Growing Up Quaker in Indiana

As a kid growing up in holiness-influenced Indiana Quakerism, Max Carter was taught to avoid a long list of sins, including soft drinks—“which led to hard drinks!“—and dancing—“a vertical expression of a horizontal desire!”

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Jon Watts

Jon Watts launched and directed the QuakerSpeak project for its first 6 seasons. Keep up to date with Jon’s work at his website.

6 thoughts on “Growing Up Quaker in Indiana

  1. The impact in post civil Indiana was Holiness (Wesleyan Theology). Dougan Clark was professor of Religion at Earlham and was a strong advocate for instantaneous Sanctification and along with David Updegraff denied that the Inward Light was in those who had not been Saved and Sanctified . My great Uncle was A. J. Tomlinson (Plainfolk Modernist) an Indiana Holiness Preacher that established, The Church of God (Cleveland TN). My Uncle was a recorded minister in Indiana Yearly meeting who moved to the Pilgrim Holiness Church.

  2. I’ve heard Max speak many times yet never heard this side of his Quaker upbringing. What a history he shares. Our small meeting is programmed, has always had a pulpit with forward facing benches and has been known to boast a choir on the side facing benches if we have enough members who can carry a tune. There is always open worship, a time to reflect upon the pastor’s sermon (btw she is female) and often there is a popcorn meeting, if only for a few minutes. This has been unchanged, with the exception of a new pastor from time to time, for my 61 years. Someone managed to sneak an organ in to accompany our old piano, that didn’t last. I am a 6th generation member, descended from our meeting’s founders, but I can trace my folks to Devon England Quakers. Why does all this matter? My heart is in the building and the old benches and the print of the ubiquitous “Presence in the Midst” that graces her walls. Some days I feel my religion is more Quaker than Christian. Blame it on my history obsessed mother. But my love for our Lord does shine brighter. It’s not as important how I worship as it is that I Believe. I can commune with the Lord within my heart and share his love without losing my Quaker roots.

  3. Fascinating. Now what I want to know, is how Max Carter moved towards unprogrammed, liberal? Friends, very different to the evangelical Friends of his upbringing… or perhaps I’m wrong about some of that…
    I’m an Australian Friend (for 50 years) from a Baptist (like Southern Baptist USA) then atheist then agnostic then Quaker persuasion…
    thanks for QuakerSpeak, so sustaining. Helen Gould

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