Elias Hicks (1748–1830)

Hicks's letters flesh out the details of his life and his beliefs. They reveal a thoughtful man of deep devotion -- a man devoted to his wife and family, to his neighbors and friends, to the Religious Society of Friends, but more than anything else, a man simply, humbly, and steadfastly devoted to God. Some of his letters recount the trials of a traveling minister in the early 19th century. Others lay out his understanding of what it means to live faithfully as a Quaker in those times of conflict and change. Some put forward his theological beliefs and the scriptural basis for them.… (mere)

Paul Buckley has rendered the Religious Society of Friends an immense service. I once read a book on Hicks written for children which basically said Hicks had been disowned by Orthodox Friends for being tolerant of young people marrying out (marrying non-Quakers). What a disservice to all.

In addition to the many Journal entries and Letter snippets, Buckley oftens adds a paragraph he titles : "Things I Believe But Can't Prove." After having read every archived document and published histories of Hicks, it is not unreasonable the author comes to certain conclusions. I appreciated reading them.

Buckley has attempted to distill all he read into a short, concise--as he put it--essential, compilation of what moved Hicks. Having read this slim volume, I feel prepared to begin Buckley's second gift to us: [Dear Friend: Letters & Essays of Elias Hicks].

In addition to a short biography, Buckley touches on a variety of themes running through Hicks's letters and journals:
Concern for the environment
Mysticism
Scripture
Inward Light
God
Jesus
Salvation
True Christianity
Quakerism
The larger world
Slavery
Orthodox/Hicksites schism… (mere)