How did the term “Quakers” originate?
Again there are various accounts: Robert Barclay says that “the name came from the trembling of Friends under the powerful working of the Holy Ghost”. Some early members became so fervent in their vocal ministries that they would physically quake while making their pronouncements. Another story relates how the word Quaker was applied insultingly to George Fox after he told an English judge to “tremble at the Word of the Lord.” Friends chose to embrace the name “Quaker” and today the terms “Friends” and “Quaker” are used interchangeably.
