This they did, because they considered them like the word you, as remnants of ancient flattery, derived from the papal and anti-christian ages; and because these words still continued to be considered as tides of flattery, that puffed up people in their own times.

Howell, who was before quoted on the pronoun thou, is usually quoted by the Quakers on this occasion also.

He states in his history, that "sir and madam were originally names given to none, but the king, his brother, and their wives, both in France and England.

Yet now the ploughman in France is called sir and his wife madam; and men of ordinary trades in England sir, and their wives dame, which is the legal title of a lady, and is the same as madam in French.

So prevalent hath pride and flattery been in all ages, the one to give, and the other to receive respect" The Quakers banished also the word master, or mister as it is now pronounced, from their language, either when they spoke concerning any one, or addressed any one by letter.