A Portraiture of Quakerism, Volume 3: 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 3: 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
With respect to tranquillity of mind, we have shown this to be
constitutional with the Quakers. It arises from their domestic
enjoyments, from seldom placing their pleasures or their fortunes in the
power of others, from freedom from the ambition and envyings of the
world, from the regulation of the temper, from avoiding quarrels and
lawsuits, and from other causes. And with respect to a moderate
pecuniary independence, we have shewn not only that this is the general
portion of the society, but that it is in the very nature of their
habits to acquire it. Now these essential ingredients of happiness, or
these temporal advantages, do not belong to the present Quakers only.
They have always belonged to Quakers; and they will be perpetuated as an
inheritance to their children, as long as Quakerism lasts. By this I
mean to say, that if any Quakers, now living, could be sure that their
descendants would keep to the wholesome regulations of the society for
ten generations to come, they might have the comfort of believing, that
tranquillity of mind would accompany them, as an effect of the laws and
constitution belonging it, and that at any rate an easy pecuniary
situation in life would be preserved to them. For if it be no difficult
thing, with the natural habits of the society, to acquire an
independence, it is much easier to preserve that which has been left
them. But will they, who have had it in contemplation to leave the
society, be able to say this for their children, when they adopt the
world for their home? What certainty is there, that these will
experience tranquillity, unless they are seen, quite as far as manhood,
in the habits of religion? Will the cares of the world, its ambition,
its thirst after honours, and its unbridled affections and passions,
give them no uneasiness? And can the fortunes transmitted to them,
subject as they will be to its destructive fashions and pleasures, be
insured to them for even half of their times? How many have we seen, who
have been in the prime of health in the morning, who have fallen before
night in the duel? And how many have we seen in a state of affluence at
night, who have been ruined by gaming in the morning?
But it is possible that they, who may have had thoughts of leaving the
society; may picture to themselves another advantage, which I have not
yet mentioned. It is possible, that there may be yet one which they may
distinguish by such a name. They may possibly think it to be a gain to
get rid of the restraint of the discipline of the society, and to enjoy
the freedom of the world.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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