o requires worship of his creature man in spirit
and in truth, could be nothing short of solemn mockery from that
mind which had been so far enlightened as to believe that nothing
could be acceptable worship to Almighty God but what came from Him,
and, through the medium of his own Spirit, was breathed out to Him
again as that Spirit should dictate, whether in prayer or in praises
to his great name."

In confirmation of the fact that those who were convinced of the
principles of Friends, when they joined in membership, were
constrained to lay aside their former practices of reading and singing
in meetings for Divine worship, it may be mentioned, that although the
writings of those who were mainly instrumental in gathering the
Society at the time of its rise, contain many advices, cautions and
encouragements to its members, as to the exercise of the ministry, and
as to worship, yet they are almost totally silent as to these
practices.

* * * * *

In expressing these views, our object is to guard our own members from
sliding into the adoption of views and practices which are
inconsistent with, and lead away from the standard of spiritual
religion and worship believed in by us, and thus cause us to lose that
post in his militant church which was assigned us by its Holy Head.

* * * * *

We have been concerned also at the increase of instruments of music
and the practice of singing in the families of our members, as a means
of amusement. Even under the Jewish dispensation a woe was pronounced
upon those who in a wanton and unconcerned state of mind invented unto
themselves instruments of music like David, but who were not grieved
for the afflictions of Joseph--that is, for the exercises and
sufferings of the righteous seed.

George Fox declares that he was led to cry out against all sorts of
music; and the advices of our Society down to modern times have been
uniformly in the same direction. It has been felt that the time
required to become a proficient in its practice was improperly taken
from more important uses; that the emotions it produces have no
tendency to strengthen the intellectual or moral character; that the
most melodious sounds that human instruments can make have no power to
implant principles, give strength to resist temptation or eradicate
selfishness; that the love of music often leads into