A Silly Poor Gospel
“We are now coming into that which Christ cried woe against, minding altogether outward things, neglecting the inward work of Almighty God in our hearts, if we can but frame according to outward prescriptions and orders, and deny eating and drinking with our neighbours, in so much that poor Friends is mangled in their minds, that they know not what to do, for one Friend says one way, and another another, but Christ Jesus saith, that we must take no thought what we shall eat, or what we shall drink, or what we shall put on, but bids us consider the lilies how they grow, in more royalty than Solomon.
But contrary to this, we must look at no colours, nor make anything that is changeable colours as the hills are, nor sell them, nor wear them: but we must be all in one dress and one colour: this is a silly poor Gospel. It is more fit for us, to be covered with God’s Eternal Spirit, and clothed with his Eternal Light, which leads us and guides us into righteousness. Now I have set before you life and death, and desire you to choose life, and God and his truth.”
— Margaret Fell, 1700
Cofounder of the Religious Society of Friends
Reader Responses
What spiritual gifts does simplicity bring?
How do you strive for simplicity in your life?
This morning as I was in Zoom worship at Pendle Hill [Quaker study and retreat center], a song about Peace Pilgrim written by Pat Lamanna came to mind:
"I will walk until I'm given shelter.
I will fast until I'm given bread.
I will remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace."
I found myself rewriting that for myself:
I will be silent until I'm given words to say.
I will be still until I'm given a leading.
I will rest in the knowledge of God's love.
That is the simplest of simplicities we are asked to practice in Meeting for Worship and then gradually apply to the rest of life.
Sally C., New York, NY, USA
I strive for simplicity by enveloping each day in one package. As I rise I give thanks for another day and ask, "Well God, what have you got for me today?" I have a set time for mindfulness. Then I watch as the day unfolds, for opportunities to be of service. And of course, they always appear. I may know a few things ahead, but I try not to plan the outcome. To the best of my ability I let the day unfold in God's time.
At the end of the day, I reflect on things and give thanks for what went well, make note of what I could do better, pray for those in need, and have gratitude for the events of the day. I put the day in God's hands and rest, to begin again tomorrow.
It helps me to write daily gratitude to keep my spirit uplifted, and a group of friends send these to each other in the mornings. This daily practice has significantly changed my mental attitude and shifted my life stance more towards the positive. It is not just the writing but the sharing with each other that makes the difference. In doing so, I see others' outlook, I end my own temptation to isolation, and I gain new perspectives on what I might be grateful for in my own life. This simple practice altered my life course!
Linda W., Falling Waters, WV, USA
When you live simply you have abundance in full measure. If you do not collect or you strip away that which is not essential to your life, you then receive abundance of time and an increase in funds.
By living simply you then are freed from the care of things and can attend to the care of those around you and those in the world. You find that you have resources that you can use to help an organization or a project. Living simply brings a sense of freedom. Without the encumbrance of things one is able to freely give of time and make investments of love in the world around us.
So in striving for simplicity I try to live with as little as necessary: basic items that have a long shelf life and do not take a lot of space or care. Living this way gives me freedom to act in the world around me with love. So the spiritual gift that simplicity brings to me is a sense of freedom and a sense of abundance so that I can be more loving. I am grateful for the gift of simplicity.
Dorothy G., Portland, ME, USA
I strive for simplicity in my life by waking up in the morning acknowleging God, whispering, "O Lord, open my lips and my mouth will proclaim Your praise." I move on to coffee and quiet meditation, while admiring the natural world. The moon fading, the sun rising, birds singing, the whistle of the wind. Trees full of leaves in late spring and summer, beautiful colors in the fall, bare in the winter. I could go on and on!
I'm careful to do things in moderation, the clothes I wear, the food I eat, the vehicle I drive, the things I purchase. Now, I might splurge every now and then! The small things in life I appreciate and enjoy just as much and even sometimes better than the big things.
Joseph J., Milwaukee, WI, USA
This Week’s Messages
Mon Jun 02
Live soberly in this present world
“Advised that all Friends, both old and young, keep out of the world’s corrupt language, manners, vain and needless things and fashions, in apparel, buildings, and furniture of houses, some of which are immodest, indecent, and unbecoming.” …
Tue Jun 03
Fashions Last for but a Season
“What is the reason your people tie a great bunch of ribbons behind on their heads, and another under their chin, and on each side of their faces, and on their foreheads? What good do these do you? And what good do these great broad cuffs do you that you wear? Are not these the things that lift up the pride in men and women, that they look upon themselves in their glasses to see whether they be fine? And who taught them to go mincing with their feet? And was not the Prophet moved of the Lord to go naked among Egyptians & the Ethiopians, Isa. 20. What is the pleasures of Egypt, and the pleasures of the world, which are but for a time?” …
Wed Jun 04
Show Forth that Inward Quietness of Spirit
“I believe that asceticism is in a very deep sense contrary to the real Quaker spirit, which desires in all things to abstain from any interference ‘in the will of man’ with Divine discipline and guidance, and which would, I believe, regard the idea of self-chosen exercises in mortification of the flesh with the same aversion as it entertains for pre-arranged forms of worship.” …
Thu Jun 05
Simplicity Is a Protest Against Triviality
“The heart of Quaker ethics is summed up in the word ‘simplicity’. Simplicity is forgetfulness of self and remembrance of our humble status as waiting servants of God. Outwardly, simplicity is shunning superfluities of dress, speech, behaviour, and possessions, which tend to obscure our vision of reality. Inwardly, simplicity is spiritual detachment from the things of this world as part of the effort to fulfil the first commandment: to love God with all of the heart and mind and strength.” …
Fri Jun 06
The Principles of Friends Will Alter Your Dress and Speech
“I used to think and do now how little dress matters. But I find it almost impossible to keep to the principles of Friends without altering my dress and speech…. They appear to me a sort of protector to the principles of Christianity in the present state of the world.” …
Sat Jun 07
Get Down to the Sure Foundation
“Friends may dig deep, may carefully cast forth the loose matter and get down to the rock, the sure foundation, and there hearken to that Divine voice which gives a clear and certain sound.” …
Banner art © 2010 Liz Di Giorgio
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