52
should be allowed to indulge the predilectionsofhis
genius; and a private meeting of the Friends was ap-
pointed to be holden at his father's house, at which
the youth himself was requested to be present,
in
order to receive, in form, the assent and blessing
of the Society. On the day of meeting, the great
room was put in order, and :1 numerous company
of both sexes assembled. Benjamin was placed
men and women
the
his f'ather, and
by
thei r
took
respective
some time
forms on
in silence,
each side. After sitting
one of the women rose and
addressed the meeting on the wisdom of God, and
the
various
occasions
which
selected
He
from
among His creatures the agents of His goodness.
When she had concluded her exhortation, John
VVilliamson also rose, and in a speech than which,
Perhaps,
the
porticos
of Athens
never resounded
with
more
impressive oratory,
the
he resumed
topic which
had
been
the
subject
of
his
Former
address.
He began by observing that it was fixed
as one of their indisputable maxims, that things
merely ornamental were not necessary to the
well-being of man, and that all superfluous things
should be excluded from the usages and manners
of their society. " In this proscription, we have,