It is
their object to make their children lowly, patient and submissive. Those
therefore, who are born in the society, are born under the system, and
are in general educated for it. Those who become converted to the
religion of the society, know beforehand the terms of their admission.
And it will appear to all to be at least an equitable institution,
because in the administration of it, there is no exception of persons.
The officers themselves, who are appointed to watch over, fall under the
inspection of the discipline. The poor may admonish the rich, and the
rich the poor. There, is no exception, in short, either for age, or sex,
or station.
It is not necessary, at least in the present place, that I should go
farther, and rake up all the objections, that may be urged upon this
subject. I shall therefore only observe here, that the discipline of the
Quakers, notwithstanding all its supposed imperfections, whatever, they
may be, is the grand foundation-stone, upon which their moral education
is supported. It is the grand partition wall between them and vice. If
this part of the fabric were ever allowed to, be undermined, the
building would fall to pieces; though the Quakers might still be known
by their apparel and their language, they would no longer be so
remarkable as they are now generally confessed to, be, for their moral
character.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181