Editor,
The City of Westfield was founded by the Friends Church. However, as the pastor of Westfield Friends Church, I find that the Friends in Westfield have often been misrepresented. Please let me clarify.
In the early 19th century a significant division occurred among Friends along theological lines. Elias Hicks began propagating a universalist interpretation of Friends faith. This stood in direct contrast to the traditional orthodox faith of Friends. Those who shared his interpretation became known as Hicksites. The Hicksites, led by Elias Hicks, believed that the Inner Light must be the primary source of truth and that the Bible was only a secondary source. This inner light is a universal spiritual presence shared with other religious faiths in the world. Today, Hicksites often refer to themselves as Quakers.
“He held that Christ’s coming in the flesh, His life, His death, the Scriptures, and all outward teachings were not essential to salvation.” (The Rich Heritage of Quakerism, Walter R. Williams, Barclay Press, Newberg, Oregon, ©1962, page 170). Hicksites are called Quakers.
Orthodox Quakers believe that the Bible and the Holy Spirit are the primary authorities on the truth. They are called “Friends” or “The Friends Church”. Friends believe that “The doctrines of the apostolic days are held by the Friends as essentials of Christianity. The Fatherhood of God, the Deity and humanity of the Son; the gift of the Holy Spirit; the atonement through Jesus Christ by which men are reconciled to God; the Resurrection; the Highpriesthood of Christ, and the individual priesthood of believers, are most precious truths, to be held, not as traditional dogmas, but as vital life-giving realities.” (Faith and Practice of Indiana Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, 2011, page 37).
The Westfield Friends are orthodox Friends and have been since they founded the settlement here in Westfield. Westfield Friends are Christian and do not embrace the “Inner Light” but instead embrace the authority of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. We refer to ourselves as Friends. Feel free to contact me or Westfield Friends Church to get the accurate information. Let’s keep it real.
Steve Pedigo
Pastor, Westfield Friends Church
