In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Corresponding with George A. Fox Arthur O. Roberts* The historical setting Unlike the 17th century leader of the Quaker awakening, a modern era namesake is relatively unknown to contemporary Friends. George A. Fox was a Quaker leader in evangelistic outreach to English villages during early decades ofthe 20th century; but his ministry is minimally heralded. There is no reference to him, for example, in Elfrida Vipont's The Story of Quakerism (Friends United Press, 1977, 3rd edition), or in the recent Historical Dictionary of The Friends /ed. Margery Post Abbott et al, Scarecrow, 2003), although I proposed inclusion. George A. Fox participated in and gave significant leadership for over fifty years to renewal and outreach ministries during the evangelical era in Britain, especially through the Friends Evangelistic Band. Did the significant theological shift from evangelicalism to liberalism among British Friends, signaledbythe Manchester Conference of 1895, diminish a perceived significance of this leadership ? Or was it the case, rather, that ecumenical inclusiveness of the movement obscured its roots in Quaker concern and leadership? Perhaps both are credible hypotheses, and not mutually exclusive. As a graduate student in the 1950s researching Quaker history and thought, I had corresponded with George A. Fox. Upon reviewing that correspondence recently I decided to learn more about this Friend and his work. Responding to inquiry, Josef Keith, ofthe Quaker Library at Friends House, graciously sent data and clippings from its "Dictionary of Biography " files.1 These included a summary of Fox's ministry, as follows (slightly abridged): George Alexander Fox was born at Falmouth in the year 1 876 the son of Nathaniel and Evelyn [Elizabeth?] Cox Fox. In his late teens he felt a call to religious service in whatsoever way it might open; he studied as a chemist in London and also helped Howard and Louisa Nicholson at Harts Lane Mission in Bethnal Green. In 1902 he married their daughter Marion. He adjusted his business claims to give him time to devote to evangelistic work and eventually became secretary of the Friends Prayer League. He served the League for nine years, arranging conferences and holding special meetings in England and Ireland until the League changed its name to the * Arthur O. Roberts, professor-at-large at George Fox University, and recorded Friends' minister, is the author of numerous books and articles, some on Quaker topics, including Tomorrow is Growing Old: the story ofQuakers in Alaska, and (with Hugh Barbour) Early Quaker Writings. 2006 publication include a new edition of Messengers ofGod: the Sensuous Side ofSpirituality, and a collection of sermons, The Sacred Ordinary. Arthur and his wife, Fern, live in Newberg, Oregon. Corresponding with George A. Fox35 Friends Evangelistic Band, with headquarters in Colchester. The Band carried out interdenominational evangelistic work in the neighbouring villages and when the Friends meeting in Colchester was moved to smaller premises the Band eventually settled in Kelvedon. For all this time he was its leader. He also served for a time on Meeting for Sufferings. He died on June 14, 1965, aged 88. To flesh out this briefbiographical sketch I drew upon Fox's own book, Some ofHis Ways, letters from persons responding to my inquiry letter printed in The Friend, 24 June 2005, including Janna Kirkby who sent her book, The Two Oceans, which contains a helpful chapter, and from a published account ofFox and the movement graciouslyprovided by author Bessie Bryers, entitled To Them That Obey.2 George A. Fox was born December 18, 1876 into a devout and happy Quaker family (he was one ofeleven children) living inFalmouth atthe edge ofthe harbour. Fox recalls how his mother, Elizabeth, "understood how to make the things of God spiritual food." In his later years he recalls "as thoughitwere lastnight"how, whenhewas seven, she "ledhimto the Lord." He recalls the Christian example ofhis merchant father, Nathaniel, and how at Quaker meetings for worship in the living silence he learned "to feel the presence and promptings of the Holy Spirit."3 As the age of sixteen or seventeen he experienced an empowering, life changing baptism with the Holy Spirit, described more fully below, which launched him into life-long Christian ministry. In 1902 George married Marion Louise Nicholson, "a...

pdf

Share