The Quakers are an interesting if not a puzzling phenomenon. They are fearless social reformers and have a very good head for business. They proclaim a great message, yet do it in curiously muted tones. They have never celebrated sacraments nor borne arms. They have never refused to recognize women as ministers and their status as Christians is unquestioned, except by free-thinking members of their own community.
Quakers are serious people.
Rightly so, for their vocation is a serious business. You do not seek to defeat the forces of prejudice, ignorance and cruelty in society unless you are in deadly earnest. Though there is a special off-beat Quaker humor, the belly laugh is not one of their gifts. Seeking to avoid spiritual pride, they view with suspicion the use of language, history and theology in any way that might fetter the personal quest of any of their members for truth. They much prefer to travel hopefully than to arrive.