Lancaster Friends' Meeting House

Quakers today are generally left-of-centre social warriors, troubled by ecological damage and economic injustice, as well as war and its attendant industries. They were moved by ethical concerns long before the other denominations of Christainity jumped aboard the bandwagon. In their 1708 Lancaster Meeting House, however, they erected an inscription 2-3 years ago, apologising for their own Meeting’s acquiescence and participation in the enslavement and forced labour of Africans. I suspect that some of them were my relations, though the one I do l know about had a convenient conversion to the Church of England, so he may not be covered by the hand-wringing new plaque.

It seems that wherever you look, and in whatever religious grouping you care to inspect, the fingerprints of fallen human nature will be found. Paedophile priests, pilfering pastors, selfish shamans and salacious sages: where there is a human heart, there is sin. Those with positive, exalted views of human nature are the more apt to be disappointed. Those who believe in orginal sin are proved right again and again, sadly. We really are a rotten bunch. It is only Christ’s atoning blood and the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power which can alter our corruption. It is through the gospel that humankind may again pulse with goodness and righteousness, the way we were created and meant to be.

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Romans 5:18