THE PASSING OF THE QUAKERS.

The Quakers, a sect of Christians founded in England by George Fox about the middle of the 17th century, were first known as Professors of the Light, or Children of the Light, from their fundamental principles. They soon adopted the name of The Religious Society of Friends, by which they are always known among themselves.

The origin of the name, Quakers, is not known; it is believed by some that it was given them in derision, because they often trembled under the awful sense of the Infinite purity and Majesty of God;- and by others because they were said to quake when brought before Magistrates; but however the name originated it became the name by which they were known in all parts of the world. The founders did not profess to have discovered new truths or to have established a new creed, only to carry out in practice what they believed to be the teachings of the New Testament, in a word, they were orthodox in their belief; it was the nonessentials of their religion which they so strenuously adhered to, that made them Quakers. I will name some of them; they denounced the insufficiency of all forms and ceremonies of religion; denied the necessity of any especial education to teach or preach; denounced paid ministers; declared it to be a sin to pay tithes; ; denounced war, and urged upon all to refuse to do military duty.