Alexander Parker, of Lees-in-Bolland, Yorkshire, sent in a letter dated 1660 to an inquirer who had asked him how to hold a gathering after the manner of the people called Quakers, where the presence of God might be expected:
The first that enters into the place of our meeting … turn in thy mind to the light, and wait upon God singly, as if none were present but the Lord; and here thou art strong. Then the next that comes in, let them in simplicity of heart sit down and turn in to the same light, and wait in the spirit; and so all the rest coming in, in the fear of the Lord, sit down in pure stillness and silence of all flesh, and wait in the light. Those who are brought to a pure, still waiting upon God in the Spirit are come nearer to the Lord than words are. In such a meeting, where the presence and power of God is felt, there will be an unwillingness to part asunder, being ready to say in yourselves, it is good to be here. And this is the end of all words and writings, to bring people to the eternal living word.