The following letter is strictly personal and confidential, intended only for members, that is, under no circumstances for publication and propaganda!
Dear Friends,
The Work Committee, in its meeting in Frankfurt on April 8th and 9th, endeavored to clarify the task of the German Yearly Meeting at the present time. We believe that this moment in time, with its profound effect on the history of our people, must find us not filled with anxiety, but rather imbued with our positive task, which remains unchanged before us. It calls us, both individually and as a society, to self-reflection. We must distinguish essentials from nonessentials. We must become aware once again that the standard for all our thought and action is the imitation of Christ, and that we must first be something ourselves before we believe we can be something to others. The Society of Friends is not a peace society, not a charitable organization or a humanitarian association of some kind; rather, it is a religious society, a community of people who seek to give expression, in their lives, to their belief in the direct connectedness of man with God. We must reflect on this religious foundation of our society, from which, solely as inner necessity, has consistently issued what those outside all too easily view as the essence of Quakerism.
Before us arises the question: What do we ourselves have to be, if we want to be followers of Christ? Our task has never before been so great as it is today. The time of private edification is over. We must show forth Christ. We must walk by the revelation of the eternal in our lives, so that there is no longer any difference between our action and our religious conviction. Every one of our actions makes sense only if it is an affirmation of faith, for other people need us and believe in us, so that we help them to carry the torch. “Stand firm, and you will gain new souls,” Christ says.
The Society of Friends has never taken a stand with regard to the government as such or the form of government as such. It has always rendered unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. As a religious society, we have nothing to do with politics, for a decisive impetus to moral renewal can never come from politics. It can arise only from the deep source of the religious sphere, through people imbued with religion. Therefore, our sole demand on the government—a claim that must be made with all vigilance, however—is that it, and those who are in charge of it, should truly be imbued with this spirit, the spirit of Christ, so that justice asserts itself, and freedom and the worth of each individual citizen are safeguarded. Our belief that “that of God,” the eternal light of God, shines in everyone has always made us realize that the strongest, practical expression of all religious life—expression in keeping with the will of God—is the spirit of nonviolence. It is not a path of weakness, if we follow it imbued with the spirit of Christ. It demands courage, commitment, and our deepest personal readiness to make sacrifices. Our times need nothing as much as this sacrificial, helpful, peace-loving attitude.
Our work to foster understanding among nations, to eliminate misunderstandings, and to create an atmosphere devoid of all pretext for war remains unchanged. We can carry out this work, however, only if we ourselves frame our whole lives with the strength and virtue of such an attitude. We must be vigilant, lest we miss the moment that truly requires our help.
At all times, the Friends have expressed their conviction that the spirit of God—and there is only one God for all—dwells in all people, whatever their race. All human beings are children of God, and are our fellows. Biological laws, be they ever so flawless in scientific terms, lose their significance in the light of eternity. Historical circumstances present us with tasks whose solution by violence is not in keeping with the spirit of Christ. The spirit of nonviolence seeks synthesis, not antithesis. “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”
We urge all members to express and apply, with full inner responsibility and preparedness, this spirit of nonviolence, friendship, and helpfulness wherever they see spiritual and other adversity. Each member has the potential to do so in his own sphere. But we ask members to take responsibility for their actions, with all restraint, and not to think that, as Quakers, they must do something or, as Quakers, attempt something that is beyond their strength. Through the centuries, the Friends have always tried to give expression in words to their religious experience and its practical application in keeping with the spirit of their times. A few extracts from the two books Christliches Leben, Glauben und Denken [Christian Life, Faith & Thought in the Society of Friends, 1927] and Christliches Wirken [Christian Faith and Practice; the title seems to change with each yearly meeting] accompany this circular; they may perhaps help us in this day and age. Both books contain many such passages. We strongly urge all Friends to study these testimonies in order to examine their own point of view, and we ask all those in inner conflict to try to reach a clear decision as to whether they can continue to follow their path within the group of those willing to bear responsibility for the existence of Quakerism in Germany. They will remain our friends even if they withdraw to the loose circle of friends of Quakerism.
Christ’s parting words to his disciples about his Passion were: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE GERMAN YEARLY MEETING