But as soon as the ends
of their institution were lost, or they were used without any
appropriate feeling of the heart, they became empty civilities, and
little better than mockery or grimace.
The customs of this sort, which obtained in the time of George Fox, were
similar to those, which are now in use on similar occasions. People
pulled off their hats, and bowed, and scraped with their feet. And these
things they did, as marks of civility, friendship, or respect to one
another.
George Fox was greatly grieved about these idle ceremonies. He lamented
that men should degrade themselves by the use of them, and that they
should encourage habits, that were abhorrent of the truth. His feelings
were so strong upon this subject, that he felt himself called upon to
bear his testimony against them. Accordingly he never submitted to them
himself, and those, who received his religious doctrines, followed his
example.
The omission of these ceremonies, however, procured both for him and his
followers, as had been the case in the change of thou for you, much
ill-will, and harsh treatment. The Quakers were derided and abused.
Their hats were taken forcibly from their heads, and thrown away. They
were beaten and imprisoned on this sole account.
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