This precise attention to particularities is considered as little better than the worshipping of lifeless forms, and is usually called by the world the idolatry of the Quaker-dress.
This charge, if it were true, would be serious indeed.

It would be serious, because it would take away from the religion of the Quakers one of its greatest and best characters.

For how could any people be spiritually minded, who were the worshippers of lifeless forms?
It would be serious again, because it would shew their religion, like the box of Pandora, to be pregnant with evils within itself.

For people, who place religion in particular forms, must unavoidably become superstitious.

It would be serious again, because if parents were to carry such notions into their families, they would produce mischief.