It is a sad thing to reflect on the way we have turned away from the simple teachings of Jesus. We choose not to believe that each one of us is as surely a Son of God as Jesus is, and that the spiritual consciousness within us is a living part of God. We do not bother to comprehend that the Spirit of God live in us and we have stubbornly refused to recognise it in our brothers and sisters.

What Christian church or sect, apart from Quakers, has forbidden the so-called 'faithful' to take part in war or protested against its own nation's war-mongering? In America the Quakers were the only Christian group to protest against the slavery and persecution of blacks. They were already friends to the American Indian.

The Quakers, a derogatory tern for the Religious Society of Friends, are the only group of Christians who may properly be called 'true' in their loving obedience to the examples set by Jesus.

The Friends hold the fundamental belief that Divine Revelation is available to the individual and that all persons may perceive God's Word in their Spiritual Consciousness (or Soul). The Friends rejected formal creeds, worshipped in silence- especially as a congregation - and waited for Spiritual Guidance to take place. In short, they took time to listen to God and termed such guidance as the "Inner light" of 'the Christ Within'. They understood that the Comforter, or the Holy Spirit, was always with them. They acknowledged all participants as potential vessels for the word of God and did not rely on a separate or paid clergy to preach to them.

Because of their understanding that something of God exists in everyone they emphasise the goodness of mankind. They recognise evil as a denial of the God within and work to eradicate as much evil as possible.

In admiration and privileges of the Society, no distinction is made between the sexes. It has been so since the 17th century. The Friends refuse to take any oath whatsoever, preach against war - even to the extent of refusing to resist attack - and so not hesitate to oppose the authority of Church and State on matters of principle. Members are regularly and formally queried on their adherence to Quaker principles on matters such as the proper spiritual education of their children. The use of drugs and intoxicants, care of the needy, racial and religious tolerance, and the treatment of all offenders in a spirit of love rather than with the object of punishment. Today, their primary concern is to create a society in which violence need not exist.

They know that Man is the Temple of God, and that which other call a Church is what they term a meeting place. Before any decision, members sit in silence and await Spiritual Guidance. Any member, if moved by the Spirit within, may rise and speak. After all, that's what the prophets of old did. The Friends are, indeed, a light to the world and whereas before other Christians persecuted them, it is time we loved and honoured them and rejoiced that such beings are among us.