By 1660 early Quakers began talking about the Peace Testimony. In brief, in a declaration to Charles II, George Fox wrote, "We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fighting with outward weapons, for any end or under any pretence whatsoever. And this is our testimony to the whole world. The spirit of Christ, by which we are guided, is not changeable, so as once to command us from a thing as evil and again to move unto it." Earlier Fox had said that, "I lived in the virtue of that life and power that took away the occasion of all wars."
Historians have clearly pointed out that for about 200 years after Jesus was crucified early Christians would not participate in warfare, nor join the military. That changed significantly during the time of the emperor Constantine (c. 300) who made Christianity the official religion of the empire. Since that time there have been small groups of Christians who, like early Quakers, refused to participate in war. The Mennonites, Brethren and Quakers have been called the "Peace Churches", as they all consider themselves pacifists. The Quaker's Peace Testimony began as a witness against war. Over the years the testimony has evolved from opposing war and refusing to participate, to a witness and service in the interest of building and keeping the peace.
Quakers won the Nobel Prize for their work in the Gaza Strip with refugees after the 1948 war between Arabs and Israel. Ever since, groups of Friends have advocated for a peaceful settlement of the Mid-East conflict. In 1968, British and American Friends published a carefully researched book entitled, Search for Peace in the Middle East, that advocated a two state solution that is only now being publicly discussed in official circles. For many years during the cold war, Quakers brought diplomats together off the record, often in Switzerland, to discuss issues that would end the cold war. Quakers were involved with diplomatic efforts to end the war in Vietnam. Friends have been working to end the standoff between the US and Cuba. Quakers organized secret peace talks involving both sides of the Biafran Civil war in Nigeria in the late 60's.
The Peace Testimony involves bearing witness and working for peace. For early Friends it was part of God's covenant with His people. In the American War of Indpendence, Friends on Nantucket Island remained neutral and suffered from both sides for their stand. William Rotch (1734 - 1828) had a large shipment of bayonets that he had received in payment for an obligation some years before. In 1776 the Americans demanded the bayonets. William threw them in the ocean saying, "I can put no weapon into a man's hand to destroy another.
So, Friend, what canst thou say?
How are we called to witness to the Peace Testimony in our lives today?
What does it mean to live in the life and power that takes away the occasion for all wars and strife?
Peter