ABSTRACT
Awareness that the Holy Spirit was shaping their lives led early Friends like Elizabeth Bathurst to recognize each other as prophets who listened inwardly for holy guidance. The modern Conservative Friend William Taber, in his pamphlet “The Prophetic Stream,” named three characteristics of the prophetic ministry: daily and even minute-to-minute inward attention to God, living consistently with the teachings of Jesus, and helping to draw others into divine love. Modern Friends often speak of their faith in terms of testimony, or the way their lives serve as expressions of their faith, although different traditions use the concept differently. Unprogrammed, liberal Friends regularly point to their peace testimony, efforts to live simply, and other behaviors as a centrally defining aspect of Quakerism. Mission work has given Quakerism a presence on every continent Establishing missions is concrete evidence of a commitment to make one’s life testify to one’s faith.
