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
They would say again that this, as well as the other alterations in
their language has had a moral influence on the society, and has been
productive of moral good. In the same manner as the dress, which they
received from their ancestors has operated as a guardian, or
preservative of virtue, so has the language which they received from
them also. The language has made the world overseers of the conduct of
the society. A Quaker is known by his language as much as by his dress.
It operates, by discovering him, as a check upon his actions. It keeps
him also, like the dress distinct from others. And the Quakers believe,
that they can never keep up their Christian discipline, except they keep
clear of the spirit of the world. Hence it has been considered as of
great importance to keep up the plain language; and this importance has
been further manifested by circumstances, that have taken place within
the pale of the society. For in the same manner as those, who begin to
depart from the simplicity of dress, are generally in the way to go off
among the world, so are those who depart from the simplicity of the
language. Each deviation is a sign of a temper for desertion. Each
deviation brings them in appearance nearer to the world. But the nearer
they resemble the world in this respect, the more they are found to mix
with it. They are of course the more likely to be seduced from the
wholesome prohibitions of the society. The language therefore of the
Quakers has grown up insensibly as a wall of partition, which could not
now, it is contended, be taken away without endangering the innocence of
their youth.
SECT. VII.
_Advantages and disadvantages of the system of the Quaker,
language--disadvantages are that it may lead to superstition--and
hypocrisy--advantages are that it excludes flattery--is founded upon
truth--promotes truth, and correctness in the expression of
ideas--observation of Hobbes--would be the most perfect model for a
universal calendar--the use or disuse of this system may either of them
be made useful to morality._
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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