Margaret Fell was a judge’s wife, living in a manor home in northwest England in the mid-seventeenth century. One day, a traveling minister named George Fox came to Swathmoor Hall, where he was offered the usual hospitality. During his stay, he asked Margaret to reflect on what she knew about God: Was it all things other people had told her, or did she know God directly?
That question led Margaret to become not just a Quaker, but one of the movement’s most powerful advocates. “Margaret and her home became Quaker Central,” explains Shulamith Clearbridge, and her writings, including Women’s Speaking Justified, served as foundational texts for the young Religious Society of Friends.
In this episode, Shulamith tells us how she began updating Margaret’s letters to the early Quaker community into twenty-first-century English as a personal project before encouragement from friends convinced her to expand her efforts. You’ll hear excerpts from her versions of Margaret’s inspiring messages: “Don’t get stuck on the terrible things people do… Look only at the eternal God of life and power and you will see that is always present with you.”
Thank you for this wonderful Quaker Speak episode. It spoke to my condition during these days when hope seems small. Thank you.
Excellent video. Thank you for its depth and focus on letting God guide us in the ups and downs of this life and times. My great grandfather married into a Fell family who were Quakers!
What a lovely presentation given here by Shulamith, who I have known to be someone who listens deeply for guidance from the Inward Teacher and faithfully follows it. The passages from Margaret Fell she translated and read here were clearly done with such love and comprehension! I look forward to the book when it comes out, but I think I would almost prefer an audio book. Hearing Shulamith’s voice allows us to hear this profound spiritual Wisdom in a different way than we are historically used to — through the voice of the Feminine. I think this serves to amplify the truth that Margaret Fell spoke of … that women had the same Light as men and could act and speak as powerfully as men out of that Light. Thanks for this interview!!
One on the best QS I have seen. Terrific!
Thank you for this <3
The inner light is interesting