do
they consider the priesthood, as others do, as a distinct order of men.

Others again come under the dominion of fashion and of popular opinion,
so that they dare only do that which they see others do, or are hurried
from one folly to another, without having the courage to try to resist
the stream. But the life of a Quaker is a continual state of
independence in this respect, being a continual protest against many of
the customs and opinions of the world.

I shall now only observe upon this subject, that this trait of
independence of mind, which is likely to be generated by some, and which
is preserved by other of the causes which have been mentioned, is not
confined to a few members, but runs through the society. It belongs to
the poor as well as to the rich, and to the servants of a family as well
as to those who live in poverty by themselves. If a poor Quaker were to
be introduced to a man of rank, he would neither degrade himself by
flattery on the one hand, nor by any unbecoming submission on the
other. He would neither be seduced into that which was wrong, nor
intimidated from doing that which was right, by the splendour or
authority of appearances about him. He would still preserve the
independence of his mind, though he would behave with respect. You would
never be able to convince him, that he had been talking with a person,
who had been fashioned differently from himself. This trait of
independence cannot but extend itself to the poor. For having the same
rights and privileges in the discipline, and the same peculiar customs,
and the same views of men and manners as the rest of the society, a
similar disposition must be found in these, unless it be counteracted by
other causes. But as Quaker servants, who live in genuine Quaker
families, wear no liveries, nor any badges of poverty or servitude,
there is nothing in the opposite scale to produce an opposite feature in
their character.

CHAP. VIII.

SECT. I.

_A sixth trait is that of courage--This includes, first, courage in
life--Courage not confined to military exploits--Quakers seldom
intimidated or abashed--dare to say what they think--and to do what
they believe to be right--This trait may arise from that of bearing
their testimony--and from those circumstances which produced
independence of mind--and from the peculiar customs of the society_.

Another trait in the character of the Quakers, which is nearly allied to
independence of min