A Quaker Model Of Worship

The worship of the Friends is rooted in silence. The people wait upon the Holy Spirit, who in the silence moves them in worship, where they meet God. Introduction In calm and cool and silence once again I find my old accustomed place among My brethren, where, perchance no human tongue Shall utter words; where never hymn is sung, Nor deep-toned organ blown, nor censer swung. Nor dim light falling through the pictured pane! There, syllabled by silence, let me hear The still small voice which reached the prophet's ear; Read in my heart a still diviner law Than Israel's leader on his tables saw (John Greenleaf Whittier,"First-Day Thoughts") Quaker writers like John Greenleaf Whittier have left us vivid descriptions of the traditional Quaker meeting for worship in which worshipers assemble in disciplined silence and holy expectancy, to wait-without prearranged singing, Bible reading, prayers or sermon-for the movement of God's spirit. And as they wait, they pray- Recall my…