Despite being extremely devout in their religious beliefs, Quakers were slow to come to the “abolishment” state of mind in regard to slavery but they proved to be beneficial to this movement.
Quakers were individuals of deep, devout religious beliefs
A. Background information and beliefs on the Quaker religion
1. Example
2. Example
Quakers initially were slave owners but then came to lead the abolishment of slavery.
A. Germantown Quaker Petition Against Slavery, 1688, written by Francis Daniel Pastorius and 3 other Quakers; first protest against African American slavery
a. “it was generally believed that the colony’s prosperity depended on slavery” (Germantown Quaker Petition Against Slavery (U.S. National Park Service); Petition dismissed.
B. Quakers came to recognize the “Golden Rule” – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”
1. “In 1774, the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting forbade Quakers from buying or selling slaves and required masters to free slaves at the earliest opportunity. Two years later, the meeting directed Friends to disown any Quakers who resisted pleas to manumit their slaves.” (“Quakers Address the Problem of Slavery | American Battlefield Trust.”)

Quakers were some of the first white people to protest slavery and played a major role in the abolition of slavery.
A. First religious organization to hold an anti-slavery position
1. Ban slavery amidst Quakers, disown those who do not follow