Neither has the discipline of the Quakers a less tendency to the production of the trait in question.  For the business, which is transacted in the monthly and quarterly and yearly meetings, is transacted under the deliberations of grave and serious men, who consider themselves as frequently under the divine influence, or as spiritually guided on such occasions.  In such assemblies it would be thought strange if any sentiment were uttered, which savoured of expediency in opposition to moral right.  The youth therefore, who are present, see no other determination of any question than by a religious standard.  Hence these meetings operate as schools, in which they are habituated to reason upon principle, and to the exclusion of all worldly considerations, which may suggest themselves in the discussion of any point.

CHAP.  VII.

A fifth trait is, that they have an extraordinary independence of mind—­This probable, because the result of the farmer trait—­because likely to be produced by their discipline—­by their peculiar custom—­and by their opinions on the supposed dignity of situations in life—­because again, they are not vulnerable by the seduction of governments—­or by the dominion of the church—­or by the power of fashion and of the opinion of the world.

The next trait, conspicuous in the character of the Quakers, and which is nearly allied to the former, is that of independence of mind.

This trait is of long standing, having been coeval with the society itself.  It was observed by Cromwell, that “he could neither win the Quakers by money, nor by honours, nor by places, as he could other people.”  A similar opinion is entertained of them at the present day.  For of all people it is generally supposed that they are the least easily worked upon, or the least liable to be made tools or instruments in the bands of others.  Who, for example, could say, on any electioneering occasion, whatever his riches might be, that he could command their votes?

There will be no difficulty in believing this to be a real feature in the character of the Quakers.  For when men are accustomed to refer matters to their reason, and to reason upon principle, they will always have an independence of mind, from a belief that they are right.  And wherever it be a maxim with them not to do evil that good may come, they will have a similar independence from a consciousness, that they have never put themselves into the power of the world.  Hence this independence of mind must be a result of the trait explained in the former chapter.

But in looking into the constitution of the Quakers, we shall find it full of materials for the production of this noble trait.

Their discipline has an immediate tendency to produce it.  For in no community does a man feel himself so independent as a man.  A Quaker is called upon in his own society to the discharge of important offices.  He sits as a representative, a legislator, and a judge.  In looking round him, he finds all equal in privileges, but none superior, to himself.