For the author of the christian religion made use of parables on many and weighty occasions.
We cannot therefore condemn fictitious biography, unless it condemn itself by becoming a destroyer of morals.
The arguments against novels, in which the Quakers agree as a body, are taken from the pernicious influence they have upon the minds of those, who read them.
The Quakers do not say, that all novels have this influence, but that they have it generally.

The great demand for novels, inconsequence of the taste, which the world has shewn for this species of writing, has induced persons of all descriptions, and of course many who have been but ill qualified to write them.

Hence, though some novels have appeared of considerable merit, the worthless have been greatly preponderant.

The demand also has occasioned foreign novels, of a complexion by no means suited to the good sense and character of our country, to be translated into our language.

Hence a fresh weight has only been thrown into the preponderating scale.