Page:A New England Tale.djvu/197

186 "If they are an upright, frank people, why is the world kept in ignorance of their belief? The Quakers have no creed; and though I have no great faith in the professors of any sect, yet they ought to let you know what they do think: it is fair and above board. You may depend upon it, Jane, the Quakers are a jesuitical people."

"Have you ever read any of their books?" inquired Jane.

"I read them!" he replied, laughing; "why, my dear girl, do you take me for a theologian? No—I never read the books of any sect; and Quaker books, I believe there are not. Quaker book!" he continued, still laughing, "no, no—I shall never addict myself to divinity, till Anne Ratcliffe writes sermons, and Tom Moore warbles hymns."

Jane did not join in his laugh; but replied, "There is a book, Edward, that contains the creed of the Quakers; a creed to which they have never presumed to add any thing, nor have they taken any thing from it; the only creed to which they think it right to require the assent of man, and from which no rational man can dissent—that book is the Bible! and," she continued, earnestly, "their faith in this creed is shown by their works. My dear Edward, examine their history for their vindication."

"That I shall not, while their cause has so fair a champion."

"Spare me your sarcasms, Edward, and let me entreat you to look at the life of their wise and