In the names of men it would be impossible to adopt it. Old
people are going off, and young people are coming up, and people of all
descriptions are themselves changing, and a change of names to suit
every persons condition, and qualification, would be impossible.
Thirdly, that they pay no more homage or obeisance to words, than the
obeisance of truth. There is always a propriety in truth, and an
impropriety in falsehood. And in proportion as the names of things
accord with their essences, qualities, properties, character, and the
like, they are more or less proper. September, for example, is not an
appropriate name, if its meaning be enquired into, for the month which
it represents: but the ninth month is, and the latter appellation will
stand the test of the strictest enquiry.
They would say again that this, as well as the other alterations in
their language has had a moral influence on the society, and has been
productive of moral good. In the same manner as the dress, which they
received from their ancestors has operated as a guardian, or
preservative of virtue, so has the language which they received from
them also. The language has made the world overseers of the conduct of
the society. A Quaker is known by his language as much as by his dress.
Pages:
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300