
An Interpretation of Friends Worship - By N. Jean Toomer
INTRODUCTION
WORSHIP AND LOVE
THE BASIS OF FRIENDS WORSHIP AND OTHER INWARD PRACTICES
WHAT TO DO IN THE MEETING FOR WORSHIP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
FOR FURTHER READING - Books
From the perspective of a ten‑year‑old, the opening of this work invites listeners into the world of early curiosity about the Quakers, or Friends, as they are known. The narrator recalls overhearing adult conversation about an uncle in Philadelphia and forming a vivid picture of quiet, white‑haired worshippers waiting for the spirit to move them. Simple moments—sitting on a porch, watching nature, feeling an inner stir—become the foundation of a personal, life‑centered sense of the divine.
The author then reflects on how children experience religion differently from adults, describing a glow that can be brighter and more spontaneous. While acknowledging the need for instruction in scripture and literature, the narrative argues that true worship arises from the everyday wonder of flowers, birds, and quiet contemplation. Listeners are offered a gentle meditation on how the Friends’ practice invites both young and old to listen for that inner movement without the trappings of formal ceremony.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (64K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Mark C. Orton, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2008-02-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1894–1967
Best known for the groundbreaking 1923 book Cane, this American writer blended poetry, fiction, and drama in ways that still feel fresh. His work is often linked to both literary modernism and the Harlem Renaissance, even though he resisted being neatly categorized.
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