The Quaker movement began as a group held together by no visible bond but united in its own deep sense of fellowship, a kinship of spirit kept vital by concerned Friends who were continually traveling from one meeting to another. But it was soon found necessary to have some sort of specific organization for dealing with practical matters. There was immediate need of systematic help for persons suffering loss of property through distraint of goods to meet fines. Arrangements had to be made for the validity of marriages without the usual service of an officiating clergyman. The poor must be cared for, burials arranged, records kept of births, marriages, sufferings and deaths. There were children to be educated and traveling Friends, if their own resources were insufficient, needed financial help. Friends often desired to petition King or Parliament. Disorderly persons were sometimes to be dealt with in order “that Truth might be cleared” of misunderstanding by the scandalized public. But the very need for organization gave rise to a serious theoretical problem — how can a free fellowship based on Divine guidance from within set up any form of church government providing direction from without?
