country where they are respectively established. And no member of the society is precluded from attending, or partaking in the deliberations of these assemblies, which are nevertheless strictly speaking constituted of representatives, by regular appointment from each quarterly meeting. The following are the seven yearly meetings: 1. London, to which come representatives from Ireland; 2. New England; 3. New York; 4. Pennsylvania and New Jersey; 5. Maryland; 6. Virginia; 7. The Carolinas and Georgia. The form and colour of their clothes, together with their peculiar modes of salutation, have been thought to savour of affectation, though they certainly exhibit a striking contrast to the gaudy frippery and artificial courtesy of modern times. Voltaire, in his Letters on the English Nation, has some curious remarks on the Quakers; but in certain particulars they deem themselves calumniated by that satirical writer. At Ackworth they have a respectable school, to which (a great and good man) Dr. Fothergill left legacies, and where about one hundred and eighty boys, and one hundred and twenty girls, are educated. Towards the close of the sixteenth century, William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania, introduced and established a large and flourishing colony of them in America. His treaty with the Indians on that occasion, has formed an admirable subject for the

pencil, and reflects immortal honour on his memory.

In addition to the treatises mentioned, written by the Friends, the reader is referred to the Recorder, by William Matthews of Bath, in two volumes 12mo. But the publication, perhaps, most deserving attention, is Clarkson's Portraiture of Quakerism, in three volumes, 8vo. the second edition of which is just published. It is pleasingly written, and contains much information respecting them. Some, indeed, are inclined to think that the society is here described, rather as they ought to be, than as they are; but the reader is recommended to the perusal of the work itself, when he will have it in his power to form his own judgment respecting its justness and fidelity. Certain it is that the publication. is a great favourite with the Friends, and they are no doubt much indebted to the worthy author for having given so full and minute an account of them.

I have thus endeavoured to state at some length the doctrines and views of Quakerism, because its advocates have been subjected to gross misrepresentations. Many have said they are a species of Deists, exalting their natural light above the scripture, which some of them have called a dead letter; others have deemed them a kind of Enthusiasts, violently enslaved by their impulses and feelings; whilst a third class have

1

considered them, notwithstanding their profes sions respecting the spirit as worldly-minded, eagerly intent on the acquisition of property, and thus commanding the good things of this present world. Persons, who entertain any of these opinions concerning them, will perceive from the above account, that though their sentiments are very peculiar, as are also their manners, yet we have every reason to suppose them sincere in their professions, and upon the whole, steadily governed by the prospects of another world. Allowances ought to be made for human infirmity. Nor must we expect, from man more than it is in his power to perform. Every individual of every sect has an indubitable right to form his own opinions on religious subjects: and let him freely indulge those opinions which (however absurd in the eyes of others) may to him appear consonant to truth, whilst he holds sacred the peace and happiness of society.

METHODISTS,

BOTH CALVINISTIC AND ARMINIAN.

THE Methodists in this country form a large part of the community. In the year 1729, they sprang up at Oxford, under Mr. Morgan (who soon after died) and under Mr. John Wesley. In

the month of November, of that year, the latter being then fellow of Lincoln College, began to spend some evenings in reading the Greek New Testament along with Charles Wesley, student, Mr. Morgan, commoner, of Christ Church, and Mr. Kirkman, of Merton College. Next year, two or three of the pupils of Mr. John Wesley, and one pupil of Mr. Charles Wesley, obtained leave to attend these meetings. Two years after, they were joined by Mr. Ingham, of Queen's College, Mr. Broughton, of Exeter, and Mr. James Hervey; and in 1735, they were joined by the celebrated Mr. Whitfield, then in his eighteenth year. They soon obtained the name of Methodists, from the exact regularity of their lives; which gave occasion to a young gentleman of Christ Church, to say,-" Here is a new sect of Methodists sprung up!" alluding to a sect of ancient physicians, who practised medicine by method or regular rules, in opposition to quackery or empiricism. Thus was the term Methodists originally applied to this body of Christians, on account of the methodical strictness of their lives; but is indeed now, by some, indiscriminately appropriated to every individual who manifests a more than ordinary concern for the salvation of mankind.

These heads differing soon afterwards in religious sentiments, their respective followers dis

tributed themselves into two parties; the one under Mr. George Whitfield, the other under Messrs. John and Charles Wesley. Educated at Oxford, these leaders still continued to profess an attachment to the articles and liturgy of the established church, though they more commonly adopted the mode of worship which prevails among the Dissenters. Upon their being excluded from the pulpits in many churches, they took to preaching in the fields; and from the novelty of the thing, in conjunction with the fervour of their exertions, they were attended by some thousands of people! In their public labours, Mr. Whitfield having a most sonorous voice, was remarkable for an engaging and powerful eloquence; whilst Mr. John Wesley, being less under the influence of his passions, possessed, both in writing and preaching, a perspicuous and commanding simplicity. Even their enemies confess that they contributed in several places to reform the lower classes of the community. The colliers at Kingswood, near Bristol, and the tinners in Cornwall, were greatly benefited by their exertions. In consequence of their attention to the religion of Jesus, by the instrumentality of these preachers, many of them rose

to a degree of respectability, and became valuable members of society. The followers of Mr. Wesley are Arminians, though some of his