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This month’s featured selection from the Reflections archives

Going Plain

“Friends, keep out of the vain fashions of the world; let not your eyes, minds, and spirits run after every fashion (in attire) of the nations; for that will lead you from the solid life into unity with that spirit that leads to follow the fashions of the nations, after every fashion of apparel that gets up: but mind that which is sober and modest, and keep to your plain fashions, that you may judge the World, . . .” – George Fox

While the issue of plain dress today continues to be a matter of personal leading among Friends, it is an issue that must be worked out individually . Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Understanding that each of us is led individually to serve God as He wills, it becomes an issue of faith to follow as Christ leads and be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to therefore hold fast that which is good, even if one stands alone.

This discernment process transcends issues of worldly fashions, group dynamics or individual opinions because it is a calling of a very personal and spiritual nature. When led by Christ we must obediently follow and not allow ourselves to be influenced by the world or our peers. Though most Friends in this day and age do not feel called to plain dress, there are those who do – and that calling is very difficult to deny and is even more difficult for some to make a “logical” argument or defense for.

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Ohio Yearly Meeting has a series of podcasts. Below is this month’s featured podcast. Link to podcast page,

The True Christian’s Faith and Experience: Advice to New Friends (part 1 of 4)

Often we are linked in error to political groups which also use the word “conservative.” These political groups are often indifferent to the plight of the economically deprived but are strong supporters of the nation’s military operations. This is contrary to the life and teachings of our Lord and Savior who instructs us to “love our enemies” and “turn the other cheek”. He expects us to reconcile with our opponents in His holy name.

Conservative Friends, on the other hand, embrace the need for true reconciliation. That is why in unity with George Fox and other early Friends we wait on the Lord for instruction as well as inspiration with the spiritual knowledge that Jesus is present in our worship sessions as Prophet and King in addition to being our enabler who loves us.

That is why when a minister rises to speak to our meeting, he or she does not utter their own words, but is led to reveal Christ’s revelations for us to follow. Political ministers, to the contrary, more often than not, when they speak, it is with the words of their alleged superiors. They claim that they are waiting on Jesus to appear physically before they can be inducted into His Kingdom. To the contrary, we feel Jesus’s presence within us, not only during corporate worship but whenever we submit to the Lord’s will. We therefore pray without ceasing to maintain our adherence to the Lord in all matters.

Most important, we are not satisfied just worshiping the Lord in our community. Rather, in unity with first generation Quakers, we are instructed to preach the everlasting gospel to all people regardless of race and class. Remember that Jesus speaks to all people prepared to listen and obey His commands.

Small wonder we do not identify with any political party, unlike the so-called religious conservatives who align themselves with the rich and powerful. Yes, we would like to minister to these souls along with preaching to all people. But Jesus is our master and we must obey Him in the love that overcomes Satan.

To put it succinctly, we are conservative because we are in unity with the Christianity of our founders whose enunciations we so admire. They preached and lived in the Lord.

Arthur Berk, 01-26-2008