SOCIETY OF FRIENDS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY: A HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE SUCCESSIVE CONVULSIONS AND SCHISMS THEREIN DURING THAT PERIOD. BY WILLIAM HODGSON. い "I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer, O vine of Sibmah! The spoiler VOL. I. PHILADELPHIA: FOR SALE BY SMITH, ENGLISH & CO., 710 ARCH STREET: AND BY THE AUTHOR, 103 N. TENTH ST., OR 1411 N. ELEVENTH ST. 1875. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, BY WILLIAM HODGSON, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. SHERMAN & CO., PRINTERS. DEFENCE of pure gospel truth, though not consistent with latitudinarianism, is yet entirely compatible with true liberality of feeling and Christian charity. The maintenance, too, of sound Christian doctrine, is more intimately connected with the conduct of a holy life, than is by many, in these days, duly appreciated. Not that a holy life and divine acceptance may not be attained, with nevertheless an ignorance, more or less, of facts on which sound doctrine is declared, or with an imperfect view of some of the great truths of the gospel through defects of education, or the influence of partial associations. Far otherwise. The grace of God is offered to all without respect of persons, to "every kindred, tongue, and nation," learned or ignorant as to this world's wisdom. Yet few will deny that even “the man of God” may be assisted in his path toward perfection of obedience, and be more thoroughly furnished unto all good works," while holding fast to the very truths of the gospel, to the very “form of sound words," as recorded for our "instruction in righteousness" by the holy men of old who wrote as they were moved of the Holy Ghost. And it is believed to be a truth beyond gainsaying, that the nearer any man lives to the Source of all purity and holiness, the further will he be from any willingness to deny, or to oppose, or even to disparage the great and all-important truths or doctrines of the Christian religion, respecting matters connected with the salvation of the soul. And on the other hand, the further men depart from this "form of sound words," after having once known the way of truth, the more (with few exceptions, if any) will laxity of life and coldness of spirit, if not rebellion against the grace of God, characterize |