With regard to the Methodists, although as a body, I do not think they have by any means gone thus far in declension-yet I am far from supposing that all its members are in a state of compleat moral stability-the society is composed of persons of various states, characters, and conditions; most of whom I believe it may be said in truth, are aiming at improvement-but perhaps not all-In such a large and mixed body, gathered chiefly from the lower classes of the people-no reasonable person can expect a uniform character-some amongst them are weak and ignorant-and some who are better informed than these, are exposed by their professions to many dangers; from which the Quaker is saved by the indulgence of the legislature, or the peculiar constitutions of his church- The Methodist system, so far

as I have had opportunity of observing it, (and I have been no idle spectator) does not attempt to take any man out of his particular situation and employment—but labors to make the most of him, in that department, in which it found him-This circumstance considered, it is evident that the Methodist system, labors under disadvantages for the improvement of the moral character, which the Quaker system does not the latter has also the advantage of a competent property, for the maintenance of its poor, and for the education of its offspring—but of these sources of moral and social improvement, the Methodist is for the most part destitute-Can it be therefore expected, that a body of men composed of all classes of the people, (a great number of whom are looked down upon, as the refuse of society by the great—

and who labor under the complicated evils of ignorance, poverty, previous ill habits, and divers dangerous professions,) should all at once, jump into the perfect morality of the gospel? the expectation as I observed before, is as contrary to reason, as it is to the usual course of things but although the system has not the virtue of transforming as in a moment all who touch it-it does I believe upon the whole, (and without exaggeration,) as an appointed instrument of Providence, work a gradual change for the better, in those who from principle adhere to its institutions-and that these are much the larger number of its professors, the general piety and morality of the Methodist societies, warrant me to believe That the Methodists are now more peculiarly the people of God, than the Quakers, I am also warranted to believe; not only from the motives with which they are supposed to enter the connexion, and the evidences with which I have been furnished of the indisputable piety of many; but from their continuing to have a share of the reproach of the gospel-It is not now with the Methodist, as it is for the most part with the modern Quaker-the companions of the latter, as they account him a good fellow so they will for the most part, say nothing to the few considerate Quakers, who might notice his vices-but will in all probabity speak of him, as one of the best kind of men in the world, should they speak of him to such characters at all-this will be their sentiment, and with the world at large it will probably be received without scruple, so long as he manages his vices with prudence, keeps them subject to the supreme pursuit of

his business-and divides his good things with those, who rule the roast--Should a Swadler however, venture to take the same sort of liberty--should he be tempted to break his word, take ai: unhandsome advantage of his neighbor-get drunk at a party, or get his servant maid with child-and yield to any one, or all of these temptations-how long may it be supposed will the world conceal his downfall? why in all probability, until the very first opportunity of publishing it--such an unfortunate man may expect nothing less, than to bring reproach upon the whole body of which he was a member-he may expect to be the talk of his neighborhood, and the laugh of almost every table-and perhaps it is well, that the world thus resents his misconduct-its resentment may proceed from a secret principle of malignity, but no matter-even from this evil also, good may be extracted!-may the war continue-for when peace is made, the Swadlers religion will have become a farce; and some poor despised fool, may be sent to the battlements of his church, to proclaim its downfall!

I will notice here, for it is my wish to do every people justice that there continues within the pale of the Quaker society in Ireland, notwithstanding the growth of many evils, a few individuals, who are ornaments to the christian profession; and a considerable number who although apparently lukewarm as to religion, and with but few conspicuous marks of the charity of the gospel,

*Swadler, like the name of Quaker, in the beginning, bas been given to the Methodists in this country, as a mark of contempt.

have nevertheless an orderly appearance, in the view of men-I believe the religion of their forefathers and mine, was an emanation from the right source; but abused as that religion is now, of which a series of facts, which I have seen, heard, and felt, have long convinced me; I think upon the whole that the religion of the Methodists, is now better adapted to help the world at large→→ and that upon the whole, it does now produce, whe conscientiously received and acted upon, a much more general and extensive, although in some partial instances a less deep and permanent morality.

HINTS

FOR THE

TREATMENT of EXCOMMUNicated perSONS.

When a member becomes refractory by non-conformity, whether to the wholesome laws of the church, or to the temper of its ruling members-or whether he betrays a want of wisdom in the management of his vices; so that he can neither conceal them from the public eye, nor acquire a sufficient stock of wealth to give them credit; why then to be sure, you cannot in decency avoid excommunicating him-so far any observations upon the mode of treating him, are almost useless--but after the church bull has been issued; seeing that two heads are wiser than one, permit me to put mine close to

yours and with our eyes full bent upon the object of pursuit, contrive the best mode of punishing his rebellion, or of pouring contempt upon his folly.

;

And first, if the offender be a man of wealth or influence, whatever his imprudence, it may be necessary to treat him with great delicacy-if it is by any means consistent with your honor, substitute a private record, or an impressive admonition, in the room of a public bull because such a bull let loose upon a great man, might raise a country-side in arms, against its devastationsbut independent of this, even in the bosom of the church, a public excommunication might meet with opposition— for the offender might happen to have a brother-in-law, or cousin-german, a chief ruler-and this brother-in-law or cousin-german, might have been under temporal obligations to him, by which means his interest will be secured in the council-or which is a possible case, the offender's sister or aunt, may be the wife of a chief ruler, and may be still a greater ruler than her husband-nor let the church smile at this, as an impossible thing-for 'tis no secret, that a woman has sometimes ruled her house, her husband, and even the church itself-but this the Reader unacquainted with human life, may think extraordinary-his surprize, however, does not alter the course of nature-Kingdoms and Empires have been governed by women-and it is thought, that even the sanctuary itself, from the church that tops the neighboring hill, to the humble meeting-house below it in the valley, has not always been free from their influence

But to resume my cautionary hints-for the reasons