interruption of their enjoyment from this source. Others again, by the
adoption of gloomy creeds, give rise frequently to melancholy, and thus
lay in for themselves a store of fuel for the torment of their own
minds. But the Quakers espouse no doctrines, which, while they conduct
themselves uprightly, can interrupt the tranquillity of their lives. It
is possible there may be here and mere an instance where their feelings
may be unduly affected, in consequence of having carried the doctrine of
the influence of the Spirit, as far as it relates to their own
condition, beyond its proper bounds. But individuals, who may fell into
errors of this nature, are, it is to be hoped, but few; because any
melancholy, which may arise from these causes, must be the effect, not
of genuine Quakerism, but of a degenerate superstition.

CHAP. II.

_Good, which the Quakers have done as a society upon earth--by their
general good example--by shewing that persecution for religion is
ineffectual--by shewing the practicability of the subjugation of the
will of man--the influence of Christianity on character--the inefficacy
of capital punishments--the best object of punishment--the
practicability of living, either in a private or a public capacity, in
harmony and peace--the superiority of the policy of the Gospel over the
policy of the world._

When we consider man as distinguished from other animals by the rational
and spiritual faculties which he possesses, we cannot but conceive it to
be a reproach to his nature, if he does not distinguish himself from
these, or, if he does not leave some trace behind him, that he has
existed rationally and profitably both to himself and others. But if
this be expected of man, considered abstractedly as man, much more will
it be expected of him, if he has had the advantages of knowing the
doctrines of Christianity, and the sublime example of the great Author
of that religion. And the same observation, I apprehend, will hold true
with respect to societies of men. For if they have done no good during
their existence, we cannot see how they can escape censure, or that it
would not have been better that they had not existed at all. This
consideration leads me to enquire, what good the Quakers have done since
their institution, as a society, upon earth.

It was said of the Quakers in George Fox's time, after their character
had been established, that, "if they did not stand, the nation would run
into d