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I have now given to the reader the objections, that are usually made to
the alterations, which the Quakers have introduced into the language of
the country, as well as the replies, which the Quakers would make to
these objections. I shall solicit the continuance of his patience a
little longer, or till I have made a few remarks of my own upon this
subject.
It certainly becomes people, who introduce great peculiarities into
their system, to be careful, that they are well founded, and to consider
how far they may bring their minds into bondage, or what moral effects
they may produce on their diameter in a course of time.
On the reformed language of the Quakers it may be observed, that both
advantages and disadvantages may follow according to the due or undue
estimation in which individuals may hold it.
If individuals should lay too great a stress upon language, that is, if
they should carry their prejudices so far against outward and lifeless
words, that they should not dare to pronounce them, and this as a matter
of religion, they are certainly in the way of becoming superstitious,
and of losing the dignified independence of their minds.
If again they should put an undue estimate upon language, so as to
consider it as a criterion of religious purity, they may be encouraging
the growth of hypocrisy within their own precincts.
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