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Margaret Fell
Margaret Fell (1614–1702) was an English preacher and a foundational figure in the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, earning her the title "Mother of Quakerism." Born Margaret Askew in 1614 at Marsh Grange, Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire, she was the daughter of John Askew, a wealthy landowner, and Margaret Pyper. In 1632, at age 17, she married Thomas Fell, a barrister and later a judge and Member of Parliament, becoming mistress of Swarthmoor Hall and bearing nine children, eight of whom survived to adulthood. Her life changed dramatically in 1652 when she encountered George Fox, a charismatic preacher, at her local church in Ulverston. His message of the "Inner Light" and spiritual equality deeply moved her, leading to her convincement and the transformation of Swarthmoor Hall into a hub for the early Quaker movement. Fell’s preaching career was marked by her tireless advocacy for Quaker beliefs, including her defense of women’s ministry, most notably in her 1666 pamphlet Women’s Speaking Justified, which argued scripturally for women’s right to preach. She preached across England, often facing persecution, and was imprisoned multiple times: first in 1664–1668 at Lancaster Castle for hosting Quaker meetings and refusing to take an oath, and again in 1670–1671 for violating the Conventicle Act. After Thomas’s death in 1658, she married George Fox in 1669, solidifying her leadership role. She authored over 16 works, including letters and tracts, and established the Kendal Fund to support imprisoned Quakers. Fell died on April 23, 1702, and was buried in an unmarked grave at Sunbrick Quaker burial ground, leaving a legacy as a preacher who shaped Quaker theology and organization through her courage and conviction.
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Margaret Fell preaches about the light of Christ Jesus, the fountain of all light and life, leading believers into unity, peace, and the pure path of holiness. She emphasizes the glad tidings of great joy for the oppressed and heavy laden, promising deliverance and salvation through the everlasting arm of the Lord. Margaret urges believers to walk in the quickening spirit, discerning between the true image of God and the spirit of wickedness, and to beware of stifling the pure birth of God within them.
An Epistle to Friends
An Epistle To Friends, 1657 Dear Brethren and Sisters, who are gathered in the light of Christ Jesus, the fountain of all light , and life, from whence light comes, from whence life comes, from whence power comes; which redeems out of nations, kindreds, people and tongues, to be kings and priests unto God, to reign with Him upon the earth. This is the possession of the saints who dwell in the light, that leads them into the life and fountain from whence it comes; here is the unity of the spirit, and bond of peace, which never can be broken. Here the pure language and worship of the Lord is, with one heart,once consent, and one soul, where there is not division; but the pure path of life is know, the way of holiness, where the unclean cannot pass, where the presence of the Lord is, wherein is fulness of joy, and pleasures forevermore. Now that every one may read his name here, in the unchangeable life is this written, that the pure life in all may prevail, and that poor may receive the gospel; which is glad tidings of great joy to the oppressed and heavy laden, which groan under the bondage of corruption, and cry for deliverance; the cry whereof, is entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth; and he hath determined in the thoughts of His heart, that the deliverer shall come from Zion, and the captivity of His people will He bring back, and salvation will come unto Israel; so that Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad, glory, everlasting glory be unto His everlasting arm forever; by which He gets unto Himself a name and victory even to the astonishment of the heathen, and to the confounding of His enemies, and to the recovering, raising and quickening of many who were dead in sins. And though He hath been a God unknown, no is He arisen in His light, which shineth in the conscience, and He hath caused it to shine out of darkness, and it hath shined in the heart; which gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ His Son. And now unto them who have long sat in darkness, and under the shadow of death, even unto them hath this light shined, who were sometime darkness, but now are they light in the Lord, who were dead in trespasses and sins, even them hath He quickened together with Christ, glory and praises be unto Him forever. Now dear friends in this quickening spirit, wherewith you are quickened out of the sleep and death of corruption, where Christ hath given you light, walk in Him, learn of Him, who is lowly, who is meek; and be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, and keep down and baulk that part which receives a prejudice; search narrowly, and beware that you receive it not from a wrong spirit, for that will wrong the innocent; and the simplicity both in yourselves and others; it is hard to know the spiritual wickedness in high places, and it is with the spiritual weapons of the living God, that you can wrestle with the principalities and powers of spiritual wickedness; and it is the brightness of His coming, and the spirit of His mouth, that can reveal the man of sin, the son of perdition, that sitteth in the temple of God, exalted above all that is called God, showing himself as God. This is narrow and deep to discern between him that showeth himself as God, and is not, and him that is the true image indeed. Dear Friends, this I write unto you in tender and in dear love to the Seed of God in you all, for which my soul travails; knowing and being acquainted with the danger of this spirit, which measures itself by itself, which the Apostle said was not wise, for such will boast of things without their measure, and will boast of other men's lines. Now that ye many know, and feel the life and power of every spirit; knowing the pure life in yourselves, you will come to savour it in others; and that which savours of the death, will be death to the life, in the fear of the Lord God. Beware of stifling the pure birth of God in you, and of wronging the pure innocent seed in you, which God is coming to plead the cause of in all flesh in this day. And beware that you join not with God's enemies, either in yourselves or others; but join with God's pure witness and testimony, and there will be your peace. And here you will know Him, who is the life, and the resurrection; he that believe in Him, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and there is no other name under heaven, whereby any shall be saved, than by that name, which is better than every name; to which every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess; but there are none that know this name, but he that hath the white stone, in which it is written. From a true friend of the Seed of God in all nations. Margaret Fell
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Margaret Fell (1614–1702) was an English preacher and a foundational figure in the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, earning her the title "Mother of Quakerism." Born Margaret Askew in 1614 at Marsh Grange, Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire, she was the daughter of John Askew, a wealthy landowner, and Margaret Pyper. In 1632, at age 17, she married Thomas Fell, a barrister and later a judge and Member of Parliament, becoming mistress of Swarthmoor Hall and bearing nine children, eight of whom survived to adulthood. Her life changed dramatically in 1652 when she encountered George Fox, a charismatic preacher, at her local church in Ulverston. His message of the "Inner Light" and spiritual equality deeply moved her, leading to her convincement and the transformation of Swarthmoor Hall into a hub for the early Quaker movement. Fell’s preaching career was marked by her tireless advocacy for Quaker beliefs, including her defense of women’s ministry, most notably in her 1666 pamphlet Women’s Speaking Justified, which argued scripturally for women’s right to preach. She preached across England, often facing persecution, and was imprisoned multiple times: first in 1664–1668 at Lancaster Castle for hosting Quaker meetings and refusing to take an oath, and again in 1670–1671 for violating the Conventicle Act. After Thomas’s death in 1658, she married George Fox in 1669, solidifying her leadership role. She authored over 16 works, including letters and tracts, and established the Kendal Fund to support imprisoned Quakers. Fell died on April 23, 1702, and was buried in an unmarked grave at Sunbrick Quaker burial ground, leaving a legacy as a preacher who shaped Quaker theology and organization through her courage and conviction.