Although for reasons of conscience Friends could not take an active part in the Revolutionary War, they were loyal in upholding the new national government. They subsequently found a wide field of activity in philanthropic movements, taking the lead in the effort to abolish slavery. Among noted American abolitionists were John Woolman , Lucretia Mott , and John Greenleaf Whittier . At the same time, under Joseph J. Gurney, there was an evangelical revival among Friends in the western states, with a tendency to discard many of the old forms and distinctions. Another break occurred in 1845 in New England, when the adherents of John Wilbur set up a new yearly meeting in protest against what they considered dangerous departures from the teachings and ways of the early Friends.
Any member is at liberty to follow the impulse of the spirit in prayer, praise, or exhortation.
A meeting may be spent entirely in silent receptivity and communion. In more recent years, however, many of the Friends who seek the ministry have studied at theological schools. The organization of the Society includes meetings for worship and monthly, quarterly, and yearly meetings. Friends have grown considerably less, and there have been many signs of interest in reunion. The Religious Society of Friends is a member of the World Council of Churches.