length he acquires habits superior to the looks and frowns, and
ridicule, of the world.

SECT. II.

_The trait of courage includes also courage in death--This trait
probably--from the lives which the Quakers lead--and from circumstances
connected with their religious faith_.

The trait of courage includes also courage in death, or it belongs to
the character of the Quakers, that they shew great indifference with
respect to death, or that they possess great intrepidity, when sensible
of the approach of it.

I shall do no more on this subject, than state what may be the causes of
this trait.

The dissolution of all our vital organs, and of the cessation to be, so
that we move no longer upon the face of the earth, and that our places
know us no more, or the idea of being swept away suddenly into eternal
oblivion, and of being as though we had never been, cannot fail of
itself of producing awful sensations upon our minds. But still more
awful will these be, where men believe in a future state, and where,
believing in future rewards and punishments, they contemplate what may
be their allotment in eternity. There are considerations, however, which
have been found to support men, even under these awful reflections, and
to enable them to meet with intrepidity their approaching end.

It may certainly be admitted, that, in proportion as we cling to the
things of the world, we shall be less willing to leave them, which may
induce an appearance of fear with respect to departing out of life; and
that, in proportion as we deny the world and its pleasures, or mortify
the affections of the flesh, we shall be more willing to exchange our
earthly for spiritual enjoyments, which may induce an appearance of
courage with respect to death.

It may be admitted again, that, in proportion as we have filled our
moral stations in life, that is, as we have done justly, and loved
mercy, and this not only with respect to our fellow-creature man, but to
the different creatures of God, there will be a conscious rectitude
within us, which will supply us with courage, when we believe ourselves
called upon to leave them.

It may be admitted again, that, in proportion as we have endeavoured to
follow the divine commands, as contained in the sacred writings, and as
we have followed these through faith, fearless of the opinions and
persecutions of men, so as to have become sufferers for the truth, we
shall have less fear or more courage, when