Quakers, in
consequence of their commercial and frugal habits, have greater
pecuniary accumulations before their eyes than others in a similar
condition of life, when I consider how few are able to bear these
accumulations without moral injury to themselves, and that even the
early Christians began to relax in their character when they begun to
be prosperous, I am of opinion, that there is some foundation far the
existence of such a spirit, though not to the extent, as insisted on by
the world; or, that there is in the society, notwithstanding the many
bright and amiable exceptions that are to be found in it, greater
eagerness after wealth than is consistent with its religious profession.
And to this opinion I am inclined from another consideration, which
cannot be overlooked in the present case. The book of Extracts itself
acknowledges the existence of such a spirit, for it characterises it
under the name of "hastening to be rich," and it calls it "a growing
evil."

But when I say that I so for accede to the opinion of the world, as to
allow that the money-getting spirit may be fixed upon a part of the
society, I feel that I ought to make a proper distinction concerning it.
I must observe, that the money-getting spirit, wherever it may be
chargeable upon Quakers, seldom belongs to that species which is called
avarice. It is by no means incongruous to suppose, that there may be in
the same person an unreasonable love of money, and yet a shew of
benevolence. The money-getting spirit will have a different effect, as
it operates upon different persons. Upon those, who have been brought up
in an ignorant and unfeeling manner, it will operate to make them hoard
their substance, and to keep it exclusively to themselves. But it will
not always hinder those who have been humanely educated, though it may
lead them to unreasonable accumulations, from dispensing a portion of
their gains. In the first instance it is highly criminal, because it
keeps the whole of its talent in a napkin. In the second, though less
criminal, it is greatly to be deplored, but more particularly in a
Quaker, who, making a higher profession of Christianity than many
others, ought to give to the world the example of a purer mind.

SECT. II.

_Farther observations on the subject of the former trait--Practicable
methods suggested for its extirpation--These methods not destructive,
but promotive, of the temporal interests of the members of this society,