Martyn’s Substack

Fruits of the (Quaker) Spirit: Simplicity (1)

Examination of historical Quaker writings on simplicity show how testimonies are not static but evolve over time.

30 mins ago • 

Martyn Kelly

Fruits of the (Quaker) Spirit: Introduction

In Building a Sacred Place I referred to Quaker testimonies as the “walls” of the meeting, defining a distinctive space but also signalling to those…

Oct 5 • 

Martyn Kelly

September 2025

Song of Songs 7: 11-13: floral allusions

The erotic dance of 7:1-9 resulted in arousal but it did not end in consummation.

Sep 15 • 

Martyn Kelly

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Song of Songs 7: 11-13: floral allusions

The erotic dance of 7:1-9 resulted in arousal but it did not end in consummation.

Sep 6 • 

Martyn Kelly

August 2025

Song of Solomon 7:1-9: the dance of seven veils?

The next section is best envisaged as depicting an erotically-charged dance.

Aug 22 • 

Martyn Kelly

Song of Songs 6: 4-13: the male gaze …

The Song switches back to the male voice again for the next passage, starting with a curious comparison: “You are beautiful, my darling, as Tirzah…

Aug 14 • 

Martyn Kelly

July 2025

Song of Songs 5:10 - 6:3: the female gaze …

Her answer to the chorus is a long list of purely physical attributes that her lover possesses, starting with his luxuriant thick hair, lingering on his…

Jul 28 • 

Martyn Kelly

1

Song of Songs 5: 2-8: I hear you knocking …

Chapter 4 spills over into the first verse of Chapter 5.

Jul 20 • 

Martyn Kelly

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Song of Songs 4: You are a garden locked up …

How beautiful you are, my darling!

Jul 14 • 

Martyn Kelly

Song of Songs 3: 1-5: I sought him …

On my bed by night, I sought him whom my soul loves

Jul 6 • 

Martyn Kelly

June 2025

Song of Solomon 2: 3: his fruit is sweet to my taste …

Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men.

Jun 29 • 

Martyn Kelly

Song of Songs 2: 1-2: I am a rose …

The modern Western reader feels to be on familiar territory with the opening line of the second chapter: “I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys”.

Jun 22 • 

Martyn Kelly