THE BRITISH FRIEND: A Monthly Journal, CHIEFLY DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS ¦ OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein.”—JER. vi. 16. VOL. X.-Nos. I. TO XII. GLASGOW: WILLIAM AND ROBERT SMEAL. MDCCCLII. 286 Drayton and Sayres pardoned, 269 55 Dread of Death, 84 Dring, Simon, 10 Earthquake in the North, 43 69, 113, 218, 274 209 Condescension, . 74 77 290 Conference of the Friends of Peace,. Demands, 47 316 75 ternational Pacific Addresses; Starva- Example for all Governors of Colonies, PAGE 321, 322 314 Steam Ships, Extension of to the gene- 94 218 101 blank leaf in "Sewell's History of . The Word nigh in the Heart, and in Thoughts on State Religion, Travelling Incidents, 28, 70, 86, 113, 193 Valdez, Juan De, Vocal Organs of Birds, 69 224 63, 188, 296 158 CHIEFLY DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. No. I. FRIENDS: GLASGOW, 1ST MONTH, 1ST, 1852. THEIR ORIGIN, DISTINGUISHING PRINCIPLES, XXXIII.-FRIENDS USE PLAIN FURNITURE. VOL. X. their notice, in a public manner, in all the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of the kingdom, and in all the preparative meetings at least once in a year. It may be admitted as a truth, that the Society practises, with (Continued from page 229, Vol. IX.) few exceptions, what is considered to be the proper HAVING, since the commencement of The British usage on such occasions. The poor, we know, cannot Friend, given, under the above head, an outline of the use any but homely furniture. The middle classes are origin, principles, &c., of our Religious Society, we universally in such habits. As to the rich, there is a feel engaged still to continue the practice; apprehend- difference in their practice. Some, indeed many, use ing it may not be without its use, in conveying in- as plain and frugal furniture as those in moderate cirformation to inquiring persons unconnected with the cumstances. Others, again, step beyond the practice body; and may also be of service to our own members, of the middle classes, and buy what is more costly, not of the younger class especially; making them ac- with a view of show, so much as to accommodate their quainted, not only with the foundation of our religious furniture to the size and goodness of their houses. In belief, but with the grounds and reasons upon which the houses of others, again, who have more than orour various Testimonies are based; the upright dinary intercourse with the world, we now and then maintaining of which, serves to commend our Chris- see what is elegant, but seldom what would be contian profession to the community in general. We sidered to be extravagant furniture. Turkey carpets come now, therefore, to show, that- FRIENDS USE are in use, though generally gaudy, on account of their PLAIN FURNITURE, wearing better than others; but we see no chairs with satin bottoms and gilded frames, no magnificent pier glasses, no superb chandeliers, no curtains with extravagant trimmings: at least, in all my intercourse with Friends, I have never observed such things. If there are persons in the Society who use them, they must be few in number; and these must be conscious that, by the introduction of such finery into their houses, they are going against the advices annually given them in their meetings on this subject, and that they are therefore violating the written law, as well as depart. ing from the spirit of their profession. As the members of this Society are found in the use of garments differing from those of others in their shape and fashion, and in the graveness of their colour, and in the general plainness of their appearance, so they are found in the use of plain and frugal furniture in their houses. The custom of using plain furniture has not arisen from the circumstance, that any particular persons in the Society, estimable for their lives and characters, have set the example in their own families, but from the principles of the Society's constitution. It has arisen from principles similar to those which dictated the continuance of their ancient dress. The choice of furniture, like the choice of clothes, is left to be adjudged by the rules of decency and usefulness, but never by the suggestions of show. The adoption of taste instead of utility, in this case, would be considered as a conscious conformity with the fashions of the world. Splendid furniture, also, would be considered as pernicious as splendid clothes. It would be classed with external ornaments, and would be reckoned equally productive of pride with these. The custom, therefore, of plainness in the articles of domestic use is pressed upon all members: and that the subject may not be forgotten, it is incorporated into their religious discipline; in consequence of which it is held forth to But if these or similar principles are adopted by the Society on this subject, it must be obvious, that in walking through the rooms of Friends we shall look in vain for some articles that are classed among the furniture of other people. We shall often be disappointed, for instance, if we expect to find either paintings or prints in frame. I seldom remember to have seen above three or four articles of this description in all my intercourse with the Society. Some families had one of these, others a second, and others a third, but none had them all: and in many families neither the one nor the other was to be seen. One of the prints, to which I allude, contained a representation of the conclusion of the famous Treaty between William Penn and the Indians of Ameri |