One of the fundamental principles of the system is, "that there is an evangelical and saving light and grace in all," and that "this light enlighteneth the hearts of all in a day, in order to salvation, if not resisted; nor is it less universal than the seed of sin, being the purchase of his death, who _tasted death for every man; for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive_." This is the language of Robert Barclay, the able apologist of Quakerism; and, perhaps, some of the Friends may tell us, how many degrees _below_ the authority of Paul and Jesus they hold the Apologist. It must be evident to every one, at all conversant with the past history and the present state of the society, that the Friends have ever been, and are still, in many instances (by far too many), accustomed to direct men, not to Jesus Christ, who is able to save unto the uttermost all that come to God by him: but to the principle of light and life within, which "enlighteneth the hearts of all in a day, in order to salvation, if not resisted." Closely connected with the doctrine of inward light, is that of immediate revelation. But the veneration of men for the authority of Scripture decreases in exact proportion to their zeal for immediate revelation. Elias Hicks received revelations quite as important in their nature, as abundant in their measure, and as immediate in their mode of communication, as any with which the apostle Paul was favoured. He is therefore entitled to disregard the authority of Scripture! He has in himself a higher authority! and he is commissioned to direct men to a better, in every respect a better, guide, than that sure word of prophecy to which the first Christians were exhorted to take heed, as to a light shining in a dark place! This is his language: "It is through this comforter that _all our_ knowledge of God must come; and all that ever was among rational beings under heaven, came through this medium, and none other. But, by our believing that we can help ourselves to heaven by the aid of the Scriptures, _a mere written book_, at the same time that we understand it so diversely, sets us to warring and quarrelling. Has not this been long enough the case, for every rational being to be instructed and to see, that _instead of its being a sufficient rule of faith, and practice, it is the reverse, for while it is depended on as such, it hinders from coming to the truth_. The Scriptures never told us that they were a sufficient rule, but they recommend us to that from which they themselves bad their origin--the Spirit of truth." If this be not infidelity, we really know not what is. Hicks does not even speak of the sacred Scriptures with that decent respect which one would consider due to the writings of a _brother_ prophet: "The Scriptures a mere written word, which, instead of being a sufficient rule of faith and practice, is the reverse, and hinders from coming to the truth!" Such language must draw a sigh from every