The fear therefore of being
detected, and at any rate of bringing infamy on his cloth, if I may use
the expression, would operate so as to keep him out of many of the
vicious customs of the world.
From hence it will be obvious that there cannot be any solid foundation
for the charge, which has been made against the Quakers on the subject
of dress. They are found in their present dress, not on the principle
of an attachment to any particular form, or because any one form is more
sacred than another, but on the principle, that an unreasonable
deviation from any simple and useful clothing is both censurable and
hurtful, if made in conformity with the fashions of the world. These two
principles, though they may produce, if acted upon, a similar outward
appearance in persons, are yet widely distinct as to their foundation,
from one another. The former is the principle of idolatry. The latter
that of religion. If therefore there are persons in the society, who
adopt the former, they will come within the reach of the charge
described. But the latter only can be adopted by true Quakers.
CHAP. II.
_Quakers are in the use of plain furniture--this usage founded on
principles, similar to those on dress--this usage general--Quakers have
seldom paintings, prints, or portraits in their houses, as, articles of
furniture--reasons for their disuse of such articles.
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