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
But whatever may be the light in which persons, not of the society, may
view this institution, the Quakers submit to, and respect it. It is
possible there may be some, who may feel it a restraint upon their
conduct. And there is no doubt, that it is a restraint upon those, who
have irregular desires to gratify, or destructive pleasures to pursue.
But generally speaking, the youth of the society, who receive a
consistent education, approve of it. Genuine Quaker parents, as I have
had occasion to observe, insist upon the subjugation of the will. It is
their object to make their children lowly, patient and submissive. Those
therefore, who are born in the society, are born under the system, and
are in general educated for it. Those who become converted to the
religion of the society, know beforehand the terms of their admission.
And it will appear to all to be at least an equitable institution,
because in the administration of it, there is no exception of persons.
The officers themselves, who are appointed to watch over, fall under the
inspection of the discipline. The poor may admonish the rich, and the
rich the poor. There, is no exception, in short, either for age, or sex,
or station.
It is not necessary, at least in the present place, that I should go
farther, and rake up all the objections, that may be urged upon this
subject. I shall therefore only observe here, that the discipline of the
Quakers, notwithstanding all its supposed imperfections, whatever, they
may be, is the grand foundation-stone, upon which their moral education
is supported. It is the grand partition wall between them and vice. If
this part of the fabric were ever allowed to, be undermined, the
building would fall to pieces; though the Quakers might still be known
by their apparel and their language, they would no longer be so
remarkable as they are now generally confessed to, be, for their moral
character.
SECT. II.
_Manner of the administration of the discipline of the
Quakers--Overseers appointed to every particular meeting--Manner of
reclaiming an individual--first by admonition--this sometimes
successful--secondly by dealing--this sometimes successful--but if
unsuccessful, the offender is disowned--but he may appeal afterwards to
two different courts or meetings for redress.--_
Having now given the general outlines of the discipline of the Quakers, I
shall proceed to explain the particular manner of the administration of
it.
To administer it effectually all individuals of the society, as I have
just stated, whether men or women, are allowed the power of watching
over the conduct of one another for their good, and of interfering if
they should see occasion.
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