Meaning: The quote "O that our hearts were enlarged in love to God, that we might turn inward, to the blessed comforter, that the blessed Jesus said the Father would send" is an expression of longing for a deeper connection with God and a desire to experience the comfort and guidance promised by Jesus. The quote is attributed to Elias Hicks, a prominent Quaker minister and religious leader in the early 19th century.

Elias Hicks was a significant figure in the history of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers. He was known for his passionate preaching and his emphasis on the inner spiritual experience, as well as his strong stance against the institutionalization and formalization of religion. Hicks believed in the importance of individual spiritual revelation and sought to encourage others to seek a direct, personal connection with God.

The quote reflects Hicks' emphasis on the inward journey of the soul and the need for a deep and personal relationship with God. It speaks to the idea of opening one's heart to God's love and seeking the guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit, also referred to as the "blessed comforter" in the quote. The reference to Jesus' promise of the Father sending the comforter alludes to the teachings in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel of John, where Jesus speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort his followers.

The concept of turning inward and enlarging one's heart in love to God suggests a profound spiritual transformation, a turning away from external distractions and a turning towards the divine presence within. This inward focus aligns with the Quaker tradition of silent worship and contemplation, in which individuals seek to commune with the divine in the stillness of their hearts and minds.

Hicks' words also convey a sense of yearning and aspiration, expressing a deep longing for a more profound experience of God's love and presence. The use of the word "enlarged" suggests a desire for an expansion of the heart, a deepening and widening of one's capacity to love and connect with the divine.

In the context of Hicks' broader teachings and the Quaker tradition, this quote serves as an invitation to seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, to turn inward in contemplation and prayer, and to open oneself to the transformative power of divine love and guidance.

This quote continues to resonate with individuals seeking a more personal and direct experience of spirituality, as well as with those who are drawn to the Quaker tradition and its emphasis on the inner light and the inward journey of the soul. It encapsulates the timeless longing for a deeper connection with the divine and the transformative power of love and spiritual communion.