TRACT ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS 1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102-1403 www.tractassociation.org 2012 Friends’ Calendar To my dear friends whom the Lord by his Eternal Spirit is gathering out of the World into the Coven ant of Life, to be of one heart and mind and soul. Let all wait in that which is pure and invisible that each one of you in particular may know the pure teachings of Christ, and that you may receive nothing but that which speaks from the Eternal moving of the li ving God. Stand single in that which is pure of God, and refuse for your teachers those who have the words of truth, but have not the life and power of what they say. In the power of the living God wait until that which hungers after God receives living nurtur e and nourishment from God. Dwelling in that which is invisible you, wi ll grow up into eternal life, and like tender plants you will bring forth fruit. Keep your minds in the Light and your discerning will growas the Light doth arise a nd spring up in you. Wait in tha t which hath convinced you, and the Light will be your teacher, and you will come to discern between the clean and unclean; between that which is of God and that which is contrary to Him. Here is the true discovery , and in the Light you can watch over the souls of o ne another. Dwell in the mighty power of God, and in triumph over the world and all the deceits of it. Richard Hubberthorne, ca. 1655
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Quotations for the 2012 Friends’ Calendar are taken from Scripture (King James Version) unless otherwis
indicated and from the writings of Friends (Quakers) or those writings Friends might do well to consider. We hop
these citations will lead to further reflection and study, with consideration of spiritual and historic context.
Moon phases are from Fred Espenak, Phases of the Moon: 2001-2100. Greenbelt, MD: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Cente
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/phase/phasecat.html. Dates are adjusted for Eastern Standard Time from Greenwich Mean Time
Cover. Richard Hubberthorn[e]. An Epistle from Norwich Castle, ca. 1655 in Little Book of Selections from the Children of the Lighcompiled and edited by Rufus M. Jones. London: Headley Brothers, [1909]; pp. 45-46.
First Month: Tom Mullen. Shared Ministry: lecture at Cincinnati Friends in Preface to a Quaker Ministry . Indianapolis IN: Joh
Woolman Press, Inc., 1965; p. 4.
Second Month: Isaac Penington. XI. Concerning Separation from the Spirit and Ways of the World; A Few Experiences, concerning some of t
Weighty Things relating to God's Everlasting Kingdom in Works of the long-mournful and sorely-distressed Isaac Penington (Volume London: J. Phillips 1874; p. 279. Digital Quaker Collection. (See also Works of Isaac Penington , Glenside PA: Quaker Heritage Pre1997, v. 4, p. 226.)
Elfrida Vipont Foulds Preface to A Ridiculous Idea in Imagination and Spirit , J. Brent Bill, editor. Richmond IN: Friends Unit
Press, 2002; p. 84.
Third Month: John Woolman: The Journal and Major Essays of John Woolman edited by Phillips P. Moulton. Richmond IN: Frien
United Press, 1989; p. 31.
Fourth Month: Marmaduke Stephens in Little Book of Selections from the Children of the Light ; compiled and edited by Rufus M
Jones. London: Headley Brothers, 1909; p. 84.
Fifth Month: Maurice A. Creasey. In Collected Essays of Maurice Creasey, 1912-2004: the Social Thought of a Quaker Thinker . Dav
Johns, editor. Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press, 2011; p. xxxviii.
Sixth Month: Richard Ransom, 1716 in Piety Promoted . Philadelphia PA: Friends Bookstore, 1854; v. 2, p. 120.
Seventh Month: Margaret Fell. Letter to prisoners in Lancaster Castle, 1654; in Undaunted Zeal , Elsa F. Glines, editor. Richmond IN: FrienUnited Press, 2003; p. 98.
Eighth Month: Dougan Clark. The Theology of Holiness. Boston MA: The McDonald & Gill Co., 1893; p. 43. Digital QuakCollection.
Ninth Month: Elizabeth Stirredge, 1634-1706 cited in Elise Boulding One Small Plot of Heaven : Reflections on Family Life by a QuakSociologist. Wallingford PA: Pendle Hill Publications. 1989; p. 134. (See also Elizabeth Stirredge Strength in Weakness Manifest in t
life … of Elizabeth Stirredge, London: J. Sowle; 1711; p. 37. Digital Quaker Collection.)
Tenth Month: Job Scott, 1793 in Journal of the Life, Travels and Gospel Labours of that Faithful Servant and Minister of Christ, Job
Scott . New York: Isaac Collins; 1797; p. 346. Digital Quaker Collection.
Eleventh Month: Dorothy White. A Trumpet Sounded out of the Holy City, proclaiming Deliverance to the Captives, Sounding forth the Redempti
of Sion … London: D.W., 1662; p. 8. Digital Quaker Collection. (See also Hidden in Plain Sight: Quaker Women’s Writings 165
1700 ; Mary Garman, et al. editors. Wallingford PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1996; p. 141.)
Twelfth Month: Richenda C. Scott. Elizabeth Cadbury 1858-1951 . London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., 1955; p. 160.
The calendar committee thanks Noah Baker Merrill, Victoria Burke, David Johns, Marshall Massey and Mark Wutka for their assistance compiling quotations for this year’s calendar, and Ann Upton of the Quaker Collections of Haverford College for providing hospital
and assistance during the times we met for discernment. We are grateful for Anita Weber’s editorial assistance in preparing the 20
Friends Calendar, and Earlham School of Religion, which provides the Digital Quaker Collection (DQC). http://esr.earlham.edu/dqc/
1 2FIRST D AY SECOND D AY THIRD D AY FOURTH D AY FIFTH D AY SIXTH D AY SEVENTH D A
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
FIFTH MONTH SEVENTH MONTH
Endeavor to delight in silence. Worship the Lord in the silence of
all flesh. Retire in your own families from the clutter and hurries
of business of the world, and wait upon the Lord in stillness; for
the Lord will have a willing people.
Richard Ransom, 1716
1 2 3 4 5
8 9 10 11 12
15 16 17 18 19
22 23 24 25 26
29 30 31
7
14
21
28
6
13
20
27
3 4 5 6
10 11 12 13
17 18 19 20
24 25 26 27
31
2
9
16
23
30
1
8
15
22
29
MOON PHASES Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not,neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That evenSolomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7FIRST D AY SECOND D AY THIRD D AY FOURTH D AY FIFTH D AY SIXTH D AY SEVENTH D A
29 30 31
SIXTH MONTH EIGHTH MONTH
MOON PHASES
Full Moon 3
Last Qtr. 10
New Moon 18
First Qtr. 26
1 2
5 6 7 8 9
12 13 14 15 16
19 20 21 22 23
26 27 28 29 30
4
11
18
25
3
10
17
24
1 2 3
7 8 9 10
14 15 16 17
21 22 23 24
28 29 30 31
6
13
20
27
5
12
19
26
My dear Hearts, be faithful in every Particular to your own
Measure of Grace, made manifest and enjoyed; and in that
which is Eternal, wait continually, I charge you in the
presence of the Living God, that you do not neglect your
several Measures which the Lord God of Life and Power hath
given you to profit withal; that so you may come to receive
Living Vertue from the Living God.
Margaret Fell, 1654
The kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into
far country, who called his own servants, and deliered unto them his goods. And unto one he gavfive talents, to another two, and to another one; every man according to his several ability...
1 2 3 4 FIRST D AY SECOND D AY THIRD D AY FOURTH D AY FIFTH D AY SIXTH D AY SEVENTH D AY
26 27 28 29 30 31
SEVENTH MONTH NINTH MONTH
MOON PHASE
Your consecration is not to God's service, not to His work, not
to a life of obedience and sacrifice, not to the church, not to the
Christian Endeavor, … not to any organization, not to the cause
of God; it is to God Himself. “Yield yourselves unto God.” It is,
therefore, a personal transaction between a personal human
being and a personal God. Your work, your obedience, your
sacrifice, your right place and your allotted duty, will all follow
in due time. Dougan Clark, 1893
To every thing there is a season, and a time toevery purpose under the heaven: A time to beborn, and a time to die; a time to plant, and atime to pluck up that which is planted; … a timeto keep silence, and a time to speak;
FIRST D AY SECOND D AY THIRD D AY FOURTH D AY FIFTH D AY SIXTH D AY SEVENTH D A
24 25 26 27 28 29
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1
EIGHTH MONTH TENTH MONTH
2 3 4 5
9 10 11 12
16 17 18 19
23 24 25 26
30 31
1
8
15
22
29
7
14
21
28
I could get no rest, but in giving up to obey the Lord in all things thathe required of me; ... yet the Lord made hard things easy, according toHis promise to me, when I was going from my children, and knew notbut my life might be required for my testimony, it was so plain; and when I looked upon my children, my heart yearned towards them.These words ran through me, "If thou canst believe, thou shalt see allthings accomplished, and thou shalt return in peace, and thy rewardshall be with thee." Elizabeth Stirredge, 1634-1706
1 2 3 4
7 8 9 10 11
14 15 16 17 18
21 22 23 24 25
28 29 30 31
6
13
20
27
5
12
19
26
23
MOON PHASES
Last Qtr. 8
New Moon 15
First Qtr. 22
Full Moon 29
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest
unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
1 2 3 4 5 6FIRST D AY SECOND D AY THIRD D AY FOURTH D AY FIFTH D AY SIXTH D AY SEVENTH D A
28 29 30 31
NINTH MONTH ELEVENTH MONTH
There is an Eternal arm underneath each of us, which is sufficient
to bear up and support, and will do it as far as it is needful we
should be supported. I have long been confirmed in the sentiment,
that nothing could possibly happen, that would harm or injure me,
while I keep under the Divine influence.
Job Scott, 1793
This is what I seek: that I may dwell in thhouse of the Lord all the days of my life … Foin the day of trouble he will keep me safe in hdwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of htabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
1 2 3FIRST D AY SECOND D AY THIRD D AY FOURTH D AY FIFTH D AY SIXTH D AY SEVENTH D A
TENTH MONTH T WELFTH MONTH
4 5 6 7
11 12 13 14
18 19 20 21
25 26 27 28
3
10
17
24
2
9
16
23
30 31
MOON PHASES
2 3 4 5 6
9 10 11 12 13
16 17 18 19 20
23 24 25 26 27
30 31
1
8
15
22
29
7
14
21
28
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Arise O Seed of Sion, arise in thy Beauty, in the Glory, in the
Brightness, in the Majesty of the Most High; I say, Arise in the
Power, and in the Authority of the King of Glory, whose day is
come wherein you Children and Seed of Abraham shall shine
forth, in the beauty, in the excellency of the Most High.
Dorothy White, 1662
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD isrisen upon thee. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise uponthee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee... Then thou shalt see,and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged…
FIRST D AY SECOND D AY THIRD D AY FOURTH D AY FIFTH D AY SIXTH D AY SEVENTH D A
25 26 27 28 29
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1
ELEVENTH MONTH FIRST MONTH
1 2 3 4
8 9 10 11
15 16 17 18
22 23 24 25
29 30 31
7
14
21
28
6
13
20
27
1 2 3
6 7 8 9 10
13 14 15 16 17
20 21 22 23 24
27 28 29 30
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
The God whom the thinkers and dreamers of the centuries were
pursuing, stands at last revealed in the person of a Man, one of
ourselves, with human form, human desires and affections and
temptations… Not only by words, but by His life, He showed forth
the love, the pity, the strength, the purity and the righteousness of
God.
Elizabeth Cadbury, ca. 1940
MOON PHASES Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me …? he thathath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us theFather? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth inme, he doeth the works.
From the practice of the Jews before the Babylonian Captivity, it seems probable that at first the months were simply numbered, not named. This is a clear and rational procedure and is found in the early Scriptures, so the Society of Friendsfelt called upon to use the Scriptural names of the days of the week and of the months instead of those names which are in
common use and which are, for the most part, derived from the names of pagan gods.Other religions (Christians, Jews and Muslims) as well as Friends have similar views on this subject. Richard Baxter, the
English non-conformist of the Seventeenth Century, said: "It were to be wished that the custom were changed of using thenames of week-days which idolators honored their idols with — as Saturday, Monday, and the rest. So for the months."
Friends did not object to the names "September," "October," "November," and "December," but objected to their usesince the months they name are no longer the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth months.
January was named for Janus, an old Roman god.
February was named from the Februa, the expiatory ceremonies which the Romans held in honor of their dead in thismonth.
March was named for the Roman god Mars, who, at the time of the naming of the month, was primarily a god of agriculture, the symbol of spring-time and youth. It was only after the artificial identification of Roman gods with Greek gods that Mars became the god of war, the counterpart of Ares.
April is derived from the same root as the Latin aperire, which means "to open". Thus April is the month of openingbuds and flowers.
May is of uncertain origin, perhaps from the Roman goddess Maia, or from maiores (the older).
June may have been named for the Roman goddess Juno, or from iuniores (the younger).
July, originally Quinctilis, was renamed for Julius Caesar, who was born in that month.
August, originally Sextilis, was chosen by the Roman emperor Augustus to be renamed in his honor because of the many fortunate events in his life that had occurred in that month.
The practice of naming the days of the week is derived from Egyptian astronomy. It did not become firmly established inour civilization until the time of Theodosius at the end of the Fourth Century C.E. Curiously enough, it was the Romancustom of lettering the successive days of a nundinum (a period of eight days, in addition to the current day) which gave riseto the modern custom in some Christian groups whereby the dominical letter is determined. The days of the week are
lettered from A to G, just as the Romans lettered the days of a nundinum from A to H. According to the Egyptian astronomers the sun and moon were planets and the order of the planets in terms of their
distance from the earth was as follows: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, sun, Venus, Mercury, moon. One hour of each day,beginning with the first, was consecrated to each of these "planets". The whole day was consecrated to the planet to whichbelonged the first hour. If the first day be consecrated to the sun, to which belongs the first hour, then the first hour of thenext day will belong to the moon and the day will be the moon's day (Monday) and so on. After the cycle has beencompleted, the first hour of the eighth day will belong to the sun again, and it will again be the sun's day (Sunday).
Our names of the days of the week are derived from Anglo-Saxon names and these in turn are named for the Saxon gods who approximate to the Roman gods for whom the days were named. The Roman names have survived, to an extent, inSpanish, French, Italian and other languages derived from or greatly influenced by Latin.
The day of Mars was called the day of Tiw, the god of war (Tuesday).
The day of Mercury was called the day of Woden, chief of the gods, whose attributes corresponded more nearly to those
of the Roman Mercury than to those of Jupiter, chief of the Roman gods (Wednesday).The day of Jupiter, who was believed to hurl thunderbolts, was called the day of Thor, the god of thunder (Thursday).
The day of Venus was called the day of Frigg, queen of the gods, who was sometimes confused or identified with Freyiathe goddess of love (Friday).
The seventh day was still called the day of Saturn, the sower of seed (Saturday).
No doubt most Christians unthinkingly use these names, or else they use them merely in conformity to the generalcustom. Although general custom can, in the long run, determine the correctness of language and vocabulary, it cannotpass upon right and wrong. And so, some Christians still feel that the use of these names for months and days, derived asthey are from non-Christian sources, is inconsistent with the tenets of the Christian faith.
Published by the Tract Association of Friends, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-1403