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Beyond Penn's Treaty

Journal of Joshua Evans

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a worldly Spirit, & mention it's weakening effects in leading to the
vain customs of the World in dress &c: I was led on this oc-
casion to speak plain, and closely urge my friends to a proper
attention to this advice, with other matters recommended; It appear'd
evident to me that giving way to fleshly ease, and a worldly Spi-
rit, was the ground cause of a defection in our Society, & a depar-
ture from that Simplicity which the dictates of the blessed Truth,
if strictly observed, would lead into. Some of the rich can scarce-
ly bear this kind of doctrine, especially Parents; The Children
sometimes appear most tender. -- I had also to express my fears
respecting the dangerous consequence of friends mixing with others
in promoting a School at Haddonfield

for instructing Youth in the
French Language: as it might be a snare to entangle some of
the dear Youth, & expose them to the Company of those of a loose
conduct &c. Tho' some seemed to disapprove of my freedom in this
respect, several both Old and young united with my Sentiments.

12th.

I was at Woodberry Monthly Meeting

: where a worldly spirit
was again treated on, with its' effects: I opened my Sentiments on what
relates to extortion; and had to advise my friends not to seek the largest
Prices when they were about to sell, Meat or other produce, especially to
those in low circumstances: This appear'd to be a low time: and I was
afraid my friends in this place had lost ground.

18th.

At our Meeting

lately we had the company of four friends who were
Ministers,