rufus ,jones once po9t$ out1 x      
sometimes helps if1 once we are really  
settl$1 some?+ is said t lifts ! _s1 t  
raises u above our worldly problems &   
gives impetus to our se>* = ! indwell+  
div9ity4  ,,:at ,,%\ld ,,be ,,spok5 ,,( 
,,9 ,,! ,,meet+ ,,= ,,wor%ip8 ,?is "q w 
be answ]$ = u1 inw>dly1 if we are 9 ! _s
 ( ! meet+1 if ! meet+ is 9 ,god's _s4  
,we may speak ( spiritual ?+s4 ,we may  
speak ( daily affairs & ev5ts1 if ^! are
 giv5 a spiritual int]pretation4 ,we may
 speak ( _w problems1 if ^! are se5 9 ! 

light ( religion4 ,any?+ t comes f !    
he>t is prop] & acceptable4 ,we w n g   
wrong if we keep 9 m9d ! c5tral purpose 
( ! meet+ = wor%ip1 & are /riv+ to      
fulfill ?is purpose4 ,let y\r he>t      
respond to ! ne$ ( our meet+s = a vital 
m9i/ry4 ,op5 y\rself & accept1 %\ld x   
come to y1 ! call to an inspir$ m9i/ry4 
,,%\ld ,,messages ,,come ,,"o ,,aft] ,,!
 ,,o!r ,,9 ,,rapid ,,succession8 ,no4   
,!re %\ld be a due int]val betwe5 !m1 a 
liv+ sil5ce 9 :i* ! _s works deep bel[ !
 level ( words4 ,messages %\ld arise f !
 sil5ce & return to x4 ,( c\rse !re are 
times :5 "o message arises f ano!r4 ,ev5
 s1 !re %\ld be pauses betwe5 !m dur+   
:i* ! creative =ces may op]ate 9        
unexpect$ ways4 ,re/ra9t ( spee*        
improves bo? ! spee* & ! sil5ce4 ,read  
:at ,?omas ,kelly has to say ( spok5    
words 9 8 pamphlet1 ,! ,ga!r$ ,meet+4   
,b m frequ5tly "s words are spok54 ,i h 
9 m9d ^?     meet+ h\rs :i* are n       
dom9at$ by a s+le s]mon1 a s+le         
tw5ty-m9ute address1 well-r\nd$ out1 )  

all ! edges tuck$     9 s !re is no?+ m 
to say4 ,9 "s ( our meet+s we may     h 
too _m poli%$ examples ( homiletic      
p]fection :i* lead     ! re/ to sit back
 & admire b :i* close ! "q     consid]$1
 r ?an op5 x4 ,p>ticipants are conv]t$  
into     spectators2 active wor%ip on ! 
"p ( all drifts into passive            
reception ( ext]nal in/ruction4 ,to be  
sure1 !re are ga!r$     meet+s1 :i*     
arise ab\t a s+le t[]+ m\nta9 peak ( a  
s]mon4 ,"o k9dl$ s\l may be ! ag5t :]eby
 ! slumb]+     emb]s )9 are quick5$ into
 a liv+ flame4      ,b ,i h m p>ticul>ly
 9 m9d ^? h\rs ( wor%ip 9 :i*     no "o 
p]son1 no "o spee* /&s out z ! "o t made
 !     meet+1 ^? h\rs :]e9 !            
p]sonalities t take "p     v]bally are n
 enhanc$ z individuals 9 ! eyes ( o!rs1 
b     are subdu$ & s(t5$ & lo/ sight (  
because 9 ! language     ( ,fox1 ,!     
,"l's p[] 0 ov] all4 ,brevity1          
e>ne/ness1     s9c]ity--& frequ5tly a   
lack ( poli%--*>act]izes ! be/          
,quak] speak+4 ,! words %\ld rise l a   

%aggy crag up?ru/     f ! surface (     
sil5ce1 "u ! pressure ( riv] p[] &      
ye>n+1 contrition & wond]4 ,b on ! o!r  
h& ! words     %\ld n rise up l a %aggy 
crag4 ,!y %\ld n break !     sil5ce1 b  
cont9ue x4 ,= ! ,div9e ,life :o 0 m9i/]+
     ?r\gh ! m$ium ( sil5ce is ! same   
,life z is n[ m9i/]+     ?r\gh words4 ,&
 :5 su* words are truly spok5 9 ! ,life1
     !n :5 su* words cease ! un9t]rupt$ 
sil5ce & wor%ip     cont9ue1 = sil5ce & 
words h be5 ( "o texture1 "o piece4     
,second & ?ird speak]s only cont9ue !   
enhancem5t ( !     mov+ ,pres5ce1 until 
a climax is rea*$1 & ! disc]n+ head     
( ! meet+ kn[s :5 to break x4  ,,:at    
,,are ,,we ,,to ,,d ,,if ,,"s ,,fri5ds  
,,are ,,sometimes ,,ov]-,,vocal ,,ab\t  
,,matt]s ,,t ,,are ,,h>dly ,,! ,,prop]  
,,conc]n ,,= ,a ,,meet+ ,,= ,,wor%ip8   
,h[ are we to reg>d ^? :o d n always    
speak acceptably to u1 or are ov]long 9 
_! words1 or :o get up & repeat :at we h
 he>d !m say aga9 & aga98 ,in/ead (     
view+ !m z objects ( criticism1 sep>at$ 

f y1 try to feel !m z be+ toge!r ) y 9 a
 common life1 & pray t ! ,creator ( ?is 
life may make all expressions liv+      
expressions4 ,d n let y\r res5tm5t build
 up1 b increase y\r humility by         
recogniz+ t ! faults t o!rs display may 
well be y\r own4  ,,h[ ,,are ,,we ,,to  
,,manage ,,! ,,occasional ,,ru/l+s ,,&  
,,noises1 ,,)9 ,,& ,,)\t ,,! ,,meet+1   
,,t ,,?reat5s ,,to ,,di/ract ,,u ,,&    
,,draw ,,u ,,away ,,f ,,wor%ip8 ,"h     
,d\glas ,/e]e has a helpful practice4   
,try to include ^! di/ractions 9 "o's   
wor%ip4 ,in/ead ( attempt+ to exclude   
!m1 weave !m into y\r ef=ts to practice 
! pres5ce ( ,god4 ,read :at ,d\glas     
,/e]e has to say ( ?is 9 ,a ,quak]      
,meet+ = ,wor%ip4      ,b aga9 & aga9   
be=e ,i get ?r\gh ?is f> 9 pray] my m9d 
has be5 drawn away by "s di/raction4    
,someone has come 9 late4     ,two      
adorable little girls :o are sitt+ on   
opposite sides ( _!     "m are almo/    
ov]come by delight 9 some?+ :i* is mu*  
too     subtle to be compreh5d$ by !    

adult m9d1 ! drafts 9 ! coal     /ove   
ne$ readju/+1 h[ noisy ! c>s are out on 
! highway     today1 ! w9d h[ls ar\nd ! 
corn] & rattles ! old                   
pre-revolution>y glass 9 ! w9d[ sa%es4  
,d ^! rude     int]ruptions de/roy !    
sil5t pray]8 ,well1 !re 0 a "t :5     !y
 did1 & !re are times /ill :5 !y int]f]e
 some:at1     b = ! mo/ "p1 ,i ?9k !y   
help4 ,! late-com]s /ir me to     a     
resolve to be m punctual myself--a fault
 ,i am all too well     aw>e (--& ,i    
pass directly on to pray]1 glad t !y h  
come     today4 ,! little girls rem9d me
 ( ! undiscov]$ gaiety 9     e cell (   
life t ^! little bon-vivants "k ev] s   
well1 & !y rem9d me too t a meet+ =     
wor%ip mu/ be made     to rea* ^!       
fi]ce-ey$ n9e- & t5-ye>-olds1 & ,i pass 
on4 ,i     get up & op5 ! draft 9 ! coal
 /ove4 ,sometimes ,i pray !             
di/ractions directly into !             
pray]--swift1 hurry+ life (     :i* ^!  
humm+ motors are ! symbol--pass by at   
y\r w--,i     seek ! /ill wat] t lies   

b5ea? ^! surface waves1 or !     w9d (  
,god is always bl[+ b ,i mu/ hoi/ my    
sail1 & proce$     ) my pray]4  ,,:at   
,,are ,,we ,,to ,,d ,,:5 ,a ,,meet+ ,,is
 ,,unliv+8 ,suff] x4 ,cont9ue to d y\r  
"p to contribute to ! life4 ,cont9ue to 
pray t ,god w quick5 ! meet+1 %ake x    
awake4 ,suppose y y\rself are heavy )   
in]tia & feel m dead ?an alive4 ,! only 
way to ov]come in]tia is to become      
active4 ,s9ce1 9 a meet+ = wor%ip1 our  
bodies are /ill1 ! only positive action 
is inn]-action4 ,we h already consid]$  
sev]al inw>d practices t facilitate     
inn]-action4 ,engage 9 "o or m ( ^! )   
r5ew$ det]m9ation4 ,see y\r deadness z a
 *all5ge & resolve n to be ov]come by x 
b to ov]come x4 ,/ruggle aga9/ x4 ,p]si/
 9 ! act ( turn+ y\r m9d & he>t         
,godw>ds4 ,k9dle y\r expectancy4 ,wait  
be=e ! ,"l4 ,?9k ( ,him4 ,pray ,him to  
s5d ,8 life into y1 & into ! meet+1 &   
into ! p ( ! _w4 ,%\ld ^! inw>d         
practices prove ( no avail1 ,i sometimes
 fall back on ?is device4 ,!re is always

 9 u "s !me t ! m9d wants to ?9k (1 "s  
fe>1 "s desire1 "s problems1 "s         
situation1 "s prospect4 ,?\gh ! !me is n
 a fit "o = a meet+ = wor%ip1 ,i let my 
m9d run on ab\t x4 ,once ! m9d is well  
/>t$ on ?is topic1 ,i swit* x & transf] 
its mom5tum to "o ( ! practices t prep>e
 = wor%ip4  ,,h[ ,,%\ld ,,we ,,come ,,to
 ,,meet+8 ,reluctantly8 ,no4 ,burd5$ by 
a feel+ ( obligation to att5d8 ,no4     
,expect+ some?+ dull & t$i\s8 ,no6 ,if a
 meet+ evokes only dullness 9 its memb]s
 x is a dead meet+ & ought to be laid   
d[n4 ,a live meet+ evokes life4 ,j !    
prospect ( att5d+ su* a meet+ %\ld      
quick5 u4 ,x 7 bett] to come alive do+  
h\sework ?an to become dead5$ 9 a meet+ 
h\se4  ,come ) ! expectancy t1 z y make 
ef=t to turn y\rself ,godw>ds1 ! life   
deep )9 y w arise1 & meet y half-way1 & 
call y1 & draw y1 ga!r y into ,god's    
pres5ce4 ,come ) ! hope t ! ,tea*] )9 w 
tea* y ( spiritual ?+s4 ,come ) !       
expectancy t z y meet ) o!r ,fri5ds1 9  
?is v ga!r+ y & !y w be %ak5 awake by ! 

impact ( ,god's p[]1 & made to tremble1 
& become actual ,quak]s4 ,come ) ! pray]
 t "o & all may be br\ght ?r\gh ! v     
ocean ( d>kness & dea?1 by ! et]nal1    
glori\s p[] ( ,*ri/1 into ! ocean (     
light & love4  ,,:at ,,%\ld ,,we ,,d1   
,,9 ,,& ,,out ,,( ,,meet+1 ,,9 ,,our    
,,p]iods ,,( ,,wor%ip ,,& ,,9 ,,our     
,,daily ,,lives8 ,practice ! pres5ce (  
,god4 ,practice1 z f> z we are able1 !  
love ( ,god & ! love ( man & all        
creation4 ,b let ,george ,fox decl>e x  
to u1 z he decl>$ x to ! e>ly ,fri5ds & 
to p ( all ranks & conditions 9 two     
cont95ts4 ,all p mu/ fir/ come to ! ,_s 
( ,god 9 !mselves1 by :i* !y might "k   
,god & ,*ri/1 ( :om ! prophets & apo/les
 le>nt2 by :i* ,_s !y might h fell[%ip )
 ! ,son1 & ) ! ,fa!r1 & ) ! ,scriptures1
 & ) "o ano!r2 & )\t ?is ,_s !y c "k    
nei!r ,god nor ,*ri/1 nor ! ,scriptures1
 nor h "r fell[%ip "o ) ano!r4     ,,=  
,,fur!r ,,read+   ,books  ,,an ,,apology
 ,,= ,,! ,,true ,,*ri/ian ,,div9ity by  
,rob]t ,b>clay  ,,! ,,book ,,(          

,,discipl9e ,,( ,,! ,,religi\s ,,society
 ,,( ,,fri5ds  ,,creative ,,wor%ip by   
,h[>d ,h4 ,br9ton  ,,! ,,fai? ,,&       
,,practice ,,( ,,! ,,quak]s by ,rufus   
,m4 ,jones  ,,! ,,j\rnal ,,( ,,george   
,,fox  ,,! ,,lett]s ,,( ,,isaac ,,p5+ton
  ,,pray] ,,& ,,wor%ip by ,d\glas ,v4   
,/e]e  ,,! ,,quak] ,,m9i/ry by ,john    
,william ,graham  ,,! ,,quak] ,,way ,,( 
,,life by ,william ,wi/> ,com=t  ,,!    
,,rise ,,& ,,progress ,,( ,,! ,,p       
,,call$ ,,quak]s by ,william ,p5n       
,,sil5t ,,wor%ip1 ,,! ,,way ,,( ,,wond] 
by ,l4 ,violet ,hodgk9  ,a ,,te/am5t ,,(
 ,,devotion by ,?omas ,r4 ,kelly        
,,te/imonies ,,& ,,practice ,,( ,,!     
,,society ,,( ,,fri5ds by ,jane ,p4     
,ru%more  ,,wor%ip ,,& ,,! ,,common     
,,life by ,eric ,hayman   ,pamphlets    
,,p5n',s ,,advice ,,to ,,8 ,,*ildr5  ,,!
 ,,practice ,,( ,,! ,,pres5ce ,,( ,,god 
by ,bro!r ,lawr5ce  ,,! ,,quak] ,,meet+ 
by ,h[>d ,e4 ,colli]   ,leaflets  ,,!   
,,ga!r$ ,,meet+ by ,?omas ,r4 ,kelly    
,,go+ ,,to ,,meet+ by ,leon>d ,s4       

,k5wor?y  ,a ,,quak] ,,meet+ ,,=        
,,wor%ip by ,d\glas ,v4 ,/e]e