© 2018 Christy K
Robinson
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Early Quakers like Mary Barrett Dyer, John Copeland,
Christopher Holder, Humphrey Norton, William Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson
referred to their religious experience of Christ in their hearts as The Light.
They understood the words of Jesus, that while he was in the
world, he was “the Light of the world.” (John 9:5)
But Jesus also said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on
its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that
they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, wrote from
prison on 13 August 1656 (while Mary Dyer was still in England), “Now our Friends being come to this light
which comes from Christ, and having received power from him by whom all
things were created, to whom all power in heaven and earth is given, who is the
wisdom of God; we have received wisdom and power from him, by which the Lord
does give us to know how to use and order the creatures to the glory of him,
the creator of all things.”
Back in America from spring 1657, Mary Dyer wrote to the
General Court at Boston in 1659: “Search with the light of Christ in you and it
will show you … as it hath done me and many more.”
 |
| Fragment from Mary Dyer's letter to the General Court in 1659. |
“Turn inward to Christ the light, which shows you the
secrets of your hearts, and the deeds that are not good. Therefore, while you
have the light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of the
light. ” wrote Copeland, Holder, and Doudney from the Boston prison in 1657.
“In him was life, and
that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and
the darkness has not overcome it... The true light that gives light to everyone
was coming into the world.” (John 1:4, 5, 9 NIV)
Because Mary Dyer and others lived in such dark times of
religious persecution even unto death, the Light that was real and tangible to
them—was life itself. It was light in their mortal lives, even in prison
suffering from whippings and unheated, unlit winter. And it was a light shining
from the eternal life that has been promised to the children of God.
The people who walked
in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep
shadows— light! sunbursts of light! You repopulated the nation, you expanded
its joy. Oh, they’re so glad in your presence! Festival joy! The joy of a great
celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings. The abuse of oppressors and
cruelty of tyrants— all their whips and cudgels and curses— Is gone, done away
with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over
Midian. The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked
with innocent blood, Will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn
for days! For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! (Isaiah 9:6 The Message paraphrase)
Though Quakers, Puritans, Baptists, and other religious
groups of the time did not celebrate winter solstice or Christmas, they did
treasure the Light in their lives and desired above all things to share that Light.
I hope that you will store these things in your heart, as
Mary Dyer and her Friends did, and let God, Yahweh, Jesus, the Universe, or Higher
Power—whatever you choose to label it—have a chance with you. Don’t remain in
darkness or deep shadows: step out into Light.
May the Light burst forth in your life and bring you peace,
kindness, mercy, grace, and compassion.
Happy holy-days!
*****
Christy K Robinson is author of these books:
We Shall Be Changed (2010)
Mary Dyer Illuminated Vol. 1 (2013)
Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This Vol. 2 (2014)
The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport Vol. 3 (2014)
Effigy Hunter (2015)
Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother (2018)
And of these sites:
Discovering Love (inspiration and service)
Rooting for Ancestors (history and genealogy)
William and Mary Barrett Dyer (17th century culture and history of England and New England)
