aul ath Neg 
a 
i, 
‘ 
y 

+ 
ie wa uy oye eh wr? 
I now proceed to the lefs * evanefcent 
fpecks” to which G. W. has excited the 
public attention as reprehenfible peculiari- 
ties in the fociety. They are indeed far 
‘more worthy of comment, and (at leaft of 
their own) ferious inquiry : for ‘a ftoical 
unconcern for the public good,’ under 
whatever circum{tances manifefted, would, 
if it could be proved upon this or any other 
people, render them unworthy of fuch 
commendation as he has beftowed on the 
objects of his animadverfions ; being in- 
deed ¢¢ utterly inconfiftent with that fym- 
pathy in the uniyerfal happinefs of our 
ipecies which is enjoined by the gofpel.”” 
But -the people in queftion probably 
differ widely from G. W. in their ideas 
of the real indications of fuch a lamentable 
ftate of mind. In what way, confiftent 
with their religious opinions refpectins 
war, can they more effectually exert them- 
felves for the corregtion of ‘* political 
cotruptions and perturbations,’ than by 
carefully avoiding the caufes,' and mains 
taining againft them the firm proteft of a 
peaceable and unoffending example, with 
the ‘ occafional formality of verbal re- 
monftrance.”” If by ‘¢ pofitive energy” 
he means fuch exertions as aim at a gene- 
ral reformation of morals—the relief of 
general diftrefs, or the univerfal happinefs 
of our fpecies, he fhould have fhewn in 
which of thofe particulars they have lagged | 
behind their neighbours. Their perfever- 
ing endeavours for the abolition of the 
Slave-Trade, and the tyranny and cruelty 
attendant on and contequent of it—the 
very confiderable facrifices of intereft, 
which many of their members have made 
on this account {fome individuals to the 
amount of feveral thoufand pounds) and 
their continual attention to the rights and 
welfare of the Indian natives, in countries 
firtt fettled by fome of their anceftors, fur- 
_nith ample proof that, as a body, they have 
not been remarkably deficient, at leaft in 
fome of the duties which direétly tend to 
'§* produce an effential melioration of civil 
life.*~ 
' But if by © pofitive energy” is meant 
an active co-operation #& the party poli- 
tics which have lately fo much agitated 
this nation, I mutt allow, that with. the 
More ferious part of the fociety> it is a 
Matter of fincere regret that there is not 
yet more fqundation for the charge ; ap- 
' prehenfive as they are, that under. the pre- 
tenfions of party leaders, are but too often 
concealed the defigns of ambitions and 
that the means adopted to obtain even de- 
firable ends are often inconfiftent with the 
‘pobility of the objegt in view, 
Defence of the Quakers. | 1s 
\ 
I feel lefs difficulty in acknowledging, 
that many individuals in the f{ociety ap- 
pear to be too ‘* unremittingly occupied 
in the purfuit of worldly intereft ; but’ 
that G. W.’s remark on this head applies 
more peculiarly to them than ‘* to aay 
men whatever” is, I apprehend, more ea- 
fily aflerted than determined. 
In theadvices publifhed from time to times 
by the fociety, there is hardly any {pecies of 
evil againft which its members have been 
more frequently ard earneftly cautioned, 
than this of worldly-mindednefs 5 which 
implies that a fenfe at leaft of its turpitude 
remains among them. /I do not however 
wifh that any obi¢rvations I am now mak- 
ing may leflen the expofure of a propenfity 
fo oppofed to Chriftian benevolence, either 
in tlrefe or any other of its profeilors; 
though when we confider the valt expence 
of time and money confequent on their at- 
tendance of their monthly, quarterly, and 
yearly meetings, and the great dereliGtion 
of outward eale, and domeftic comforts, 
which their minifters manifeft in their tra-' 
vels, I believe the charge of world]y-mind- 
ednefs cannot be pre-eminently fixed om 
them. 
Neithet in adverting to, the third pecu- 
liarity imputed to them as “¢ reprehenii- 
ble” can I acquiefce in G. W.’s fentis 
ment, that the literary education of their 
youth is neglected; and that the liberal: 
arts and {ciences which he enumerates are 
“¢ almoft if not altogether unknown among: 
them.’’—Indeed, it his pofition be true, 
that ‘* knowledge is the bafis of all vir- 
tue,” it is not very probable thata people 
diftinguifhed for qualities, which he fays, 
‘¢ richly merit not only the cordial teffi- 
mony, but the univerfal imitation of man- 
kind,” can be uncommonly ignorant or 
neglectful of the means of acquiring its 
and, from his extenfive acquaintance 
among them, I fhould have fuppofed he 
might have met with a fufficient number 
to have obviated his exception to the fo- 
ciéty on that account. It is, however, 
probable, that even thefe do not in gene-= 
ral apprehend with G. W. that extraordi- 
to, and'for which fo few havé adequate 
capacities, are really effential ‘to human 
happinefs, and much Iefs to ‘* the reno- 
vation of our fpecies.”” In this*moment- 
ous concern, it is well known the fociety 
in queltion profefs to believe, that a de- 
r to human 
wifdom 1s indifpenfibly neceflary, and that 
to this all the acquirements of which the 
mind of man is capable, ought to be held 
ini conftant fubfervience. 
