Elias Hicks

Extract of a letter from Anna Braithwaite, to a friend at Flushing, on Long Island...

He spoke on the subject of the Scriptures as being much too highly thought of among Friends, elucidating his views by saying that a master was useful in teaching the rules of arithmetic, but when we had learned them he was no longer needful to us; therefore, when we come to the Spirit, to which the Scriptures direct, we had no longer need of them. Indeed, he thought that since the Comforter, or Spirit of Truth, had come into every heart, we should be better without them ; and that children brought up to pay attention to the Spirit, would have all revealed to them which the Scriptures contain that was needful for ' them without the perusal of them. Even with regard to the creation of the world, it would be better left to the revelation of the Word, than to any outward means of information : and he strongly recommended her disuse of the Scriptures, stating, that he only referred to them in his communications on account of the low state of the times, the people being still attached to the letter. But his opinion was, that both A. B. and himself would preach the gospel better without reference to the Scriptures in any way, as he believed the Bible had done more harm than any other book ever published; and that, if we supposed it a great advantage to have the Bible, we must suppose the Almighty very unjust to leave so large a portion of the human species without it.

I've just started reading the newest version of Elias Hicks' journal. I thought it might be best to have a small background of the controversy surrounding his views as I read his journal. So far, I am impressed with Hicks' ease of use of Scripture, his devotion and tender care of the Friends and non-Friends he encountered, and his devout nature. All which does not seem to be even close to what he was accused of. I'm not sure if this is a case of the controversy being so out-of-date as to no longer appear relevant, or perhaps I come at this entrenched in a body of Friends and worship tat is often less based in Scripture than even the "least" of the devout of that time - but I do not see the controversy coming. Luckily, Anna Braithwaite's writings, letters, accusations seem to all be accessible online so I will read those as well. It's also been suggested I read Larry Ingle's book regarding the conflict, perhaps I will after this journal is done!