The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1822-03-13

From the Boqton Da,ty .fdpertiser.
LETrERlFRoM NARY SEwHALL, A pREAcHRa
OF THE FRIENDS SOCIETY
In discharge OF my duty towsrds God, sp-
pfehend myself called on, publicly 10 expose
my sentiments in relation TO the late uppte-
eeden'ed commotions in tho Society Of
Friends in Lynn, which have caused such q
general excitemeh, Of curiosity, wonder, in.
dignslion, pity and disgust. There has for
sevctat yeats ueen o number increasing in
the Sucir'y whu havo through its super-
stifions, and bchoId with sorrow the dogene.
rate condition OF Ms fresens state, compared
with the holy walking, and righteous zeal Of
George Fox and his contemporaries; they
have seen that the vital spirit and holy tenn
per which was In Jesus, has become nearly
lost with the high profession smong US: and
10 its stead, the sa,ernsl siogularitios, which
,hose faithful sons OF the glorious morning Of
that reformed day, fouod it expedien, for
them to observe, have, TO this generation, be-
come objects, not only Of suporstitious vene-
ration, but OF contention fixing en- idoiattous
estimate on the high benches in the Meeting
House, which we've originally intended 10 as
sisl speaker in heng heard, by elevsting
bis position.
We are Society protesting to be all breth.
ron having no Head but Christ-salling no
man r9asfer ;--uo one among US holding the
p-erogative Of Teacher, or Of Judge, or Of
Counsellor, or Of administrator of Justice;
but a!i these things are TO be determined by
Cad. who we hrotess TO believe, reveals His
soiH immediately 10 The Soul and that our
decisions are to be made sgreeably to His
viii, by a unanimous consent Of the Body
bot within few months past, by q stretch Of
power unparalleled 90 our records, this truly
christian mode OF government has been land
aside by anumber 10 the socie,ywho have usurp.
ed unto themselves the whole aut no iiy Of our
meetings and agreeaby to this mode Of pro-
cedure, have excommupicsted four OF our
members, contrary TO the feeling, and judg.
mcnt OF meny. whose characters in eve,y
shape whatever, might be ranked among
those who salt the earth. Three ofthcse ex.
communicated persons are DOW imprisoned
in Salem Gsol Another Who Is member
of the society is also committed with them.
Two Of these men have IN many Of their
movements exhibited those aberrs,ions,
which have always more or less accompanied
all reforpations An untempered zeal has
at times marked the actions Of some Of the
best men, occs,iooed by acting under too
torclble an excite tement which has disRusted
the phaosophic mind. These men believe
to have acted in discharge Of what they ap.
prchend TO be conscience towards God and
served him ogreeably to their knowledge Of
his nil end that tsey are now imprisoned,
as much toe conscience.sake as the founders
OF this Society were, in the day Of their reli.
gious controversy with the great mass OF
Christian professors. I am one in hro/ession
with this people. unite in spiri, with all
who love God And my soul, unbound
from the chains Of sec,sriao prejudice, is.
Slave to no sect. and takes no private road
Bul looks through nature, upto Ns,ure's God"
MARY NEWHALI..
Ly7n, ID mo. e5lh, 1922.