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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 enduring and universal love of God that molds believers into a new creation, filled with everlasting love and compassion even towards enemies. She emphasizes the importance of living in obedience to God's commandments, laws, and statutes, which are fulfilled through love. Believers are encouraged to keep their hearts open to the infinite love and fullness of God, finding sustenance in His word and will, even amidst sufferings and trials, following the example of Jesus who learned obedience through suffering. Ultimately, believers are urged to be strong in the Lord, faithful, and bold, trusting in His unfailing love and power to keep them secure.
An Epistle to Friends in Ireland
An Epistle To Friends In Ireland, In 1661 My dear love in the Lord God Almighty is upon you all, which never changest, but endures forevermore; which love as it is living in, preserves and keeps to the Lord God and His commandments, laws and statutes; which love is the fulfilling of the whole law of God, and answers to all commands, in thought, word, and action. And this keeps clean, low, and innocent, and moulds us into its own frame and temper, and so brings to be a new lump, leavened in the bowels of everlasting love, which reacheth unto all, and extends unto all, even unto enemies. Oh! blessed and happy are all they that are come into this sweet being of universal love, which would have all to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. Tis is the image and nature of the blessed God, that holds forth His tender hand, and everlasting love, unto all people, nations, languages, kindreds and tongues, who is no respecter of persons, but every nation that fears God, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him, whose call is to every one that thirsteth, come, and whosoever is athirst,, let him come and drink of the water of life freely. Oh! the infinite love and bowels of everlasting life and fulness that dwells in His blessed bosom, righteousness and peace is the habitation of His throne. Oh! my dear lambs, let the issues of life be kept open, that issueth into your souls, from this blessed fountain, that you may feel it always open unto you, and you open unto it, that you may always feel it fresh and new, flowing into your souls. So will you feel the word of the Lord God sweeter unto you than the honey, or honey-comb; and so will you come truly to know, that man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the Lord God; here stands the life of men, and so to do the will of the Lord God, will be meat and drink unto you, and will be more delightfully than your ordinary food; and then will not sufferings, trials and hardships be strange unto you; knowing that the Captain of your salvation, who is gone before you, is made perfect through sufferings; who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications; with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him, because He feared; though He was a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered, and so must all that follow His steps; the servants are not greater than their Lord; and blessed and happy are all they that learn this lesson in the power of God, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake; for they who suffer for Him, shall also reign over their enemies with Him; and in His power will they subdue and conquer at the last, for the Lamb and His followers shall have the victory. And so, my dearly beloved, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, and be faithful, and bold, and true to your Maker, and he will be a husband unto you, and set your feet upon the rock most sure, that if the storms beat, and the tempests blow, yet you will not be shaken, for He that keepeth you is greater than all,and none is able to pluck you out of His hand. Into whose arm and power I commit you, everlastingly to dwell and abide with the Lord God, with whom all things are possible. The God of love, whose mercies fail not, preserve and keep you all, and nurse you up in His own bosom, to His own praise and glory, that you may be a people saved by the Lord. From your dear friends and sister, M. 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.