George Fox (July 1624-January 13, 1691) was the founder of the Society of Friends, or “Quakers,” 1652. After his conversion experience, 1646, he traveled extensively, ministering in England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, the West Indies and North America, often being imprisoned for his beliefs. William Penn, founder of the Pennsylvania Colony, was close friends with Fox, even traveling and preaching with him. Penn himself was imprisoned three times for his faith, once in the Tower of London for eight months.
In 1694, George Fox wrote in his journal:
<The Lord showed me, so that I did see clearly, that he did not dwell in these temples which men had commanded and set up, but in people's hearts…his people were his temple, and he dwelt in them….
When the Lord sent me forth into the world, He forbade me to put off my hat to any, high or low….
Justice Bennet of Derby, was the first that called us Quakers, because I bid them tremble at the word of the Lord. This was in the year 1650…
He [Oliver Cromwell] said: “I see there is a people risen, that I cannot win either with gifts, honors, offices or places; but all other sects and people I can.> 1624GF001
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1624GF001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). George Fox, 1694, in his journal. John Bartlett, Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1855, 1980), p. 300.
This post originally appeared at https://americanminute.com/blogs/todays-american-minute/george-fox-july-1624-january-13-1691