e competency, and to leave off business, as
soon as this should be obtained. Such a step would be useful. It would
be making room for others to live as well as themselves. It would be
honourable, for it would be generous. And it would operate as a certain
preventive of the money-getting spirit, as well as of the imputation of
it. For if such a retreat from trade, were laid down and known as a
general custom of the society, the Quakers might bid their hearts rise
in defiance against the corruptions of money, and their reputation
against the clamours of the world.

This step, hard and difficult as it may appear to those who are thriving
in the world, is, notwithstanding, not a novel one, if we may judge
either by the example of many of the pure minded Christians of other
denominations, or by that of many estimable persons in this society.
John Woolman, among many others, was uneasy on account of his business
"growing cumbersome," for so he expresses it, lest it should hurt the
purity of his mind. And he contracted it, leaving himself only enough of
it, and this by the labour of his own hands, for a decent support. And
here I might mention other individuals of this society, if I had no
objection to offend the living by praise, who, following his example,
have retired upon only a moderate competency, though in the way of
great accumulations, for no other reason than because they were afraid,
lest such accumulations should interfere with their duty, or injure
their character, as Christians.

But if this measure should not be approved of under an idea that men
ought to have employments for their time, or that in these days of
increasing taxes and of progressively expensive living, they cannot
specify the sum that may be sufficient for their future wants, I have
another to propose, in consequence of which they may still follow their
commercial pursuits, and avoid the imputation in question. I mean that
the Quakers ought to make it a rule, after the annual expences of living
have been settled, to lay by but small savings. They ought never to
accustom their eyes to behold an undue accumulation of money, but
liberally to deal it out in charity to the poor and afflicted in
proportion to their gains, thus making their occupations a blessing to
mankind. No other measure will be effectual but this, if the former be
not resolved upon, while they continue in trade. Their ordinary charity,
it is clear, will not do. Large as it may have