I. The following chapter of history
is often much misrepresented by the enemies of the Church:--In the
time of the great Rebellion seven thousand English clergymen,
having refused to take the covenant, were ejected from their
livings, their places being supplied by dissenting teachers. At
the Restoration it was required that all those persons who had
thus become possessed of the property of the English Church should
either conform to the regulations of the Church, or resign. Of all
the Puritan clergy then in possession only fifteen hundred refused
to conform. These fifteen hundred were ejected, and from what? From
their rights? No; from what they had usurped. More than five
thousand conformed and still retained possession of their benefices,
so that but few of the loyal English clergy who had been ejected
regained their rights even at the Restoration.

QUAKERS. A sect owing their origin to George Fox, a cattle-drover,
in 1624. They are also called the "Society of Friends." The first
assembly for public worship was held in Leicestershire in 1644. The
Society is diminishing in numbers in the United Kingdom. The body
is much more numerous in America. Three gradations of meetings or
synods--monthly, quarterly, and yearly--administer the affairs of
the Society. Fit persons are chosen by monthly meetings as _Elders_,
to watch over the religious duties of the members. They make
provision for their poor, none of whom are ever known to require
parochial relief. At the monthly meetings also marriages are
sanctioned. Monthly meetings being limited to a certain circuit,
several monthly meetings compose a quarterly meeting, at which
general reports are given and appeals heard. The yearly meeting has
the general superintendence of the Society. In case of disputes among
Friends the matter is submitted, not to law, but to arbitration.
Their solemn affirmations are accepted in lieu of oaths. The chief
rule of their faith is that the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so
guides and teaches them that the Bible and all else is subordinate
to this inward monition of the Spirit. Their ministers may be either
male or female, the only qualification necessary being the immediate
inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They decline to define in any way
the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. They deny the necessity of any
outward sign accompanying Baptism, it being a wholly spiritual
matter. Also they affirm that taking or receiving the Eucharist is
not of perp