Page:New history of all religions.pdf/15



They are so called, because they sometimes groan and tremble in their prayers. And preach none; unless moved (as they view it) by the Holy Ghost. Many people are so bold as to say, that this is a delusion of Satan; but it is very dangerous to speak in that manner, so many good fruits appear in them, such as plain honest dealing in the world: mercy to the poor: abstaining from swearing, lying, and the like. They give titles or honor to no man∗, nor uncover their heads, though in the presence of the highest personage, nor in their own places of worship but when they are disposed to speak. They do not name the days of the week, as we do but number them 1, 2, &c for, in their view (in the main it is so) the names at present in use, were handed down to us from the heathens∮. They allow women to exhort in their meetings, but not to rule. Acts xxi 9-1 Cor xi 5.

They appeared first in England in the time of Cromwell. Their founder was one David George, a respectable shoemaker in Oxford, after him, another remarkable character arose among them called, William Penn whose unitie had been a very active

∗Matth. xxiii 9. ∮See page 2