xrx HIS VIEW OF QUAKER PRINCIPLES 257 



edition of the "Encyclopaedia Britannica," and it is of 

 interest to see what they regarded as the essentials of the 

 faith. 



They make reference to Sewel's History and Barclay's 

 Apology. An outline is given of the work of George Fox ; it 

 was by the sanctity of his life and the simplicity of his doctrines 

 that he drew together the society. There follows an abstract 

 of Barclay's propositions, showing that happiness consists in 

 the knowledge of God, which is only to be obtained by the 

 revelation of his Spirit ; that this revelation has produced 

 the Scriptures ; that God in his love has offered universal 

 redemption by Christ, who tasted death for every man ; that 

 there is an evangelical and saving light and grace in all men, 

 producing righteousness in those who resist it not, but receive 

 it, and that these may arrive at freedom from sin, yet ever 

 with a possibility of sinning ; that the true minister is prepared 

 by the Spirit, and gives his service freely ; that worship is in 

 spirit, not dependent on place, or on any person, yet public 

 worship is of high utility ; that baptism and the communion 

 of Christ are spiritual ; that no human authority may force 

 the conscience in matters of worship or opinion, except such 

 opinion prejudices a neighbour's life or estate, or is incon- 

 sistent with human society ; and lastly that, in order that we 

 may be redeemed from the spirit of the world and attain 

 communion with God, the vain customs and habits of the 

 world are to be rejected. 



The economy of the society is particularly described. 

 " Where there are any Quakers they meet together once a 

 month, to consider of the necessities of their poor, and to 

 provide for their relief ; to hear and determine complaints 

 arising among themselves ; to enquire into the conversation 

 of their respective members in regard to morality, and con- 

 formity to their religious sentiments ; to allow the passing 

 of marriages, and to enjoin a strict regard to the peace and 

 good order of the society, the proper education of their young 

 people, and a general attention to the principles and practices 

 of their profession." A similar outline is given of the superior 

 meetings, and the reader is called on to " reflect what a number 

 of individuals of both sexes are kept in good order by the 

 police of this society . . . ; how peaceable their behaviour, 

 and how exemplary their conduct." The discipline seems to 

 take no cognisance of any duty on behalf of the world at large, 

 or outside the interests of the church itself. " Perhaps this 

 is the only society in the world," they add, " that has allowed 



s 



