A Portraiture of Quakerism, Volume 1: Taken from a View of the Education and Discipline, Social Manners, Civil and Political Economy, Religious Principles and Character, of the Society of FriendsClarkson, Thomas
Religion
A Portraiture of Quakerism, Volume 1: Taken from a View of the Education and Discipline, Social Manners, Civil and Political Economy, Religious Principles and Character, of the Society of Friends
Clarkson, Thomas
Society of Friends
[Footnote 45: This was in the year 1752, prior to this time the year
began on the 25th of March: and therefore September stood in the English
as in the Roman kalendar. The early Quakers, however, as we find by a
minute in 1697, had then made these alterations; but when the new style
was introduced, they published their reasons for having done so.]
Another alteration, which took place very generally in the language of
the Quakers, was the rejection of the word saint, when they spoke either
of the apostles, or of the primitive fathers. The papal authority had
canonized these. This they considered to be an act of idolatry, and they
thought they should be giving a sanction to superstition, if they
continued the use of such a title, either in their speech or writings.
After this various other alterations took place according as individuals
among them thought it right to expunge old expressions, and to
substitute new; and these alterations were adopted by the rest, as they
had an opinion of those who used them, or as they felt the propriety of
doing it. Hence new phrases came into use, different from those which
were used by the world on the same occasions; and these were gradually
spread, till they became incorporated into the language of the society.
Of these the following examples may suffice.
It is not usual with Quakers to use the words lucky or fortunate, in the
way in which many others do. If a Quaker had been out on a journey, and
had experienced a number of fine days, he would never say that he had
been lucky in his weather. In the same manner if a Quaker had recovered
from an indisposition, he would never say, in speaking of the
circumstance, that he had fortunately recovered, but he would say, that
he had recovered, and "that it was a favour." Luck, chance, or fortune,
are allowed by the Quakers to have no power in the settlement of human
affairs.
It is not usual with Quakers to beg ten thousand pardons, as some of the
world do, for any little mistake. A Quaker generally on such an occasion
asks a persons excuse.
The Quakers never make use of the expression "christian name." This name
is called christian by the world, because it is the name given to
children in baptism, or in other words, when they are christened, or
when they are initiated as christians. But the Quakers are never
baptised. They have no belief that water-baptism can make a christian,
or that it is any true mark of membership with the christian church.
Hence a man's christian name is called by them his first name, because
it is the first of the two, or of any other number of names, that may
belong to him.
The Quakers, on meeting a person, never say "good morrow," because all
days are equally good. Nor in parting with a person at night, do they
say "good evening," for a similar reason, but they make use of the
expression of "farewell."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account