The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.-1 Cor. iv. 20. SECOND AMERICAN, FROM THE SEVENTH LONDON EDITION. NEW YORK: WILLIAM WOOD & COMPANY, 27 GREAT JONES STREET. 1880. CONTENTS PAGE V. On the Nature and Character of the Christian PREFACE. AMONG the arguments employed in the course of the following observations, there are some which are urged upon the attention of such persons, exclusively, as already possess an intimate knowledge of the character and circumstances of the Society of Friends. The present volume is, in fact, intended not so much for the information of the public in general, as for the use of the junior members of that Society. To these the essays contained in it may be considered to be addressed. I am persuaded that there are not a few of them who, although brought up in the Society, are not sufficiently informed respecting the religious principles by which it is distinguished; and who, perhaps, have soldom reflected, with accuracy, on the Christian and scriptural grounds of our several distinguishing views. It has fallen to my lot to be brought into familiar acquaintance with serious Christians of several denominations; and, although I enjoyed a birthright in the Society, my situation, after I had arrived at years of discretion, was of that nature which rendered it, in rather an unusual degree, incumbent upon me to make my own choice of a particular religious course. Under |