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looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

56. And said, Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran on him with one accord.

58. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

CONVERSATION III.

FA. How shall we occupy this evening? It makes my heart overflow with gratitude to the Father of mercies, to see you all in health, and I trust in happiness; and I should like us to employ our time profitably. What does mother say? shall it be reading or conversation?

Mo. I think, by the anxious looks that await the decision, it will be rather a disappointment to our children if we resume our reading this evening; they have some questions to propose, which they have no doubt their father can answer to their satisfaction. It has been pleasant to find, that the information they have received, relative to our religious society, has interested them so much, that they are desirous of obtaining more; I have been absent from home this morning, and they have had ample time to reflect and prepare themselves.

FA. I am quite disposed to assist them in

their inquiries after truth. What is your difficulty?

Lu. We want to know, father, why Friends do not approve of the complimentary phrases and practices, used by other religious people.

FA. As Friends desired to live in strict accordance with the precepts of holy writ, and the pratices of holy men, they cultivated a deep inward acquaintance with the truth, as it was revealed in their hearts by Jesus Christ and this led them more and more into simplicity of manners. George Fox was greatly grieved at the practice of taking off the hat, and bowing the head to man, an act of obeisance which he believed should be rendered to the Lord alone. He says, "When the Lord sent me into the world, he forbade me to put off my hat to any, high or low; this being an honour invented by men, and what the proud looked for, who were therefore offended if it were not given unto them; so that in the outward sign of reverence, no distinction was admitted between the Creator and his creatures." Many suffered deeply for their testimony against

this vain custom, and even underwent imprisonment and beating on this account.

ED. It seems almost incredible, that any man could be so unreasonable, as to beat another for such a trifle.

FA. It is an instructive comment on these words of our Saviour; "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" An humble man exacts not honour of his fellow-men; he feels himself poor and unworthy; and I believe the faithfulness of Friends in this respect has been a blessing, and has strenghtened those who maintained our testimony against this worldly honour and fashion, to manifest in greater things, that they were seeking for themselves the honour that cometh from God only. George Fox also felt himself required to address all persons without distinction, simply by their names; he could not use the terms Mister and Mistress, Sir and Madam; the example of our adorable Redeemer was the pattern he endeavoured to imitate, and a nonconformity to the world in these respects, he believed

essential. The same views still govern those members of our religious society, who are Quakers in principle, and not merely in profession.

Lu. I suppose then, father, that Friends adopted the use of the plain language on the same ground, because it is used throughout the Bible.

FA. Yes, my daughter, it is the beautiful language of Scripture, which however despised, will always, if spoken with correctness, preserve its dignified simplicity. Our venerable ancestors suffered much, for their faithfulness in this respect. The rulers of that day would not submit to be thus addressed, by those whom they considered uncivil and unlearned; and disregarding the high authority from which they derived their language, often inflicted severe punishment upon them for using it. Kings and princes formerly, both among the Jews and heathen, were addressed in the singular number, and I believe, with few exceptions, all who approach the great Creator of heaven and earth in supplication, use the lan

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