And
the Quakers, that no excuse might be left to any for engaging in such
pursuits again, came to a resolution in one of their yearly meetings,
giving advice upon the subject in the following words.
[8]"We clearly rank the practice of hunting and shooting for diversion
with vain sports; and we believe the awakened mind may see, that even
the leisure of those whom providence hath permitted to have a competence
of worldly goods, is but ill filled up with these amusements. Therefore,
being not only accountable for our substance, but also for our time, let
our leisure be employed in serving our neighbour, and not in
distressing the creatures of God for our amusement."
[Footnote 8: Book of Extracts.]
I shall not take upon me to examine the different reasons upon which we
find the foundation of this law. I shall not enquire how far a man's
substance, or rather his talent, is wasted or misapplied, in feeding a
number of dogs in a costly manner, while the poor of the neighbourhood
may be starving, or how far the galloping after these is in the eye of
christianity a misapplication of a person's time. I shall adhere only to
that part of the argument, how far a person has a right to make a
[9]pleasure of that, which occasions pain and death to the
animal-creation: and I shall shew in what manner the Quakers argue upon
this subject, and how they persuade themselves, that they have no right
to pursue such diversions, but particularly when they consider
themselves as a body of professing christians.
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