INTRODUCTION

IT may be proper to inform the reader that the controversy which has given rise to the following essay was originated by Asa Rand, a professed minister of the gospel, in Gorham, Maine, who, not content with performing the duties of such an office (if indeed he is qualified, and is sensible of what his duties are) voluntarily stepped aside and attacked and grossly misrepresented the principles and practice of his innocent and unoffending neighbours. This he did in two sermons which were published in the year 1817. Such parts

of them as related to the society of Friends, and which were deemed worthy of any notice, were replied to by Edward Cobb, in a small tract published soon after. Since which, Rand has made a feint at rejoining to Cobb's remarks; which however he has touched but very slightly. Instead of which, he has branched out in a new publication calling in question the prin ciples and practices of this society much more extensively; and in doing it has added misrepresentation to misrepresentation.

To clear the principles and practices of this society so far as he has attempted to implicate them, is the design of the following sheets. How far this is done the candid reader is left to judge.

It may not be amiss however briefly to state, that this writer has endeavoured to impugn the tenets of this society in these particulars, A want of giving due credence to the Holy Scriptures.

To their disuse of

outward ordinances. To their undervaluing the character and office of Jesus Christ. To their professed belief in a divine principle immediately operating upon the human heart. To their not holding to the resurrection of the body, and to their not being correct in their belief in the necessity of repentance and regeneration. He has also suggested that they do not explicitly hold to future rewards and punishments. All of which, as well as others not enumerated, have been the themes of former adversaries, and have been repeatedly and it is believed effectually answered by our predecessors in the same faith.

It was more excusable in those, who, in the early part of the existence of our society, made these invidious attacks, because, those vindications and explicit statements of our principles, which have since been so fully made, were not then before the public: but that they should be reiterated and again retailed out by Asa Rand, who might and ought to have known that they had been refuted more than a century ago, is just cause of regret as well as animadversion.

Friendly Reader, It may be thought that I have treated him with too much asperity; but whatever excess of feeling I may appear to have indulged, I am persuaded, whoever reads his publication, will be satisfied that I had much to suppress, and will therefore make proper allowances, for had I suppressed more I might have have felt myself guilty of what I have imputed to him, viz. fallacious pretences, in undertaking to give his performance the colour of "friendly debate," and then filling it with unnecessary imputations and sarcasms; such as "the holy duty of 'quaking,' pretended new revelations," &c. &c. besides the

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indelicacy he has aimed at others, as I presumed not connected with Friends, and which I have therefore passed without much notice. I have also passed unnoticed much extraneous matter for brevity sake that might be considered as applied to them. After these remarks I submit it to the reader for a candid perusal.

It was not my original intention to publish the following work, but on submitting it to the inspection of some of my friends with a view to a limited circulation in manuscript, they encouraged me to lay it before the public; and it now appears with some alterations of the original manuscript and the addition of further extracts from the writings of some of our ancient friends, &c.

SAMUEL F. HUSSEY.

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BRIEF EXAMINATION, &c.

CHAPTER I.

Miscellaneous Remarks on the first and second chapter of the "Vindication."

Soon after Rand's publication, I had an opportunity of perusing and observing the unjust and illiberal insinuations it contains, even in his introduction, where he presumes to insinuate the neglect of the scriptures as a consequence of the belief that God is able and does condescend to teach his people himself, agreeably to Christ's promise, "they that seek shall find," saying, "if ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy spirit to them that ask him." Luke xi. 13. I have no design of doing more than to notice some of the inconsistencies and errors in his publication. I shall not attempt a thorough investigation of all I esteem such, as that would require an extensive volume.

First. I would ask any person of common under. standing if he can believe in his flattering pretensions, that, "he would not, even in his own vindication, as a minister of Christ, state any thing to the disadvantage of others, farther than appears fully necessary; and I would not in this connection bring any thing into view which might prevent friends or others who may read