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ciples are good rules carried to excess; and that, whatever may be thought of their speculations now commented upon, there is much in their behaviour for all men to unite in admiring and imitating. In the simplicity of their speech, and manners, and apparel, let profaneness, insincerity, and vanity, receive an instructive lesson. Their aversion from waste of time in frivolous occupations, might lead us a little more up to the line of propriety, although they may go considerably beyond it. While religion and reason teach us to pay a decent submission to superiors, let us copy the plain dealing of the Friends, by a scorn of abject flattery. While we perceive the necessity for some ceremonies to aid the devotion of beings whose instructions enter, and whose affections are mainly engaged, through the channels of sight and hearing, let the silent adoration of the Friends remind us of this important doctrine, that "God is a Spirit, and will be worshipped in spirit and in truth." And well would it be, if all of every Christian denomination approached as closely to primitive practice as this inoffensive, amiable, and upright people; should adopt their simple manners and pacific disposition; beating their swords into instruments of husbandry, and learning the destructive and shocking arts of war and carnage

no more *

* The Quakers are, on principle, averse from law, and usually settle all matters of dispute by arbitration. It is said,

3

XXVI. Not long ago, while I was curate of Warrington, a new sect sprang up, engendered in that town by the enthusiasm of the Methodists upon the fanaticism of the Quakers, and denominating themselves Quaker Methodists, to signify, their extraction on both sides. They had all the broad brims and the jockey bonnets, the demure looks and the stiff manners of the Friends; but having, unfortunately, dwelt at one time contiguously to their place of assemblage, I am quite ready to testify, that they had no silent meetings. Their assemblies, indeed, were scenes of the most horrible extravagance and uproar; uniting the Methodist vociferation with the Quaker universality of speak

too, that they never affix a price on their goods, which is lowered in bargaining.

:

It was once remarked to me, and I believe it to be generally true, that a flourishing family of Quakers seldom continue attached to the sect beyond the third generation. The first obtains wealth; the second accumulates it; living in the enjoyment of some comforts, without many sources of expenditure. The third becomes inpatient of the Quaker restraints the hat is cut down, as a Jew clips a dollar to a halfcrown ; the coat is of a lighter shade and a newer cut; buckskins, or, as a certain prelate used to call them, profanes, are sported; now and then a novel is permitted to display its excitement; and very commonly a sly visit is paid to the house of Beelzebub. This is the phenomenon known in the world under the appellation of a Wet Quaker. He is the usual forerunner of a son who figures away at Bath and Newmarket; and who remembers little more of Quakerism, than to make a joke of baptizing his children.

ing. Here were mothers pinching their children to make them pray, till the poor little wretches squalled. Men, women, children, without distinction, order, or authority, all elevated their voices to the loudest strain of outcry and the wildest pitch of frenzy. I know not whether this miserable body of ignorant people still continue to flourish in their full-blown spiritual pride, and to disturb the whole neighbourhood with their de moniac yells. But until they shall give me a good reason why, agreeably to the direction of St. Paul, all things are not done by their society in order, I shall refrain from setting my foot within their cavern of the winds, or from arguing at greater length against their raving madness.

THE END OF VOLUME II.

S. GOSKELL, Printer, Little Queen Street, Loncion,

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