DATE: Thursday, November 27, 1997           TAG: 9711270696

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: BELVIDERE                         LENGTH:  190 lines

QUAKER FAITH: AN N.C. CORNERSTONE

Nestled away from U.S. Highway 37 in a placid stand of sycamore and pine, the Piney Woods Friends Meetinghouse looks not much different from the other churches - Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ - that cast spiritual eyes over the two-lane roads in this part of North Carolina.

But the pristine house of worship holds a special place, not only in the historic heart of Belvidere, but in the soul of the nation.

Here, slaves were freed, children educated, peace prayed for. Piney Woods Friends Meeting - founded in 1723 - is the oldest continuous Quaker meetinghouse in North Carolina, the cornerstone of a Quaker presence that stretches from Ocracoke Island to the Piedmont and beyond. At one time, North Carolina had the largest Friends presence outside of Philadelphia.

The Society of Friends, or ``Quakers,'' celebrates three centuries of faith in North Carolina this year. With just more than 100,000 members worldwide, the Quaker faith still has managed a significant impact on the United States and the world.

The story of North Carolina Quakerism reads like a John Jakes historical novel - oppression, optimism, triumph, tragedy. Rodney Powell, the 38-year-old pastor of the Piney Woods meeting, knows the story well. A chronicle sewn together like a tapestry of the nation, Quakerism in Carolina predates the birth of Thomas Jefferson by 90 years.

Piney Woods Friends Meeting, as well as its daughter congregation, Up River Friends Meeting, aren't the only thriving congregations in the area. Quaker meetings are held regularly on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

However, while the Perquimans meetings are along the lines of mainline denominations - with a pastor leading the flock, the island congregations hold meetings without a pastor. Sitting in silence, waiting for the light of the Holy Spirit to lead, is part of worship.

The Society of Friends was born in England in the middle of the 17th century. George Fox, founder of the Quakers, noted in his journal his moment of spiritual discovery.

``When all my hopes in . . . men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could I tell what to do then . . . I heard a voice which said `There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition.' ''

From that revelation, Fox found that the spirit of Christ was open to all people. For Fox, the theology was nothing new, but was ``primitive Christianity revived.''

The Quaker presence in North Carolina was first noted in 1655, with the arrival of the Henry Phillips family. But the first Friends meeting began in Belvidere, a tiny Perquimans County town best known as the post-Hollywood home and final resting place of Wolfman Jack, the rock 'n' roll deejay The North Carolina Yearly Meeting or conference began at the Belvidere home of Francis Nicholson in 1697. In fact, one of the Carolina colony's early governors, John Archdale, was a Quaker. He established a safe haven for Quakers fleeing persecution in New England.

``Members of Friends meetings wound up on the end of a rope or were burned in Massachusetts,'' Powell said. ``The Puritans weren't exactly friendly to the Quakers.''

Still, Friends in North Carolina, suffered persecution of a different sort.

``We were required to pay what was called the vestry tax,'' Powell said. ``That was levied by the state for the Church of England to establish Anglican churches here.''

And the church's antislavery campaign led to the burning of Friends' meeting houses throughout the Albemarle, including the Piney Woods meeting.

Quakers are well known for their pacifist views, spawning the conscientious objector movement. While most remember Society of Friends activism during the Vietnam War, the pacifist movement took root in America during the Revolution.

``Friends ministered and took care of both British and American soldiers following the Battle of New Garden near Greensboro,'' Powell said. ``There are British and American soldiers buried in the Quaker cemetery at New Garden meeting.''

Some, like North Carolinian Nathaniel Green, the American general known for his ``Green Mountain Boys,'' gave up his Quaker faith to fight for the Colonials.

``We've had members of our meeting at Piney Woods who fought in World War II and Korea,'' Powell said. ``It's very difficult, especially in a situation like World War II. We had several members of our congregation who have served in the military, but were later restored to the faith.''

``It's in no way an objection to the country,'' said Fay Scudder, who attends the Buxton Friends' meeting. ``It's a commitment to peace.''

During the first and second world wars, Quakers served the military as ambulance drivers and in other noncombat capacities.

Like most denominations, the Quakers have seen their share of splits over theology. While some Quaker meetings are much like mainline Protestant churches - with a pastor, sermons and an evangelical bent - others, like recently-formed Quaker meetings on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, follow the early practice of services without human direction, all sitting in silence, in obedience and seeking direction from the Holy Spirit.

At a recent meeting in Buxton, promptly at 7 p.m., the room fell silent, as 10 worshipers sought that direction. The only sound in the room was the tick, tick, ticking of a white wall clock.

Despite some conflicts concerning the involvement of pastors, evangelism, and the role of the Bible, Quakers remain united in basic virtues.

``As far as I'm concerned, I was raised in the Quaker ethic,'' said Natalie Hastings of Hatteras. ``I attended Quaker boarding school from the age of 12 to 16. The Quaker values have placed me in good stead throughout my life - honesty, a sense of fairness.''

Evidence of the Quaker influence in North Carolina can be found primarily in education. Historically black universities Winston-Salem State and Durham's North Carolina A&T began as Friends schools for freed slaves. Duke University in Durham was a joint effort by Quakers and Methodists. Greensboro's Guilford College maintains its ties to the Society of Friends. Friends schools also were a precursor to the state's department of public instruction.

The Quakers have also played a role in prison reform. Friends were imprisoned in England for their faith.

A number of famous Americans were also influenced directly or indirectly by the Quakers.

The mothers of presidents Abraham Lincoln and Richard Nixon were Quakers. Dolly Madison, wife of James Madison, was also a member of the Society of Friends.

Quakers are stereotyped as a sober lot. But few know that the inventors of the popular board game ``Monopoly'' and the Slinky, were Quakers. And counted among its flock is rock 'n' roller Dave Matthews.

Some, like Powell, are concerned about dwindling numbers at Quaker meetings. While the Society of Friends has seen spurts of growth in Africa, the same is not true in the United States. At Piney Woods, an average of about 50 attend services on Sunday.

``Except for the Assemblies of God, it's pretty much true in every denomination,'' Powell said. ``There is a concern about our congregations getting so small.''

Despite a mixed-bag theology that calls on individuals to reach their own communion with God, the Society of Friends still has relevance here on the cusp of the 21st century.

``It's been said that if there were three Quakers, there'd be four different meetings,'' Powell said. ``But I guess I would say that this church is a monument to the First Amendment.

``Throughout our history, we've ministered to the hurting of the world. We worked for prison reform well before those movements in the 19th century. We began the abolitionist movement more than a century before it began in this country. We began working to free slaves in this part of the state before the establishment of the Underground Railroad.

``Wherever there has been hurt in the world, we've tried to minister to it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

DREW C. WILSON, The Virginian-Pilot

Pastor Rodney Powell leads the Piney Woods Friends Meeting, which

dates to 1723.

Graphic

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT QUAKERS

Who are the Quakers? Friends, or Quakers, are members of the

Society of Friends, founded around 1660 at the time of the

Protestant Reformation in England. There is some dispute over the

name ``Quakers.''

At the time, Quakers were said to ``tremble'' or ``quake'' with

religious zeal. Others say the Quakers adopted the name after it was

hurled at them by a judge. Originally, Quakers were called

``Children of Light'' or ``Friends of Truth.''

Some 107,000 people belong to the Society of Friends in the

United States.

What do Quakers believe? No single statement of religious

doctrine is accepted by all the overlapping regional bodies that

make up the larger Society of Friends. Each Yearly Meeting or

conference has its own Book of Discipline or Faith and Practice.

Friends are united in stressing that an inward, immediate and

transforming experience of God is central to their lives. They turn

to an inner guide, often referred to as ``The Inner Light,'' ``The

Seed Within,'' or ``Christ Within.''

What forms of worship do Friends practice? There has been a split

since the 19th century. Some believe in silent worship based on

waiting on the Lord, without prearranged singing, prayers or

sermons.

Since the 19th century, some churches have followed the example

of mainline Protestant denominations, with a pastor and more formal

service.

What are the views of sacraments and Scripture? Most Friends

reject communion and baptism as practiced in Christian churches.

They are seekers, rather, of an inward reality. For them, all great

human experiences are of a sacramental nature.

The Bible was precious to George Fox, founder of the Quakers. But

in the 18th century, reliance on ``The Inner Light'' led to a

decrease in the Bible's influence as a source of religious wisdom.

The evangelical influences of the 19th century brought a new

authority to the Bible, particularly among evangelical meetings.

What are Quaker ``testimonies?'' Testimonies are what Friends

stand for in terms of Christian witness, derived from the basic

belief in the equality of all people, a simple lifestyle, integrity

and at times controversial stands on public issues.

The Peace testimony is the best-known of the Quaker stands.

Friends oppose all wars, as well as military conscription. While

many Quakers through the centuries have gained ``conscientious

objector'' status in wartime, there have been ``fighting Quakers''

in every American war.

Quakers also believe in social justice, through civil rights,

prison reform and education.

Sources: San Francisco Friends Meeting; The World Almanac

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