y hairs were closely covered by a black velvet
skull cap. In his younger days he had practically learned the meaning of
persecution from Archbishop Laud, and he was not now disposed to forget
the lesson against which he had murmured then. Introducing the
often-discussed subject of the Quakers, he gave a history of that sect,
and a description of their tenets, in which error predominated, and
prejudice distorted the aspect of what was true. He adverted to the
recent measures in the province, and cautioned his hearers of weaker
parts against calling in question the just severity which God-fearing
magistrates had at length been compelled to exercise. He spoke of the
danger of pity, in some cases a commendable and Christian virtue, but
inapplicable to this pernicious sect. He observed that such was their
devilish obstinacy in error, that even the little children, the sucking
babes, were hardened and desperate heretics. He affirmed that no man,
without Heaven's especial warrant, should attempt their conversion, lest
while he lent his hand to draw them from the slough, he should himself
be precipitated into its lowest depths.

The sands of the second hour were principally in the lower half of the
glass when the sermon concluded. An approving murmur followed, and the
clergyman, having given out a hymn, took his seat with much
self-congratulation, and endeavored to read the effect of his eloquence
in the visages of the people. But while voices from all parts of the
house were tuning themselves to sing, a scene occurred, which, though
not very unusual at that period in the province, happened to be without
precedent in this parish.

The muffled female, who had hitherto sat motionless in the front rank
of the audience, now arose, and with slow, stately, and unwavering step
ascended the pulpit stairs. The quiverings of incipient harmony were
hushed, and the divine sat in speechless and almost terrified
astonishment, while she undid the door, and stood up in the sacred desk
from which his maledictions had just been thundered. She then divested
herself of the cloak and hood, and appeared in a most singular array. A
shapeless robe of sackcloth was girded about her waist with a knotted
cord; her raven hair fell down upon her shoulders, and its blackness was
defiled by pale streaks of ashes, which she had strewn upon her head.
Her eyebrows, dark and strongly defined, added to the deathly whiteness
of a countenance, which, emaciated wit