FRIENDS

A religious sect, which had its origin in England about the middle of the I7th century, and spread, by the emigration of its members, who were exposed to many restrictions and persecutions in this country, over various parts of Europe and North America. The founder of the sect was George Fox, who being equally di atisfied with the tenets of the established church and those of the Puritans, succeeded in attaching to himself various persons Avho agreed with him in the view which he took of the internal operation of religion on men's hearts, conceiving it to supersede all the observances of different denominations, nor to be evidenced in any degree by them. The Quakers, therefore, reject both the sacraments; nor do they appoint any order of ministers, but consider the instruction and edification of their congregations to be the province of whatsoever person of either sex conceives himself to be impelled thereto at the time by an internal suggestion of the Spirit. Upon doctrinal points, however, they a ert themselves to maintain opinions coincident with those generally received by the orthodox. Their internal affairs are managed by yearly, quarterly, and monthly meetings, of which the former in this country is held in London, and embraces representatives for all the rest. A similar arrangement takes place among the females of the society, who are allowed a considerable share in the management of the affairs of their own sex. This society is distinguished in its intercourse with the world by great seriousne of deportment, uniform soberne in dre , and generally a scrupulous avoidance of every thing which can encourage vanity and frivolity. They are all sensitively averse from all matters of ceremony, which they conceive to have their origin in flattery and deception. Their refusal to take judicial oaths used in former times to subject them to very severe penalties. Up to the acce ion of James II. their "history is an unvaried series of persecutions; either such as they endured in common with other di enters, or such as were peculiar to themselves in consequence of their refusal to pay tithes and to take oaths. Under James, the severity of the penal laws was relaxed; but William III. was the first prince who enacted laws for the especial relief of the Quakers. From this time, their affirmation is received in lieu of oath in judicial proceedings; and an alteration in the method of levying tithes has been provided, by which their scruples are satisfied. (See, among other authorities respecting the Quakers, Fox's Journal; Barclay's 'Apology; and SewelVs History of the Rise, Sfc. of the Quakers (1722). The Quakers of the present day are thought to be a decreasing sect. In 1836, the number of their congregations was estimated at 396. ( Congregational [s. 1020]