Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-02-13

IKE FeitNo. or QuAKERs. There was
a time when tbs description Of religionists we're
most cruelly persecuted, and their sufferings
they endured al tho hands of the prosecutors
dung a part tf The sixteenth century, are al
mos; ,ncrod.blo and Uncomfortable with that re-
spect which We have ever borne for the members
of The modern christian family. But since the
aye ofbigotry has partially disappeared, they
have been taken cordially by the hand, and
now arc as free from persecution as any other
sect attached to tho human family. MIR. Law
published in Salem, Massa chusetts passes to
the Quakers, the following very handsome,
and meritcd compliment;
'In complimenting tho Qdakcrs fof not
having followed the warlike and destructive
example set before them by the rest of man.
kind, | ought not 10 have conveyed my praise
in The i%ronical form of 5lame; because ircny
is often Understood. even where wo may think
such a mistake almost impossible-as IN the
case of the good bishop, who declared HIM
self highly pleased with Gulliver's Travels. but
added, that the book contained some things
which he had a difficulty IN believing. To
obvia,e the possibility of further misunder-
standing ] lay aside rony, and state most Sc
rlcusly and sincerely that, whether | regard
them as a religious sect or as a body OF citizens
whether | look 10 their private or public con-
duct, ! hold the Quakers in the highest re-
! spect. As christians, they entertain no unin-
| t~sl!lqibIe articles of faith; they waste no time
in splitting the hairs of theological con'rovcr-
| sy; their singular and honorable distinction IN
practical christianity, oy!nced in blameless
lives. i'll renouncing all force and violence III
endeayor,ng tn fulfill literally the Gospel pre-
| ccpts of poace and good Will, in active be.
nevoier,c, in nnrem.tted personal as well las
| pc unIar co operation in all measures caicu-
| lated 10 diminish the amount Of human misery
and suffering, and TO improve the condition oil
| their fellow creatures. These truly Christian
merits would redeem much heavier sins than
an adherence to The plain and simple garb.an
the unccremonio language CT George Fox
and William Penn"
This compliment was uttered in a place,
where but a century and a half ago, tho mar
who had dared to utter it, would have been
doomed TO the ~sovcrest penalties. We say
that Tho compliment is mcrited, because we
have had ample evidence of the purity of tho
| Quaker character, and have witnessed many
of their acts Of CHARITY, benevolcnce and un'
pretending piety. In the fulflment Of ell the
charities OF life they arc scrupulously punctua
and diligent, and few Of the many classes o.
society, have dono more to accelerate the hap
piness of man than they have. Opposed to wal
from principle, they 7~ealously struggle to pro
mote peace and harmony, and devote theli
live, to tho we'll beng Of mankind. Prefer
ing quiet and peaceful lives, they mingle no
in the political affairs of the timcs--aro salts
fed 10 obey the laws Of the land, and ask nc
other privilege, than that Of being allowc'
to worship God in their own way, and in &C
cordance TO the dictates of their own %conscicn'
cies.
We have a goodly number Of them among
US. and we could wish we had moro, for they
have been principally instrumental, in cs'ab'
li,hiop American Manufactures, q branch
Of national industry, upon which tho state
in no small degroo. depends for its sup
port; and beyond this, they hivo been among
the best and mos; efficient friends OF literature
and tho sciences. Without accepting, or dis
carding their particular notions OF theology
vo regard the Quakers, as among tho NOS
useful. and certainly among the most vIr'uou'
and pious, Of the human family
| W. unI,r.,.u.4 lie Nofgt mis- UanS, IN ina