Here it is:-- "We danced for near an hour, several turned round like tops, and, to crown all, I had a gift to speak in some other language; but the greatest misfortune was, that neither I, nor any other, understood what I said." My reader will not be surprized after this, at hearing them say, that the spectators of "these signs and wonders," instead of being properly affected, considered the performers as "out of their wits." Let us, now, compare this account with what Paul says upon similar subjects, in the 14th chapter of the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians.

He advises them, in exercising their gifts, to a discreet use of them, as follows:--"He who speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God, for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." Again: "For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to battle?
So, likewise, unless ye utter by the tongue words to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken, for ye will speak to the air ?" And as others did not understand the Corinthians speaking in unknown tongues, so it seems, too, that the Corinthians themselves were in the same unfortunate predicament with the Shakers, in not knowing the meaning of what they themselves said on these occasions.

This is clear from this argument of Paul:--"Wherefore, let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue, pray that he may interpret." Why, pray that he may interpret, if he understood himself?
Does a man who speaks with understanding a foreign language, need to pray that he may be enabled to interpret what he says in his mother tongue?
Surely every man who understands himself, can naturally do this?
After more to the same purpose, Paul wisely concludes his argument by declaring, "that he would rather speak in the church five words with understanding, (i.e., knowing what he said) that he might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue." And he fortifies his reasoning by this sensible remark, "If, therefore, the whole church come together into one place, and all speak in unknown tongues, and those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, come in, will they not say, that ye are mad ?" as the spectators said of the Shakers.
He advises them, therefore, to conduct their assemblies with less uproar than formerly, and exhorts them as follows:--"How is it, then, brethren, when you come together, hath each of you a psalm, hath he a doctrine, hath he an unknown tongue, hath he a revelation?
Let all things be done to edifying.

Now, if any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at most by three, and that in succession, and let one interpret; but if there be no interpreter, let such keep silence in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern.