relations to us; and our calling the months and days of the week by their numerical names, instead of those which are derived from the heathen deities, &c. From these, and other erroneous and corrupt practices, the Spirit of Truth, in which we profess to believe, as guiding into all truth, led our predecessors in religious profession; and, we believe, still leads us, as we faithfully follow it. Our conduct in these respects is so well supported by the practices mentioned in holy writ, as well as by the simplicity and reasonableness of it, that I apprehend no one will deny its propriety, even if they will not allow it to be necessary.

The origin of applying the plural number to an individual, and of giving complimentary titles to one another, will, I suppose, be acknowledged, by those who have traced these things to their source, to have been vanity or pride. Besides this consideration, our practice of using the singular number to a single person, and of calling one another by the proper name, is both more correct and more perspicuous. This is also the case with respect to our names of days and months. Nevertheless, it is not by reason and propriety alone, that our conduct in these things may be supported; nor are these the grounds of our peculiar practice. Religion, if an attention to the examples and precepts recorded in the Holy Scriptures, has a claim to the name of religion, also justifies our conduct. It was, no doubt, in allusion to the complimentary, and not to the proper use, of the appellations of Rabbi, Father, and Master, that our Lord prohibited the practice among his followers. Speaking of the disposition of the Scribes and Pharisees, he says: "They love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi."* Then, addressing himself to the multitude and to his disciples, he adds: "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your master, even Christ ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon earth; for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters; for one is your Master, even Christ."+ The following expressions of Elihu, a pious young man mentioned in the book of Job, are also applicable to our present purpose : "Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person; neither let me give flattering titles

unto man; for I know not to give flattering titles: in so doing, my Maker would soon take me away."*

With respect to the use of the singular number to a single person, it is the uniform practice in the Holy Scriptures; and indeed in all other writings, to a period of time long posterior to that in which the last part of the Scriptures was written. It is not, therefore, to be expected, that any allusion to a contrary practice should be mentioned in them. We think, however, that we may consider our conduct, in this respect, consistent with that "form of sound words,"t recommended by Paul to Timothy.

The giving of the names of heathen deities &c. to days and months, is not only inconsistent with "the form of sound words" just mentioned; but also contrary to the spirit of the injunction given to the Israelites, as a preservative from contaminating themselves with idolatry: "In all things that I have said unto you, be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods; neither let it be heard out of thy mouth."* a It may also be remembered, that when the reformation of the Jews was foretold by the prophets, these amongst other things, were stated as a part: "I will take the name of Baalim out of her mouth;"+ "I will turn to the people a pure language;"‡ and "I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered."ş

There is another peculiarity in our conduct, on which it may be proper to say a few words. Our refusul to take off the hat, as a mark of respect to man, is generally known. The reason for this is, that it is a token of reverence enjoined and used, in our solemn approaches to the Supreme Being, when exercising the religious duties of preaching and prayer. On this account, and not from any disrespect to

■ See also Deut. xii. 3.

+ Hosea ii. 17.

* Exodus xxiii. 13.

Joshua xxiii. 7.

Ps. xvi. 4.

‡ Zephaniah iii. 9.

§Zechariah xiii. 2. The following lines are not inappli

cable to this subject :

"The Pagan page how far more wise than ours !
They with the gods they worship'd graced their song:
Our songs we grace with gods we disbelieve;
Retain the manners, but reject the creed."

HANNAH MORE.

H 3

our superiors, we think it right not to confound this solemn act of reverence to the Almighty, with the marks of respect to our fellow creatures. True civility and due respect may be better shown by conduct, than by compliment: and we are far from desiring to dismiss those social duties from our attention and regard.

Many are apt to plead general custom as a sanction to practices, which, were they impartially examined, would be acknowledged to be erroneous and improper: and it is to be regretted, that the professors of Christianity should retain so much that is inconsistent with its purity and simplicity. If these things cannot be styled "the weightier matters of the law," and we allow they cannot, yet, we believe, they may be considered as the externals of religion, and as things which we "ought not to leave undone."