e ways in which these customs and principles operate.
Now the advantage to be derived from seeing this manner of their
operation, consists in this: First, that we know to a certainty, that
they act towards the production of virtue. Knowing again what these
customs and principles are, we know those which we are bound to cherish.
We find also, that there are various springs which act upon the moral
constitution for the formation of character. We find some of these great
and powerful, and others inferior. This consideration should teach us
not to despise even those which are the least, if they have but a
tendency to promote our purity. For if the effect of any of them be only
small, a number of effects of little causes or springs, when added
together, may be as considerable as a large one. Of these again we
observe, that some are to be round where many would hardly have expected
them. This consideration should make us careful to look into all our
customs and principles, that we may not overlook any one which we may
retain for our moral good. And as we learn the lesson of becoming
vigilant to discover every good spring, and not to neglect the least of
these, however subtle its operation, so we learn the necessity of
vigilance to detect every spring or cause, and this even the least,
whether in our customs or our principles, if it should in its tendency
be promotive of vice.

And in the same manner we may argue with respect to other productions of
these customs and principles of the Quakers. As we have seen the latter
lead to character, so we have seen them lead to happiness. The manner of
their operation to this end has been also equally discernible. As we
value them because they produce the one, so we should value them because
they produce the other. We have seen also which of them to value. And we
should be studious to cherish the very least of these, as we should be
careful to discard the least of those which are productive of real and
merited unhappiness to the mind.

And now, having expended my observations on the tendencies of the
customs and principles of the Quakers, I shall conclude by expressing a
wish, that the work which I have written may be useful. I have a wish,
that it may be useful to those who may be called the world, by giving
them an insight into many excellent institutions, of which they were
before ignorant, but which may be worthy of their support and their
patronage. I have a wish also, that it may