aptivate by outside appearances, they are
generally rendered incapable of exhibiting great talents, or of
occupying an important station in life.

But it seems to have been reserved for the Quakers us a religious body,
to insist upon that full practical treatment and estimation of women,
which ought to take place wherever Christianity is professed. They have
accordingly given to the females of their own society their proper
weight in the scale of created beings. Believing them to have adequate
capacities, and to be capable of great usefulness, they have admitted
them to a share in the administration of almost all the offices which
belong to their religious discipline, so that, independently of their
private, they have a public character, like the men.

In the first volume, I had occasion to observe, when treating on the
subject of the discipline, that representatives were chosen by the men
out of their own body to the different meetings which were then named.
Just so it is with the Quaker women. Representatives are appointed out
of these by the other women on similar occasions. I stated also that, at
certain times, the men assembled by themselves; that they discussed the
business that came before them; that they replied to those who supported
opposite opinions to their own; and that the young men were present
during these discussions. So it is with the women. They sit in council
by themselves. They argue and reply in like manner. The young females
are also present. I stated also, that during these meetings of the men,
one of them held the office of drawing up and recording the minutes of
the proceedings or resolutions that had taken place. The women also
appoint one of their own body to the same office. I stated again, that,
in these meetings of the men, some were chosen as a committee to act in
particular cases. So also are women chosen to act as a committee by
their own meetings. I explained the nature of the office of overseer,
and I observed that there were overseers among the men. There are also
overseers among the women. I explained the nature of the office of
elder, and I observed that there were elders among the men. The women
have their elders likewise. The men were said to preach as in other
societies. The women are permitted to preach also. In short, if the men
consider themselves to be qualified for any office belonging their
religious discipline, they believe their women to be equally capable of
holding th