and consistent with the religion they profess._

As the Quakers appear to me, in consequence of their commercial and
frugal habits, to be in danger of contracting a money-getting spirit,
and as this spirit is the worst feature that can exist in the Quaker
character, I shall allot a few pages to the farther consideration of the
subject, with a view of the prevention of such an evil.

That it is the worst feature that can exist in the character of the
society, I repeat. It is worse than a want of knowledge, or than
superstition, because these relate to the understanding, while this is
confined to the heart. It renders the system of the moral education of
the Quakers almost nugatory. For what is the use of keeping the mind in
a state of spiritual purity by means of prohibitions, or by attempting
to shut it out from the knowledge of corruptive amusements, if it be
afterwards to be rendered impure by the love of money? It occasions them
again to bear their testimony as it were against their own religion. For
a Quaker is not in the situation of on ordinary person. He looks upon
himself as a highly professing Christian; as one, who is not to conform
to the fashions of the world; as one, who is to lead a life of
self-denial; as one, who is to go forward in virtue, his belief being
that of a possibility of perfection even in the present life. He
considers himself too as a representative of the early Christians, and
holds himself ready to follow them by the bearing of his testimony, into
suffering, and even unto death. But what Christian can harbour a
money-getting spirit, or be concerned in an extensive accumulation of
wealth? If a Quaker therefore should go into the common road, and fall
down before the idol mammon, like any other ordinary person, how can the
world give him any pretension but to an ordinary religion?

My object in the present consideration of the subject, will be to shew
the Quakers in general, and those in particular who may need it, some
practical cure for this evil, and to convince them, that the mode of
effecting it will not be detrimental to the temporal interests of their
families, but promotive of their spiritual, and consistent with the
religion they profess.

The first method, which I would recommend to those who are in trade, and
who know their own habits of life, and the extent of their families,
would be to fix upon a certain sum, which they may think sufficient for
a future decent and moderat