Testimony concerning Hannah Chapman Backhouse (1787-1850):
It was early impressed upon her mind that it was her duty on all occasions to adopt the language and simple dress of a 'Friend'. She has been frequently heard to allude to this period of her experience; she did not make the change in a spirit of blind conformity, or as a mere matter of expediency; but after having reflected seriously on the basis of our practice in these respects: and her unswerving stability herein arose from her being deeply and thoroughly convinced that, as it regards plainness of speech, it had its origin in a righteous principle of truth-speaking and Christian integrity; and that our testimony against the vain and ever varying fashions of the times, in dress and other matters, is the result ... of that true liberty of soul in which the lowly disciple of Christ ... is led to manifest in all his conduct and demeanour that he has no desire to be conformed to this world.
Darlington Monthly Meeting, 1851
Next: 18.10
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