“I do confess to finding the Quakers a most peculiar people,” he went on.
Peculiar wasn’t exactly the glowing report I’d hoped for, but it would do for now, especially after the run-in with William Goodwin this afternoon.
“Are you familiar with their beliefs?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, no. The majority of my acquaintances in England are Anglican with an occasional Catholic here and there. At one time I knew a fellow who took up with the Baptists, but England was too corrupt for his taste and he immigrated to the Colonies.”
“We get a lot of that sort here,” I said, while attempting to take his queen in a failed gambit.
Though I had never actually been out of the Colonies, there was no shortage of stories circulating about the moral degradation currently spreading like the plague across Europe. Mothers would use them to warn their daughters against wicked young men waiting to lure them into a life of sin. Ministers loved the topic and ranted for hours against the Old World and the rampant vice that festered on all levels of society. At social gatherings, ladies would huddle in thick knots to recount the latest news from across the ocean, whispering together and wringing their hands for the sorry state of our European cousins. Some of these stories had grown really quite shocking, making it difficult to believe everything one heard nowadays. But it was religion in Pennsylvania rather than England that we needed to discuss tonight.
“I imagine they seem peculiar to someone unfamiliar with their ways, but Quakers make up half of Hopewell’s population. A basic understanding of their faith is necessary if you plan to get along at all while you’re here. One of the first things most outsiders notice is their refusal to use proper titles when addressing each other.”
He stopped studying the board and looked at me. “Then how do they distinguish one’s station?”
“Quakers view titles as manmade conventions, created only to divide the classes and place one person above another. In their eyes everyone is equal and there’s no reason to perpetuate a system that falsely valuates a man’s worth.”
“And what do you think? Do you support this notion?”
“To a point. When addressing non-Quakers I still use such titles as ‘Mister’ and ‘Mistress,’ but only as a common courtesy and not a means of distinguishing rank.”
“So my wife is no respecter of persons, and all men are the same in her eyes.” He gave me a wry smile, bordering on a smirk. “Selah Kilbrid, Mistress of Brighmor Hall, is equal to the chambermaid and the washerwoman. Do you really believe this?”
“Most of the time,” I said, ignoring his dubious tone. “Except on those occasions when conceit gets in the way. It can be tempting to inflate my own self-worth in comparison to those less fortunate. But wealth and rank are false indicators of a person’s true merit.”
“All rank, then? Even the peerage?”
“My goodness, Henry, the peerage is the worst of all. These titles of nobility are the most extreme case of man’s arrogance, and I quite support the Quakers in their refusal to recognize such a repressive system of hierarchy. Just because someone owns land and wears fine clothing doesn’t mean he needs a special title. You might as well call him Lord Pompous or the Duke of High and Mighty and have it done with.”
He frowned in response to my rather pointed opinion. “That is quite a declaration. And if all Quakers share this sentiment, it’s no wonder they were ill received in England. It may sound good in theory to say all men are equal, but in practice such a system is impossible. There will always be those on top meant to lead and those on the bottom meant to follow.”
I bit my tongue to keep from pointing out the irony of his words, given his own situation. “I know this may be uncomfortable after living under a more formal system, but it’s best to try instead of going about causing offense.”
“Very well,” he said resignedly. “Please continue with the lesson.”
“Their lack of titles can be confusing when introductions are in order, especially in a group of people from various faiths. If the person is introduced exclusively by their first and last name, then you know they’re Quaker, and it’s considered polite to respond in kind. If any type of title is added to the name, such as Master or Mistress, then they are from another faith and the same rules apply as in England. This holds true for most occasions, except for people who may attend Quaker meeting, but haven’t actually been read into the membership yet, like both Mary Finney and myself. Mary was raised Catholic, but has taken a liking to the Quakers, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she was to join. Until that time she will continue to call me Mistress.” My thoughts were becoming increasingly distracted from the game, and soon enough Henry had captured both of my bishops.