At different times,
Friends have felt strongly moved to apply a historic testimony to
a particular issue of their own day. Elizabeth
Fry’s work for prison reform and John Woolman’s outspoken
concern for the abolition of slavery are familiar examples from
earlier times. Within Pacific Yearly Meeting, people have raised
serious concerns on topics such as the environment, population,
economic justice, abortion, gambling, and the right to die with
dignity. Pacific Yearly Meeting Friends have not found unity to
formulate testimonies on these issues.
A
concern for the environment coalesced at the annual session of Pacific
Yearly Meeting in 1985. Many Friends see a testimony on
harmony with nature emerging. The following is included
to exemplify and acknowledge this subject on which Friends
are laboring.