situation, for which they are considered to be designed. Its tendency is mostly to outward show. Formed like dolls or playthings, which are given to children to captivate by outside appearances, they are generally rendered incapable of exhibiting great talents, or of occupying an important station in life. But it seems to have been reserved for the Quakers, as a religious body, to insist upon that full practical treatment and estimation of women, which ought to take place wherever Christianity is professed. They have accordingly given to the females of their own Society their proper weight in the scale of created beings. Believing them to have adequate capacities, and to be capable of great usefulness, they have admitted them to a share in the administration of almost all the offices, which belong to their religious discipline; so that, independently of their private, they have a public character, like the men. In the first volume I had occasion to observe, when treating on the subject of the Discipline, that representatives were chosen by the men out of their own body to the different 1 different meetings, which were then named. Just so it is with the Quaker-women. Representatives are appointed out of these by the other women on similar occasions. I stated also that at certain times the men assembled by themselves; that they discussed the business that came before them; that they replied to those, who supported opposite opinions to their own; and that the young men were present during these discussions. So it is with the women. They sit in council by themselves. They argue and reply in like manner. The young females are also present. I stated also, that during these meetings of the men, one of them held the office of drawing up and recording the minutes of the proceedings or resolutions that had taken place. The women also appoint one of their own body to the same officę. I stated, again, that in these meetings of the men some were chosen as a committee, to act in particular cases. So also are women chosen to act as a committee by their own meetings. I explained the nature of the office of overseer; and I observed that there were overseers among the men. There are also overseers among the women, I explained the nature of the office of Elder; and I observed that there were Elders among the men. The women have their Elders likewise. The men were said to preach, as in other societies. The women are permitted to preach also. In short, if the men consider themselves to be qualified for any office belonging to their religious discipline, they believe their women to be equally capable of holding the same. No distinction is made as to the powers of usefulness between the men and the women of this Society. There are few offices held by men, but there is a corresponding one for those of the other sex* 2 The execution of these and other public offices, by which the Quaker-women have an important station allotted them in society, cannot but have an important influence on their minds. It gives them, in fact, a new cast of character. It imparts to them, in the first place, a considerable knowledge of human nature. It produces in them thought, and foresight, and judgment. It creates in * The principal exceptions are, that they are not correspondents, arbitrators, legislators, or on committees of appeal. them them a care and concern for the distressed. It elevates their ideas. It raises in them a sense of their own dignity and importance as human beings, which sets them above every thing that is little and trifling, and above all idle parade and show. Fond as they are of the animal-creation, you do not see them lavishing their caresses on lap-dogs, to the contempt of the poor and miserable of their own species. You never see them driving from shop to shop to make up a morning's amusement by examining and throwing out of order the various articles of tradesmen, giving them great trouble, and buying nothing in return. You never find them calling upon those, whom they know to be absent from their homes, thus making their mimic visits, and leaving their useless cards. Nothing, in short, so ridiculous or degrading is known among them. Their pursuits are rational, useful, and dignified : and they may be said in general to exhibit a model for the employment of time, worthy of the character they profess. MISCEL |