But as soon as the ends of their institution were lost, or they were used without any appropriate feeling of the heart, they became empty civilities, and little better than mockery or grimace.
The customs of this sort, which obtained in the time of George Fox, were similar to those, which are now in use on similar occasions.

People pulled off their hats, and bowed, and scraped with their feet.

And these things they did, as marks of civility, friendship, or respect to one another.
George Fox was greatly grieved about these idle ceremonies.

He lamented that men should degrade themselves by the use of them, and that they should encourage habits, that were abhorrent of the truth.

His feelings were so strong upon this subject, that he felt himself called upon to bear his testimony against them.