To this first charge
I shall make the following reply.
That there may be individual instances, where this charge may be
founded, I am neither disposed, nor qualified, to deny. Overseers have
their different tempers, like other people; and the exercise of dominion
has unquestionably a tendency to spoil the heart. So far there is an
opening for the admission of this charge. But it must be observed, on
the other hand, that the persons, to be chosen overseers, are to be by
the laws of the society[19] "as upright and unblameable in their
conversation, as they can be found, in order that the advice, which they
shall occasionally administer to other friends, may be the better
received, and carry with it the greater weight and force on the minds of
those, whom they shall be concerned to admonish." It must be observed
again that it is expressly enjoined them, that "they are to exercise
their functions in a meek, calm, and peaceable spirit, in order that
the admonished may see that their interference with their conduct
proceeds from a principle of love and a regard for their good, and
preservation in the truth."
[Footnote 19: Book of extracts.]
And it must be observed again, that any violation of this injunction
would render them liable to be admonished by others, and to come under
the discipline themselves.
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