/£££.

RULES OF DISCIPLINE

YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS,

PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JEESEY, DELAWARE, AND
THE EASTERN PARTS OF MARYLAND:

BEVISED AND ADOPTED BT THE SAID MEETING,

HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, BY ADJOURNMENTS FROM THE
21st OF THE FOURTH, TO THE 26th OF THE
SAME INCLUSIVE, 1834.

gtmotyiii* ©flttfott.

PHILADELPHIA:
FOE SALE AT FEIENDS' BOOK STOEE,
304 ABCH STREET.
1873.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1834, by Joseph Rakestraw,
on behalf of the Yearly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia, &c, in the Clerk's
Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,
I, FAGAN * SON, STEREOTYPEES, PHLLADA.

INTRODUCTION.

A S it hath pleased the Lord in these latter days,
by his spirit and power, to gather a people to
himself; and, releasing them from the impositions
and teachings of men, to inspire them with degrees
of the same universal love and good-will by which
the dispensation of the gospel was ushered in —
these have been engaged to meet together for the
worship of G-od in Spirit, according to the direc
tion of the holy Lawgiver ; as also for the exercise
of a tender care over each other, that all may be
preserved in unity of faith and practice, answerable
to the description which He the ever-blessed Shep
herd gave of his flock: "By this shall all men
know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one
to another." John xiii. 35.
For this important end, and as an exterior hedge
of preservation to us, against the many temptations

VI INTRODUCTION.
and dangers, to which our situation in this world
exposes us, rules for the government of the Society
. have been made and approved from time to time,
and the following now form our code of discipline.
In the exercise whereof it is to be observed, that,
if any member be found in a conduct subversive of
its order, or repugnant to the religious principles
and testimonies "which we believe we are entrusted
with, for the promotion of truth and righteousness
in the earth, it becomes our indispensable duty to
treat with such, in meekness and brotherly com
passion, without unnecessary delay or improper
exposure ; according to the direction of our Lord
to his church: "If thy brother shall trespass
against thee, go and tell him his fault, between thee
and him alone : if he shall hear thee, thou hast
gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee,
then take with thee one or two more, that in the
mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may
be established. And if he shall neglect to hear
them, tell it unto the church ; but if he neglect to
hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen-
man and a publican." Matt, xviii. 15-17.
This is the extent of the Society's censure against
irreclaimable offenders, they are disowned as mem
bers, of our religious cojamonity ; whieJi ia reeom-

INTRODUCTION. vii
mended to be done in such a disposition of mind,
as may convince them, that we sincerely desire
their recovery and restoration, considering our
selves, lest we also be tempted. Gal. vi. 1.
For the more regular and effectual support of
this order of the Society, beside the usual meetings
for the purpose of Divine worship, others are insti
tuted ; such as, First, Preparative meetings, which
are subordinate to the Monthly, and commonly con
sist of the members of a meeting for worship : Sec
ond, Monthly meetings, each of which commonly
consists of several Preparative meetings, all subor
dinate to the Quarterly Meeting : Third, Quarterly
meetings, each of which consists of several of the
Monthly meetings ; it and its branches being under
the direction of the Yearly Meeting, which embrac
ing the whole, its decisions are obligatory upon all.
These meetings have all distinct allotments of
service ; and as experience shows, that when this
service is attended to in uprightness and dedication
of heart, with a single eye to the honour of our
Holy Head, and the help and edification of one
another, in the love wherewith He has loved us,
our assemblies are often favored with his aid and
direction; Friends are affectionately desired and
exhorted, to be diligent in the attendance of them ;

VH1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
and when met, humbly seek to be clothed with the
spirit of wisdom and charity : this will divest the
mind of a dependance on our own strength and
abilities, endue us with patience and condescension
toward each other ; and being preserved in fellow
ship agreeably to our Lord's declaration, " One is
your master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren,"
a qualification will be experienced in our several
stations and movements, to build up one another
in that faith, which works by love to the purify
ing of the heart.
So may we be living members of the Church-
militant on earth; and inhabitants of that city
which hath foundations, whose maker and builder
the Lord is ; knowing indeed with exceeding joy
that great is He the Holy One of Israel in the
midst of her.

RULES OF DISCIPLINE.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
IT is the sense of this meeting, that offenders.
inclining to make acknowledgment of their
offences, do prepare the same in writing, and if, on
consulting the overseers or other judicious Friends,
the purport appears suitable to the occasion, and
the situation of the party will admit of it, he or
she may present it to the meeting in person, and
stay till it is read ; when, after time given for a
solid pause, the applicant should withdraw before
that or any other business is proceeded upon. The
meeting is then to consider the case, and when a
conclusion is come to, appoint two or more Friends
to inform the party thereof. — 1743, 1806.
When a disowned person removes out of the
verge of the meeting which disowned him or her,
and applies thereto for reinstatement, acknowledg
ing his or her error, and if by reason of the dis
tance the applicant cannot be conveniently treated
with in person, the said meeting may correspond
with the Monthly Meeting within the compass of
which he or she resides, and inquire into his or her
9

10 APPEALS. ¦
fitness for membership ; and ifsatisfaction on that
head is received, a certificate for such person,
directed to the said Monthly Meeting, may be
forthwith sent, acknowledging him or her as a
member of our Society. — 1806.
As it may not always be necessary that papers
of acknowledgment should contain a recifcal of the
occasion of disownment as specified in the testimo
nies of denial, it is agreed that Monthly meetings
be left to their discretion in this respect ; and that
neither testimonies of denial nor acknowledgments
be read a^the close of our public meetings for wor
ship.— 1806.
If a Monthly and Quarterly Meeting unite in
believing that the offering of a person who had
been married to the husband of a deceased sister,
(the husband being also deceased,) proceeds from a
ground of sincerity and real religious concern, they
are left at liberty to accept it. — 1810.

4 m > * >

I

APPEALS.
F any persons think themselves aggrieved by
the judgment of a Monthly Meeting in his or
her case, and a copy of the minute or testimony
of such judgment having been delivered to them,
which is always to be as soon after its issue as
may be convenient, they may then notify the first

APPEALS. 11
or second Monthly Meeting immediately succeed
ing, but no other, of their intention of appealing
to the ensuing Quarterly Meeting : which notifica
tion, the Monthly Meeting should enter on its min
utes, and appoint four or more Friends to attend
the Quarterly Meeting with that, and copies of the
minutes of the Monthly Meeting relative to the
case, signed by the clerk, or if the appellant is a
female, by the clerks of both meetings ; which
notification of the appeal, and the minute appoint
ing the committee (or respondents) is, after the
representatives have been called, then to be read.
Whereupon the Quarterly Meeting is to appoint a
solid, judicious committee, consisting of not less
than eight, nor more than twelve Friends, who
are to be taken either equally out of the Monthly
Meetings, or in such proportion as the Quarterly
Meeting may deem most equitable, but none out
of the Monthly Meeting from whom the appeal
comes. No member of a Monthly Meeting ap
pealed against, nor any appellant is to be at liberty
to take any part in nominating the committee of
the Quarterly Meeting. After the nomination has
taken place, the names of the proposed committee
shall be read in the presence of the appellant, and
the respondents appointed on behalf of the Monthly
Meeting, and each party shall be allowed to object
to any of the committee, not exceeding three re
spectively. The places of the Friends who have
been thus objected to, shall be supplied by a fresh

12 APPEALS.
nomination ; which nomination shall be final. A
time and place for their meeting shall now be fixed,
of which due notice being given to the parties con
cerned, the appellant is to withdraw from the meet
ing. The committee when met, shall proceed upon
the business referred to them, and the appellant
shall be heard in support of the grounds of his or
her dissatisfaction, and afterwards the respondents
in reply, showing the reasons whereon the judg
ment of the Monthly Meeting was founded, until
both parties have been fully and fairly heard : all
this in the presence of each other. If either of the
parties concerned in an appeal, when stating or re
plying to the case, shall digress into irrelevant mat
ter, the committee should stop such proceeding,
and require that the subjpet of the appeal be stead
ily kept, to : and no member of a committee by
which any appeal is heard, is to express in the
presence of the parties, or either of them, any
opinion on the subject or subjects at issue. The
parties, after having been fully heard, shall with
draw, previously to the committee entering upon
the consideration of the case. The committee
then, carefully deliberating upon the business re
ferred to them, are to confirm or reverse the judg
ment of the Monthly Meetings, as on an impartial
just sense shall appear to be right ; and when thev
have agreed in a judgment on the case, a report in
writing shall be prepared and signed as the report
of the committee, by all those so uniting in judg
ment.

APPEALS. 13
It is recommended that the purport of the writ
ten report of the committee, be simply the confirm
ing or annulling of the decision of the Monthly
Meeting ; and the judgment expressed in such re
port being adopted by the Quarterly Meeting, a
few Friends should be appointed to give early infor
mation thereof to the parties.
As it is possible there may be some who may
make an appeal against the judgment of a Monthly
Meeting without any just cause ; if on an impartial
investigation of the case, it shall be manifest to the
committee of the Quarterly Meeting, that the ap
pellant has really been guilty of a breach of our
discipline, for which he or she has been regularly
treated with and disowned, the said committee shall
confirm the judgment of the Monthly Meeting.
If an appellant shall believe that he or she is ag
grieved by the judgment of a Quarterly Meeting in
his or her case, he or she may appeal from such
judgment to the Yearly Meeting ; in which case
they shall give notice to the next Quarterly Meet
ing immediately succeeding, but no other, of their
intention to apply to the ensuing Yearly Meeting
for a further hearing ; the said Quarterly Meeting,
after recording such notification, is to appoint at
least three Friends to attend the Yearly Meeting
with copies of the records of both the Monthly and
Quarterly Meetings in the case, signed by their
clerks, and to act on behalf thereof. The Yearly
Meeting having received notice of the appeal in
2

14 APPEALS.
the reports of the Quarterly Meeting, is, upon such
day as it shall judge suitable, then to take up the
subject, whereof the appellant and the committee
or respondents of the Quarterly Meeting, are to
have due notice to attend accordingly.
The minutes of the Quarterly Meeting concerning
the appeal, being read in the presence of both par
ties, the meeting is to appoint a committee of two
Friends, taken out of each of the Quarters, (except
the one from which the appeal is brought,) to hear
and judge of the said appeal. No member of a
Quarterly Meeting appealed against, nor any appel
lant, is to take any part in nominating the com
mittee of the Yearly Meeting. After the nomina
tion has been made, the names of the proposed
committee shall be read in the presence of the
appellant and respondents, and each party shall be
allowed to object to any of the committee, not ex
ceeding four respectively ; the places of those thus
objected to shall be supplied by a fresh nomination,
which nomination shall be final, A time and place
shall now be fixed for their meeting while the par
ties are present, after which the appellant is to
withdraw from the meeting.
The committee and the parties being met, the
appellant shall be heard in support of his or her
objections, and afterwards the respondents in re
ply, in the presence of each other, until both par
ties have been fully and fairly heard. If either
of the parties concerned in an appeal, when stating

APPEALS. 1.3
or replying to the case, shall digress into irrelevant
matter, the committee should stop such proceeding,
and require that the subject of the appeal be stead
ily kept to : and no member of a committee by
which any appeal is heard, is to express in the
presence of the parties, or either of them, any opin
ion on the subject or subjects at issue. The com
mittee then, (the whole or not less than fifteen
being present,) carefully deliberating upon the busi
ness referred to them, are to confirm or reverse the
judgment of the Monthly and Quarterly Meeting,
as on an impartial just sense shall appear to be right.
And when they shall have agreed in a judgment
on the case, a report in writing shall be prepared
and signed by all those so uniting in judgment ;
which report being adopted by the Yearly Meeting,
the parties are to be informed thereof by a few
Friends deputed for that purpose.
If it should ever occur that a Monthly Meeting
has real cause to believe that it is aggrieved by the
decision of its respective Quarterly Meeting, it shall
have tbe right of bringing through the Quarter, its
situation to the Yearly Meeting, in order to its re
consideration and conclusion, under the same regu
lations as are provided in the cases of individuals.
In this recognition of the established right of
Monthly Meetings to appeal from the judgment
and determination of Quarterly Meetings, it is fer
vently desired, that the peace and harmony of re
ligious Society, as well as an adherence to our

16 APPEALS.
Christian principles-, may be carefully preserved:
and that Monthly Meetings be exceedingly cautious
and well assured of its necessity, before they pro
ceed so far ; clearly manifesting, that nothing short
of their sincere belief of the obligation to support
the cause and testimony of Truth, has led them to
such a very serious movement.
In all cases of appeal, whether to a Quarterly or
to the Yearly Meeting ; if the appellant does not
attend in person to prosecute. the appeal agreeably
to the foregoing rules and regulations, he or she
shall lose the right of appeal ; and the judgment
of the Monthly Meeting is thereby confirmed : un
less through sickness or some unavoidable cause,
he or she is prevented from being present, of which
the Quarterly or Yearly Meeting is to be fully satis
fied, before it agrees to a postponement of the ease.
When a Quarterly Meeting has become so re
duced as to consist of only two Monthly Meetings,
and an appeal is presented to its notice, it is to
make a minute thereof, and appoint a few Friends
to attend the Yearly Meeting with the minutes and
proceedings in the case, and to give the necessary
information to such committee as may be appointed
by the Yearly Meeting, duly to consider and deter
mine the same. — 1834.

ARBITRATIONS. 17

ARBITRATIONS.
TF occasions of differences arise between any of
-*- our members about their property, it is recom
mended that the parties proceed in the following
manner. Let the party who thinks him or herself
aggrieved, calmly and kindly request the other to
comply with the demand ; and, if this be disputed,
the complainant, or if he or she lives at too great
a distance, some Friend whom they may authorize,
should take with him one or two of the overseers,
or other discreet Friends, and in their presence re
peat the demand.
If this step also fails of the desired effect, the
parties should be advised to choose a suitable num
ber of Friends as arbitrators, and mutually engage
by bond, or other written instrument adapted to the
occasion, to abide by their determination. — 1719.
Should this proposal be acceded to, and arbitra
tors be accordingly chosen^ they ought, as speed
ily as circumstances will admit, to appoint time
and place, and attend to the business without un
necessary delay ; giving the parties a fair and full
hearing in the presence of each other, but listening
to neither of them apart, nor suffering their own
sentiments to be known abroad till they have fully
digested the subject, and come to a clear decision-,
which they should be careful to do within the time
on.
2*

18 ARBITRATIONS.
But, if either of the said parties shall refuse to
submit the matter in dispute to arbitrators; or,
when that is done, neglect to give his or her at
tendance when desired, without a sufficient rea
son being assigned ; or not abide by their award
when issued ; in either of those cases, the offender
should be complained of, through the overseers, to
the Preparative Meeting, and if needful, to the
Monthly Meeting of which he or she is a member ;
and if they cannot be brought to a due sense of
their error, the said meeting should declare its dis
union with them, unless such person make it evi
dent, to the satisfaction of the said meeting, or to
a committee thereof, that the award is erroneous
or unjust. In whieh case, the matter in dispute
may be referred either to the same, or other arbi
trators, as the meeting shall judge best ; and their
award shall be final. After which, if either of the
parties at variance prove so regardless of peace and
unity as not to acquiesce in such corrected deter
mination, the Monthly Meeting they belong to
should proceed to issue a testimony against him or
her so refusing.
Where arbitrators are at a loss for want of legal
knowledge, it may be proper for them, at the joint
expense of the parties, to take the opinion of counsel
learned in the law, in order to come at a proper
judgment in the matter referred to them. That
they may the better answer the end of their ap
pointment, and be helpful in conciliating the minds

- ARBITRATIONS. 19
of the parties, they ought not to consider them
selves as advocates for those by whom they are
chosen, but as men, whose duty it is to judge
righteously, fearing the Lord. They should, as
much as may be, shun all previous information
respecting the case ; or, having heard anything on
it, stand unbiassed thereby. — 1751.
They should reject no evidence nor witness pro
posed ; nor receive any but in the presence of both
parties ; and in their award, they need not assign
any reason for their determinations. — 1719.
And whereas there may be some circumstances
even in disputed matters, wherein the foregoing
wholesome method of proceeding cannot be complied
with ; such as, 1st. The party absconding, or leaving
the country with design to defraud his or her cred
itors ; or, 2d. That the going through the meet
ings, by the time it must necessarily take up,
might be a manifest damage to the creditor or
claimant, by other people's postponing him or her,
as in cases of apparent danger of bankruptcy, or the
party being overloaded with debts, and other credit
ors generally coming on ; or, 3d. That there may be
danger of future damage to such as submit thereto,
as in the case of executors, administrators, or trus
tees ; it may therefore be necessary, and it is advised,
that the Monthly Meeting where such cases happen,
do hold excused such as shall in the two first-men
tioned circumstances in this paragraph appear to
them to be really necessitated to proceed at law ;

20 ARBITRATIONS.
and in the latter case of executors, administrators,
or trustees, where it shall appear to the meeting
that our friendly way would be unsafe, such may
be permitted to have the matter tried at law, with
this caution, that the parties on both sides do be
have toward each other in brotherly love, decency,
and moderation, without anger or animosity, which
will be a becoming testimony even in courts, and
show that nothing but the nature of the case, and
our station in common with others, under the laws
of the land, bring any of us there. — 1719.
As it may sometimes occur that a member, either
through a misunderstanding of the business or from
an improper influence, may present a complaint
against another member ; the overseers, after fully
hearing both parties, and being decidedly of opin
ion that the case does not . require a reference, are
to- advise a speedy settlement thereof ; which being
ineffectual, and the complainant remaining dissat
isfied therewith, he may have liberty to inform the
Preparative Meeting where the other party is a
member, without mentioning any name, that hav
ing a matter in dispute with one of their mem
bers, he is desirous of their assistance in order to a
settlement thereof. The said meeting is then to
appoint a judicious committee to inquire into the
propriety of the matter being left to arbitration ;
if they should judge that the complaint ought to
be referred, they are to advise that it be submitted
accordingly : if either party refuses to comply with

BIRTHS AND BURIALS. 21
"this advice, the Monthly Meeting of which he or
she is a member, is, through its respective Prepara
tive Meeting, to be informed thereof, to take up the
case accordingly and endeavor to bring the busi
ness to a speedy issue, that our Christian testimony
to peace and concord may be duly maintained : but
if the committee of the Preparative Meeting, where
the assistance has been requested, concur in judg»
ment with the overseers, the complaint is to be
dismissed. — 1806.
It is desired that persons differing about worldly
affairs do as little as may be engage Friends in
the ministry as arbitrators in such cases. — 1751.

BIRTHS AND BURIALS.
AS those who attend burials may sometimes
come from far, and be in need of bodily re
freshment, it is earnestly advised that, when this
is really necessary, it may be with exemplary mode
ration ; and that Friends be careful in this and all
other respects, to demean themselves with gravity
and decency ; remembering that such seasons, espe
cially, ought never to be perverted into opportuni
ties for intemperance or levity. — 1719.
And it is desired that, where anything unbecom
ing appears, the offender may be tenderly admon-

22 BIRTHS AND BURIALS.
ished, that so everything tending to lessen the solem-«
nity of such occasions may be avoided.
It is recommended that one or more suitable
Friends of each particular meeting be appointed
by Monthly Meetings, to attend at funerals, to see
that good order is observed ; and that the corpse
be removed about an hour after the time set for
meeting at the house. — 1729.
Advised that Friends be careful themselves, and
discourage their children from attending the wor
ship of those who are not in communion with us,
and particularly at burials ; seeing that, in so do
ing, there is danger either of balking their testi
mony for the Truth, to the wounding of their own
minds, or giving unnecessary offence to their sober
neighbors. — 1711.
It is the sense of this meeting, that meetings
should not be appointed on account of the inter
ment in our burial grounds, of persons who are not
in membership with us ; and that invitations to
the burials of such who are not interred in our
burial grounds, should not be made in our religious
meetings. And also, that Friends be religiously
guarded in publishing invitations to the burials of
such not in membership with us, who are admitted
to be interred in our grave-yards. — 1792.
In order that meetings may not be held at the
interment of our deceased members, in a customary
or formal way, it is advised, that the proposal for
holding any such meeting be previously submitted

BIRTHS AND BURIALS. 23
to the consideration of the elders and overseers, or
other solid Friends, either of the meeting in the
compass of which the deceased resided, or of that
in which the interment is to take place, that the
counsel or mind of Truth may be waited for and
followed. — 1792.
To prevent the introduction of improper inter
ments among us, it is recommended that two or
more Friends be appointed to the care of our sev
eral burial grounds, by Preparative or Monthly
meetings, as the case may require, and that no per
son who is not in membership be buried therein,
without a permit in writing signed by one or two
of those Friends ; who should also take care, that
our burial grounds be properly enclosed, and kept
in decent order. — 1792.
It is further recommended, that at all interments,
time be allowed for a solemn pause, both before
and after the corpse is put into the ground.
It is the sense of this meeting, that no monu
ments either of wood or stone be affixed to graves
in any of our burial grounds; and if any yet re
main therein, that these be forthwith removed —
so that no cause of uneasiness on this account may
exist, or partiality be justly chargeable upon us. —
1706,1733. Friends are advised against imitating the vain
custom of wearing or giving mourning habits, and
all extravagant expenses about the interment of
the dead.

24

BIRTHS AND BURIALS.

As great inconvenience may arise from the want
of due attention to keeping a regular record of
births and deaths, it is earnestly enjoined on each
Monthly Meeting, that they appoint a careful
Friend, whose duty it shall be, in a book provided
for the purpose, at the Monthly Meeting's expense,
to keep a record of all births and deaths of mem
bers, that shall occur within their respective limits,
and which shall be offered to him for that purpose ;
and in order to engage the attention of Monthly
meetings more closely to this subject, it is further
enjoined, that an explicit answer be annually given
by Monthly to Quarterly meetings, and through
them to the Yearly Meeting, to the query, Whether
due care is taken to keep a regular record of births
and deaths? — 1757, 1806.
The form of the Record

Names of the
Children.

BIRTHS.

"When born.

Names of the
Parents.

Their
residence.

Occasional Notes.

BURIALS.

Names of the
deoeased.

When
deceased.

Age.

Where
buried.

Late
residence.

Occasional Notes.

BOOKS.
AS the Meeting for Sufferings are to take the
oversight of all writings proposed to be
printed, which relate to our religious principles or
testimonies ; our members who may have any such
publications in view, are to lay them before the said
meeting, for its advice and concurrence. And it is the
sense of this meeting, that if any one shall print or
publish any writing, against the advice of the said
Meeting for Sufferings, or which tends to excite dis
unity and discord among us, or any writing which
the Meeting for Sufferings shall judge derogatory
to our Christian principles and profession ; such
persons should be complained of to the Preparative,
and thence to the Monthly Meeting they be
long to ; and if they are not convinced of the im
propriety of their conduct, so as to condemn the
same to the satisfaction of the meeting, they should
be testified against, as opposed to the peace and
good order of the Society. — 1771.
But if any Monthly Meeting, when a complaint
is thus regularly made, neglects or refuses to ad
minister the Discipline as herein directed, the Meet
ing for Sufferings is then to spread the case before
the respective Quarterly Meeting, that the said
Monthly Meeting may be proceeded with, as in the
wisdom of Truth shall appear just and requisite.—
1834. 3 26

26 BOOKS.
If any member of our religious Society shall be
engaged in printing, selling, or distributing books
or papers, which tend to the denial or laying waste
a belief in the divinity, mediation and atonement
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ — the imme
diate influence of *the Holy Spirit, or the authen
ticity and divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures,
they are to be dealt with as for any other breach
of our Discipline ; and if they are not brought to a
sense of their misconduct, so as to condemn the
same to the satisfaction of the Monthly Meeting,
they should be disowned. — 1834.
This meeting doth earnestly exhort all parents,
heads of families, and guardians of minors, that
they prevent, as much as in them lies, their chil
dren, and others under their care and tuition, from
having or reading books and papers tending to
prejudice the profession of the Christian religion,
to create the least doubt concerning the authen
ticity and divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures,
or of those saving truths declared in them ; lest
their infant and feeble minds should be poisoned
thereby, and a foundation laid for the greatest
evils. And it is earnestly recommended to- every
member of our religious Society, that they dis
courage and suppress the reading of plays, ro
mances, novels, or other pernicious books ; and
printers and booksellers in profession with us, are
cautioned against printing, selling or lending such
books ; as it is a practice so inconsistent with the

CERTIFICATES. 27
purity of the Christian religion. And Friends are
desired to be careful in the choice of all books in
which their children and families read, seeing there
are many under the specious titles of promoting re
ligion and morality, which contain sentiments re
pugnant to the truth in Christ Jesus. — 1764.

CERTIFICATES.

IT is recommended to the Quarterly and Monthly
meetings, to take care that all certificates or
minutes which may be given ¦ to any ' travelling
Friend, be recorded, and upon the return of such
Friend, seasonably delivered back to the meeting ;
and that all certificates of removal brought by any
Friend intending to reside amongst us, shall be
lodged in the Monthly Meeting where the same is
accepted ; and also, that every meeting do keep a
copy or record of all certificates which they give
out. — 1718.
All certificates of removal prepared for women
Friends, after being considered in their Monthly
Meeting, are to be sent to the men's, and if there
approved, signed by the clerks of both. If they
are directed to any place beyond the limits of the
respective Quarterly Meeting, they are to be signed
by the clerks and one of the correspondents. If

28 CERTIFICATES.
the certificate is for a man only, it is to be signed
by the clerk of the men's meeting, and one of the
correspondents. And all other certificates or
minutes given forth for Friends, which are to go
beyond the Quarterly Meeting, are to be signed in
like manner. — 1723, 1828, 1834.
Friends are advised to be very cautious in chang
ing their places of residence: it having been ob
served that the dissolving of old, and the forming
of new connections, have in many instances been
attended with effects prejudicial to a growth in the
Truth and the service thereof, both in the heads
and younger branches of families. We therefore
recommend to all, that on these occasions a strict
attention be paid to the pointings of Divine Wis
dom ; and that before any determine to change
their places of abode, they consult with their expe
rienced fellow-members. — 1719, 1769.
It is the judgment of this meeting, that when a
certificate of removal from one Monthly Meeting to
another is received, the person or persons recom
mended shall be deemed members of the meeting
they remove to. But if any such person shall fall
into circumstances requiring pecuniary relief, with
in one year after the receipt of such certificate, the
meeting removed to ought to assist them, giving
speedy notice thereof to the other. Whereupon
that meeting should immediately take care of them,
and repay the charge which has been or may be in
curred on that account. And if the meeting from

CERTIFICATES. 29
which such persons removed (on consulting with
that within which they are) shall desire them to
return, he or she ought to comply as soon as they
are of ability so to do ; and the Friends where
they reside should yield them such advice and as
sistance as the case may require. If any such per
sons on being so required shall refuse to comply,
the said Monthly Meeting may deal with them as
opposed to the order of the Society, and if they
cannot be prevailed with to submit, issue a testi
mony of denial against them. — 1792.
The above rule enjoining the return of members
to the meetings they have removed from, is, how
ever, not designed to extend to the wife of a person
who is not in membership with us, or to such of
their minor children as are membefs ; but if such
should need relief, within one year as aforesaid,
they should be assisted, in the manner recommended,
by the meeting they removed from. — 1796.
If any Friend be reduced in his or her circum
stances by fire, or other sudden unavoidable losses,
though it may be within one year after their re
moval as aforesaid, they should be kindly assisted
and relieved by the meeting where such persons re
side, and considered members thereof. — 1792.
All Friends removing out of the limits of their
Monthly meetings, whether for continuance, or for
a considerable length of time, are advised to apply
to their respective meetings for certificates, directed
to those within which they propose to sojourn or
3*

30 CERTIFICATES.
settle. But if any, not duly attentive to this ad
vice, shall remove without so applying, the Monthly
meetings of which they are members, after the usual
inquiry made, and no obstruction appearing, should
send certificates for them to the Monthly meetings
within which they are removed, and that without
improper delay ; but if their conduct requires their
being dealt with, and the distance is such as to be
inconvenient for the meeting they have removed
from, the Monthly Meeting within which they are
should be requested to treat with him or her there
on, and report the effect of its care. On which, if
it proves satisfactory, a certificate of recommenda
tion or removal may be ordered ; but if otherwise,
and a testimony of disunion is issued, the meeting
within which he or she resides should be furnished
with a copy thereof, to be delivered to the party,
with information of their right of appeal. — 1806.
Where apprentices or persons under age are under
a necessity of going from one place to another, their
parents or guardians, masters or mistresses, should
apply for certificates for them, recommending them
to the care and oversight of the Monthly meetings
whereto they remove. — 1744, 1783.
If any person appearing as a Friend, come within
the compass of a Monthly Meeting, not being re
commended by certificate, and be of disorderly con
duct, the overseers, or other concerned Friends,
should inquire whether or not he or she is a member
of our Society ; and, if they prove so to be, admonish

CERTIFICATES. 31
them, or, if the occasion require it, report the case
to the Preparative, and from thence to the Monthly
Meeting; which should thereupon inform the
Monthly Meeting of which he or she is a member,
of the circumstance, and take the direction of said
meeting, for dealing further with them, according
to our rules in cases of that nature.
It is recommended that Monthly meetings, as
way may open, appoint two or more Friends to visit
such, who come recommended by certificate to set
tle amongst them.
Monthly meetings are advised to take due care,
that certificates of removal be seasonably forwarded
by suitable conveyances, to the Monthly meetings
to which they are directed — they being the ex
clusive property of such meetings. — 1800.
When a Monthly Meeting is engaged to prepare
a certificate on account of the removal of any
Friend, to reside within the limits of another
Monthly Meeting, careful inquiry should be made
by a committee appointed for the purpose, respect
ing the settlement of his or her affairs; and also if
single, concerning their situation in relation to
marriage engagements ; and if a satisfactory clear
ness is so far ascertained, that the circumstances
of the party do not form any impediment to the.
granting a certificate, it should state, that, on in
quiry, no obstruction appeared to the recommend
ing him or her to the Christian care of the meeting,
within whose limits tkey are removed. — 1818, 1884

32 CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
When a certificate of removal, addressed to a
Monthly Meeting, is produced therein, and it is
known that the person or persons recommended
reside within the limits thereof, the certificate
should be considered as accepted, and the parties
members of that meeting ; subject however to the
rule as it relates to pecuniary relief within one year
thereafter. But if it should appear that the con
duct of them, or any of them, requires- their being
dealt with, the certificate should be returned to
the meeting which granted it. — 1816, 1834.

CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

LIBERTY of conscience being the common right
of all men, and particularly essential to the
well-being of religious societies, we hold it to be
indispensably incumbent upon us to maintain it in
violably among ourselves : and therefore advise and
exhort all in profession with us, to decline the ac
ceptance of any office or station in civil government,
the duties of which are inconsistent with our reli
gious principles ; or in the exercise of which they
may be, or think themselves to be, under the neces
sity of exacting of their brethren any compliances,
against which we are conscientiously scrupulous.
And if any persons in membership with us, not
withstanding this advice, shall persist in a conduct

CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 33
so reverse to our principles and religious liberty, it
is the sense of this meeting that they be treated
with, as in other cases of offence ; and if they are
not brought to see and acknowledge their error,
that the Monthly meetings to which they belong,
should proceed to testify our disunity with them. —
1710, 1762.
It is also the sense and judgment of this meeting,
that Friends ought not, in any wise, to be active
or accessory in electing, or promoting to be elected,
their brethren to such offices or stations in civil
government, the execution whereof tends to lay
waste our Christian testimony, or subject their
brethren or others to sufferings on account of their
conscientious scruples. — 1762. See Oaths.
Believing that we are called to show forth to the
world in life and practice, that the blessed reign of
the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, is begun, and we
doubt not, will proceed till it attains its completion
in the earth, when, according to the prophecies of
Isaiah and Micah, " Nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they learn war any
more." Influenced by these principles, we cannot
consistently join with such as form combinations
of a hostile nature against any ; especially in oppo
sition to those placed in sovereign or subordinate
authority: nor can we unite with or encourage
such as revile or asperse them. — 1762. See Oaths.

CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION.
WHATEVER exercises we may meet with on
account of a faithful testimony to the" Truth,
in all godliness of conversation, and to the end that
we may not faint in our minds, let us consider the
Captain of our salvation, who endured the contra
diction of sinners, bearing his cross and despising
the shame, and is now set down on the right hand
of God, where He continually maketh intercession
for us — that following him, and under his banner
fighting the good fight of faith, we may finally ob
tain the crown of righteousness which fadeth not
away. — 1694.
It is directed that if there should be any in mem
bership with us, who are guilty of lying, swearing,
cursing ; men and women unlawfully or in an un
seemly manner keeping company with each other,
or any other scandalous practice, that they be
speedily dealt with : and where any are guilty of
any gross or notorious crime, or such other disor
derly or indecent practices as shall occasion public
scandal ; they should also, if practicable, be dealt
with without delay, by the overseers or other con
cerned Friends ; and if they are brought to a sense
thereof, such offenders ought without improper de
lay, to remove the scandal, and as much as in them
lies clear our holy profession therefrom, by acknowl- 34

CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 35
edging the offence, and condemning the same in
writing under their hand, to the satisfaction of the
Monthly Meeting whereto they belong. And where
any such offender does not so acknowledge and con
demn the fault, or has gone off to parts so remote
or unknown, as to render it very difficult or im
practicable for the overseers to treat with him or
her ; the case should be early represented to the
Monthly Meeting, that diligent care and exertion
may be used to manifest our entire disapprobation
of all such disgraceful conduct ; and whenever it
shall appear seasonable, that a testimony be issued
for the clearing our religious Society from the re
proach thereof. — 1719, 1834.
If any in membership with us do countenance or
promote any noisy gatherings or tumults, they
should be speedily dealt with as disorderly persons ;
and if they are not brought to a due sense of their
error, disowned. — 1726. See Spirituous Liquors.
If any belonging to our Society shall blaspheme,
or speak profanely of Almighty God, Christ Jesus,
or the Holy Spirit, or shall deny the divinity, me
diation or atonement of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ, the immediate revelation of the Holy
Spirit, or the authenticity and divine inspiration
of the Holy Scriptures ; or print, publish, or spread
any work tending to lay waste a belief in these im
portant Christian principles ; as it is manifest they
are not one in faith with us, the Monthly Meeting
where the party belongs, should extend due care

36 CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION.
for the convincement of his or her understanding
and right restoration ; but if this be without effect,
it should issue a testimony against them. — 1806,
1834. By the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ without
us, He hath reconciled us to God, even while we are
enemies ; that is, He offers reconciliation unto us,
and puts us into a capacity of being reconciled ;
and we, truly repenting and believing, are, through
the mercy of God, justified from the imputation of
sins and transgressions that are past, as though
they had never been committed: . and by the
mighty work of Christ within us, the power, na
ture and habits of sin are destroyed ; that as sin
once reigned unto death, even so now grace reign-
eth through righteousness unto eternal life, by
Jesus Christ our Lord. — 1834.
It is the earnest concern of this meeting, that in
all our dealings and transactions among men, strict
justice may be observed, and that no motives of
pecuniary interest may induce any of our members
to impose on each other, or on others ; and it is de
sired that Monthly meetings may be careful to
extend suitable admonition against a spirit of
covetousness ; and where there is any deviation
from strict justice in any of our members, that they
be dealt with as for any other breach of our Dis
cipline.— 1778, 1834.
Frequent waiting in stillness on the Lord for the
renewal of strength, keeps the mind at home in its

CONVINCED PERSONS. 37
proper place and duty, and out of all unprofitable
association and converse, whether amongst those
of our own, or other professions. Much hurt may
accrue to the religious mind, by long and frequent
conversation on temporal matters, especially by in
teresting ourselves unnecessarily in' them ; for there
is a leaven in that propensity, which being suffered
to prevail, indisposes and benumbs the soul, and
prevents its frequent ascendings in living aspira
tions towards the Fountain of eternal life. — 1796.

CONVINCED PERSONS.
IT is concluded that the following order be ob
served respecting persons who apply for admit
tance into membership, and request to come under
the care of Friends. — That they apply to the over
seers or elders, who, when they are easy so to do,
are to lay it before the Preparative Meeting ; and
after. that meeting is fully satisfied, by paying a
solid visit, or otherwise, they are to lay the case
before the Monthly Meeting ; which meeting shall
appoint some suitable Friends to inquire into the
person's life and conversation, and also to take a
solid opportunity of conference with the party, in
order the better to~understand whether his or her
motives for such request be sincere, and on .the
ground of true convincement of our religious prin-

38 CONVINCED PERSONS.
ciples, doctrines and testimonies ; and make report
of their sense of the person's state of mind ; on
which, if the meeting is satisfied of his or her fit
ness for membership, a minute should be made,
signifying the acceptance of such into membership,
and appointing' a Friend or two to acquaint the
person thereof, requesting his or her attendance at
the next Monthly Meeting.— 1796, 1834.
But in all such cases, Friends are exhorted to
attend carefully to the advice of the Apostle, "Lay
hands suddenly on no man : " the neglect of such
caution having often been injurious both to the in
dividuals and to the Society, — to them, by settling
them in a false rest ; and to the Society, by adding
to its numbers, without increasing its joy. — 1806.
Wherefore we desire, that on every application
of persons to be received into membership with us,
Monthly meetings may be deep and weighty in their
deliberations and result ; and when united in believ
ing that the applicants are clearly convinced of our
religious principles, and in a good degree subject to
the Divine Witness in their own hearts, manifested
by a circumspect life and conduct ; said meetings
are at liberty to' receive such into membership,
without respect to nation or color, — 1796.

DAYS AND TIMES.
ADVISED that Friends be exemplary in keep
ing to our ancient testimony against the su
perstitious observation of days ; and to the sim
plicity of Truth in calling the days and months by
Scripture names, and not by those of the heathen.
1691, 1697.
Some reasons for not observing fasts and feast-
days and times, and other human injunctions and'
institutions relative to the worship of God :
Ever since we were a people we have had a testi
mony against formal worship ; being convinced by
the precepts of our Lord Jesus Christ, the testimo
nies of his Apostles, and our own experience, that
the worship and prayers which God accepts, are
such only as are produced by the influence and as
sistance of. his Holy Spirit; we cannot therefore
consistently unite with any in the observation of
public fasts, feasts, and what they term holy days ;
or such injunctions and forms as are devised in
man's will for divine worship. The dispensation
to which outward observations were peculiar, hav
ing long since given place to the spiritual dispensa
tion of the Gospel, we believe the fast we are now
called to, is not .the bowing of the head like a bul
rush for a day, but an universal and continual fast
ing and refraining from everything which has a

40 DATS AND TIMES.
tendency to defile the soul, and unfit it for becom
ing the temple of the Holy Ghost, according to the
injunctions of Christ to his primitive disciples, "If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke
ix. 23. — "Watch ye therefore and pray always,
that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these
things that shall come to pass, and to stand before
the Son of man," Luke xxi. 36. That the primi
tive believers saw an end to these shadows of good
things, by coming to Him in whom all figures and
shadows end, is evident by the words of the
Apostle Paul ; " For Christ," said he, " is the end
of the law for righteousness to every one that be-
lieveth." Rom. x. 4. — "But now hath He ob
tained a more excellent ministry, by how much
also He is the Mediator of a better covenant, which
was established upon better promises." Heb. viii.
6. And the same Apostle thus expostulated with
some, who it appears had fallen from the true faith
in these respects : " But now, after that ye have
known God, or rather are known of God, how turn
ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, where
unto ye desire again to be in bondage. Ye observe
days, and months, and' times, and years. I am
afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour
in vain." Gal. iv. 9-11. —1759.
As we do not find any ground in Scripture for
it, we cannot be so superstitious as to believe, that
either the Jewish sabbath now continues, or that

DAYS AND TIMES. 41
the first day of the week is the anti-type thereof, or
the true Christian sabbath ; which we believe has a
more spiritual sense and signification ; and therefore
we know no moral obligation by the fourth com
mand or elsewhere, to keep the first day of the week
more than any other, or that there is any holiness in
herent in it. But as we believe the Apostles and
primitive Christians did meet on this day to wor
ship God, so we, following their example, do the
like, and forbear working or engaging in our
worldly affairs upon that day. Works of charity
or Christian benevolence, such as visiting and admin
istering to the sick and afflicted ; or occasions of
unavoidable necessity may sometimes interfere with,
or occasion a deviation from the strict adherence
to the uses and services to which this day is spe
cially appropriated ; yet it is our continued concern
affectionately to recommend to all our members,
that, abstaining from bodily Jabor on that day,
they observe and regard it as a day which by the
generality of Christians is peculiarly set apart for
religious retirement, and the performance of public
worship to Almighty God. — 1834.
Being well assured that the edifying practice of
frequently collecting our children and families, in
order for religious retirement, would be promotive
of essential benefit, Friends are exhorted to seek
after a right qualification, under which they may
be enabled to maintain it, especially in the after
noon of the first day of the week, in such places
4*

42 DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION.
where meetings for public worship are not held at
that time ; the due discharge of which duty, and
solidly reading the Holy Scriptures and other reli
gious books, with a steady, watchful care over our
young people, to discourage their visiting and ram
bling about on that day, and mixing with unprofit
able company at this and at other times, would,
under the Divine blessing, be a means of their pre
servation out of many ensnaring temptations, to
which they are liable. — 1834.

DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION.
FRIENDS everywhere are exhorted to maintain
a strict watch over themselves and each other,
against the subtle and mischievous spirit of tale
bearing and -detraction — the manifest tendency of
which is to lay waste the unity of the Body, by
sowing the seeds of disesteem, strife, and dlicord
among brethren and neighbors ; as well as to unfit
those who either propagate or listen to evil rej orts,
for being of that service to the persons refi icted
upon, which they might be, if the order presc ibed
by our blessed Lord to his church was strictl j ob
served ; viz., " If thy brother shall trespass ag linst
thee, go and tell him his fault between the* and
him alone: if he shall, hear thee, thou hast g- ined
thy brother. But if he will not hear thee then

DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION. 43
take with thee one or two more, that, in the mouth
of two or three witnesses every word may be estab
lished. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell
it unto the church ; but if he neglect to hear the
church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and
a publican." Matt, xviii. 15-17. — 1719, 1806.
It is therefore advised, that in whomsoever this
weakness appears, it may be -immediately checked;
and, if any one gives way to it, to the obvious in
jury of another's reputation or interest, let him or
her be faithfully admonished ; and if they cannot
be prevailed with to make such acknowledgment
of their error, as shall be satisfactory to the Month
ly Meeting, they are to be further dealt with ; when,
if this produce not the desired effect, they should
be testified against. — 1806, 1834.
If any member who offends in this respect, shel
ters him or herself under a pretence, that they, say
no more than they have heard from others, yet Avill
not discover who they are — such reporters or tale
bearers should in like manner be dealt with, and
testified against as being themselves the authors.
1806.

DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR
DISCIPLINE.
THE institution of our meetings for Discipline,
having on experience been found very benefi
cial, it is earnestly recommended they be main
tained in the authority wherein they were estab
lished : it being evident, where any have been
negligent in attending them, or opposed to their
usefulness, that carnality and spiritual death have
been the consequence. — 1701.
The connection and subordination of our meet
ings for Discipline are thus : Preparative meetings
are accountable to the Monthly; Monthly to the
Quarterly ; and the Quarterly to the Yearly Meeting.
So that if the Yearly Meeting be at any time dissat
isfied with the proceedings of any inferior meeting ;
or a Quarterly Meeting with the proceedings of
either of its Monthly meetings ; or a Monthly
Meeting with the proceedings of either of its Pre
parative meetings — such meeting or meetings are
with readiness and meekness to render an account
thereof when required, and submit to the judgment
and decision of its respective superior meeting. —
1719, 1834. See Appeals.
No Quarterly Meeting shall be set up or instituted,
without the consent and approbation of the Yearly
Meeting — no Monthly Meeting, without the con-
44

DISCIPLINE. 45
sent and approbation of the "Quarterly Meeting — •
no Preparative Meeting for business, nor meeting
for worship, until united with by the Monthly Meet
ing ; after which the consent and approbation of the
Quarterly Meeting is also to be obtained. — 1719,
1834. If at any time the Yearly Meeting shall judge it
right and expedient to lay down or dissolve any of
its Quarterly meetings, and join the Monthly and
other meetings thereof to another Quarterly Meet
ing, the said meetings are with readiness to sub
mit to such decision and junction. — 1834.
And if any Quarterly Meeting shall, upon delib
erate consideration, judge it is right and expedient
to lay down or dissolve any of the Monthly or Pre
parative meetings belonging thereto, and join the
members thereof to another of its Monthly or Pre
parative meetings, it is authorized so to do, and the
members of those dissolved meetings are to be ac
cepted and recognized as under the care of the said
meetings to which they are joined. — 1834.
And if any Monthly Meeting should, upon delib
erate weighty consideration, conclude that any of
the Preparative meetings belonging thereto had
better be^dissolved, and the members joined to an
other Preparative Meeting within its limits, or that
any of its meetings for worship should be laid down
or discontinued, it has the right to state its sense
and judgment to the Quarterly Meeting, and when
the concurrence thereof is obtained, the proposed

46 DISCIPLINE.
dissolution, junction, and discontinuance is to take
effect. — 1834.
Wheresoever it appears that Monthly meetings,
through the smallness of their numbers, or the want
of sufficient qualification for the due maintenance
of the Discipline, are under difficulty in fulfilling
the various obligations devolved upon them, it is
recommended that they claim the sympathy and
brotherly care of their respective Quarterly meet
ings, which should appoint committees to be so in
corporated with Monthly meetings, as to render the
needful assistance in transacting their business, and
in treating with offenders in order to their right
restoration ; or where the labor is ineffectual, that
judgment may be placed upon them in the author
ity of Truth. This extension of aid to continue
until the Quarterly Meeting shall judge that a dif
ferent arrangement is requisite. — 1828.
The necessity of continually maintaining the con
nection and due subordination of meetings, having
always with much solicitude and care been en
joined as indispensably obligatory upon all our
members in their several places and stations ; it is
therefore the concern of this meeting renewedly to
declare, that it is repugnant to the harmony and
subversive of the order of our religious Society, for
any Preparative or Monthly Meeting to assume any
right or to attempt to dissolve its connection with
its . respective Monthly or Quarterly Meeting to
which it has regularly belonged. No Preparative

DISCIPLINE. 47
Meeting can therefore transfer its subjection or join
itself to any other Monthly Meeting, nor any
Monthly Meeting to any other Quarterly Meeting,
than those of which they are a constituent part :
but if at any time it should be evident, that it
would be more convenient, or tend to the promo
tion of the cause of Truth, for the members of any
Preparative Meeting to become a branch of any
other Monthly Meeting ; or a Monthly Meeting to
be placed under the care and jurisdiction of a differ
ent Quarterly Meeting than the one they belong to ;
the said Preparative or Monthly Meeting so situated,
is to make application to, and by minute of the
Monthly Meeting, clearly represent the case to its
respective Quarterly Meeting, and if there approved,
the said Preparative Meeting may be transferred to
such Monthly Meeting as may be designated, within
the limits of the said Quarter ; but if the proposal
of either a Preparative or Monthly Meeting extendi?
to, and is comprehended within the limits of a dif
ferent Quarterly Meeting, the Quarterly Meeting
where those subordinate meetings belong, after care
fully considering the said application, and concur
ring therewith, is to consult the Quarterly Meeting
proposed' to be united to, and when it is there als'o
approved, the contemplated change and junction
may be finally settled. — 1834.
No Meeting for worship, intended to consist of
Friends belonging to two or more Monthly meet
ings, shall be set up, until the proposal be offered

48 DISCIPLINE.
to and approved by both those Monthly meetings,
and the consent of their respective Quarterly Meet
ing or meetings be obtained: when the meeting
proposed is opened, it should be attended by a few
solid Friends, deputed by each of the said Monthly
meetings. And if at any time it is thought expe
dient, that a Preparative Meeting should be held at
the same place, the consent of the said Monthly and
Quarterly meetings should be, in like manner, ap
plied for and obtained; and the said ^Preparative
Meeting should be annexed to either one or the
other of those Monthly meetings, as may be most
likely to conduce to the benefit of the individuals
who compose it, and the advantage of society. —
1806. It is directed, that a book be provided by every
Monthly and Quarterly Meeting, and fair minutes
be kept therein, of all matters which shall come
before and be determined by them. Monthly meet
ings, particularly, are advised to attend to and fin
ish all such business with care and dispatch, that
it may' at no time suffer by improper delay. And,
if any case under consideration proves too weighty
or difficult for them to determine, they should ap
ply to their respective Quarterly meetings for assist
ance ; or if the circumstances are such as to require
it, refer it thereto by minute. — 1719.
It is the sense of this Meeting, as a general rule
in all cases, that where any Monthly or Quarterly
Meeting has occasion for, and requests copies of any

DISCIPLINE. 49
of the papers, minutes or records of ai lother Monthly
or Quarterly Meeting, the same may accordingly be
granted. — 1705, 1719.
Where any difference happens among Friends,
and the same -be entered in any Monthly or Quar
terly Meeting book, it is agreed, that if the parties,
or either of them, think that copies of such entries
may be useful and necessary for them, and request
the same, such Monthly and Quarterly meetings
shall have a discretional power to give or refuse
such copies, according to the circumstances and
motives attending. — 1710.
It is agreed that at least two men and two
women Friends be appointed in each of their re
spective Monthly meetings, as representatives to
attend the service of the Quarterly Meeting, with
such reports in writing, signed by their clerks, as
may be given them in charge : also, that each Quar
terly Meeting appoint a suitable number of judi
cious Friends as its representatives, which are not
to amount to more than would be in the proportion
of three of "each sex to each Monthly Meeting ; to at
tend the Yearly Meeting with the reports and such
other written documents as may be spec: ally con
fided to their care. — 1719, 1834.
It is earnestly advised and desired, that all
Friends who submit to these, or any other services
of Society, may be punctual in their attendance
thereon ; or, if prevented by sickness, or any other
unavoidable occurrence, that they be careful to send

50 DISCIPLINE,
information thereof; also, that those who are under
appointments to meetings, do not withdraw there
from before the conclusion, without obtaining the
meeting's consent. — 1719.
When proposals of marriage are made, if any
near relations of the parties (who are not in mem
bership) are permitted to be present, they should
withdraw before the meeting proceeds to any other
business. — 1755.
If a member under dealing removes into the com
pass of another Monthly Meeting ; or, if previous to
or after such removal, the conduct of him or her has
been such as to require their being dealt with — and
their residence be at so great a distance as to render
it inconvenient for the Monthly Meeting to which
they belong, it should by minute request that into
which they are removed, to treat with them ac
cording to our rules, and to report the effect of its
care ; when, if it is satisfactory, the party should
be recommended by certificate ; or if otherwise, and
a testimony of denial is issued, a copy thereof should
be sent to- the Monthly Meeting within* the limits
of which he or she resides, and that meeting is to
appoint two or more Friends to give them a copy
of the said testimony, and inform them of their
right of appeal. — 1806.
If the individual is a female, tbe women's
Monthly Meeting is by minute to transmit to the
Monthly Meeting of women Friends within the
limits of which the person resides, clear informa-

DISCIPLINE. 51
tion of the state of the case, and request its care in
dealing with her on their behalf; and when the
Monthly Meeting removed from, has received a
repoit of the effect of this labor, they are then to
give due information thereof to their respective
men's Monthly Meeting, in order that the business
may be finished as before directed. — 1834.
After a charge against a member is, by the Pre
parative Meeting, concluded to be taken to the
Monthly Meeting, he or she should not be per
mitted to sit in any of our meetings for Discipline,
till the case is issued to the satisfaction of the
Monthly Meeting. — 1834.
In all cases thus introduced from the Preparative
to the Monthly Meeting, a committee should be ap
pointed to deal with the offender, in order to the
convincement of his or her understanding and right
restoration ; and if, in the prosecution of the ser
vice, it should come to the knowledge of the com
mittee, that there has been any other violation of
our testimony and Discipline than is stated in the
minute of the Preparative Meeting, they should
treat with the individual thereon, and make report
accordingly to the next succeeding Monthly Meet
ing, and of the effect of their labor : their report,
or the substance of it, is^then to be entered upon
the minutes, and if a ground of hope is furnished
that further dealing may be beneficial, the case
should be continued ; but whenever the meeting,
after deliberate, weighty consideration, is satisfied

52 DISCIPLINE.
that a continued extension of care and labor would
be unavailing, and that the due maintenance of the
Discipline requires the case to be issued, the com
mittee, or such other Friends as may be judged
proper, are to be appointed to prepare a testimony
of disownment, to be produced at the next Monthly
Meeting for approbation; and that the necessary
care be taken for delivering the party a copy of the
said .minute or testimony of disunion, within for
mation of his or her right of appeal. — 1834.
It is advised, that where any transgress the rules'
of our Discipline, they may, without partiality, be
admonished, and sought in the spirit of love and
divine charity, so that it may be seen by all, that
the restoring spirit of meekness and Christian love
abounds, before church censure takes place, and
that a Gospel spirit is the spring and motive to all
our performances, as well in Discipline as in wor
ship. — 1746 to 1770. And in all cases when a
minute or testimony of disunion against a member
has been produced and approved in a Monthly
Meeting, endeavors should be used that the indi
vidual be furnished with a copy thereof, and with
notification of his or her right of appeal. — 1834.
It is earnestly recommended, that in conducting
the affairs of the church, we ever bear in mind,
that as it is the Lord's work, Friends should hum
bly and reverently endeavor to manage then iu
the peaceable spirit and wisdom of Jesus, with de
cency, forbearance, and love to each other.

DISCIPLINE. 53
As to the rights of children, whose parents have
been married contrary to the rules of our Discipline;
it is agreed that whe.re either of those parents re
main out of membership, their children should not
be esteemed members, till application for their ad
mission is made either by themselves, or by their
parent, parents or guardians on their behalf, and
the Monthly Meeting applied to, on a solid consid
eration of the case, is easy to admit them, or any
of them. — 1762, 1782. \%\H
All children born of parents who have been mar
ried according to our rules, and only one of them
afterwards disowned ; and such children as are born
after their parents have both become members, and
only one of them subsequently disowned, are to be
considered as in membership with us ; but where
persons who have accomplished their marriage in
our meetings have both become disowned, their off
spring, born after this event, are not to be consid
ered as having a right among us, unless those
parents shall have become reinstated, and both be
in membership at the time of the birth of any such
child : but if application is made for the admission
of any of their children, the Monthly Meeting, on
solid consideration of the case, feeling easy there
with, is at liberty to admit them, or any of them.
1762, 1806, 1834.
If any member of our religious Society shall ap
ply to those calleil jugglers or fortune-tellers, or
those who tog color o£ any ax-t ca? skill whatsofW€>£,
5*

54 DISCIPLINE.
pretend to a knowledge of future events, hidden
transactions, or where things lost or stolen may be
found ; or if any of our members shall use, or pre
tend to such art or skill, it is advised that they be
speedily dealt with ; and if they do not manifest a
due sense of their evil conduct, and condemn the
same, that they be testified against. — 1723.
It appearing by the minutes of the Meeting for
Sufferings, that on inspection of some of the ac
counts of sufferings sent up by the Quarterly meet
ings, considerable difficulty has been occasioned by
those accounts not expressing, with sufficient clear
ness, what the sufferings mentioned were for : it is
now desired, that the Monthly and Quarterly meet
ings may in future leave out of their reports, any
instances which do not appear to be clearly consistent
with the sense of this Yearly Meeting ; and that they
continue to collect and send up their accounts of
sufferings annually as heretofore directed. — 1784.
A committee should be annually appointed in each
of our Quarterly and Monthly meetings, for the nom
ination of clerks ; which may afford opportunity for
their being seasonably changed, and more of our
qualified members exercised in those services. — 1796.
The love, power, and peaceable spirit of the Lord
Jesus Christ, being the alone true authority of all
our meetings, it is the fervent concern of this meet
ing, that they may be held under the sense and in
fluence of that holy unction. We affectionately
recommend, that in making appointments in meet-

DISCIPLINE. 55
ings for Discipline, care may be taken to judge of
the qualifications of those who are employed in the
church. The more we experience a preparation of heart
for the exercise of our" respective gifts, the more
amply shall we evince the expression of the tongue
to be seasoned with that living virtue and divine
power, which proceeds from our Holy Head ; and
thus in conducting the important concerns of Soci
ety, we shall be enabled to example the beloved
youth in a manner which will demonstrate to them,
that neither, tradition nor a mere outward educa
tion, can fitly prepare them for successors in the
church of Christ.
In some places there may have been a want of
eare, rightly to distinguish and seasonably to bring
into action, the talents bestowed upon some in the
early stage of life ; but we believe, that many who
were evidently under the forming hand, have been
suddenly laid hold of, and introduced into service,
before that preparation of heart hath been suffi
ciently experienced, which leads to a reliance upon
Divine direction, and redeems from a confidence in
the natural understanding : it is therefore desired,
that by a just discrimination of times and seasons,
and of the qualifications bestowed, every gift may
be rightly exercised, and a succession of useful
members preserved in every rank in the church.
We are concerned that the management of our
Christian -Discipline be- not committed to hands

56 DISCIPLINE.
unclean ; particularly of sueh who allow or connive
at. undue liberties in their own children or families.
" If a man," said the Apostle, " know not how to
rule his own house, how shall he take care of the
church of God?"— 1795.
Dear Friends, be patient in the exercise of your
gifts and services, and take no offence at any time,
because what seems to be clear to you is not pres^-
ently received by others ; let all things in the
church be propounded with an awful reverence of
Him that is the head and life of it ; who said,
" Where two or three are gathered together in my
name, there am I in the midst of them." There
fore, let all beware of their own spirits and keep
in a gracious temper, that so they may be fitted for
the service of the house of God, whose house we
are, if we keep upon the foundation that God hath
laid ; and such He will build up, and teach how to
build up one another in Him. And as every mem
ber must feel life in himself, and all from one Head,
this life will not hurt itself in any, but be tender of
itself in all ; for by this one life of the Word, ye were
begotten, and by it ye are nourished and made to
grow into your several services in the church of God.
It is no man's learning, nor artificial acquirements ;
it is no man's riches, nor greatness in this world ; it
is no man's eloquence nor natural wisdom, that
makes him fit for government in the church of
Christ : all his endowments must be seasoned with
the heavenly sahVtois sprit he- .aubjeate^and hia

DONATIONS, BEQUESTS, &C. 57
gifts pass through the fire of God's altar, a sacrifice
to His praise and honor, that so self being baptized
into death, the gifts may be used in the power of
the resurrection of the life of Jesus in him.
As the use and design of Preparative meetings
is in general to digest and prepare business as occa
sion may require, which may be proper to be laid
before the Monthly Meeting, Friends should be
careful therein, not to occasion unnecessary delays,
or undertake to decide on any business which
claims attention and care in Monthly meetings.
When cases are agreed to be carried forward, they
should be entered in writing, and some suitable
Friend or Friends named to produce them to the
Monthly meetings ; and such notes thereof should
be carefully preserved by clerks of Preparative
meetings, as to said meetings may appear useful
and right. But no Preparative Meeting shall take
cognizance of proposals of marriage, this being ex
clusively the business of Monthly meetings. — 1796.

DONATIONS, BEQUESTS, &c.
EXECUTORS and trustees concerned in wills
and settlements, are advised to a faithful and
punctual discharge of their respective trusts, ac
cording to the intent of the donors and testators ;
and both they and the meetings concerned in any

58 FAMILY VISITS.
charitable gifts, legacies, or bequests, to take spe
cial care that these be not pervertedor appropriated
to any other uses than such as the donors or testa
tors have directed and enjoined by legal settlement j
will, or testament. — 1715, 1796.

FAMILY VISITS.

AS the visiting of Friends in their families in the
openings of heavenly wisdom, is a service
which hath often been "blessed to the minds of the
visitors and visited, this meeting hath, from time
to time, recommended it to the solid attention of
Quarterly and Monthly meetings : and it is desired,
that concerns of this nature may be tenderly cher
ished, and those who are rightly exercised therein,
encouraged to move forward in due season, and in
an humble dependence on the Shepherd of Israel,
who not only puts his own forth, but goes before
and rewards all who are faithful to his appoint
ments, with the enriching reward of sweet comfort
and solid peace. — 1737, 1806.
If the concern of a Friend to visit the families
of a Monthly Meeting of which he or she is not a
member, be laid before and approved by the
Monthly Meeting where he or she belongs, and a
certificate or minute thereof be granted, he or she,
previously to engaging in the visit, is to spread the

GAMrNG AND DIVERSIONS. 59
concern before the Monthly Meeting whose fami
lies are proposed to be visited ; and when the con
currence thereof is also obtained, the necessary care
should be extended to aid him or her in the per
formance thereof. This regulation is also to ex
tend to such Friends, as may come from other parts
on religious visits, to meetings within the limits of
this Yearly Meeting. — 1834.

GAMING AND DIVERSIONS.
AS our time passeth swiftly away, and our de
light ought to be in the law of the Lord, it is
advised that a watchful care be exercised over our
youth and others, to prevent their going to stage-
plays, horse-races, music, dancing, or any such vain
sports and pastimes ; and being concerned in lot
teries, wagering, or other species of gaming.
And if any of our members fall into either of
these practices, and are not prevailed with by pri
vate labor to decline them, the Monthly meetings
to which the offenders belong should be informed
thereof, and, if they be not reclaimed by further
labor, so as to condemn their misconduct to the
satisfaction of the meeting, it should proceed to
testify our disunity with them. — 1716 to 1773.

HIRELING MINISTRY.
LET us keep in remembrance, that it is under
the immediate teaching and influence of the
Holy Spirit, that all acceptable worship is per
formed, and all true Gospel ministry supplied;
that this pure and powerful influence, in vessels
sanctified and prepared by the Divine hand, is the
essential qualification to that work ; and that as
the gift is divine, the service is freely and faithfully
to be discharged, without any view to reward
from man.
It is directed, that where any of our members
are so regardless of this testimony, as to contribute
to the support or encouragement of a hireling min
istry, that they be tenderly labored with to con
vince them of their error ; and if this prove ineffec
tual, the Monthly meetings to which they belong
should proceed to declare our disunity with them ;
such conduct being opposed to our testimony for
the free ministry of the Gospel, which is " without
money and without price." — 1757. 60

LOVE AND UNITY. 61
LAW.
IT is desired, that no debtors may shelter them
selves under such of our rules, as are designed
to guard us against an unkind treatment of each
other, unjustly hoping to be thereby put out of the
reach of the civil authority. — 1701.
It is the sense of this meeting, that if any mem
ber thereof, disregarding the Gospel order pre
scribed by our Discipline, shall arrest or sue at law
another member, (not being under such a necessity
so to do, as may satisfy the overseers or other solid
and judicious Friends of the meeting to which the
latter belongs,) he or she in so doing, doth depart
from the peaceable principle we make profession
of; and if, on being treated with by the Monthly
Meeting to which they belong, they cannot be pre
vailed with to withdraw the suit and pay the costs
thereof, they should be disowned. — 1710, 1719.

LOVE AND UNITY.

OUR Lord Jesus Christ graciously instructed his
followers in the necessity of a strict adherence
to his sacred precepts, that growing up into Him in
all things, which is the Head, they might be a com
pact body, edifying itself in love. " If ye keep my
commandments, ye shall abide in my love." "This
is my commandment, that ye love one another, as
e

62 LOVE AND UNITY.
I have loved you." — It is therefore the judgment
of this meeting, that if any in membership with
us should so far lose the sense of the nature and
operation of Divine love, the bond of Christian
brotherhood, as to foment, encourage or promote
division or separation among us, or seek to beguile
and draw away any of the members from a due
subjection to the salutary order and Discipline es
tablished in our religious Society, they should be
speedily treated with without partiality, in order for
their instruction and recovery ; and if they are not
brought to such a sense of their misconduct as to
condemn the same, to the satisfaction of the Month
ly Meeting, they should be testified against. — 1834.
It is advised, that where there is any appearance
of dissension and variance, or of unkind resentment
and shyness among our members, the parties be
timely and tenderly apprised of the danger to
which they thereby expose both themselves and
others, and earnestly exhorted to mutual condescen
sion and forgiveness, becoming the followers of
Christ. And if any, notwithstanding such en
deavors for their help, continue to manifest an
implacable enmity to others, the overseers, or other
solid Friends of the Preparative or Monthly Meet
ing they belong to, should be informed thereof,
and labor further with them : when, if they still
prove inflexible, they ought to be testified against
as out of the unity of the Body — the very end of
whose existence is the promotion of peace on earth,
and good will amongst men. — -1719, 1806.

MARRIAGES.
IT is advised that all young and unmarried people
in membership with us, previously to their mak
ing any procedure in order to marriage, do seriously
and humbly wait upon the Lord for his counsel
and direction in this important concern ; and when
favored with satisfactory clearness therein, they
should early acquaint their parents or guardians
with their intentions, and wait for their consent ;
thus preservation from the dangerous bias of for
ward, brittle, and uncertain affections, would be
experienced, to the real benefit of the parties, and
the comfort of their friends. And it is earnestly
recommended to Friends, that they tenderly and
carefully watch over the youth, and extend season
able caution and admonition, as occasions may re
quire.— 1682.
All single persons, being about to marry at a dis
tance from home, are to procure certificates from
the Monthly Meeting they belong to, of their right
of membership and clearness from any other person
in respect to marriage, and also obtain the consent
of their parents or guardians therein; and none
are to be permitted to join themselves in marriage,
until such certificates, and the consent of their
parents or guardians thereto, be also signified in
person, or by writing, where it is practicable, or
may be reasonably obtained. — 1682. 63

64 MARRIAGES.
No Monthly Meeting should permit any mar
riages to be proposed in the said meeting, sooner
than a year after the death of husband or wife. —
1749. It is the sense of this meeting, that if any mem
ber do join in marriage with such as are not in
membership with us, or in any other way than
with the consent and approbation of the Monthly
Meeting, they should be dealt with agreeably to
our Discipline, and, if not brought to a sense of
their error, disowned. — 1702 to 1721.
On serious consideration concerning marriages,
this meeting being tender in that respect, advises,
that no misdemeanor be treasured up against a
person until the time of presenting marriage, and
then started, though perhaps long before known to
the objector; which is a wrong thing, and should
be checked and discouraged in all meetings. — 1712.
It is recommended to Monthly meetings, that
according to the ancient decent practice amongst
Friends, they take care that such men and women
Friends, who make or admit of proposals of mar
riage with each other, do not dwell in the same
house, from the time that they begin to be so con
cerned, until the marriage is accomplished. — 1714.
Advised, that marriages be not accomplished in
or immediately after any of our Monthly meetings,
or other meetings for Discipline, or on first days.
And it is desired that, on these occasions, Friends
in affluent circumstances, particularly, may be care-

MARRIAGES. 65
ful to set a becoming and encouraging example of
moderation ; and that all may avoid unnecessarily
expensive entertainments and large companies, and
especially guard against inviting such as guests,
who are unlikely to conform to- the order of our
religious Society. — 1716.
Let such of our members be admonished, who
keep company, in order for marriage, with persons
not of our Society ; or with any bound servants or
apprentices, without the leave of their masters or
mistresses ; or who are either present themselves,
or consent to their children being present at mar
riages of those not in membership, which are ac
complished by the assistance, of a priest. And
where any are present at the marriage of a member,
accomplished either by the official interference of a
priest, or in any other way out of our comely order,
they are to be dealt with, and where they are not
brought to a sense of their error, let them be testi
fied against. — 1719.
If any of our members should attend the meet
ings of those who have separated from us, and who
have set up meetings contrary to the order and
Discipline of our religious Society ; or should at
tend any of the marriages accomplished among the
said people, or sign the certificates issued on those
occasions ; as it is giving countenance to, and ac
knowledging those meetings, as though they were
the meetings of Friends, this meeting declares that
such, conduct is of evil tendency , and repugnant to
6*

66 MARRIAGES.
the harmony and well-being of our religious Society ;
and where such instances occur, Friends are desired
to extend brotherly care and labor, that the indi
viduals may be instructed and reclaimed ; and if
those endeavors prove ineffectual, Monthly meet
ings should testify against them. — 1833'.
It is the judgment of this meeting, that where
parents or guardians have approved the visits or
addresses of a man (a member of our religious
Society) to any of their children or those under
their care, that they do not retract the same, with
out giving such reasons as shall be satisfactory to
the Monthly Meeting whereto they belong. — 1719.
For the accomplishment of marriage, it is di
rected that the following order be observed. If
both parties belong to the same Monthly Meeting,
the men's and women's Monthly meetings should
be informed of their intentions ; and the man at a
proper time be accompanied into the women's
meeting, by a suitable Friend nominated thereto
— there the parties are first to declare, that "With
Divine permission, and Friends' approbation, they
intend marriage with each other," — whereupon,
two women Friends should be appointed by minute
to make the usual inquiry respecting the woman ;
and then proceeding to the men's meeting, they
should repeat, or make, the same declaration there,
and two men Friends be in like manner appointed
to inquire concerning the man. If the parties have
parents or .guardians - present, their consent should

MARRIAGES. 67
be expressed, or if absent, the same should be sig
nified in writing ; or, if the man is a member of
another Monthly Meeting, the consent of his par
ents, if he have any, should be produced in writ
ing, either then or at the next meeting, with a
certificate from his Monthly Meeting, of his clear
ness from other like engagements. If the woman
be a widow having children, two or more Friends
should be appointed in the meeting of which she
is a member, to see that the rights of her children
are legally secured. At the next meeting, if the
committees report that careful inquiry has been
made, and no obstruction to the further proceeding
of the parties appears, the meeting is to leave them
at liberty to accomplish their marriage according
to our rules, and appoint two Friends of each sex,
to attend and see that good order is observed.
It is further advised, that the said marriage be
accomplished decently, gravely, and weightily;
and that the parties themselves, their parents, and
others concerned, do take care at the houses or
places where they go after the meeting is over,
that no reproach arise, or occasion of offence be
given, by any intemperate or immoderate feasting
or drinking, or by any unseemly, wanton, or rude
discourses or actions ; but that all behave with
such sobriety as becomes a people fearing God ;
and that the company retire to their homes in
seasonable time. And if anything to the contrary
is observed, the overseers, or other concerned

68 MARRIAGES.
Friends present, ought as speedily as they con
veniently cau, to take such aside who make any
breach upon good order, and in brotherly love ad
monish them to a better behavior ; and the said
overseers are to make report to the next Monthly
Meeting, whether this advice concerning decency
and order be observed, and take care that the mar
riage certificate be recorded.
The form of which certificate shall be as follows:
Whereas, A. B. of  , in the county
of  .., in  , son of
C. B. of  and H. his wife;
and D. E. daughter of F. E. of 
and M. his wife, having declared their intentions
of marriage with each other, before a Monthly
Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, held
at  , according to the
good order used among them, {where the parties are
under the care of parents or guardians, add) and
having consent of parents or guardians concerned,
(as the case is,) -their said proposal of marriage
was allowed of by the said meeting. Now these
are to certify whom it may concern, that for the
full accomplishment of their said intentions, this
 day of the  month, in the year
of our Lord  ....,they, the said A. B.
and D. E. appeared in a public meeting of the said
people, held at  aforesaid; and the
said A. B. taking the said D. E. by the hand, did,
on- this- solemn occasion, openly declare, that he

MARRIAGES. 69
took her, the said D. E. to be his wife, promising,
with Divine assistance, to be unto her a loving and
faithful husband until death shall separate them ;
and then, in the same assembly, the said D. E. did
in like manner declare, that she took him, the said
A. B. to be her husband, promising, with Divine
assistance, to be unto him a loving and faithful
wife, until death shall separate them. And more
over, they, the said A. B. and D. E. (she according
to the custom of marriage, assuming the name of
her husband) did as a further confirmation thereof,
then and there to these presents set their hands.
And we whose names are also hereunto sub
scribed, being present at the solemnization of
the said marriage and subscription, have, as wit
nesses thereto, set our hands the day and year
above written. A. B.
D. B.
That the marriage of persons too near akin may,
as much as in us lies, be prevented, this meeting
concludes, that no marriage between first cousins,
nor between a man and his deceased wife's half-
sister, shall be permitted among us ; and that,
where any person or persons so circumstanced shall
intermarry, their so doing shall be considered as a
relinquishment of their connection with the Society,
and they be accordingly disowned by the Monthly
meetings of which they are members. And it is
further concluded, that, if any such persons shall

70 MARRIAGES.
afterwards apply to the Monthly Meeting which
disowned him or her, for reinstatement, the said
meeting is not to accede to the proposal, until
the case be represented to the Quarterly Meeting,
aud its consent and approbation obtained, after be
ing well assured that the parties are brought to a
due sense of their transgression, manifested by up
rightness of life and conversation. — 1721.
The term first cousins, fully applies to every de
scription of grand-children descended from one
common parent. — 1807.
It is advised, that parents exercise a religious
care in watching over their children, and in endeav
oring to guard them against improper connections
in marriage ; that they be not anxious to obtain
for them large- portions and settlements, but that
they be joined with persons of religious inclinations,
-suitable dispositions and diligence in their business,
which are more necessary to a comfortable life in a
married state. — 1723.
The breaches of our testimony against going
from amongst us in the weighty engagement of
marriage, being often for want of an early care
in parents, and those who have the important
charge of educating the youth under their trust,
early to admonish and instruct them in the princi
ples of Truth, and to impress their minds with the
duty of religiously observing them; as much as
possible restraining them from such company as
is likely to entangle their affections in an improper

MARRIAGES. 71
manner, we therefore tenderly advise Friends in
all quarters to an increasing care over the youth,
that the consistency of our principles in all respects
with the nature of true religion, may be impressed
on their tender minds, by upright examples, as well
as by precepts ; and that where there is apparent
danger of the affections of any being improperly
entangled, and the care of parents or guardians, or
those who have the oversight of them, appears in
sufficient to prevent their taking imprudent steps in
the accomplishment of marriage, that timely appli
cation be made for the help of their friends. — 1761.
The too ready acceptance of papers of acknowl
edgment from such persons who have accom
plished their marriages out of the order of Society,
being of injurious consequence, and a cause of much
concern and exercise to this meeting, it is earnestly
recommended to Monthly Meetings, that they
be careful speedily to proceed to put the rules of
our Discipline in practice against such offenders :
and when papers of acknowledgment and con
demnation are offered, such meetings should be well
assured that they proceed from a true ground of
sincerity and conviction in the party, manifested
by a consistency in life and conversation. — 1762.
Monthly Meetings are authorized to give forth
testimonies of denial against such of their mem
bers, who consent to, connive at, or encourage the
marriage of their children, or those under their
care (members of our religious Society) contrary to

72 MEETING HOUSES.
the good order established amongst us; if, after
Christian and brotherly labor with them, they are
not brought to a due sense of their error, and a
satisfactory acknowledgment of the same. — 1792.

MEETING HOUSES.

IT is recommended to Quarterly and Monthly
Meetings, frequently to inspect the titles of
meeting houses, burial grounds, and other estates
which have been vested in trustees, and by them
held for the use and benefit of the Society at large,
or of any of those meetings ; so that if it should
appear needful, by the death of any such trustees or
otherwise, due and seasonable care may be taken
to appoint some others to the trust ; whereby fu
ture difficulties, and the risk of being deprived of
such estates, may be avoided.
And it is further recommended, that Quarterly
and Monthly Meetings respectively, as the case may
require, keep exact records of all such trusts and
conveyances ; also, that a clear and regular account
be kept by each respective meeting, of the place
where, and the persons with whom the papers,
minutes and records belonging to our religious So
ciety, are from time to time deposited ; wherein
due care should be taken to lodge them with suit
able Friends.— 1796.

MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS.
IN order that this Yearly Meeting, with its
several branches, might be properly represented
in the intervals thereof, on emergent occasions, a
meeting was instituted in the year 1756, by the name
of the "Meeting for Sufferings:" which it waB
agreed should consist of twelve Friends appointed by
the Yearly Meeting (living in or near Philadelphia,
for the convenience of getting sodn together), and
also of four Friends chosen by each of the Quarterly
Meetings ; who were directed to meet together in
Philadelphia forthwith, for the regulation of its
future meetings ; which are subject to the follow
ing rules :
First. The said meeting shall keep fair min
utes of all its proceedings, and annually lay them
before the Yearly Meeting.
Second. No less number than twelve of the
members attending, shall constitute a meeting ca
pable of transacting any business.
Third. On all occasions of uncommon impor
tance, previous notice thereof shall be given or sent
to all the members.
Fourth. In case of the decease of any Friend or
Friends, appointed either by the Yearly Meeting or
Quarterly Meetings, or of their declining or neglect
ing their attendance for the space of twelve months,
the Meeting for Sufferings (if it be thought expe-
7 73

74 MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS.
dient) may choose others in his or their stead, to
serve to the time of the next Yearly Meeting, or
till the places of those who have represented the
Quarterly Meetings, shall be supplied by new ap
pointments. As a change in the representation of the Quar
terly Meetings is not contemplated, except in the
instances stated in this rule, it is therefore affec
tionately desired that Quarterly Meetings may be
weighty in their consideration and appointments,
that hence, such" Friends may be selected, who, by
a steady adherence to our Christian principles and
testimonies, have become in good degree qualified
to fulfil the services which devolve on this impor
tant station. — 1834.
Fifth. The said meeting may sit on its own
adjournments, and order these, as well as the times
of its stated meetings, (if these do not exceed three
months,) according to the business before them.
Sixth. The said meeting is not to meddle with
any matter of faith or discipline, which has not
been determined by the Yearly Meeting.
The further services confided to the said Meet
ing for Sufferings, are :
First. In general to represent this Yearly Meet
ing, and to appear on its behalf in all cases where
the cause of Truth, or the interest or reputation of
our religious Society, may render it needful.
Second. To take the oversight and inspection
of all writings proposed, to be printed -dative to

MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS. 75
our religious principles or testimonies ; and to pro
mote or suppress the same at their discretion ; also
to print and distribute any writings already pub
lished by the Society, or which may be offered for
inspection as aforesaid, and approved.
Third. To inspect and explain titles to land,
or other estate, belonging to any of our meetings ;
also, charitable legacies and donations ; and to give
such advice respecting the same as may appear to
be necessary.
Fourth. To receive from the several Quarterly
Meetings their annual accounts of sufferings, and
also such memorials concerning deceased Friends,
as those meetings may have concurred with: that
when examined and approved, they may be laid
before the Yearly Meeting.
Fifth. To extend such advice and assistance to
any individuals under sufferings for our testimo
nies, as their cases may require ; and, if necessary,
to apply to the Government, or persons in authority,
on their behalf.
Sixth. To correspond with the Meeting for
Sufferings in London or elsewhere, on the common
concerns of the Society.
On solid consideration it is agreed, that, though
none are properly members of the Meeting for Suf
ferings, but such who are appointed by this Yearly
Meeting, or by the several Quarterly Meetings ; yet,
that approved ministers, and members of any other
Meeting for Sufferings corresponding with this, be

76 MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP.
permitted to attend when inclined so to do.-^
1796. Accounts of sufferings to be forwarded to the
Meeting for Sufferings, are to be preserved and re
corded agreeably to the practice of our ancient
Friends, reciting the sums demanded, the kind and
amount of property taken, by whom the dis
traints were made, and the authority under which
the officers acted. — 1807.

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP.
DEAR Friends, keep all your Tneetings in the
authority, wisdom and power of Truth, and
unity of the blessed Spirit ; and the God of peace
be with^you. And it is advised, that such as
come late to meeting, or when there, fall asleep, or
are restless, or do not stay in the meeting, but go
forth unnecessarily, or otherwise demean them
selves unbecoming our holy profession on those
solemn occasions, be tenderly and seasonably ad
monished.— 1694, 1695.
We exhort all to a Christian exercise and zeal
for the performance of worship to Almighty God ;
and as we are not capable in our own strength to
perform this great duty, we. recommend to a dili
gent waiting in true silence and retirement of mind,
for the renewed sense of the inward power and vir-

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 77
tue of his Spirit, whereby alone we can be qualified
to worship Him in an acceptable manner. Let our
faithfulness and sincerity herein appear, by the
humility, meekness and circumspection of our lives
and conversation, adorning the doctrines and prin
ciples of Truth, as declared by Christ and his
Apostles : those who have been preserved in faith
fulness therein, having to testify from blessed ex
perience, that it hath been very profitable; and
therefore cannot be easy without encouraging and
putting forward their children, apprentices and
servants to this religious duty, as well as other be
havior consistent therewith. And if this useful
practice was more generally attended to, it would
do more for us and them than any outward acqui
sition of wealth ; and without doubt, some of those
who have been placed under our direction, may
with thankfulness have to view our pious care in
taking them from worldly business, to seek a city
eternal in the heavens. — 1746, 1760.
This meeting recommends, that Friends who are
exercised in the Discipline, would early extend
their brotherly love and care, in visiting such
amongst us who neglect their duty in attending
our meetings for public worship. And as a wilful
neglect of this important duty is a manifest evi
dence of ingratitude to the Divine Being, contrary
to the example and practice of the primitive be
lievers in Christ, and our religious testimony, it is
tbs judgment of this jneeting, tjjajt as such do

78 MEMORIALS.
thereby disunite themselves from Christian fellow
ship with us, Monthly Meetings, after having fully
discharged their duty towards them, and finding
their endeavors to reclaim them ineffectual, should
testify our disunion with them. — 1763, 1771.
But if such, who have thus been long regardless
of their religious duty, should, after repeated labor
by the Monthly Meeting, be induced to attend some
of our meetings for Divine worship, they ought,
before they can be considered as restored to unity
with us, to make an acknowledgment thereto, of
their having swerved from a just sense of their de
pendent condition, and a right estimate of the bond
of Christian communion. — 1834.
It is the sense and judgment of this meeting,
that where a drowsy spirit appears upon any of the
members in our religious meetings, they may be
labored with for their help ; and where it is given
way to, that Quarterly, Monthly and other Meet
ings, should be cautious of employing such in the
weighty services of the Discipline. — 1789.

MEMORIALS.

QUARTERLY and Monthly Meetings are di
rected to furnish this meeting annually, with
an account of the decease of such of their members,
in the station of ministers or elders, as may have

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 79
taken place within the year. And if any Monthly
Meeting should, under solid consideration, believe
it necessary to prepare a memorial concerning any
deceased member thereof, it is to go to.the respective
Quarterly Meeting, where, being duly weighed
and agreed to, it is then to be forwarded to the
Meeting for Sufferings for inspection and approba
tion, previous to its being laid before the Yearly
Meeting. — 1755, 1786.

MINISTERS AND ELDERS,
AND
MEETINGS OP MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
IT is our earnest desire, that ministers and elders
may be as nursing fathers and mothers to those
that are young in the ministry, and with all care
and diligence advise, admonish, and if they see oc
casion, reprove them in a tender and Christian
spirit, according to the rules of our Discipline and
counsel of Friends in that respect ; also exhort them
frequently to read the Holy Scriptures, and rever
ently seek the mind of the Spirit of Truth, to open
the mysteries thereof, that, abiding in a simple and
patient submission to the will of God, and keeping
down to the openings of Divine love and life in
themselves, they may witness a gradual growth in
their gifts, and be preserved from extending their

SO MINISTERS AND ELDERS-.
declarations further than they find the life and
power of Truth to bear them up. — 1723.
Our advice to all our ministers is, that they be
frequent in reading the Scriptures of the Old and
New Testaments ; and if any in the course of their
ministry, shall misapply, or draw unsound infer
ences or wrong conclusions from the text, or shall
promulgate any doctrine which goes to lay waste
any of our Christian principles or testimonies, let
them be admonished by the elders, and if they
prove refractory and refuse to acknowledge their
faults, let them be further dealt with in the wis
dom of Truth, by the Preparative Meeting of Min
isters and Elders ; and if this labor is unavailing,
the case should be reported to the Quarterly Meet
ing of Ministers and Elders, and a few Friends be
there appointed to extend further care therein : but
if at that time there should be no Preparative
Meeting of Ministers and Elders in existence there,
the elders are to state the case to the Quarterly
Meeting of Ministers and Elders, which, as is al
ready directed, is to take the necessary care ; and
if this brotherly concern and endeavor has not the
desired effect, then the ease is to be transmitted to
the Monthly Meeting for Discipline ; upon which
he or she is no longer to be considered as having a
right or place in the Meeting of Ministers and
Elders. — 1723, 1834.
If any minister or elder should in their conduct
or conversation, transgress .any of the rules of our

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 81
Discipline, they are to be treated with in the same
manner as any other members of our religious So
ciety ; and whenever the case is introduced into
the Monthly Meeting for Discipline, such minister
or elder is not to attend any Meeting of Ministers
and Elders or Meeting for Discipline, nor be consid
ered as in either of those stations, until he or she
shall have made satisfaction to the Monthly Meet
ing, and be again recommended or appointed as at
first.— 1834.
As the occasion • of our religious meetings is
solemn, a care should ever be maintained to guard
against anything that would tend to disorder or
confusion therein. When any think they have
aught against what is publicly delivered in those
meetings, they should speak to the party privately
and in an orderly manner. And if any shall op
pose a ministering Friend in his or her preaching
or exhortation, or keep on the hat, or show any
remarkable dislike to such when engaged in prayer,
let them be speedily admonished in such manner
as may be requisite, unless the person against
whom the uneasiness is expressed, has been dis
owned by a Monthly Meeting, or his or her public
appearances have been disapproved by the elders. —
1719. This meeting agrees, that each Monthly Meet
ing choose two or more Friends of each sex to sit
with the ministers, and they together to compose
a meeting to be denominated a Preparative Meet-

82 MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
ing of Ministers and Elders ; taking care that the
persons chosen for that service, be Friends of solid
judgment, prudence and experience, — 1714, 1740,
1755, 1834.
Whenever it appears to a Monthly Meeting, that
there is a necessity for the appointment of one or
more elders of either sex, a committee is to be
appointed by the men's and women's meetings,
and in this united committee, all the persons pro
posed for the station should be deliberately and
weightily considered ; and if way does not open to
bring forward any name, they are to report accord
ingly. Upon the nomination of any being agreed
to, the report of the united committee is to be
made to each meeting ; and the women's Monthly
Meeting having solidly considered the same, and
previous to making any conclusive minute thereon,
is to impart its sense to the men's meeting, and
there leave it for their judgment and determina
tion. In the men's meeting, the case is also to be
seriously and carefully attended to ; and when the
nomination is agreed to in the Monthly Meetings,
a minute expressive thereof, signed by the clerk of
the men's meeting, is to be sent into the women's
meeting for its concurrence and signing ; and this
minute is to be forwarded to the Quarterly Meet
ing of Ministers and Elders, where the case being
solidly weighed, and the conclusion of the Monthly
Meetings concurred with, information thereof,
by minute, is to' be sent to the said Monthly

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 83
Meetings : and until the approbation of the Quar
terly Meeting of Ministers and Elders is obtained,
the nomination made by the Monthly Meetings is
not to have effect. — 1829.
When any Friend has frequently appeared in our
religious meetings as a minister, and the Prepara
tive Meeting of Ministers and Elders, or, where
there is no such select Preparative Meeting, the
elders, believing that it is seasonable the subject
should claim the attention of the Monthly Meet
ing for Discipline, of which the person is a mem
ber, they are at liberty to mention the matter
therein ; and if the Monthly Meeting, after delib
erate consideration, should unite in believing that
a gift in the ministry of the Gospel has been
committed to him or her, a minute expressive
thereof should be forwarded to the Quarterly Meet
ing of Ministers and Elders, where, the case being
solidly weighed, and the sense of the Monthly
Meeting concurred with, information thereof
should, by minute, be sent to the Monthly Meet
ing, and also to the Preparative Meeting of Minis
ters and Elders, of which the individual is to be a
member. And until the approbation of the Quarterly
Meeting of Ministers and Elders is obtained, no such
Friend is to be received as a minister, nor permitted
to sit in the meetings of ministers and elders, nor
travel abroad as a minister. And no such ap
proved minister is to appoint any meeting out of
the limits of the Quarterly Meeting to which he or

84 MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
she belongs, without a certificate from the Monthly
Meeting for Discipline, or the concurrence thereof.
1806, 1834.
Whx,n any Friend, appointed to the station of
an elder, believes him or herself called to the min
istry, and shall have appeared frequently in that
capacity in our public religious meetings, they
should withdraw from the Meetings of Ministers
and Elders. — 1806.
Where Friends are really dissatisfied or burdened
with the communications of those that take upon
them to preach in our religious meetings, let them
be duly admonished by faithful ministers or elders ;
and if, afterwards, they persist to impose upon and
burden Friends, the elders should take the necessary
steps to lay the case before the Monthly Meeting for
Discipline, which should treat with the party as for
any other breach of pur order ; and if this labor
is ineffectual, issue a testimony of disownment. — ¦
1698, 1834.
When any approved minister apprehends it to
be his or her duty to travel in the service of Truth,
out of the limits of the respective Quarterly Meet
ing, he or she is to open their concern in the
Monthly Meeting to which they belong, and ob
tain a certificate or minute (as the occasion may be)
of its unity and concurrence, directed to Friends
within the parts proposed to be visited. If the
concern is so extensive, as by the rules of our Dis
cipline it is requisite to be laid before the Quarterly

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 85
Meeting, for its concurrence and endorsement — or
if it is of such' a general nature as to make it
necessary to claim the careful attention of the
Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, the pro
priety and validity of the concern should engage
the weighty consideration and deep feeling of the
said superior meetings, previous .to reading the
certificate of the Monthly Meeting. — 1681, 1806,
1812, 1834.
When the service of a Friend, who has been out
on a religious visit, is accomplished, the meeting
or .meetings that have set him or her at liberty for
that purpose, are to be informed thereof, and the
certificate returned without improper delay. — 1806.
When any approved minister is religiously con
cerned to attend only one of the Yearly Meetings
on this continent, adjacent to the limits of this
Yearly Meeting, and to take such meetings as are
on the way thither, or on the return from thence, or
a few meetings in the immediate vicinity of the place
where the said Yearly Meeting may then be held ;
or if it is a concern, specially and solely, to visit
the meetings within one or two of the Quarterly
Meetings, belonging to either of those Yearly
Meetings adjacent to this meeting — he or she is
to spread the same before their respective Monthly
Meeting, and when united with, a certificate or
minute adapted to the occasion, is to be made and
signed — if for a man, by the clerk of the men's
meeting ; but if for a. woman, by the clerks of the
8

86 MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
men's and women's meetings ; and in either case
by one of the correspondents also. — 1812, 1834.
If the concern of a Friend is only to attend a
Yearly- Meeting further distant, a minute of the
concurrence of the Monthly Meeting therewith will
be sufficient ; but if it is also to take several of the
meetings belonging thereto, or if the concern em
braces a visit to a considerable number of the meet
ings composing such distant Yearly Meeting, though
it may be with, or exclusive of any prospect of at
tending it, and likewise in either case, such meet
ings as may be on the way in going and returning ;
after a certificate for that purpose has been obtained
from the Monthly Meeting, the concern, together
with the certificate, are to be laid before the Quar
terly Meeting, that if concurred with, an endorse
ment to that, effect may be made thereon. — 1834.
If an approved minister is under a concern to
perform a religious visit to the meetings generally,
which are within the limits of the Yearly Meetings
of Ohio, Indiana, and Carolina, or within any two
of them ; or if it is to make a religious visit beyond
sea, — the same is to be spread before the Monthly
Meeting, and when united with, a certificate there
of is to be drawn and signed, if for a man, by the
men's Monthly Meeting generally, but if for a
woman, by the men's and women's Monthly Meet
ings generally ; the concern is then to be opened iu
the respective Quarterly Meeting, in order for its
.concurrence and endorsement, which,, if obtained,

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 87
it, together with those testimonials, are to be laid
before the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders ;
and if, upon solid consideration, it is there united
with, a certificate thereof, signed by the' clerk,
should be granted.— 1812, 1834.
It is desired that Friends, when abroad on re
ligious visits, may humbly and steadily abide un
der the weight of the concern which drew them
out on this important embassy, and in which the
meetings they are respectively members of, have
united ; that using due diligence in endeavoring to
fulfil the service, and thus seasonably returning to
their families and friends at home, their exemplary
care and tender regard to the comely order of our
religious Society, may have an extensively salutary
influence. — 1834.
If any of our ministers, or those who may come
from other parts on a visit among Friends, gives
occasion of uneasiness in his or her religious com
munications, by misapplying or drawing unsound
inferences from the text, or shall propagate any
doctrines or -principles which are not according to
the testimony of the Holy Scriptures, and incon
sistent with those which our religious Society have
always held and most surely believed, let them be
immediately treated with by faithful elders or
ministers where such occasion of concern has been
given ; and if such minister prove refractory and
do not acknowledge his or her fault, then the said
elders or ministers should give information there-

88 MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
of, and of the care extended, to the elders of the
Monthly Meeting where such minister belongs, or
report the case to their own respective Monthly
Meeting, in order that if it should be judged re
quisite, an explicit communication from this latter
Monthly Meeting to the one of which the indi
vidual is a member, may be seasonably made, fur
ther endeavors for his or her help thence be used, and
our testimony to the principles and doctrines of the
Gospel of Christ duly maintained.- — 1699, 1834.
It is recommended, that when the concern of a
Friend for the performance of a religious visit to
meetings within the limits of this Yearly Meeting,
is united with by the Monthly Meeting of which
he or she is a member, that the said Monthly
Meeting, by a suitable committee, do carefully ex
amine and see that the service may not be impeded,
or the individual improperly burdened, for want
of requisite means to defray the expenses of such a
journey: and where the concern extends beyond
the limits of this Yearly Meeting, the like care
should weightily rest upon and be attended to by
the Quarterly Meeting to which the Friend belongs.
When any Friend is drawn to make a religious
visit beyond sea, and the concern is united with in
the respective meetings according to the mode pre
scribed by the Discipline, such committee as the
Yearly Meeting may appoint for the purpose,
should take care for the assistance of the individual
when needful, and to appropriate so much of the

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 89
stock of the meeting, as they may judge proper, for
payment of the expenses incurred in the perform
ance of the service. — 1812. i
The ministers and elders of each Monthly Meet
ing are to meet once in three months, at such time
and place as the Monthly Meeting may direct, in
the capacity of a Preparative Meeting of Ministers
and Elders ; when, after a time of solid retirement,
the queries addressed to such meetings are to be
read and considered, and distinct answers made to
them in writing, which, when signed by the clerk,
are to be conveyed to the ensuing Quarterly Meet
ing of Ministers and Elders, by two or more Friends,
to be mentioned in the report as representatives ;
but if, in the course of inquiry, any deficiency has
appeared, care should be taken that it be remedied.
1721, 1806.
In the said Quarterly Meetings, the queries are
also to be read, with the answers which are brought
from their Preparative Meetings, and the state of the
members and of the respective Preparative Meetings,
should be weightily considered, that, where occasion
requires it, advice, counsel and labor may be season
ably extended ; and once a year, those answers
comprised in a written report, and signed by the
clerk, are to be forwarded to the Yearly Meeting
of Ministers and Elders, by four or more Friends
appointed as representatives. In this meeting the
queries are also to be read, with the answers from
the several Quarters ; and the state of this part of
8*

90 MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
the Society being collected and considered, advices
adapted thereto may, if. requisite, be issued to the
subordinate meetings of like kind, or care extended
for their help and benefit, as in Divine wisdom
may be needful.— 1753, 1806,1834.
None of the said Meetings of Ministers and Elders
are to interfere with the business of any Meeting
for Discipline : but in accordance with our ancient
practice, if any Meeting of Ministers and Elders
have under its care a subject which peculiarly be
longs to this part of our religious Society, and in
their judgment it appears really needful to claim
the consideration of its respective Meeting for Dis
cipline, they are at liberty to communicate the same
thereto accordingly. — 1722, 1834.
The Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders is
not to suffer its adjournments to interfere with the
sittings of the Yearly Meeting for Discipline. —
1721. We tenderly recommend faithful Friends, and
especially ministers and elders, to watch over the
flock of Christ in their respective places and sta
tions, always approving themselves by their pious
examples, in conversation and conduct, to be such
as faithfully and diligently walk agreeably to the
testimony of the blessed Truth, whereunto the
Lord hath gathered us in this his Gospel day. — •
1755. If any acknowledged member of our Meetings of
Ministers and Elders, shall at any time be thought,

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 91
by negligence, unfaithfulness, or otherwise, to have
lost his or her service in that station, so as to be
come the subject of uneasiness and burdensome ; it
is advised, that a timely and tender care be ex
tended to such person according to Gospel order ;
first by the individuals concerned, and then by the
Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders to
which he or she may belong ; or if there is no such
Preparative Meeting, by the elders. Should these
labors prove unavailing, report of the case should
be made to the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and
Elders, and there a few Friends be deputed to assist
the said Preparative Meeting or the elders, in a
further extension of labor with the party ; if this
also prove unavailing and on report thereof to the
said Quarterly Meeting, it appears that the duty
to the individual has been fully discharged, the
case should then by minute be transmitted to the
Monthly Meeting for Discipline of which the party
is a member, and left under its care ; and he or
she is from that time to refrain from attending
any such select meetings, until they shall be again
recommended or appointed as at first. But if the
said Monthly Meeting declines or refuses to take
up the case, and extend such care and labor there
in as is requisite, the Quarterly Meeting of Minis
ters and Elders should represent to its respec
tive Quarterly Meeting for Discipline, the con
cern and exercise which has thus been brought
Upon, them, that -hence the State of t&§. Monthly

92 MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
Meeting arid the due maintenance of our comely
order, may claim the solid attention of the said
Quarterly Meeting for Discipline ; and be brought
to such issue as may be promotive of the cause of.
Truth and the well-being of our religious Society.
1806, 1834.
As the original purpose and intention of selecting
from among our members, a class of solid, judicious
Friends for the important station of elders, was
not only, that where needful, they might extend a
brotherly care in counselling and advising minis
ters, but to sit with them in those select meetings,
and by a united exercise, be mutually assistant to
each other in promoting a due regard to those
services and duties which peculiarly belong to their
respective stations ; it is therefore the renewed
concern of this meeting, affectionately to recom
mend to the Quarterly Meetings of Ministers and
Elders, that they weightily attend, from time to
time, to the situation and circumstance of those
select Preparative Meetings where, from removal,
decease, or otherwise, there is no minister ; care
fully considering whether the continuance of meet
ings, which for many years have been in this situ
ation, is fulfilling the design of such an institution,
and of essential benefit to our religious Society ;
that, where a suspension of any of those meet
ings should appear seasonable and proper, an
intimation thereof may be conveyed to the Monthly
Meeting for Discipline ; which, after consideration,

MODERATION AND , TEMPERANCE. 93
and no weighty impediment to . the sense of the
Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders appear
ing, should by minute refer the same to the solid
judgment and disposal of the respective Quarterly
Meeting for Discipline. Nevertheless, those Friends
who have been appointed as elders, should be con
sidered as remaining in that station, subject how
ever to the rules of our Discipline already provided,
and to the like extension of care towards them by
the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, as
would have been within the duties of the select
Preparative Meeting. — 1834.

< • m m »

MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE.
IT is affectionately recommended, that Friends be
careful to use moderation on account of mar
riages, burials, and on all other occasions ; a depart
ure from which has been a cause of stumbling to
many, and a great obstruction to a more full refor
mation, as well as attended with other evil conse
quences, tending to obscure that Light which is
graciously bestowed, and which we should have
more abundantly, if greater faithfulness was lived
in ; lessening that savor which we ought ever
carefully to preserve, agreeably to the monition of
the holy Apostle : " Let your moderation be known
unto all men, the Lord is at hand." Phil. iv. 5.

94 OATHS.
And as the all-seeing eye beholds our thoughts,
and views us in all our ways and actions, what
manner of men ought we to be in all godliness of
life, and sobriety of deportment. — 1789.

OATHS.
ADVISED, that our Christian testimony be faith
fully maintained against the burden and impo
sition of oaths, according to the express command
of Christ, and the injunction of the Apostle James,
viz : " Ye have heard that it hath been said by
them of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself,
but bhalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths ; but
I say unto you, swear not at all : neither by heaven,
for it is God's throne ; nor by the earth, for it
is his footstool ; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the
city of the great king. "Neither shalt thou swear by
thy head, because thou canst not make one hair
white or black; but let your communication be
yea, yea, nay, aay ; for whatsoever is more than
these cometh cf evil." Matt. v. 33 to 37.
" But above all things, my brethren, swear not :
neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither
by any "other oath ; but let your yea, be yea, and
your nay, nay ; lest ye fall into condemnation."
James v. 12.
From the year 1718 to 1771, divers minutes of

OATHS. 95
this meeting appear, declaring that oaths adminis
tered by clerks or others, under the notice and
connivance of Friends, either in court or elsewhere,
are a violation of our ancient testimony. And it
is earnestly recommended to Quarterly and Month
ly Meetings, that where any under our name are
parties to the administration of oaths, to be careful
to proceed in dealing with them ; and if they do
not decline the practice, and give suitable satisfac
tion to the meeting they belong to, to testify
against them agreeably to the rules of our Discipline.
As it is our duty to support our Christian testi
mony against oaths, faithful Friends are desired
to extend brotherly labor towards those who de
viate therefrom ; and if such labor proves unsuc
cessful, Monthly Meetings should testify their dis
unity with them. — 1758.
Friends in all places are exhorted carefully to
avoid electing or promoting their brethren to such
stations in civil government, as may subject them
to the temptation of violating this testimony ; and
where any members show an inclination or desire
of soliciting or accepting of such offices, timely care
should be taken to caution them against it. —=-1762.
And in the execution of instruments of writing
requiring witnesses, it is recommended that Friends
endeavor to procure such persons for this purpose,
as will attest the same by affirmation. — 1762,
1806.

OVERSEERS.
IT is recommended, that in every Monthly Meet
ing, a proper number of faithful and judicious
men and women, belonging to each of the Partic
ular or Preparative Meetings, be appointed to the
station of overseers within the same ; whose duty
it is to exercise a vigilant and tender care over
their fellow-members ; that if anything repugnant
to the Discipline, harmony, and good order of the
Society appears among them, it may be timely at
tended to and not neglected. And to prevent the
introduction of all unnecessary and premature com
plaints to meetings for Discipline, it is advised if
any member shall have cause of complaint against
another, that it be mentioned to the overseers, who
are to see that the party complained of has been
treated with according to gospel order, previously
to the case being reported to the Preparative or
Monthly Meeting. It is desired, that in dealing
with any for a breach of the rules of our Discipline,
it be done in the spirit of meekness and love, pa
tiently endeavoring to instruct and advise them ;
which, if ineffectual, the individual should be noti
fied, when it can be conveniently done, that the
Preparative Meeting is to be informed thereof. —
1719, 1834.
If any in membership with us, who, having vio
lated our religious testimony and Discipline, have
96

OVERSEERS. 97
left their usual place of abode, and gone to such
remote parts as to render it very difficult or im-.
practicable for the overseers to treat with them ;
the Preparative Meeting is to be early informed
of the case and its circumstances, in order that the
Monthly Meeting may extend such care therein as
its nature demands. — 1834.
As overseers are appointed by, and are the offi
cers of Monthly Meetings, their labor should not
be confined to the Preparative Meetings where
they may respectively belong ; but they should be
vigilant in the extension of care towards delinquent
members in- any part of the Monthly Meeting,
which has delegated them to this important ser
vice.— 1828.
It is further recommended to our Monthly Meet
ings, that a committee be appointed at least once
in three years, or as much oftener as the occasion
may require, to consider the propriety of changing
the overseers, and bringing forward in the improve
ment of their gifts, other Friends on whom a con
cern for the welfare of the Society rests. We ten
derly exhort all our members who may be rightly
called into this or any other service of the church,
riot hastily to excuse themselves therefrom, but
solidly to ponder the weighty advice, of the Apos
tle : " Feed the flock of God, which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint,
but willingly ; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready
mind ; neither as lords over God's heritage, but
6

98 PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
being ensamples to the flock: and when the chief
Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of
glory, that fadeth not away." 1 Peter v. 2-4. —
1806.

PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
IN much love to the rising generation, we ex
hort them to avoid the many vanities and en
snaring corruptions to whieh they are exposed.
Bear in mind, dear youth, that the " Fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and that " a
good understanding have all they who do his com
mandments." Psalm xci. 10. Take the advice of
godly parents, guardians and "friends ; ever remem
bering that, next to our Creator, children ought to
obey their parents ; that disobedience to them is a
breach of the moral law, and was always offensive
in the Divine sight. Submit to' their reasonable
requirings with cheerfulness, though these may
sometimes thwart your own inclinations ; and an
swer them not frowardly or crossly. They watched
over you and took care of you, when you were ut
terly unable to help or care for yourselves. Why
then should any of you grieve and wound their still
anxious minds, by a conduct which, because of its
tendency to obstruct your welfare and happiness,
you know they cannot approve? — such as running

PARENTS A«D CHILDREN. 99
into vain and expensive fashions ; associating with
corrupt and libertine persons ; frequenting ta rerns
and places of diversion ; wasting your precious
time in idle discourse, and drawing the affections
and inflaming the passions one of another; all
which, we have no doubt, the divine Monitor in
your own breasts often pleads -with you against,
and shows to be destructive of your peace. We,
as fathers, beseech you to attend to this heavenly
Instructor, and dutifully yield to the correspondent
tender advice of your friends. Shrink not from
the cross of Christ in your garb, language or man
ners ; but, through a subjection of your wills to
the Divine will, in these and all other respects,
walk answerably to the purity -of our profession,
and the simplicity and spirituality of our worship :
so may you be instructive examples to serious in
quirers after truth ; and not of those who, under
a profession thereof, are preferring their own
crooked ways, and turning others from the foot
steps of the followers of Christ.
It is advised, that where the pious exercise of
parental care and authority is disregarded, and
any of the youth in membership with us appear
obstinately determined to run into and copy after
the vain and extravagant fashions of the world, in
their dress and address, exposing themselves to the
corrupting influence of evil company and excesses,
whereby designing persons may entangle their af
fections, and draw them into unsuitable and un-

100 PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
happy connections, in marriage or otherwise, that
such be timely and tenderly treated with, and
shown the dangerous tendency of their conduct ;
and, if they cannot be prevailed with to desist
therefrom, and amend their ways, they should be
dealt with by their respective Preparative or
Monthly Meetings, as in other cases of offence ;
and if, after due expostulation and forbearance,
they prove irreclaimable, they should be testified
against. — 1792.
If any parents in membership with us, willingly
indulge their children or youth under their care,
in such extravagance, liberties, and excesses, as are
here pointed out, they should in like manner be
treated with and disowned.
Friends are advised to bring up their children
to habits of industry, placing them with sober and
exemplary members of the Society, for instruction
in such occupations as are consistent with our re
ligious principles and testimonies ; that as far as in
us lies, they may be preserved in a becoming con
duct and demeanor. And it is desired that those
whose circumstances may furnish with ability for
instructing, in useful and suitable employments,
the children of members who are in situations less
affluent, may receive them into their families upon
terms so moderate and equitable, as to remove
every plausible reason for placing them with those
not in membership with us. — 1799.

PLAINNESS.
A DVISED, that all Friends, both old and young,
-£*- keep out of the world's corrupt language,
manners, vain and needless things and fashions, in
apparel, buildings, and furniture of houses ; some
of which are immodest, indecent, and unbecoming.
And that they avoid immoderation in the use of
lawful things, which, however innocent in them
selves, may thereby become hurtful ; also all such
kinds of stuffs, colors and dress, as are calculated
more to please a vain and wanton mind, than for
real usefulness ; and let tradesmen and others,
members of our religious Society, be admonished,
that they be not accessory to these evils ; for we
ought to take up our daily cross, minding the
grace of God which brings salvation, and teaches
to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to
live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present
world, that we may adorn the Gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ in all things ; so may we feel his bless
ing, and be instrumental in his hand for the good
of others. — 1682, 1694, 1695, 1711.
We tenderly exhort all seriously to consider the
plainness and simplicity which the Gospel enjoins,
and to manifest an adherence to this testimony, in
their speech, apparel, furniture, business, saluta
tions and conversation ; into which our forefathers
were led by the Spirit of Christ, and in conformity
9* 101

102 PLAINNESS.
with whose precepts and example, they patiently
suffered long imprisonments, and great persecu
tions ; being convinced that it was their duty thus
to bear a testimony against the vain, corrupt spirit
of the world. — 1746..
The Spirit of Truth, which led our ancients to
lay aside everything unbecoming the followers of
Christ, still leads in the same path, all who submit
to its guidance ; we therefore earnestly entreat all
Friends, to watch over themselves in this respect.
The example of our blessed Saviour, his immediate
followers, and of virtuous and holy men in all ages,
ought to make a due impression on every con
siderate mind ; and especially on such as have had
the advantage of a guarded education.
We also tenderly advise, that Friends seriously
bear in mind, they should be exemplary to others
under their care ; that they exercise plainness of
speech, without respect of persons, in all their con
verse among men ; not balking their testimony by
a cowardly compliance, and varying their language
according to their company ; a practice of very ill
example, rendering those who use it contemptible,
and looked upon as a kind of hypocrites, even by
those with whom they so comply. This seems to be
cautioned against by the Apostle, when he advises,
1 Tim. " That the deacons be grave, not double-
tongued ; " plainly importing that it is inconsistent
with the gravity of the Gospel. — 1743.

POOR.
IT is advised, that the cases of all our members
who are in indigent circumstances, be duly in
spected, that advice and relief may be seasonably
extended, and assistance afforded to them in such
business as they are capable of: and in order to de
fray the expenses which their support and the edu
cation of their children will necessarily occasion,
it is recommended to each Monthly Meeting of
men and women Friends, to be open-hearted and
liberal in subscriptions for raising and continuing
funds for these purposes : that the meetings of each
sex should appoint a treasurer to receive the same,
and a committee of suitable Friends to have the
particular care of the poor, whose business it will be
to visit, inspect into their wants, and relieve them.
In the exercise of this benevolent care, it is de
sired we may always guard against exposing the
names or situations of our fellow-members. An
appointment should be annually made of two or
more Friends for settling the treasurer's account,
and reporting its state to the meeting. — 1721, 1796.
103

QUERIES.
IT is agreed, that the eight' queries belonging to
meetings for Discipline, be read, deliberately
considered, and answered in each Preparative and
Monthly Meeting once a year ; in order to convey
an explicit account in writing to the Quarterly
Meetings next preceding the Yearly Meeting, that
so this meeting may be clearly informed of the
state of all our meetings.
Also, that the first, second and eighth of those
queries be read, considered, and explicit answers to
them made in writing in the two Quarterly Meet
ings preceding the one before mentioned, and also
in the Preparative and Monthly Meetings which
report thereto. But none of the queries are to be
read or answered in those Quarterly Meetings for
Discipline, which immediately succeed the Yearly
Meeting, nor in the Preparative or Monthly Meet
ings which report to those quarters.
It is not considered as obligatory on any meet
ing, to read the above queries oftener than is here
mentioned, nor to read any others than such as are
to be answered. Nor is the reading and answering
of them enjoined on any Preparative Meeting,
where the members of that and the Monthly Meet
ing are the same. — 1806.
It is further agreed, that at the time when the
eight queries are read in the Preparative and
104

QUERIES. 105
Monthly Meetings, the advices and cautions sub
joined shall be also distinctly read and solidly pon
dered ; as a means of putting the members present
upon considering, whether there be any occasion
for an extension of care in those respects : and, if
there is, of stirring them up to a faithful discharge
of their duty as individuals, one towards another.
First Query. Are all our religious meetings for
Worship and Discipline duly attended ; is the
hour observed ; and are Friends clear of sleeping,
and of all other unbecoming behavior therein ?
Second Query. Are love and unity maintained
amongst you ? Are tale-bearing and detraction dis
couraged? And where any differences arise, are
endeavors used speedily to end them?
Third Query. Are Friends careful to bring up
those under their direction,. in plainness of speech,
behavior and apparel ; in frequently reading the
Holy Scriptures ; and to restrain them from read
ing pernicious books, and from the corrupt con
versation of the world ? And are they good exam
ples in these respects themselves ?
Fourth Query. Are Friends careful to discourage
the unnecessary distillation and use of spirituous
liquors, and the frequenting of taverns ; to avoid
places of diversion, and to keep in true moderation
and temperance on the account of marriages, bur
ials, and all'other occasions ?
Fifth Query. Are poor Friends' necessities duly
inspected, and they relieved or assisted in such

106 QUERIES.
business as they are capable of? Do their children
freely partake of learning to fit them for business ;
and are they and other Friends' children placed
among Friends?
Sixth Query. Do you maintain a faithful testi
mony against oaths ; an hireling ministry ; bearing
arms, training, and other military services ; being
concerned in any fraudulent or clandestine trade ;
buying or vending goods so imported, or prize
goods ; and against encouraging lotteries of any
kind? Seventh Query. Are Friends careful to live within
the bounds of their circumstances, and to keep to
moderation in their trade or business ? Are they
punctual to their promises, and just in the pay
ment of their debts ; and are such as give reason
able grounds for fear on these accounts, timely la
bored with for their preservation or recovery ?
Eighth Query. Do you take due care regularly to
deal with all offenders in the spirit of meekness,
without partiality or unnecessary delay, in order
for their help ; and where such labor is ineffectual,
to place judgment upon them, in the authority of
Truth? And in the Preparative and Monthly Meetings,
when all the foregoing queries are read and an
swered, the following advices are to be read, with
a suitable pause between them :
That no young or single persons make or en
courage proposals of marriage with each other

QUERIES. 107
without consent of parents or guardians, or keep
company with those who are not of our religious
Society, upon that account ; and if parents give their
consent to, or connive at their children's thus keep
ing company, or marrying, that they be dealt with
according to our Discipline. And if any of our
members have been present at marriages accom
plished contrary to the rules of our Discipline, that
they also be dealt with.
That all public gifts and legacies be strictly ap
plied to the uses intended by the donors ; or, if any
unforeseen occurrence should render such com
pliance difficult or impracticable, that an early ap
plication be made to the Meeting for Sufferings for
its advice or assistance: and that timely care be
taken for the renewal of trusts.
That Friends intending removal be careful to ap
ply for certificates ; and that the eases of such who
remove without certificates, or of sojourners coming
from other places and appearing as Friends, without
producing certificates, be properly attended to.
That Friends carefully inspect the state of their
affairs once in the year ; and make their wills and
settle their outward estates whilst in health,
And it is further recommended, that in conduct
ing the affairs of our nieetings, as it is the Lord's
work, let it be done as in his sight ; thus Friends
should humbly endeavor "to manage them in the
peaceable spirit and wisdom of Jesus, with decency,
forbearance, and love of each other.

108 QUERIES.
The following queries are also to be read, con
sidered and answered once a year, in each Monthly
and Quarterly Meeting, and a report thereof
made in writing to this meeting : and it is recom
mended, that in answering the query respecting
schools, Monthly Meetings furnish their respective
Quarters with particular accounts of the situation
and circumstances of the several schools within their
limits, which are under the care of Preparative,
Monthly, or Quarterly Meetings ; and . that the
Quarterly Meetings convey to this meeting a sum
mary statement thereof.
First Query. What ministers and elders de
ceased, and when ?
Second Query. What new meetings have been
settled? and have any meetings been discontinued?
Third Query. Is due care taken to keep a regular
record of births and deaths ?
Fourth Query. Are there schools established for
the education of our youth, under the care of
teachers in membership with us, and superintended
by committees appointed either in the Monthly
or Preparative Meetings ?
Fifth Query. Are the queries addressed to the
Quarterly, Monthly, and Preparative Meetings,
read and answered therein, as directed? — 1755,
1782, 1806, 1834.

QUERIES FOR MEETINGS OF MINISTERS
AND ELDERS.
IT is also concluded, that of the following four
queries, formed for the use of the Meetings of
Ministers and Elders, the first three be read and
distinctly answered in writing, three times in a
year, by each Preparative Meeting of that kind, to
its respective Quarterly Meeting ; and that all the
said four queries shall be in like manner read and
answered, by the Preparative to their Quarterly
Meetings next preceding the Yearly Meeting of
Ministers and Elders ; that the Quarterly Meetings
may be enabled to transmit a clear and distinct
statement of those answers to that meeting.
First Query. Are ministers and eiders careful to
attend meetings for Divine worship, bringing their
families with them ? Do they diligently attend
meetings for Discipline, encouraging such of their
families to this duty as are of proper age, and suit
able deportment ?
Second Query. Are ministers sound in word and
doctrine ; and careful to minister in the ability
which God gives ?
Third Query. Are the lives and conversation of
ministers and elders clean and blameless amongst
men: are they in unity one with another, and
10 109

110 SCHOOLS.
with the meeting they belong to, harmoniously la
boring for Truth's honor ?
Fourth Query ^ Are they good examples in up
rightness, temperance, and moderation ; and care
ful to train up their families in plainness of dress
and simplicity of manners, becoming our religious
profession ?
It is earnestly and affectionately recommended,
that ministers and elders watch over one another
for good, to help those who are exercised in the
ministry in the right line ; discouraging forward
spirits that run into words without life and power ;
advising against affectation of tones and gestures,
and everything that would hurt their service ; yet
encouraging the humble, careful traveller ; " Speak
ing a word in season to them that are weary."
And let all dwell in that which gives ability to la
bor successfully in the church of Christ, adorning
the doctrine which -they deliver to others ; being
examples of the believers, in word, in conversation,
in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. — 1755,
1795, 1806.

SCHOOLS.
rflHE education of our youth in piety and virtue,
J- and giving them useful learning under the
tuition of religious, prudent persons, having for a

SCHOOLS. Ill
great number of years engaged the solid attention
of this meeting, advices thereon have been from
time to time issued to the several subordinate
meetings. It is renewedly desired, that Quarterly,
Monthly, and Preparative Meetings may be excited
to proper exertions for the institution and support
of schools, there being but little doubt, that as
Friends are united, and cherish a disposition of
liberality for the assistance of each other in this
important work, they will be enabled to make such
provision for the accommodation and residence of
a teacher, with a family, as would be an encour
agement to well-qualified persons to engage in this
arduous employment ; for want of which, it has
been observed, that children have been committed
to the care of transient persons, of doubtful char
acter, and sometimes of very corrupt minds, by
whose bad example and influence, they have been
betrayed into principles and habits, which have
had an injurious effect on them in more advanced
life. It is therefore indispensably incumbent on us
to guard them against this danger, and to procure
such tutors of our own religious persuasion, as are
not only capable of instructing them in useful
learning, to fit them for the business of this life,
but to train them in the knowledge of their duty
to God, and one towards another. It is therefore
proposed :
First. That a lot of ground be provided in each
Monthly or Preparative. Meeting, sufficient for a

112 SCHOOLS.
garden, orchard, grass for a cow, &c, and a suit
able house erected thereon.
Second. That funds be raised by contribution,
bequests, &c, in each meeting; the interest of
which to be applied either in aid of the tutor's
salary, or lessening the expense of Friends in strait
ened circumstances, in the education of their
children. Third. That a committee be appointed in each
Monthly or Preparative Meeting, to have the care
of schools, and the funds for their support, and
that no tutor be employed but with their consent.
Although the raising a sufficiency to answer
those purposes may in some places appear difficult,
yet as improvements of this kind are generally
gradual, and have often arisen from small begin
nings into very valuable establishments, it is de
sired that Friends may be encouraged thereto, and
keeping an eye to the Divine blessing on their be
nevolent endeavors, make such essay for carrying
into effect these recommendations as they may be
enabled. — 1746, 1750, 1778 to 1787.
Under a renewed fervent concern for the preser
vation of our youth, and their advancement in
piety and virtue, it is desired that Quarterly Meet
ings would enter deeply into the important subject
of education, and promote in the subordinate meet
ings, the establishment of schools, to be taught by
members of our religious Society ; and that a vigi
lant care be exercised in all such schools, to instruct

SCHOOLS. 113
the children in the principles of the Christian reli
gion, and the peculiar testimonies of our religious
Society ; that each Quarterly Meeting raise a
school fund, to be applied under the direction of a
committee, to the assistance of those meetings and
families which may require such aid. The daily
reading of the Holy Scriptures, and the regular at
tendance of the scholars at mid-week meetings,
where it is practicable, should be enjoined at all
these schools.
Although various difficulties and discourage
ments exist in some of the Quarterly Meetings, yet
if Friends generally were brought to consider a
guarded education, not merely as a matter of tem
poral convenience and accommodation, but as it
really is, a religious concern of primary obligation,
and deeply affecting the spiritual welfare of their
beloved offspring, they would be prepared to pros
ecute it with lively zeal, and to make such pecu
niary and other sacrifices to procure it, that few
meetings would be found where select schools could
not be supported, and none of the children of
Friends, to whom the invaluable blessing of a com
petent and religious education would not be acces
sible. Quarterly and Monthly Meetings are therefore
recommended to appoint committees to have this
subject under their special care ; to make particular
inquiry into the situation of all their members as
regards education, and endeavor, as way may
open, earnestly to impress on their minds a due
10*

114 SCHOOLS..
sense of the value of a religious, guarded education,
and of the obligation which rests on parents, to-
use diligent exertions faithfully to discharge this
important duty towards their children.
And it is desired, that Friends in the respective
meetings may cherish a liberal disposition, in con
tributing towards the assistance of their brethren,
who have families of children growing up around
them, and are laboring under many discourage
ments and disadvantages arising from the want of
means to give them that kind of education, which
it has long been the fervent concern of this meet
ing to promote among its members. As a principal
obstacle to forming select- schools, within some of
the Quarterly Meetings, appears to arise from the
scattered situation of the families, and the difficulty
of locating a school so as to be within the reach of
a sufficient number of the children of Friends ; this
may in great measure be removed, by fixing the
school in a central situation near the meeting-house,
and boarding the children, whose parents reside at
a distance, in the families of Friends who live con
tiguous. If a proper concern for the promotion of
the welfare of each other is cultivated among: our
members, it is believed there would be little diffi
culty in procuring such situations for the children,
where they can be accommodated during the week
at a small expense, and return home to s^>end the
first day with their parents. It is alsi* recom
mended,, that all. these schools should be unler th^

SCRIPTURES. 115
care of committees, appointed in the Monthly or
Preparative Meetings, who should frequently visit,
and diligently watch over them, in order to pro-,
mote their improvement, and to encourage Friends
to send their children there, rather than to the
mixed schools in the neighborhood.
As essentially connected with, and highly con
ducive to the fulfilment of the foregoing salutary
recommendations, it is very important that Friends
bear in mind, that the business of proper and just
education must be begun at home, and that the dis
cipline and docility, which will enable children to
profit by the instruction of their teachers, and
which often determine the course of their future
life, should be inculcated there. — 1831, 1834.

SCRIPTURES OF THE OLD AND NEW
TESTAMENTS.

W

T5 tenderly and earnestly advise and exhort all
parents and heads of families, that they en
deavor to instruct their children and families in
the doctrines and precepts of the Christian religion,
as contained in the Holy Scriptures ; and that they
excite them to the diligent reading of those excellent
writings, which plainly set forth the miraculous con
ception, birth, holy Itfe, wonderful works, blessed

116 SCRIPTURES.
example, meritorious death, and glorious resurrec
tion, ascension and mediation, of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ ; and to educate their children
in the belief of those important truths, as well as
in the belief of the inward manifestation and ope
ration of the Holy Spirit on their own minds, that
they may reap the benefit and advantage thereof,
.for their own peace and everlasting happiness ;
which is infinitely preferable to all other consider
ations. — 1732.
We have always believed that the Holy Scrip
tures were written by Divine inspiration ; that
they are able to make wise unto salvation, through
faith which is in Christ Jesus ; for, as holy men
of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost, they are therefore profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in right
eousness, that the -man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works. But
as we freely acknowledge, that their authority
.doth not depend upon the approbation of any
church or assembly, so neither can we subject them
to the fallen, corrupt reason of man. As a true
understanding of the Divine will, and meaning of
Holy Scripture, cannot be discerned by the natural,
but only by the spiritual man, it is therefore by the
assistance of the Holy Spirit, that they are read
with great instruction and comfort. — 1828.
We have always asserted our willingness, that all
our doctrines and practices be tried by them ; and

SLAVE-TRADE AND SLAVERY. 117
admit it as a positive maxim : " That whatever
any do, pretending to the Spirit, which is contrary
to the Scriptures, be accounted and reckoned a de
lusion of the devil."
We receive and believe in the testimony of the
Scriptures, simply as it stands in the text : " There
are three that bear record in heaven, the Father,
the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three
are one."— 1828.

SLAVE-TRADE AND SLAVERY.
IT appears to have been the concern of this meet
ing, revived from time to time, with increasing
weight, to testify their entire disunity with the
practice of enslaving mankind, and particularly to
guard all in membership with us against being, in
any degree, concerned in the purchase of slaves
from the coasts of Africa or other parts. Having
with sorrow observed, that in some parts of our
country this shameful practice is still continued
and connived at, we therefore think it proper to
revive the advices heretofore issued ; and again ex
hort our members, to be no way accessory to this
enormous national evil, but to discourage it by all
the justifiable means in their power ; it being ob
vious, that wherever it prevails, it tends to corrupt
the morals of the people, so as not only to render

118 SLAVE-TRADE AND SLAVERY.
them obnoxious to the displeasure of the Almighty,
but deaf to his warnings, and insensible and regard
less of his impending judgments. — 1755, 1806.
And we earnestly desire that our members gen
erally may use endeavors to "promote the instruction
of the people of color, as objects of the common
salvation, in the principles of the Christian religion;
as well as in such branches of school learning as may
fit them for freedom, and to become useful members
of civil society. Also, that Friends in their several
neighborhoods, advise and assist them in the edu
cation of their children, and common worldly con
cerns.— 1778.
Friends are cautioned against acting as executors
or administrators to estates where slaves are be
queathed ; and doing anything whereby their bond
age may be prolonged. — 1774.
It is the sense and- judgment of this meeting,
that if any in membership with us are in any wise
concerned in purchasing, disposing of, or holding
mankind as slaves, or shall by any means encourage
or countenance a traffic in slaves, they should be
treated with as for any other immoral, unjust, or
reproachful conduct ; and if they are not brought
to such a sense of their deviation from the law of
righteousness and Christian equity, as to condemn
the same to the satisfaction of the Monthly Meet
ing, they should be disowned. — 1774, 1834.
It appearing that, notwithstanding the many
afflictive dispensations with which Divine wisdom

SLAVE-TRADE AND SLAVERY. 119
ha!s seen meet to visit this land, many of its in
habitants are so deaf to the language of the rod,
as to continue in the nefarious traffic for slaves to
the coasts of Africa : and that the introduction of
them into these United States is, in some places,
still connived at ; this meeting, considering such a
conduct as a bold and impious defiance of the Ruler
of nations, and pregnant with the most alarming
consequences to our country, earnestly recommends
to the Meeting for Sufferings, to embrace every
suitable opportunity for advancing our testimony
in this respect, and for calling the attention of the
public mind to this awfully interesting subject. —
1786, 1787, 1806, 1834.
If any of our members are in the practice of
hiring a slave or slaves to assist them in their
business, and the compensation for such services
is to be appropriated to the benefit of those who
claim the right of ownership over such of these
poor people who are thus held in bondage, and not
designed or intended to be applied to promote their
liberation ; as this is a violation of our testimony,
such members should be treated with, and after
patient labor has been unavailing, Monthly Meet
ings should testify their disunity with them. — 1824,
1834.

SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS.
ADVISED, that Friends carefully avoid all vain
and idle company, sipping and tippling of
drams and strong drink ; for though such who are
in that evil practice may not suddenly become
drunken to the greatest degree, yet they often
thereby become like ground fitted for the seeds of
the greatest transgressions ; and some who have
had the good example of virtuous parents, have,
from small beginnings, arrived at a shameful ex
cess, to their ruin, the great injury of their wives
and families, and the scandal of the religious pro
fession they have made. — 1706, 1737.
It having been observed that a pernicious custom
has prevailed in some places, of giving rum and
other strong liquors to excite some to bid at ven
dues to advance the price, which, besides the in
justice of the artifice, is scandalous, and leads to
intemperance and disorder; it is therefore the
unanimous sense of this meeting to testify against
the same. And if any in membership with us do
fall into the evil practice of giving or taking spir
ituous liquors at vendues, they should be speedily
dealt with as disorderly persons, and if they cannot
be brought to a sense of their error, disowned. —
1726, 1734.
Many just and pertinent remarks being made in
this meeting, clearly setting forth the corrupting, 120

SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS. 121
debasing, and ruinous effects, consequent on the
importation and retailing large quantities of dis
tilled spirits, whereby the intemperate use of them
is greatly aided and encouraged, to the impoverish
ment of many, distempering the constitutions and
understandings of many more, and increasing vice
and dissoluteness in the land, wherewith many re
ligiously attentive minds have been long painfully
burdened ; it is the united sense of the meeting,
that well concerned Friends in all quarters, be
earnestly excited to suffer the affecting importance
of this mighty evil, religiously to affect their
minds, and animate them with a lively concern
and honest endeavors, both by example and loving
entreaty, to caution and dissuade all our members,
from being concerned in the importation or selling
distilled spirits, or giving countenance thereto. —
1784, 1787.
Under the weight and pressure of the deeply in
teresting concern for the maintenance of our Chris
tian testimony against the trading in, and use of
distilled spirituous liquors, that a gradual and
steady advancement thereof may in no respect be
impeded, Quarterly and Monthly Meetings are
afresh urged to renewed, patient, persevering labor,
with such as are in the practice of using, or giving
them out as an article of drink ; manifesting, that
if continued in by any of our members, it cannot
admit of any countenance while there is a faithful
11

122 STOCK.
adherence to the Divine principle of good wiU to
men. — 1796.
If any in membership with us should distil,
trade in, or sell distilled spirituous liquors, except
it be for medicinal or chemical purposes, Monthly
Meetings should treat with them as with other
offenders, and if they are not prevailed with to
desist from the practice, they should testify our
disunity with them. —1834.

STOCK.
AGREED, that there be collections brought in
from each Quarterly, unto the next Yearly
Meeting, for a Yearly Meeting stock, to defray the
oharges of the said meeting, according to the sev
eral agreements made, or hereafter to be made. —
1695, A stock having been generally kept, and by ex
perience found useful, for the necessary occasions
of the Society, it is agreed, that the same be occa
sionally renewed by a collection from each Quarter,
and that it be continued in the hands of the trea
surer appointed by this Meeting, and subject to be
drawn out by its direction or by the Meeting for
Sufferings, as the exigencies of Society may re
quire. The -sums which may be thought necessary, shall

TAVERNS. 123
be raised by each Quarter, in the proportions which
may be directed by this meeting from time to time.
An arrangement of the quotas of the several
Quarterly Meetings is to be made by a committee
appointed for that purpose, thus :
Philadelphia Quarter to pay — dollars in every $100

Abington

do.

—

ditto.

Bucks

do.

—

ditto.

Concord

do.

—

ditto.

Cain

do.

—

ditto.

Western

do.

—

ditto.

Burlington

do.

—

ditto.

Haddonfield

do.

—

ditto.

Salem

do.

$100

ditto.

TAVERNS.

WE think it necessary to caution not only the
youth, but those of riper age, to avoid the
unnecessary attendance at taverns, and that they
maintain a watchful, religious guard respecting
other places of public resort : that they be not ex
posed to noisy company, and unprofitable conversa
tion ; or betrayed into the use of strong liquors, by
which so many have been corrupted both in prin-

124 TRADE.
ciple and practice, to the ruin of themselves and
their families. And if any are in danger on these
accounts, it is desired that they may be timely and
tenderly treated with, in order to convince them
of their perilous situation. — 1746, 1834.
Considering the temptations and snares which
they are exposed to, who keep houses of public
entertainment, or beer-houses, the corrupting in
fluence of many who resort to them, and its effect
on the children and families so exposed ; it is the
judgment of this meeting, that our members avoid
engaging in such employments for a livelihood ;
and attend to the pointings of pure wisdom for
that end.— 1777.
And it is desired that Friends may endeavor, as
far as their influence extends in the community, to
prevent the unnecessary increase of taverns, and
be cautious of signing petitions in behalf of those
who may apply for licenses on that account. —
1738.

TRADE.

IT being evident that where the manifestations
and restraints of the Spirit of Truth are duly
prized and regarded, it leads out of a bondage to
the spirit of this world, and preserves the minds
of its followers from many fettering and disqualify-

TRADE. 125
ing entanglements ; and contrarywise, that an in
ordinate love and pursuit of worldly riches, often
betrays those who are captivated by them, into
many difficulties and dangers, to the great obstruc
tion of the work of Truth in the heart ; we affec
tionately desire that the counsel and gracious
promise of our blessed Redeemer to his followers
may be remembered and duly regarded by us:
" Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his right
eousness, and all these things shall be added unto
you."— 1695 to 1746.
This meeting being earnestly concerned that the
service of our religious Society may not be ob
structed, or its reputation dishonored, by any im
prudence of its members in their worldly engage
ments, recommends to all, that they be careful not
to venture upon such business as they do not well
understand ; nor to launch out in trade beyond
their abilities, and at the risk of others ; especially
on the credit which may be derived from a profes
sion of the Truth : but that they bound their
engagements by their means ; and when they enter
into contracts, or give their words, that they en
deavor on all occasions strictly to fulfil them.
We particularly exhort,, that none engage in
such concerns, as depend on the often deceptive
probabilities of hazardous enterprises ; but rather
content themselves with such a plain and moderate
way of living, as is consistent with the self-denying
prineiple we; make' profession- ©£- ; wheseb^ many
n*

126 TRADE.
disappointments and grievous perplexities may be
avoided, and that tranquillity of mind obtained,
which is inseparable from the right enjoyment even
of temporal things. And it is advised, that where
any among us err, or are in danger of erring in
these respects, they be faithfully and timely admon
ished.— 1724 to 1746.
Where overseers or other concerned Friends,
have reason to fear that any person or family, by
living above their means, or from a want of punc
tuality in fulfilling their contracts, or any other
cause, are declining in their circumstances, and
likely to fail, it is recommended that such be
seasonably treated with, and, if it appear requisite,
advised to call their ^creditors together without
delay. And if, notwithstanding this advice, such
persons still persist and run into embarrassment, to
the loss of others and to their own disreputation,
the Preparative and thence the Monthly Meeting to
which they belong, ought to be timely informed
thereof, and proceed to deal with them according
to our rules ; when, if this labor also prove ineffec
tual, a testimony of denial is to be issued against
them.— 1710.
It is recommended that Friends frequently in
spect the state of their affairs, and keep their ac
counts so clear and accurate, that they may, at any
time, easily know whether they live within the
bounds of their circumstances or not ; and, in case
of death, that these may not be perplexing to sur-

TRADE. 127
vivors. And whenever any find that they have no
more property left than is sufficient to discharge
their just debts, it is advised, that they immedi
ately consult with some judicious Friends, and,
without loss of time, make their circumstances
known to their creditors, carefully avoiding the
payment of one in preference to another, that so
none may be injured, nor any reproach be incurred
by mismanagement. — 1782.
It is advised that where failures occur, and the
cases are under the care of Monthly Meetings, that
the Friends appointed to visit the parties, inquire
of their assignees or trustees how their deficiencies
have happened, and report accordingly. — It is the
judgment of this meeting, that neither Monthly nor
other Meetings should receive subscriptions, dona
tions, or bequests, from persons so circumstanced,
until they have paid off their deficiencies, or are
voluntarily acquitted thereof - by their creditors :
for it should be remembered, that though, in such
cases, the defaulter may have been legally dis
charged, the property he may afterwards acquire
is not properly his own, till he has fairly paid off
his former debts, to the satisfaction of the creditors.
Wherefore we further advise, that if any such
person or persons, on being suitably reminded of
their duty in this respect, shall refuse to comply
therewith, inquiry be made into the reason, and if
it be not such as shall satisfy the Monthly Meet
ings of which they are- members, and they cannot

123 TRADE.
b« prevailed with, the said meetings, after a proper
time of labor and forbearance, should issue a testi
mony of denial against them. — 1782.
Advised, that when Friends accept the office of
trustee or assignee, they be active in collecting the
effects of the estate, and punctual and speedy in
making distribution. — That Friends everywhere
carefully avoid being any way concerned in de
frauding the government of its duties ; that so our
ancient testimony in this respect may be inviolably
maintained. — 1755, 1796.
If any member is complained of for withholding
a just debt, he or she should be tenderly urged to
payment ; and if this is unavailing, be dealt with
as in other, cases of disorderly conduct. And if
any of our members appear unable to satisfy their
creditors, they should be advised to call them to
gether without loss of time, and submit the state
of their affairs to their inspection : when, if the
creditors apprehend a surrender of the debtor's
effects to assignees, for the benefit of the whole, to
be necessary, let him or her be earnestly entreated
to consent ; and if they refuse so to do, the Monthly
Meeting should, be informed thereof ; when, if the
party still persist in refusing, he or she should be
disowned without too long delay. — 1710, 1719,
1806. It is the judgment.of this meeting, that if persons
so failing in their circumstances, should at any time
afterwards be favor-ed- with- full- ability to pay off

TRADE. 129
their deficiencies, justice will require it of them,
notwithstanding a composition with, and legal dis
charge from their creditors, may have becu ob
tained. This is, however, not meant to furnish
any creditor with a pretext for advancing such
claims, while persons so deficient are honestly
laboring to retrieve their circumstances ; nor until
it shall clearly appear to their respective Monthly
Meetings, or to a solid committee thereof, that a
sufficient ability is arrived at ; when, if they are
requested to comply, and persist in refusing, the
said meetings should proceed to disown them. —
1710, 1719, 1806.
We warn our members against a pernicious prac
tice amongst the trading part of the community,
which has often issued in the ruin of those con
cerned therein, viz., that of raising and circulating
a kind of paper credit, with endorsements, to give
it an appearance of value, without an intrinsic
reality; a practice which, as it appears to be in
consistent with the truth we profess, we declare
our disapprobation of, and entreat every member
of our Society to avoid and discourage.
We also caution all in membership with us to
avoid entering into joint securities with others,
under the specious plea of rendering acts of kind
ness ; many by so doing, having been suddenly
ruined, and their innocent wives and children re
duced to deplorable circumstances. " Be not thou,"
said the wise man, " one of them that strike hands ;

130 TRADE.
or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou
hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy
bed from under thee." — 1806.
We affectionately desire* that Friends may hum
bly wait for Divine counsel in all their engage
ments, and duly attend to the secret intimations
and restrictions of the Spirit of Truth in their
business and trading, not suffering their minds to
be hurried away by an inordinate desire of worldly
riches ; remembering the observation of the Apostle
in his day, and so often sorrowfully verified in ours,
that " They who will be rich, fall into temptation
and a snare ; " and erring from the faith, " pierce
themselves through with many sorrows." Even
when riches, to any extraordinary degree, have
been amassed by the successful industry of parents,
how often have they proved like wings to their
children, carrying them beyond the limitations of
Truth, into liberties repugnant to our religious
testimonies, and sometimes into enterprises, which
have terminated in irreparable damage to their
temporal affairs, if not an entire forgetfulness of
the great work of the soul's salvation. — 1806.
When any member of our religious Society, in
trade or business, becomes unable to discharge his
or her debts, the overseers should take an early op- .
portunity to ascertain the circumstances of the
case, and spread the same before the Preparative
Meeting, in order that it may be regularly for
warded to the Monthly Meeting ; and if it shaP

WAR. 131
appear that such failure has arisen from a want of
due attention to the advices of this meeting," on
the subject of trade and business, and has brought
reproach on our religious profession, the Monthly
Meeting should issue a testimony of disownment
of the individual. — 1816.
It is also the judgment of this meeting, that
when any of our members are about to assign their
property, their creditors should be consulted, if
practicable, and have the liberty of appointing as
signees to take charge of the effects ; which should
be assigned without any reservation or other con
dition, than a distribution of the effects among the
creditors, according to their respective dues ; and
if the party do not so proceed, the case shall be
issued as is directed in the preceding paragraph. —
1816.

WAR.
FRIENDS are exhorted faithfully to adhere to
our ancient testimony against wars and fight
ings, and in no way to unite with any in warlike
measures, either offensive or defensive, that by the
inoffensiveness of our conduct, we may convinc
ingly demonstrate ourselves to be real subjects of
the Messiah's peaceful reign, and be instrumental
in the promotion thereof, towards its desired com
pletion; when, according to ancient prophecy, "The

132 WAR.
earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea; and its inhabitants
shall learn war no more."
When goods have been distrained from any
Friends, on account of their refusal to pay fines
for non-performance of military services, and the
officers, after deducting the fines and costs, propose
to return the remainder, it is the sense of this
meeting, that Friends should maintain their testi
mony by suffering, and not accept such overplus,
unless the same or a part of it is returned without
a change of the species. — 1755.
It is declared to be the sense of this meeting,
that furnishing wagons, or other means for con
veying of military stores, is a military service, and
that the care of elders, overseers, and all faithful
Friends, should be extended in true love and Chris
tian tenderness, to such as deviate herein, in order
to convince them of their error. — 1758.
It is the judgment of this meeting, that a tax,
levied for the purchasing of drums, colors, or for
other warlike uses, cannot be paid consistently with
our Christian testimony. — 1776.
This meeting fervently recommends to the deep
attention of all our members, that they be religiously
guarded against approving or showing the least
connivance at war, either by attending at, or view
ing of military operations, or in any wise encour
aging the unstable deceitful spirit of party, by
joining with political devices or associations, how-

WAR. 133
ever speciously disguised under the ensnaring sub
tleties commonly attendant thereon ; but that they
sincerely labor to experience a settlement on the
alone sure foundation, of pure unchangeable Truth ;
whereby, through the prevalence of unfeigned
Christian love and good-will to men, we may con
vincingly demonstrate, that the kingdom we seek
is not of this world. A kingdom and government
whose subjects are free indeed ! redeemed from
those captivating lusts, from whence come wars
and fightings.— 1798.
A living concern for the advancement of our
testimony to .the peaceable kingdom of Christ, con
tinuing to spread in many minds, we fervently de
sire that the members of our religious Society
may carefully avoid engaging. in any trade or busi
ness promotive of war ; sharing or partaking of
the spoils of war by purchasing or selling prize
goods ; importing or shipping goods in armed
vessels ; paying taxes for the express purpose of
war ; grinding of grain, feeding of cattle, or selling
their property for the use of the army : that through
a close attention to the monitions of Divine grace,
and guarding against the suppression of it either in
themselves or others, they may be preserved in a
conduct consistent with our holy profession, from
wounding the minds or increasing the sufferings
of each other; not at all doubting, that He to
whom appertains the kingdom and the power ; who
is wonderful in working, will continue to carry on
12

134 WAR.
and perfect his blessed cause of peace in the earth.
A solid attention to this concern is recommended
to Quarterly, Monthly, and Preparative Meetings,
and to our brethren in general: it being the judg
ment of this meeting, that if any of our members
do either openly or by connivance, pay any fine,
penalty or tax, in lieu of personal service for carry
ing on war ; or allow their children, apprentices or
servants to act therein ; or are concerned in arming
or equipping vessels with guns, or in dealing" in
public Certificates, issued as a compensation for ex
penses accrued, or services performed in war ; that
they be tenderly dealt with, and if they are not
brought to an acknowledgment of their error,
Monthly Meetings should proceed to testify against
them.— 1780, 1781.
It is the sense and judgment of this meeting,
that it is inconsistent with our religious testimony
and principle, for any Friend to pay a fine or tax,
levied on them on account of their refusal to serve
in the militia, although such fine or imposition
may be applied towards defraying the expenses of
civil government. Aud where deviations in this
respect occur, tender dealing and advice should be
extended to the party, in order to their convince
ment and restoration : and if this proves ineffectual,
Monthly Meetings should proceed to testify against
them.— 1790.

WILLS.
KNOWING how quickly many are removed by
death, it is weightily recommended, that
Friends who have estates to dispose of, be advised
to make their wills in time of health, and strength
of judgment, and therein to direct their substance
as in justice and wisdom may be to their satisfac
tion and peace ; laying aside all resentment, though
occasion may have been given, lest it should go
with them to the grave; remembering we all stand
in need of mercy and forgiveness. Making such
wills in due time can shorten no one's days, but the
omission, or delay thereof to a time of sickness,
when the mind should not be diverted from a
solemn consideration of the approaching awful
period of life, has often proved very injurious to
many, and been the occasion of creating animosities
in families, whieh the seasonable performance of
this necessary duty might have effectually pre
vented.— 1691, 1703.
Friends are earnestly recommended to employ
persons skilful in the law, and of good repute, to
make their wills, as great inconvenience and loss,
and sometimes the ruin of families have happened
through the unskilfulness of gome, who have taken
upon them to write wills, being unqualified to act
in a matter of such importance. — 1782, 1801.
And all Friends who may become executors or
135

136 WOMEN'S MEETINGS.
administrators, are advised to make a full, clear,
and perfect inventory of the estate and effects of
the deceased, early after the interment, as many
difficulties and disputes have arisen, and sometimes
injustice been done for want of it, or by deferring
it too long.— 1801.

WOMEN'S MEETINGS.
FORASMUCH as our women's Meetings for
Discipline were set up and established in Di
vine wisdom, and by long experience have been
found of advantage, not only to the Society in
general, but to the youth of their own sex in par
ticular ; it is earnestly desired, that faithful women .
Friends may be encouraged to come up to the help
of their brethren, in that part of the Discipline of
the church, properly claiming their attention and
care. On considering the nature and extent where
of, it is apprehended a benefit might accrue, by ex
plicitly setting forth their distinct allotment, and
separate services in their Monthly and Quarterly
Meetings, and also in their Yearly Meeting. —
1796. Women's Monthly Meetings are, First To in
spect and relieve the wants of the poor of their
own sex ; and where their own funds are insuffi
cient, they are to apply to the men's meetings for

women's meetings. 137
their aid, and for their concurrence, as cases shall
require. Second. To take cognizance of proposals of mar
riage, and appoint two of their members to inquire
into the conversation and clearness of the woman ;
also, two to the oversight of the marriage.
Third. They are to appoint a suitable number
of overseers, who are to treat with offenders of
their own sex; that their cases be laid before the
women's Preparative Meeting, and if needful, the
same should be spread before their Monthly Meet
ing ; which should proceed to deal further with
such delinquents, and report the result of their
labors to the men's meeting ; and if further deal
ing is expedient, the men should appoint a com
mittee to unite with the women therein ; the re
port of which joint committee is to be made to
each meeting ; and the women having considered
the same, are to inform the men's meeting of their
sense thereon, and the subject to be finally resulted
by the men. But when a case is brought by the
women into the men's meeting, if, on solid consid
eration there, further dealing does not appear to
be needful, a committee of men Friends should be
appointed to prepare, a testimony of disownment,
which, when approved, is to be sent to the women's
meeting for their concurrence, and care in deliver
ing it to the party. — 1796.
If a female under dealing in the women's meet
ing removes, into. tha,compass,pf. another. Monthly
12 *

138 women's meetings.
Meeting ; or if previous to or after such removal,
her conduct has been such as to require her being
dealt with ; and her residence be at so great a dis
tance as to render it inconvenient for the Monthly
Meeting to which she belongs, it should by minute
transmit to the Monthly Meeting of women Friends,
within the limits of which the person resides, clear
information of the state of the case, and request its
care in dealing with her on their behalf: and when
the Monthly Meeting removed from, has received an
account of the effect of this labor, they are then to
give due information thereof to their respective
men's Monthly Meeting, in order that the business
may be finally determined. — 1834.
Fourth. On application of a woman for admis
sion into membership, after a religious care therein
hath been exercised by women overseers, and in the
Preparative Meeting, as the case may require, and
it appearing proper to claim the attention of their
Monthly Meeting, it should accordingly be referred
thereto ; when, if no obstruction to its further pro
cedure is discovered, they are to make an appoint
ment to unite with a committee of men Friends, in
further careful attention to the business ; the report
of which joint committee is to be made to each meet
ing ; and the women's meeting having considered
the same, are to communicate their sense thereon to
the men's meeting, where the subject shall be con
sidered and finally resulted. — 1796, 1834.
If a woman who has been disowned, presents to

women's meetings. 139
the women's Monthly Meeting an acknowledgment
of her offence, and applies for reinstatement into
membership ; unless there is just ground of uneasi
ness and dissatisfaction therewith, they are to lay
the case before the men's Monthly Meeting, which
is to determine how or in what manner it is to be
issued : but if, although the way does not then ap
pear clear to accept the said offering, the men's
meeting shall judge that religious care therein
should be extended by a visit to the party or other
wise, the women's meeting is to make an appoint-.
ment to join a committee of men Friends for this
purpose, the report of which joint committee is to
be made to each meeting ; and the women's meeting
having considered the same, are to communicate
their sense thereon to the men's meeting, where the
case is to be considered and finally resulted. —1834.
If a person, while under dealing in the women's
Monthly Meeting, makes an acknowledgment of
her transgression, and the meeting, on an impartial
solid consideration thereof, believes that she is not
in a state to make such an offering as embraces the
nature of the case, and gives evidence of true con
viction, they are to extend such further care therein,
as may appear requisite ; and when they shall have
discharged their duty, and feel clear of the case,-
they are to inform the men's Monthly Meeting that
such a case had engaged their care and labor, and
that although the party had presented an acknowl
edgment, yet their meeting, upon weighty delibei

14Q[ women's meetings.
ation, was not easy to encourage its acceptance;
and then leave it to the judgment and decision of
the men's meeting : but if they should be satisfied
that an individual under dealing has been brought
to a due sense of her deviation, they are to impart
the whole case to the men's meeting ; and unless
this meeting is most easy then to conclude the
business, the women are to make an appointment
to unite with a committee of men Friends, in re
newed religious attention thereto ; the report of
which united committee is to be made to each
meeting, and determined in like manner as before
directed. — The authority for disowning a member,
or receiving a person into membership, must always,
rest in the men's meeting. — 1834.
Fifth, They are to join in certificates of removal
for women Friends ; in order whereto, the women's-
Monthly Meeting is to appoint two or more of their
members to make" the necessary inquiry, that the
same may be prepared ; which, after being con
sidered in the women's, is to be laid before the
men's meeting ; and when there approved and
signed, returned to the women's meeting for their
signature ; but if the certificate is intended to in
clude one or more males, they are then to report
•the result of their inquiry to the Friends named on
the like inquiry by the men's meeting; and the
certificate, after having been prepared, approved
and. signed, in the men's meeting, is to be sent to
the. women's, meetin^foc their, concurrence and. sign-.

•women's meetings. 141
ing. All certificates received for women Friends
are to be laid before the men's meeting, before they
can be fully accepted by the women's meeting. —
1796. Sixth. When a female minister apprehends her
self under a religious engagement to travel in the
service of Truth, she is first to spread her concern
before the women's Monthly Meeting, and if united
with, the same is to be laid before the men's meet
ing, whose result is to be communicated to- the
women's meeting ; and when a certificate for that
purpose is prepared by a committee of men and
women Friends, and being approved and signed by
the men's meeting, it is to be sent to the women's
meeting for their concurrence and signing. — 1796.
Seventh. Respecting the nomination of an elder,
see the rule under the head " Ministers and Elders,"
page 82.
Eighth. The women's Preparative Meetings, where
more than one constitutes a Monthly Meeting, are
tp consider and answer the queries ; which is like
wise to be done in their Monthly Meetings ; from
which they are to report the state of each Monthly
Meeting, to their respective Quarterly Meeting; to
attend which as their representatives, they should
nominate two or more of their members. — 1796.
Women's meetings are to answer no other than
the first eight queries, as usual ; but it is desired,
that in their Monthly Meetings, care may be ex
tended to convey to the men's meeting, such in-

142 women's meetings,
formation as may be necessary for the preservation
of a regular record of births and deaths. — 1807.

WOMEN'S QUARTERLY MEETINGS,
First. When a female minister, under a religious
concern to travel in the service of Truth, produces
to the Quarterly Meeting a certificate of the appro
bation of the Monthly Meeting of which she is a
member, if the concern is concurred with in the
women's meeting, it is to be submitted to the men's
meeting, and when approved, an endorsement to
that effect should be made on the certificate, signed
by the clerk, and returned to the women's meeting,
for signing by their clerk.
Second. They are to receive the written accounts
sent from the respective women's Monthly Meet
ings, and transmit the collected answers to the
queries, with such other matters as appear, needful,
to the women's Yearly Meeting ; to attend the
service whereof, each Quarterly Meeting is to ap
point a suitable number of representatives. See
Discipline. Third. They are to communicate to their respec
tive Monthly Meetings such advices as they appre
hend necessary, with any epistles or writings issued
for that purpose by their Yearly Meeting; nomi
nate committees, at the request of the men's meet
ing, to visit their Monthly Meetings, or for any
other service which the men's meeting shall judge.

women's meetings. 143
expedient ; and in all respects they are to attend to
those matters which may properly come under the
notice and care of women's Quarterly Meetings. —
1796. YEARLY MEETING OF WOMEN FRIENDS,
Held annually in Philadelphia, at the time of
holding this meeting ; is at liberty to correspond
with any other Yearly Meetings of their own sex,
either in America or elsewhere, and to issue such
counsel and admonition to their own Quarterly and
Monthly Meetings, as in the wisdom of Truth shall
appear conducive to real benefit and mutual edifi
cation ; but the said Yearly Meeting is not to hear
or determine on any appeal, nor at liberty to make
or alter any rules of Discipline or queries. — 1685.
They are to have stock of their own, for such
services as may fall more properly under their
notice.— 1705.
Finally, it is desired that a fair record.be kept
of the minutes and proceedings of the Yearly, Quar
terly and Monthly Meetings of women Friends ; and
that annually their representatives to the Yearly
Meeting exercise a proper religious care in the
choice of a clerk. — 1796.
At the request of the men's meetings, their
Monthly, Quarterly, and Yearly Meetings are to
appoint committees, to unite with like committees
of the men's meetings, in the setting up or laying
down of Preparative, Monthly, and Quarterly Meet
ings.— 1834.

YEARLY MEETING.
IT appears by the records, that the first Yearly
Meeting was held at Burlington, New Jersey,
the 31st day of the 6th month, 1681, old style, for
the provinces of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Although in the early settlement of Friends in
this country, several meetings were held which
were then called Yearly Meetings ; yet in 1683, it
being clearly evident that a meeting ought to be
constituted, which should be vested with a super
intending care and jurisdiction, over all the. meet
ings in those two provinces and parts adjacent;
the Yearly Meetings in other provinces were ac
cordingly informed of this concern, and requested
to give their judgment upon a proposition so im
portant and interesting to the Society: a united
concurrence therewith being freely given, and
Friends from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, to
gether with a number of Friends from other parts,
having generally assembled at the Yearly Meeting
held in Philadelphia, the 15th of 7th month, 1685,
it was then unanimously concluded, that hence
forward there should be one Yearly and General
Meeting, held for the provinces of Pennsylvania
and New Jersey ; the next year at Burlington, and
the following year at Philadelphia, and so on alter
nately. It was further concluded, that Friends in
the ministry should meet together on first-day 144

YEARLY MEETING. 145
morning, at the seventh hour, before the public
General Meetings.
The Yearly Meeting having assembled at Bur
lington at the time appointed, in 1686, it was
opened under the title of "A General Yearly Meet
ing held for Friends of Pennsylvania, East and
West Jerseys, and of the adjacent Provinces."
At this meeting it was concluded, that two or
more Friends be appointed out of every Quarterly
Meeting, to attend the meeting as representatives ;
and such accordingly attended in that capacity, in
1687. The Yearly Meeting thus constituted and
established, continuing to be held alternately at
Burlington and Philadelphia, the time of holding it
was, in 1755, changed to the 9th month, present
style. In 1760, it was concluded to be held at the
same time in Philadelphia only ; and in 1798, the
time of holding it was altered to the third Second .
day in the 4th month, as it now is. The Yearly
Meeting of Ministers and Elders, to be on the
Seventh day of the week preceding ; and both to
begin at the tenth hour.
It is agreed, that such Friends as may be ap
pointed to prepare Epistles, shall meet together
before they proceed on the service; and subse
quently, that they examine the several essays pre
viously to their being laid before this meeting. —
1724. All, letters or papers directed to the Yearly
Meeting, except from such meetings as regularly
13

146 YEARLY MEETING.
correspond therewith, are to be first perused by a
few Friends to be appointed, who are to consider
and report whether the same be proper to be read
in this meeting or not. The same order is to be
observed in the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings,
as regards any papers offered to their notice, which
are not recognized or provided for in the rules of
our Discipline.— 1695, 1834.
The representatives appointed by the Quarterly
Meetings, are to stay together at the close of the
first sitting of the Yearly Meeting, in each year,
to consider of a suitable Friend to serve the meet
ing as clerk, and a Friend to assist him ; and to
make report to the next sitting of the meeting.
The clerk of the preceding year is, according, to
our ancient practice, to act as clerk until another
is appointed by the Yearly Meeting ; but if, through
• sickness, or any other cause, he is likely to be pre
vented from attending, the Meeting for Sufferings,
previous to the commencement of the Yearly
Meeting, is to take due care that the business
which is to come before the meeting, be not ob
structed or delayed, for want of requisite attention
to the reports and documents which are forwarded ;
that thus the meeting may be regularly opened at
the time appointed. — 1834.
When extracts from the minutes of this»meeting
are ordered to be sent to the Quarterly Meetings, a
full copy shall bo sent by each of those meetings to
their respective Monthly Meetings, and by the

YEARLY MEETING. 147
Monthly to each of their Preparative Meetings, in
order that each meeting may have a copy thereof,
to have recourse to as occasions may require. —
1754. The certificates of such Friends, members of
other Yearly Meetings, who from a religious con
cern are drawn to attend this, are to be read here
in.— 1801.

INDEX.

A.
PAGE
ACCOMMODATION PAPER in trade, disapproved, . 129
ACCOUNTS of Sufferings to be forwarded annually, . 54
Mode of stating them  76
Of places of deposit of papers, minutes, title-deeds,
etc.,  72
Of deceased ministers and elders to be forwarded
yearly  78, 108
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS— to be prepared in writing, sub
mitted to overseers, and may be presented by the
party,  9
If the party resides within the limits of a distant
Monthly Meeting, it is to be written to, 9
Not always to recite causes of disownment, . . 10
Not read in meetings for worship, ... 10
Of persons marrying deceased sister's husband, . 10
Of offences to remove scandal, .... 34
Hasty acceptance of, injurious, .... 71
Of disowned females for reinstatement, how treated, 138, 139
Of females under care,  139
ADMINISTRATORS, EXECUTORS, etc., to resort to
law where it appears indispensable, ... 20
Not to act where there are slaves bequeathed, . 118
To make complete inventory early after interment, 136
ADMISSIONS of persons into membership, . . . 37, 138
ADVICES to be read annually,  106
13* 149

150 INDEX. PAGE
AFFAIRS of the church, how conducted, . . .52, 107
outward, to be inspected annually, . . . 107
APPAREL, plainness of,  101
APPEALS,  10
Appellant to be furnished with minute, or testimony
of disunion,  10
To notify the first or second Monthly Meeting, . 11
Committee, or respondents, to be appointed to attend
the Quarter, with minutes of the proceedings,
signed by the clerk or clerks, .... 11
Notification to be read in Quarterly Meeting after
representatives are called, ..... 11
Committee appointed to hear appellant, . . 11
Appellant and respondents may each object to three, 11
Parties not to digress from the subject, nor any
member to express an opinion in their presence, 12
Report in writing, annulling or confirming the de
cision below,  12
Early information to be given to parties, . . 13
Decision of Monthly Meeting to be affirmed, in a
breach of Discipline, where proceedings have
been correct,  13
Right to appeal to Yearly Meeting, to notify the
next Quarterly Meeting,  13
Respondents to be appointed to attend Yearly Meet-
ling with certified copies of proceedings of both
meetings,  13
Appointment of Yearly Meeting's Committee, and
course pursued,  14, 15
Monthly Meetings may appeal from the decision of
the Quarterly,  15
Appellant not appearing loses his right, unless pre
vented by sufficient cause  16
Appeals to a Quarter, composed of two Monthly
Meetings, to be referred to Yearly Meeting, . 16
APPOINTMENTS in meetings to be made with care, . 54
APPRENTICES removing, their guardians to apply for
certificates,  30

INDEX. 151
PAGE
And children to be encouraged to attend divine
worship,  77
ARBITRATIONS,  17
Party aggrieved to request the other to comply with
the demand, in presence of overseers, . . 17
Choice of arbitrators, and bond to abide their de
cision,  17
Arbitrators to proceed promptly, listening to neither
party separately, nor disclosing their opinions, . 17
Either party refusing to submit the matter, give at
tendance, or abide by the award, to be complained
of to Preparative or Monthly Meeting, . . 18
An erroneous or unjust award cause of rehearing, 18
The matter again referred if the meeting thinks
proper, and on further refusal to comply, to be
disowned  18
Arbitrators may consult counsel in the law, . . 18
They should shun previous information, and stand
unbiassed,  19
To reject no evidence, nor receive any in absence of
parties,  19
Circumstances which warrant an appeal to the law, 19
Certain cases to be settled without reference, . 20
Preparative Meeting to appoint a committee to judge,
and the matter disposed of accordingly, . . 20
Advised that ministers be not employed as arbi
trators, ........ 21
ARDENT SPIRITS. See Spirituous Liquors, . . 120
Distilling, or trading in, disownable, . . . 122
ARMING VESSELS, or shipping in them, testified
against  134
ASCENSION of Jesus Christ  116
ASSIGNEES, or Trustees, to be prompt in discharging
duties,  128
ASSIGNMENTS of insolvent persons to be without reser
vation, .  131
ATONEMENT of Jeeus Christ,  26, 35, 36

152

INDEX.

AUTHORITY of meetings — the love, power, and spirit
of Christ,- 

B.
BANKRUPTCY, a cause for proceeding at law, . .
Inquiry to be made into the causes of, . .
.Subscriptions, etc., not to be taken from bankrupts.
Course of proceeding with insolvent debtors,
Persons becoming fully solvent required to discharge
their former debts, 
Danger of inordinate pursuit of wealth,
Creditors to be consulted in assignments,
BEQUESTS and donations to be strictly applied, .
Not to be received from insolvent members, . .
BIRTHS AND BURIALS 
Moderation in provision at burials, gravity and de
corum advised, ......
Suitable Friends to be appointed to attend, and the
corpse to be removed in an hour,
Caution not to attend the worship of others, partic
ularly at burials, 
No meeting to be appointed at interment of those
not members, nor in a formal manner at the
burial of members, 
No invitations are to be published in our meetings
for those who are not members, .
Appointments to the care of our burial grounds
and to grant orders for interment,
No persons not members are to be interred without
a permit, .......
Grounds to be properly inclosed, and no monu
ments to be admitted, .....
Mourning habits disapproved,
Regular records of births and deaths to be kept
agreeably to form 
BLASPHEMY to be testified against, .

PAGE 54

19
127, 138127
128, 130
127, 128
130131
57, 58
127 2121
2222

22
2223 23
2323
2435

INDEX. 153
PAGE
BOOKS  25
Writings on our religious principles to be submitted
to Meeting for Sufferings,  25
Persons printing or publishing writings contrary to
adviee, or derogatory to our faith, or tending to
disunity, disownable,  25
A Monthly Meeting neglecting to administer the
Discipline in such cases', to be represented to
its Quarterly Meeting,  25
Printing, selling, or distributing works tending to
lay waste the doctrines of Christianity, disown
able  26
Care-takers of children to guard them from reading
such works, and plays, romances, novels, and
other pernicious books, ..... 26
Booksellers and printers cautioned against print
ing, selling, or lending them, .... 26
Friends advised to be careful in the choice of
books  27
Reading Holy Scriptures and other religious works
on the afternoon of First-day, advised, . . 41
Books to be provided by Quarterly and Monthly
Meetings to record minutes, . 48
c.
CATTLE, feeding or selling for the army, disapproved, 133
CERTIFICATES,  27
To be forwarded for reinstated persons, . . 10
For travelling Friends to be recorded, and season
ably returned,  27, 86
Of removal to be lodged with the Monthly Meeting
where accepted, and records kept of all certifi
cates issued,  27
Mode of signing  27
When certificate is received, the parties to be mem
bers of the meeting removed to, ... 28

154 INDEX. PAGE
Case of persons falling into necessitous circum
stances,  28
To be applied for, or sent after persons removing, 29, 30, 107
If their conduct has been exceptionable, to be
treated with by Monthly Meeting removed to, . 30, 50
To be applied for for apprentices and minors
removing, ........ 30
Disorderly persons appearing as Friends, without
certificates, to be treated with, . . . .30, 107
Committee to visit those who bring certificates, . 31
The property of the meeting addressed, and to be
carefully forwarded  31
When applied for, inquiry to be made respecting
outward affairs, etc.,  31
To be considered as accepted, if the party reside in
the. limits of the Monthly Meeting when pro
duced,  32
If the conduct of the party requires them to be
dealt with, it is to be returned, .... 32
Persons about to marry at a distance from home, to
obtain certificates,  63, 67
Signing certificates of the separatists for marriage,
testified against,  65
Form of marriage certificate, .... 68
No minister to appoint meetings, or travel out of
the Quarterly Meeting, without certificate, . . 83, 84
For ministers travelling beyond the Yearly Meeting, 84-86
Of removal for females,  140
For religious concerns of females, .... 141
Issued for services in war, not to be dealt in, . 134
Of ministers attending Yearly Meeting, to be read
therein  - . . . 147
CENSURE, church, extent of,  vi
CHANGE of residence to be made with caution — fellow-
members to be consulted,  28
CHARITY, necessity of, in building up one another, . viii
CHILDREN not to read books subversive of Christian
principles, .  26

INDEX. 155
FAGE
Care advised in the choice of books for their use, . 26
To be especially collected on First-day afternoon for
reading, etc.,  41
Discouraged. from visiting and rambling about on
First-day, and mingling with unprofitable com
pany,  42
Rights of,  53
Apprentices and servants, to be brought to meeting
for worship,  77
CHILDREN AND PARENTS  98
Obedience to parents inculcated, .... 98
Vain fashions, corrupt company, taverns, and
places of diversion, etc., to be avoided, . . 99, 100
Simplicity of garb, language, and manners, en
forced,  99
Disregard of parental authority, and testimonies of
Friends, to be testified against, .... 99, 100
Parents liable to disownment for indulging children
in excesses,  100
To be educated in industry and placed with mem
bers,  99, 100
Friends in affluence exhorted to assist in educating
others,  . 100
Of poor Friends to claim care of Monthly Meetings, 103
Not to keep company for marriage without consent
of parents, nor with those not of our Society, 63, 65, 106
Education of children. See Schools, . . . 110
To be provided with teachers of our own persuasion, 111
To be educated in belief of the miraculous concep
tion, birth, miracles, death, resurrection, ascen
sion, and mediation of Christ, and the inward
manifestation of the Holy Spirit, . . . 115
CHURCH — a preparation of heart neoessary to manage
its concerns, ....... 65
Unclean hands disqualify for ruling in the church, 55
Learning, artificial acquirements, riches, eloquence
or natural wisdom,, insufficient for government in
the church,  56

156

INDEX.

PAGE
CLERKS to be appointed annually, .... 54
Representatives of women's Quarterly Meetings to
select a clerk for their Yearly Meeting, . . 143
Representatives of the Quarterly Meetings to re
port clerk to the Yearly Meeting, . . . 146
The clerk of the preceding year to act till a new
appointment,  146
When likely to be prevented, the Meeting for Suf
ferings to take charge of the reports, . . 146
CIVIL GOVERNMENT,  32
Liberty of conscience the common right of all, . 32
No office to be accepted which violates our princi
ples,  32
Friends not to elect members to such offices, . . 33
Called to advance the Messiah's reign, we cannot
join in warlike measures,  33
Caution against defrauding the government, . . 128
COLORS AND STUFFS, fashionable, advised against, 101
CODE OF DISCIPLINE, an infringement of, to be treated
for according to the order laid down in the New
Testament, ....... vi
Extent of Society's censure, .... vi
COMMITTEE on Appeals  11
Names to be read in presence of appellants, etc., 11
To hear all parties, to stop irreverent speeches, and
not to divulge their opinions to either, . . 12
Their report simply to annul or confirm decision
oelow  13
To confirm where there was a violation regularly
treated,  13
Of Preparative Meetings, to judge of references, . 20
To be appointed by Quarterly Meetings to be incor
porated with incompetent Monthly Meetings, . 46
To attend the opening of new meetings for worship, 48
COMPLAINTS FOR DEBT. See Arbitrations . . 17, 19"
See Trade  128-131
CONCEPTION, miraculous,'  115

INDEX.

157

CONCERNS OF SOCIETY, quaUfications for conducting, 52-56, 107
CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION  34
Cursing, lying, swearing — unseemly, scandalous,
gross, notorious, and indecent practices, testi
fied against,  34
Persons promoting noisy gatherings or tumults, to
be dealt with  35
Blasphemy, denial of the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit,
or Holy Scriptures, etc., to be testified against, . 35
Injustice and covetousness disapproved, . . 36
Frequent waiting on the Lord, and abstaining from
unprofitable intercourse and converse, enjoined, 36, 37
CONNECTION and subordination of meetings, . . vii, 44
Of meetings not dissolvable but in the mode pre
scribed by the Discipline,  46
CONSCIENCE, liberty of, the right of all men, . . 32
CONVINCED PERSONS, ...... 37
Application 'for membership to be made to over
seers or elders, and when prepared to be laid be
fore Preparative and Monthly Meetings, . . 37
Inquiry respecting life, conversation, principles, etc. 37
Caution against haste in such cases, ... 38
Monthly Meetings exhorted to be weighty, and well
satisfied of the applicant's convincement of our
principles — when so, to receive without respect
to nation or color  38
CORRESPONDENCE between distant Monthly Meetings, 9, 30, 50
Between women's Monthly Meetings, . . .50, 138
Between elders of different meetings, . . . 87, 88
Women's Yearly Meeting to correspond with those
of their own sex, ;  143
Irregular, to be examined by committee before read, 145
CORRESPONDENTS to sign certificates of removal, . 27
To sign certificates of ministers, .... 86
COURTS OF LAW, the proper demeanor therein, . 20
COUSINS, first, not permitted to marry, ... 69
14

15S INDEX. PAGE
Tne term applies to grandchildren of one parent, . 70
CREDITORS, cases in which they are allowed to sue at
law,  19
To be consulted in assignments, .... 128, 131
To take no advantage of the rule requiring insolvent
debtors to pay whenever they are able, . . 129
D.
DANCING, members in the practice of, liable to disown
ment,  59
DAYS AND TIMES  39
Advice against the superstitious observance of days,
and calling days and months by heathen names, 39
Reasons for not observing fasts and feast days and
times, etc.,  39, 40
First-day not the Sabbath — set apart by primitive
Christians for worship and religious retirement, 41
Friends to forbear worldly business, except works
of necessity and charity  41
To collect their children and families for religious
reading,  41
DEATHS AND BIRTHS, regular records of, to be kept
by each Monthly Meeting,  24
DEATH OF CHRIST, meritorious  116
DEALINGS among men to be just and free from all im
position,  36
DEBTORS to take no advantage of the rule to guard
them from unkind treatment, .... 61
To be advised to convene their creditors early, . 126, 128
To refrain from partial payments — their subscrip
tions, donations, or bequests, not to be received
while insolvent,  127
To be urged to payment, and if unable, to assign at
request of creditors,  128
When again solvent, justice requires payment of all
their debts  128, 129

INDEX. 159
PAGE
Circumstances of bankruptcy to be ascertained, . 127, 130
DECISIONS of superior meetings to be submitted to by
inferior, ........ 44, 45
DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION  42
Friends exhorted to shun tale-bearing and detrac
tion, ;  42
To keep to the gospel order in treating with those
who err  42
Party to be admonished, and unless they acknowl
edge, to be disowned,  43
Reporters and tale-bearers to be dealt with as
principals  43
DENIAL of the divinity, mediation, or atonement of
Christ, the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit,
or inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, testified
against, ........ 26, 35
DILIGENCE in attending meetings, . . . vii, 44, 76, 77
See Queries  105, 109
DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE, . 44
To tie maintained in their original authority, . 44
Negligence in, produces spiritual death, . . 44
Connection and subordination, .... 44
Inferior meetings to render account and submit to
superior,  44
No meeting to be instituted but with consent of
superior,  44
Dissolution dl Quarterly, Monthly, and Preparative
Meetings, and meetings for worship, . . 45
Quarterly Meetings to appoint committees to aid
incompetent Monthly Meetings, ... 46
Meetings possess no right to dissolve their connec
tion with superiors,  46
Junction of a Preparative with another Monthly
Meeting, or a Monthly Meeting with another
Quarterly,  47
Meetings for worship composed of parts of two
Monthly Meetings,  *'

160 INDEX. PAGE
Books for record of proceedings of Quarterly and
Monthly Meetings,  48
Business to be finished with dispatch, and when too
weighty, to be brought before the Quarter for
aid,  48
Minutes may be granted to Quarterly and Monthly
Meetings, or individuals, when requested, . 48, 49
Representatives of Monthly and Quarterly Meetings
to be punctual to appointment, or furnish reasons
for absence,  4S
Meetings not to proceed to business while those not
members are present,  60
Mode of treating with offenders at a remote distance, 50
Women's Monthly Meetings to correspond on such
occasions  50
Offenders not to sit in Meetings for Discipline, . 51
Mode of treating offenders,  51
Qualifications requisite for all performances in Dis
cipline as well as worship, . . . 52-58, 107
Testimonies of disunion to be furnished with infor
mation of appeal,  52
Rights of Children  53
Application to jugglers or fortune-tellers, so called,
or a pretence to such art, disownable, . . 53
Accounts of Sufferings to be regularly forwarded, 54
Committees annually appointed for nominating
clerks,  54
Care to be taken to judge, of the qualifications of
members for service, ..... 54
The virtue and power of the Holy Head demonstrate
that neither tradition nor education prepares for
succession in the church  55
Caution against bringing into service prematurely, 55
Unclean hands, and connivance at undue liberties,
disqualify for church government, ... 55
Pertinent counsel, how to conduct in the church, . 56
Design of Preparative Meetings — cases to be for-

INDEX. 161
PAGE
warded in writing — not to take cognizance of
marriage, ........ 57
DISCORD and Disunity, persons publishing works tend
ing to excite it, ...... 25
Attempts at.fomenting division, disownable, . 62
Implacable enmity testified against, ... 62
DISORDERLY PERSONS appearing as Friends, . 30
DISOWNED PERSONS applying for reinstatement, . 9, 138
DISPUTES. See Arbitration  17-20
DIVINITY of Jesus Christ  26, 35
DIVISION and Dissension, parties to be labored with
and apprised of their danger, .... 62
DISUNITY, manifested by neglect of Divine worship,
disownable,  77
Such to make acknowledgment before considered
in unity,  78
DOCTRINES and Principles to be adorned by consistent
example  77
Unsound, cause of admonition and care, . . 80, 87, 88
DONATIONS, Bequests, etc., to be strictly applied to
the purposes intended, ..... 58
Not to be received from insolvent members, . . 127
DRESS and Address, simplicity of garb, language, and
manners, enforced,  99, 101
Copying after the vain and extravagant fashions,
testified against,  99
Parents indulging their children in excesses in these
respects, disownable,  100
DROWSINESS in meetings — those who give way to it
to be labored with, and not employed in Society, 78
DUTIES — not to be withheld from government. . 128
E.
FxDUO ATION insufficient to make successors in the
church, ........ 55, 56
Friends advised to bring uj> .chil4r.eii ifl. Mbits of
14*

162 INDEX. PAGE
industry, and place them to occupations consist
ent with our testimonies,  100
In piety and virtue, and in proper share of useful
learning, under religious, prudent persons, rec
ommended to subordinate meetings, . . . Ill, 112
Children instructed in the Christian religipn, and
reading the Holy Scriptures in schools — guarded
education not a temporal convenience merely, but
a religious duty,  113
Liberality in aiding others, ..... 114
Right education begun and conducted at home, . 115
ELDERS to be consulted respecting meetings at burials, 22
Decease of, to be forwarded to Yearly Meeting, . 78
And ministers to be as nursing fathers, . . 79
Their duty to admonish ministers, if unsound in
doctrine,  80
To state cases of refractory ministers to Prepara
tive or Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, 80
To be treated as other members for violation of
Discipline, and not to attend Select Meetings till
again recommended, ...... 80
Two or more of each sex to be appointed by Monthly
Meeting,  81
Mode of appointing,  82
To introduce to Monthly Meeting the cases of per
sons appearing in the ministry, where there is no
Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders, . 83
Believing themselves called to the ministry, to with
draw from Select Meeting, .... 84
To take steps to bring before Monthly Meetings
cases of those who disturb by preaching, . . 84
To treat with ministers coming among us who are
unsound, and to forward their cases to the elders
where they belong, ...... 87
To extend care to ministers supposed to have lost
their gifts — also, subject to the same treatment
themselves, in similar circumstances, . . 90

INDEX. 163
PAGE
Duties of — case of a Preparatory Meeting of Elders
without any minister — how suspended, . . 92
To retain the office subject to the rules, . . 93
ELECTING Friends to offices in government whose du
ties oppose our principles, disapproved, . . 33, 95
ENDORSING accommodation notes, disapproved, . 129
ENMITY, implacable, testified against, ... 62
EXECUTORS and Trustees permitted to proceed at law, 19, 20
To be faithful and punctual to trusts, ... 57
And administrators to estates not to act where.
there are slaves, . 118
To make complete inventory early after interment, 135
EXPENSES of ministers to be provided for when needful, 88
EXTRACTS from the minutes of the Yearly Meeting to
be sent to all Meetings for Discipline, . . 146
F.
FAILURE in Business, to be treated for, . . . 126
Inquiry into circumstances, ..... 127, 130
Subscriptions, etc., not to be received from such, . 127
Advised to convene creditors, and assign, . . 128
To discharge debts when they become able, . . 128
Creditors to be consulted — to appoint assignees —
assignments to be unreserved, .... 134
FAITH — a tender care to be exercised that all may be
preserved in the unity of,  V
FAMILY Visits encouraged and recommended to the solid
attention of Quarterly and Monthly Meetings, . 58
Concern to be approved where the Friend belongs
and where the visit is to be made, ... 58
This regulation applies to those coming from other
Yearly Meetings,  59
FASHIONS, in apparel, buildings, furniture, stuffs,
colors, etc., to be kept out of, . . . - 101
The Spirit of Truth, which led Friends originally to
lay aside these things, still leads in the same path, 102

• 164 INDEX. PAGE
FASTS and feast days and times, not to be observed, . 39
The fast we are called to is a continual abstinence
from all evil  39
FIGHTINGS and Wars, Friends to maintain our testi
mony against, ....... 131
Not to show the least connivance at war, by viewing
military operations, encouraging party spirit, or
joining political associations, .... 132
To avoid any trade promotive of it, partaking of
the, spoils, shipping in armed vessels, paying taxes,
selling property for the use of the army, etc., . 133
The subject to claim care of Quarterly, Monthly,
and Preparative Meetings, ..... 134
FINES, or taxes for military demands, not to be paid,
though applied to civil government, . . . 132, 134
FIRST-DAY of the week not the Sabbath, ... 40
Set apart by Christians for religious retirement and
public worship, after the example of the primitive
• Christians, .  41
Friends to abstain from labor, except works of ne
cessity, charity, or benevolence, . - . . 41
Religious retirement, and reading the Scriptures
and other religious books: — refraining from visit
ing about, recommended,  41
Marriages not to be accomplished on First-day, . 64
FORMAL WORSHIP testified against  39
FORTUNE-TELLERS, or Jugglers, so called, . . 53
Any member applying to such persons, or pretend
ing to their arts, to be dealt with and disowned,
if not convinced,  54
FRIENDS, a people whom the Lord in these latter days
hath gathered by his spirit and power to worship
him in spirit and in truth  y
To exercise care over each other, that all may be
preserved in faith and practice, ... v
To be diligent at meetings, and to seek for ability

INDEX. 165
PAGE

to build one another in that faith which works
by love and purifies the heart,

vn

FUNERALS. See Births and Burials  21
G.
GAMING and diversions testified against, ... 59
Stage-plays, horse-races, music, dancing, or any
other vain sports, lotteries, wagering, or other
species of gaming, disownable, .... 59
GIFTS — Caution against introducing persons prema
turely into service, that by right discernment
every gift may be properly exercised, . . 55
Patience in the use of gifts, reverence in speaking
in the church, having our own spirits in subjec
tion, inculcated,  56
Of Gospel Ministry  83
Gifts and legacies to be strictly applied, . . 57, 107
Application to be made to Meeting for Sufferings
in case of difficulty,  75, 107
GOSPEL MINISTRY supplied by the immediate teach
ings of the Holy Spirit,  60, 79
Prayers which are accepted produced by the influ
ence of the Holy Spirit,  39
GOVERNMENT, Civil, . 32
No office to be accepted which requires the viola
tion of our principles,  82
Friends not to elect one another to offices whose
duties lay waste our testimonies, ... 33
Friends cannot join in hostile measures against the
government, or any person, .... 33
Not to be defrauded of its duties, . . . 128
GRAVITY at burials,  21
GRAVE-STONES not to be admitted in our burial-
grounds, ........ 23
GRINDING GRAIN, or selling it for the army, disap
proved,  133

166 INDEX. H. PAGE
HALF-SISTER of a deceased wife not to marry her sur
viving husband, ....... 69
HAT, keeping on, in time of prayer, disorderly, . . 81
HEDGE — The Discipline an exterior hedge of preser
vation, ........ v
HIRELING MINISTRY, incompatible with the free
gospel of Christ,  60
Contributing to support or encouraging it, opposed
to our testimony, and disownable, ... 60
HOLY SPIRIT, a denial of its immediate influence dis
ownable,  26, 35
All true worship performed under it, . . . 39
The soul of man the temple of the Holy Spirit, . 40
The true authority of all Our meetings, ... 54
By its immediate'teaching, acceptable worship is per
formed, and all true gospel ministry supplied, . 60, 76
Ministers to seek the mind of the Spirit, to open
mysteries  79
Our forefathers led by the Spirit into the plainness
and simplicity which the gospel enjoins, . . 101
Still leads in the same path,  102
Qualifies to conduct the affairs of fhe Church, . 54, 107
Children to be educated in.the belief of its inward
manifestation in the heart,  115, 116
Holy Scriptures written by its inspiration, . . 116
Gives a right understanding of the Divine will and
the meaning of Holy Scriptures, . . . 116
Leads out of bondage to the Spirit of the world, . 124
HOLY SCRIPTURES— denial of authenticity, disownable, 26, 35
Children to be restrained from reading works cre
ating doubt in them,  26
Reading of, on First-day afternoon especially re
commended, ....... 41
Ministers advised to be frequent in reading them, 80
Drawing unsound inferences or misapplying them,
calls for notice  80, 87

INDEX. 167
PAGE
Daily reading in schools enjoined, . . . 113
Parents and heads of families exhorted to instruct
their children in the doctrines of the Christian
religion as contained in them, .... 115
Friends have always believed they were written by
divine inspiration,  116
Their authority depends not upon churches — we
submit all doctrines to their standard — and reckon
anything contrary to them a delusion, . . 116
HOLY-DAYS, so called, not to be observed, ... 39
HORSE-RACING testified against and disownable, . 59

I.

INSPIRATION of the Holy Scriptures, ... 26, 35
INTERCESSION of Christ  34
INTERMENT of the Dead. See Burials, ... 21
Committee to grant orders, ..... 23
A solemn pause before and after, to be observed, . 23
Extravagant expenses and mourning habits disap
proved, ........ 23
INSTITUTION of Quarterly, Monthly, and Preparative
Meetings, and Meetings for Worship, . . 44, 45, 47
INVENTORY of Estates to be full and clear, and made
out early after interment, ..... 135
JUDGMENT to be placed on offenders in the authority
of Truth,  46,106
JUSTIFICATION from the imputation of sins past by
propitiatory sacrifice,  36
JUSTICE, strict, to be adhered to in all our dealings, . 36
L.
LANGUAGE — the world's corrupt language, manners,
etc., to be kept from,  101
Plainness of speech, without respect of persons, to
be used in all our converse, .... 102

168

INDEX.

LAW — Counsel learned in, to be consulted by arbi
trators, 
Administrators, Executors, and Trustees, to proceed
at law, if necessary, 
Parties going to law to conduct circumspectly at
courts, ..... . .
Suing a member, in violation of Discipline, dis
ownable, ........
Persons skilled in, to be employed to write wills, .
LEARNING insufficient to qualify for government in
the church, 
Teachers of our own persuasion to be employed to
instruct the youth in useful learning to fit them
for the business of life, and to train them in the
knowledge of their duty to their Creator, .
LEGACIES, gifts, bequests, etc., not to be perverted or
appropriated to any other uses than designed by
donors, 
Application to the Meeting for Sufferings to be
made in difficult cases, ....
LIBERTY of conscience the common right of all, .
LOTTERIES, being concerned in, disownable,
LOVE AND UNITY, the bond of Christian brotherhood
All attempts to promote separation testified against,
Persons infected with dissension to be timely warned.
Implacable enmity — persons indulging it to be
labored with, and if inflexible, to be disowned,
LYING, swearing, cursing, and other wicked conduct
testified against, ......

18
1920 61
135 56

111

57
75, 107 32 596162 62 6234

M.
MARRIAGE of female to deceased sister's husband, how
restored to membership,  10
Relations (not members) to withdraw before meet
ings proceed to further business, ... 50
No Preparative Meeting to take cognizance of pro
posals of marriage,  57

INDEX. 169
PAGE
Persons proposing marriage to wait for Divine
• counsel, and consent of parents, etc., . . 63
None to proceed till certificates and consent of
guardians are produced, when necessary and prac
ticable,  63, 67
Not allowed earlier than one year after the death
of husband or wife,  64
Marrying a person not a member, or without con
sent of the Monthly Meeting, disownable, . . 64
No misdemeanor to be published to prevent mar
riages,  64
Parties intending marriage not to reside in the
same house, ........ 64
Not accomplished in Meetings for Discipline or on
First-day  64
Expensive entertainments and large companies ad
vised against,  65
Keeping company for this -purpose with those not
of us, with servants or apprentices without leave
of masters, etc. — being present or consenting to
their children being present at marriages per
formed by aid of a priest — or attending mar
riage of a member accomplished in a way out of
our order, testified against, . . . .65, 107
Attending the meetings of Separatists — their mar
riages — signing their certificates, repugnant to
order, etc.,  65
Parents or guardians approving addresses, not to
retract without sufficient reason, ... 66
Mode of accomplishing, prescribed, ... 66
The rights of a widow's children to be secured be
fore marriage,  67
To be accomplished gravely and without immoder
ate feasting ; the contrary requiring care of the
Friends charged with oversight, ... 67
Form of marriage certificate, .... 68
15

170 INDEX. PAGE
Marriage of first cousins, or with wife's half-sister,
not permitted, ....... 69
Reinstatement of such requires consent of Quar
terly Meeting,  70
Term first cousins includes the descendants of one
parent,  70
Counsel to guard the youth from improper connec
tions — violations of the Discipline often arising
from want of this care,  70
Caution respecting the too ready acceptance of ac
knowledgments  71
Testimonies to be issued against those who consent
to or connive at marriage of children under their
care (members) contrary to Discipline, . . 71, 107
Exposure to improper connections cautioned against, 99
Women's Monthly Meetings to take cognizance of *
proposals for marriage,  137
MEDIATION of Jesus Christ, . . . 26,35,36,46,116
MEETINGS — order and subordination, . . . vii, 44
For worship, not appointed at interment of those
not members, and not in a formal manner at
others,  22
All our meetings to be held in their original author
ity, the love, power, and peaceable spirit of the
Lord Jesus Christ  44, £4
For worship, set up or discontinued by Monthly
Meetings, with consent of the Quarter, . . 45
Composed of parts of two or more Monthly Meet
ings,  47
To be held in the authority of Truth and unity of
the Spirit  76
Coming late, falling asleep, restlessness, going out,
etc.,  76
Christian zeal and diligent waiting for power to
qualify for worship  76
Children and apprentices to be promoted to attend, 77
A wilful neglect of this duty an evidence of ingrat
itude and disunity,  77

INDEX. 171
PAGE
Such to acknowledge before restoration, . . 78
Should not be disturbed by opposition to ministers,
unless, etc.,  81
PREPARATIVE, To judge of references  20
Subordination to Monthly Meetings — mode of in
stituting, dissolving, etc.,  44-48
Duties — not to decide matters cognizable by Monthly
Meetings,  57
To be early informed of offenders removed to remote
places,  96
MONTHLY, To appoint respondents in case of appeals, . . 11
May appeal from decision of Quarterly Meeting, . 15
Refusing to attend to complaint of Meeting for Suf
ferings — course pursued, . . . • . . 25
To keep records of certificates, .... 27
To furnish pecuniary relief — to be refunded, . 28
To write to distant Monthly Meetings respecting
offenders appearing without certificates — also,
those removed,  30, 50
To appoint committees to visit those who bring cer
tificates, and to forward certificates by proper
conveyances,  31
• To be weighty in deliberating on applications for
membership,  38
Accountability to Quarterly Meetings — institution
and suspension of,  44, 45
To accept and recognize members of dissolved meet
ings,  45
To state its sense to Quarterly Meeting of dissolving
inferior meeting,  45
Incompetent, assisted by committee of Quarterly
Meeting,  46
Cannot dissolve connection with Quarterly Meeting, 46
Mode of transfer to another Quarterly Meeting, . 47
To keep fair records, and dispatch business without
improper delay,  48

172

INDEX.

To apply to Quarterly Meeting for aid in difficult
cases — to furnish minutes to meetings — to indi
viduals discretionally, ..... 48
To appoint representatives to Quarterly Meeting, . 49
Not to permit offenders to sit in Meetings for Dis
cipline  51
Mode of treating and disowning members, . . 51
To forward annually accounts of Sufferings, . . 54
To appoint committee annually to nominate clerks, 54
Not to employ drowsy members, .... 78
To select Elders, and forward their names, and
those of Friends appearing as Ministers, to Quar
terly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, . . 82
To aid Ministers in the prosecution of their con
cerns,  88
Course to be pursued on refusing to take up cases
introduced by Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and
Elders,  91
To appoint Treasurer — committee to have care of
the poor,  103
To appoint Committee on Education, . . . 113
Women's Monthly Meetings — duties, etc. . . 136-141
Testimonies of disunion for females, . . . 137
Communications, not regular, to be examined by
committee,  145
To furnish Preparative Meetings with extracts from
Yearly Meeting  146
QUARTERLY, To hear appeals, and to appoint respondents to
Yearly Meeting,  10-13
To carry up appeals of Monthly Meetings, . . 13
When composed of two Monthly Meetings, to refer
appeals to Yearly Meeting,  16
Subordination and accountability to Yearly Meeting, 44, 45
To institute or dissolve inferior meetings, . . 45, 47
To appoint committee to aid Monthly Meetings, . 46
To forward accounts of Sufferings annually, . . 64

INDEX.

173

PAGE
To appoint Committee on Education, . . . 113
Women's Quarterly Meetings — duties, . . . 142
Irregular communications to be examined, . . 145
YEARLY, Its decisions binding on all  Vii, 44, 45
Committee to provide for visits beyond sea, . . 88
History of origin — committee to prepare epistles, 144, 145
Letters and papers, not from regular correspond
ents, to be examined,  145
Representatives to propose clerks — extracts to be
sent to all Meetings for Discipline, . . . 146
FOR SUFFERINGS,
Appointed by Yearly and Quarterly Meetings — its
constitution, .......
To take charge of all writings relating to our prin
ciples, . . . . . ' . . .
To inform the Quarterly Meeting of a Monthly Meet
ing refusing to treat for an offence against the
Discipline on books, 
To inspect memorials preparatory to Yearly Meet
ing, .........
To represent the Yearly Meeting on all emergent
occasions, 
To explain titles to property — to record accounts
of Sufferings — to apply to government, etc.,
To correspond with other Meetings for Sufferings,
None members, but those regularly appointed —
Ministers and members of other Meetings for
Sufferings may attend, .....
To advance the testimony against slavery,
To take charge of papers of the Yearly Meeting
when the clerk is likely to be absent,
OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS,
Preparative, composed of Ministers and Elders of a
Monthly Meeting, ......
To bring before Monthly Meetings the oases of those
who appear as ministers, 
16*

73

25,74

25
75,79 73,74
75, 76
75

75
119146

81

83

174 INDEX. PAGE
To meet every three months to answer queries, etc., 89
Quarterly — to aid Preparative Select Meeting in
dealing with unsound Ministers,, or those who
may have otherwise lost their gifts, ... 81, 91
To decide on Ministers and Elders recommended, . 82
To read queries and answers brought from Prepara
tive Meetings, and annually forward comprised
report to Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, 89
To represent to Quarterly Meeting for Discipline
refusal of Monthly Meetings to take up cases of
ministers,  91
To extend care over Preparative Meetings of Elders,
and propose their suspension, when proper, to
Monthly Meetings,  92
Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders to read
queries and answers from the Quarters, and to
communicate advice and aid to subordinate meet
ings  89, 90
Not to interfere with the sittings of Yearly Meeting
"for Discipline,  90
Meetings of Ministers and Elders not to interfere
with the business, but may communicate with
their respective Meetings for Discipline, . . 90
MEETING-HOUSES, Titles to be frequently inspected, and trusts re
newed when necessary, ..... 72
Records of trusts and conveyances to be kept, and
with whom the papers, minutes, etc., are de
posited,  72
MEMORIALS,  78
Prepared by Monthly Meetings to be forwarded to
Quarterly Meeting and Meeting for Sufferings, . 79
MEMBERSHIP in the Society, how obtained, .. 9, 37, 53, 138
MESSIAH'S peaceful reign begun, . . . 33,131,133
MILITARY FINES — no part of, to be accepted unless
returned in same species, ..... 132
Tax for purchasing drums, colors, and other war
like purposes  . . 132

INDEX. 175
PAGE
Paying fine, penalty, or tax for carrying on war, . 133
Tax levied for militia not to be paid, though ap
plied to civil purposes,  134
MINISTERS AND ELDERS,  79
Ministers not employed as arbitrators, ... 21
Accounts of decease of, forwarded to Yearly Meeting, - 78
To be nursing fathers — to read the Holy Scriptures
frequently — seeking the mind of the Spirit to
enable them to open the mysteries thereof— and
not to extend declarations without life, . . 79, 80
Unsound doctrines and conclusions require admo
nition,  80
Course of proceeding in case of refusal to acknowl
edge faults, ....... 80
Not to sit in Select Meetings, after case is in
Monthly Meeting, till recommended again, . 80
To be treated as other members for violation of
Discipline  80, 81
Public opposition to, keeping on the hat in prayer,
disallowed  81
Mode of recommending and appointing, . . 82, 83
Without being approved by Quarterly Meeting of
Ministers and Elders, none are to be received as
ministers, sit in Select Meetings, or travel as
ministers, ........ 83
No minister to appoint meetings, or travel out of
the Quarterly Meeting, without certificate, . 83
Elders appearing as ministers, .... 84
Concerns of ministers claiming care of superior
meetings to be considered before reading cer
tificate of Monthly Meeting, .... 85
Meetings to be informed when visits are completed, 85
Attending a Yearly Meeting and a few in its vicinity,
or to visit the meetings of one or two Quarterly
Meetings, requires a minute of the Monthly
Meeting  85
Visits beyond these limits, a certificate endorsed by
Quarterly Meeting  86

176 INDEX. PAGE
Visit to Ohio, Indiana, and Carolina, or any two of
them, or beyond sea, to be laid before Yearly
Meeting of Ministers and Elders, . . . 86, 87
Counsel to keep under religious weight and use dil
igence,  87
At home, or from abroad, giving uneasiness in doc
trine — how treated,  87
Services of, not to be impeded for want of means, . 88
To watch over the flock in their respective places, 90
Those who may be thought to have lost their gifts,
how treated,  90, 91
To avoid improper tones and gestures — to watch
over each other for good,  110
MINUTES for travelling Friends, to be recorded and
promptly returned  27
Copies may be granted by Quarterly and Monthly
Meetings  48
Discretional power to furnish individuals, . . 49
Of meetings to be placed under care of suitable
Friends  . 72
MINISTRY, hireling, supporting or encouraging, dis
ownable  60
MODERATION and Temperance,
At burials, and all other occasions, advised, . . 21, 93
At marriages, advised,  67 93
MOURNING HABITS, wearing or giving, advised against, 23
MUSIC, the practice of, subjects to disownment, . . 59
N.
NEGROES. See Slave Trade and Slavery, ... 117
Disunity with enslaving mankind  117
To be taught principles of Christian religion and
school learning, ...... Hg
Friends not to act as executors where slaves are
b«queathed, ..... iig
Traffic in, cir folding them in bondage, disownable, 118

INDEX. 177
PAGE
Hiring slaves, when the compensation goes to the
master, ........ 119
NOISY gatherings or tumults, promoting, disownable, . 35
NOTES, accommodation, with endorsements, disap
proved,  129
NOVELS, plays, romances, etc., to be discountenanced, 26
0.
OATHS — Christian testimony against, to be main
tained,  94
Members in office administering, or conniving at
their clerks administering oaths — disownable, . 95
Friends not to elect one another to offices which
violate this testimony,  95
To choose witnesses to writings who do not swear, 95
OBSERVANCE of days and times, testified against, . 39, 40
OFFENDERS, removing into the limits of distant meet
ings  30, 50
Guilty of reproachful conduct and removing to re
mote places,  25
Not to sit in Meetings for Discipline, ... 51
Mode of treating, including offences not on minute, 51
To be admonished, and sought in the spirit of love
before church censure takes place, ... 52
Leaving their places of abode and removing to re
mote parts, to be early informed of, . . . 96, 97
OFFICES in government not to be accepted whose du
ties violate our testimonies, . . . . 32, 95
ORDER of the gospel in treating with offenders, . . vii, 42
OVERSEERS, to judge of the propriety of reference, . 20
To be consulted on meetings at burials, . . . 22, 23
To ascertain whether disorderly persons, appearing
aB Friends, are so,  30
Every Monthly Meeting to appoint faithful and ju
dicious men and women for, .... 96
To ex( rcise a vigilant and tender care over the flock,
and to whom'complaints are first to be made, . 96

178 INDEX. PAGE
To treat offenders with meekness, and notify them
previously to taking cases to Preparative Meet- i
ing, ......... 96
Cases of offenders gone to remote places, . . 97
Their services not limited to their own Preparative
Meeting  97
Committee to be appointed once in three years to
nominate,  97
Friends brought forward not to offer excuse hastily, 97
To ascertain early the circumstances of failures, . 130
P.
PARENTS and guardians to prevent children from read
ing books prejudicial to Christian principles, . 26
To apply for certificates for minors removing, . 30
Having approved addresses, on account of mar
riage, should not retract without proper cause, . 66
To guard children against improper connections, . 70
Breaches of our testimony often owing to want of
parental care,  70
AND CHILDREN,  98
Children exhorted to obey their parents — to avoid
vain fashions, libertine company, taverns, diver
sions, etc  98
Not to shrink from the cross, and the simplicity of
our worship,  99
Parental authority disregarded, disownable, . . 100
Parents indulging children in excesses, disownable, 100
To bring up children in habits of industry, . . ¦ 100
Liable to disownment for conniving at violations of
the order of marriage, .... 65, 70, 107
PARTY spirit not to be encouraged  132
PEACE on earth, a great object of the Society, . 33, 62, 131
PEOPLE OF COLOR — testimony against enslaving —
traffic in — ought to be taught principles of Chris
tian religion — school learning, etc., . . . 117,118

INDEX. 179
PAGE
PENALTY or tax in lieu of personal service in war, . 134
PLAINNESS of dress, language, and manners, incul
cated,  99
Corrupt language, fashions in apparel, furniture,
etc., advised against,  101
Stuffs, colors, and dress, to please the vain mind to
be avoided, and tradesmen and others not to be
accessory to their use, ..... 101
All to keep to the plainness and simplicity into
which the Spirit of Truth led our forefathers, and
still leads the obedient,  102
Testimony to plain language not to be balked be
fore others,  102
PLAYS, romances, novels, etc., to be discountenanced, 26, 59
POLITICAL devices or associations, not to be encour
aged  132
POOR Friends to be relieved  28, 29
To return to meeting removed from when requested, 29
This rule not applied to wife or children of a per
son not a member,  29
Impoverished by fire, etc.,  29
Their situation to be inspected and relieved by
committee — their children educated by the
Monthly Meeting without expense — a treasurer,
etc., to be appointed,  103
PREACHING or praying, any public show of dislike of,
disapproved,  81
Elders who speak as ministers to withdraw from
Select Meetings,  84
Persons who give dissatisfaction by preaching to be
admonished,  84
If they persist in imposing on Friends, to be dis
owned,  84
PREPARATIVE MEETINGS — subordination, . . vii, 44
To determine on the propriety of referring dis
putes  20
To render account of its proceedings, and submit
to Monthly Meeting,  44

180 INDEX. PAGE
Instituted or laid down by Monthly and Quarterly
Meetings;  44, 45, 47
Joining to another Monthly Meeting, . . . 45, 46
Use and design — not to detain or dc cide on busi
ness of Monthly Meetings — cases to be carried
forward in writing — not to take cognizance of
proposals of marriage,  57
PREPARATIVE Meeting of Ministers and Elders —
how instituted,  81
To bring cases of ministers before Monthly Meet
ings for consideration,  83
To meet quarterly, answer queries, and appoint
representatives,  89
Of elders — how suspended,  90, 91
PRIESTS, hireling — their ministry not to be encour
aged,  60
Attending marriages performed by their aid, dis
ownable, ........ 65
PRIMITIVE Christians assembled for worship on the
FirBt-day  41
PRINCIPLES and doctrines of the gospel to be duly
maintained, . 25, 26, 35, 77, 87, 101, 109, 113, 115, 118
PRINTING books denying mediation, atonement, Holy
Spirit, &c,  26, 35
PRINTERS cautioned against printing, selling, or lend
ing romances, novels, plays, &c. ... 26
PROFANITY to be testified against  35
PROPITIATORY SACRIFICE  36
PUBLISHING works laying waste Christian principles, 35
PRIZE GOODS, dealing in, to be avoided, ... 133
Q.
QUARTERLY MEETINGS,
To. hear appeals from Monthly Meeting, . . 11 12
To appoint respondents to Yearly Meeting, . 13

INDEX. 181
PAGE
To carry up appeals of Monthly Meetings, . . 15
When composed of two Monthly Meetings only, to
refer appeals to Yearly Meeting, ... 16
To record certificates of ministers, ... 27
Subordination to the Yearly Meeting, ... 44
Institution and laying down  44, 45
Power to institute and dissolve Monthly and Pre
parative Meetings,  45, 48
To aid incompetent Monthly Meetings, by com
mittee,  46
To be consulted respecting transfer of Monthly and
Preparative Meetings, and institution of meetings
for Worship, composed of parts of two Monthly
Meetings,  47
To keep fair records of its transactions, . . 48
To grant copies of minutes to other meetings, and
discretionally to individuals, .... 48, 49
To appoint representatives to Yearly Meeting, . 49
To forward accounts of sufferings, ... 64
To appoint committee annually to propose clerks, 54
To be cautious of employing drowsy members, . 78
To furnish Yearly Meeting annually with account
of deceased ministers and elders, and to examine
memorials,  78
To deliberate on concerns of ministers, and to grant
endorsements on certificates, . . . . 84, 85
To aid ministers in prosecuting their religious visits
when needful,  88
To decide on the suspension of Preparative Meet
ings of Elders,  • 92
To appoint committees on education, . . . 113
Communications not regular to be examined by com
mittee,  I46
Of women Friends — their duties, .... 142
Of ministers and elders, to extend care to ministers
and elders,  80, 91
16

182

INDEX.

To decide on appointments of elders, and acknowl
edgment of ministers,  °2, 83
To consider the state of Select Preparative Meet
ings, and answer the queries, .... 89
To represent to Monthly Meetings the state of Pre
parative Meetings of Elders, .... 92
QUERIES, Respecting births and deaths, to be answered, . 24
To be answered in writing, which, and by whom, . 104
Advices to be read annually  106, 107
Annually answered  108
For meetings of Ministers and Elders, . . . 109
To be answered by Women's Meetings, . . . 141
QUOTAS of the Quarterly Meetings  123

R.
RACES — members going to them, liable to disownment, 59
RECEPTION into religious membership, . . 9, 37, 63, 138
Injurious effects of haste,  38
Parties to be clearly convinced of our principles, . 38
RECONCILIATION by Christ,  36
RECORDS of births and deaths to be kept, . . 24, 108, 141
Of certificates granted, ...... 27
• A book to be provided for recording minutes, and
copies to be given at discretion of meetings, . 48, 49
Marriage certificates to be recorded, ... 68
Of trusts and conveyances, &c. .... 72
Fair records of proceedings of Women's meetings, 143
REFERENCES. See Arbitrations, . . . . 17, 18
Overseers and Preparative Meetings to judge of, . 20
REGENERATION, the work of the spirit of Christ
within, ........ 30
RELIGIOUS VISITS to Families,  58
Beyond limits of Quarterly Meeting, . . . 84-86
Of females, ........ 141 142
REINSTATEMENT'into membership  9, io) 138

INDEX. 183
PAGE
Of first cousins, and a man and his former wife's
half-sister  69
REMOVALS  9, 27, 31, 140
Residence to be changed with caution, consulting
Friends  28
Require certificates,  29, 30
To remote or unknown places, authorizes Monthly
Meetings to disown in scandalous cases, . . 35, 97
Into distant Monthly Meetings requiring care, . 50
REPRESENTATIVES to Quarterly and Yearly Meetings, 49, 141, 142
They and others to be punctual to appointments —
to send reasons for absence — and not to with
draw from meetings without consent, ... 49
Of Preparative and Quarterly Meetings of Ministers
and Elders  89
To propose clerks for the Yearly Meeting, . . 143, 146
REPORTS to Quarterly and Yearly Meetings to be made
in writing and signed by the clerks, ... 49
RESIDENCE in a Monthly Meeting when certificate is
produced gives right there, unless some miscon
duct is discovered, 
RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 
RESPONDENTS to appellants appointed,
RETIREMENT, advantage of, 
REVELATION of the Holy Spirit 
RICHES, nor greatness in this world, fits for govern
ment in the church 
Inordinate love and pursuit of, counselled against,
RIGHTS of children, 
ROMANCES, plays, &c, discountenanced, .
s.
SABBATH — the First-day of the week neither the
antitype of the Jewish, nor is it the Christian
Sabbath, .  40, 41

32

116

11

,13

36,

,41

26,

,35

56

125,

130

53,

67

26
184 INDEX. PAGE
SANCTIFICATION by the work of Christ in the heart, 36
SCANDAL to be removed, by acknowledging the of
fences, and condemning the same in writing, . 34
SCHOOLS — Queries respecting, how answered, . . 108
Directions for the institution of, . . . . Ill
Teachers of our own persuasion to be provided, . Ill, 112
Instruction in the principles of the Christian reli-
' gion — daily reading of the Scriptures, and attend
ance of mid-week meetings directed, . . 113
Liberality among Friends in the respective meet
ings, earnestly recommended  114
People of color to be instructed in school learning, 118
SCRIPTURES of the Old and New Testaments, . . 115
Authenticity and inspiration of, . . . 26, 35, 116
Books tending to raise prejudice against them, to
be avoided,  26, 35
Ministers to read them frequently, seeking the
mind of Truth,  79
Misapplying or drawing wrong inferences cause of
admonition,  80, 87
To be daily read in schools, ..... 113
Children and families to read them diligently — they
set forth the miraculous conception, birth, holy
life, meritorious death, &c, of our Lord, . . 115
Not to be subjected to reason, but understood by
the aid of the Holy Spirit,  116
Anything done contrary to them, a delusion, . 117
Their testimony of the Three which bear record in
heaven, ........ 117
Scripture names of days and months to-be kept to, 39
SECURITIES for mutual accommodation disapproved, 129
SELLING or spreading books denying the divinity, me
diation, atonement, &c  26 35
SEPARATION — attempts to produce it, disownable, . 62
SEPARATISTS — attending their meetings, marriages,
or signing certificates, disownable, ... 65
SHADOWS and Figures ended  40

INDEX. 185
PAGE
SILENT waiting for the renewal of strength, and for
the performance of Divine worship, ... 36, 76
SLAVE Trade and Slavery, testimony against, . . 117
Instruction of the people of color, . . . 118
Friends not to act as executors where slaves are be
queathed,  118
Trading in, or holding mankind in slavery, disown
able  118
Meeting for Sufferings to advance the testimony, . 119
The hiring slaves for the benefit of owner, disown
able,  119
SPIRIT OF TRUTH to be sought unto, to qualify for
worship, and to open mysteries, ... 76, 79, 116
Still leads the faithful as it did our forefathers, . 102
Children to be educated in the belief of its opera
tion on the mind, ...... 116
Leads out of bondage to the spirit of the world, . 124
Its restrictions to be attended to in trade and busi
ness,  . . 130
SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS,
. Advice against dram-drinking — giving it at ven
dues, disownable,  120
Ruinous effects of trading in it — advice against
giving it as drink,  120, 121
Distilling or trading in the article, disownable, . 122
Danger of frequenting taverns, .... 123
STOCK,  122
SUBORDINATION of Meetings  vii, 44, 46
SUBSCRIPTIONS not to be taken from insolvent mem
bers  127
SUING members at law contrary to the Discipline, ex
cept under peculiar circumstances, ... 61
SUFFERINGS, mode of stating  54, 76
Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to forward ac
counts annually,  54
16*

186 INDEX. PAGE
SWEARING, lying, cursing, and other. wicked practices,
testified against, ....... 34
SORCERY,  53
T.
TALE-BEARING AND DETRACTION to be suppressed, 42
Offenders herein to be admonished, and, if not re
claimed, disowned  43
Required to give their authority, or treated as orig
inators of reports,  43
TAVERNS, caution against frequenting them, . . 99, 123
Danger of ardent spirits — advised not to keep tav
erns — to exert their influence against unneces
sary increase,  124
TAXES for military purposes not to be paid, . . 131-134
TEMPERANCE and Moderation,  93
TESTIMONIES of Denial not to be read in Meetings for
Worship,  10
To be delivered early as convenient, with informa
tion of the right to appeal, . . . . 10, 52
TEXT — misapplying or drawing unsound inferences, . 80, 87
THREE that bear record in heaven, . . . . 117
TIMES, observance of, testified against, ... 39
TITLES of real estate to be inspected, and trusts
timely renewed ....... 72
Records of trusts and conveyances to be kept, and
where papers are deposited, .... 72
TRADE — Counsel against inordinate pursuit of wealth,
entering on business not understood, or going
beyond ability ....... 125
Hazardous enterprises to be avoided, . . . 125
Persons in danger of failing to be treated with and
advised to convene their creditors, . . . 126 128
To inspect their affairs frequently and keep their
accounts clear,  126
To avoid partial payments — assignees to be in
quired of,  127

INDEX.

187

Subscriptions not to be taken from insolvent mem
bers,  127
Persons refusing to pay former debts after retriev
ing their circumstances, disownable, . . . 127, 128
Assignment to be made at request of creditors, . 128
Accommodation paper and joint securities disap
proved,  129
Divine counsel to be sought in all engagements, . 130
Overseers to ascertain early the cause of failure . 130
Failures to be testified against  130, 131
Assignments without restriction — creditors to have
liberty to appoint assignees, .... 131
Or business, promotive of war, to be avoided, . 133
See sixth and seventh Queries, .... 106
TRADITION, or mere outward education, do not pre
pare for succession in the church, ... 55
TREASURER of Monthly Meetings, .... 103
TREATING with offenders, . . . vi, 50, 51, 52, 137, 139
TRUSTEES permitted to proceed at law, ... 19, 20
To be punctual and faithful to trusts, ... 57
Or assignees, to be active in discharging duties, . 128
TUMULTS, promoters of, to be disowned, ... 35

u.
UNITY of Faith and practice, ...... v
AND LOVE, attempts to destroy it, testified against, . 62
Appearance of variance to be removed, . . 62
Parties being irreclaimable to be disowned, . . 62

VENDUES, giving or taking ardent spirits at them dis
ownable, 
VESSELS, arming or shipping in armed vessels, testi
fied against, 
VISITING on First-day disapproved, ....

120 134 42

188 INDEX. PAGE
VISITS to families encouraged,  58
To receive sanction where the Friend belongs and
where the visit is made : — This applies also to
those coming from other Yearly Meetings, . . . 58, 69
Religious, out of the Quarterly Meeting, to be laid
before Monthly and Quarterly Meeting and Yearly
Meetingof Ministers and Elders, as the case re
quires,  92-94, 84-87, 141
To engage consideration before the certificate is
read  85
The certificate to be returned promptly, &c, . . 85
Ministers exhorted to diligence and religious
weight,  87
Expenses, where needful, to be provided for, . 88
w.
WAGERING, disownable. offence  59
WAITING in silence,  36, 76
WAR — Friends exhorted to maintain a testimony
against it,  131
Overplus of distraints not received, unless in the
same goods,  132
Furnishing wagons, or other conveyances for mili
tary stores,  132
Tax for purchasing drums, &c, and for military re
quisitions,  132, 133
Viewing military operations, or joining political as
sociations, advised against, .... 132
Trade, promotive of war — Prize goods, shipping in
armed vessels, grinding grain, feeding cattle, and
selling property for the use of the army, . . 106, 133
Dealing in Public Certificates  134
Militia fines, though applied to civil purposes, not
to be paid,  134
WILLS, to be faithfully executed, . . . . 67, 85
To be made, and affairs.settled. in health, . . .107,136

INDEX. 189
PAGE
-Persons skilled in the law to be employed, . . 135
Executors and Administrators to make a complete
Inventory early after interment, . . . 135
WOMEN'S MEETINGS — institution and duties of, . 136
Monthly, to take care of their poor and cognizance
of proposals of marriage,  136
To appoint Overseers, treat with offenders, and
deliver testimonies, ...... 137
To transmit by minute, offences of persons removed
to distant Monthly Meetings, ... 50, 137
Admission and reinstatement into membership, . 138
Acknowledgment for offences while under care, . 139
Authority to receive or disown a member vested in
the Men's Meeting,  140
Issuing and receiving certificates, .... 27, 140
Religious concerns of women to be laid before both
meetings, the certificate signed by the clerks and
correspondent,  85, 141, 142
To unite with men in nomination of an Elder, . 82
Preparative — to answer Queries, where more than
one constitutes a Monthly Meeting, . . . 141
Monthly Meetings, also, to answer the first eight
Queries, and appoint representatives to the Quar
ter, and to give information of births and deaths, 141
Quarterly Meetings to consider religious concerns —
to transmit replies to. Women's Yearly Meeting —
appoint representatives to it — communicate Ad
vices or Epistles from the Yearly Meeting to the
Monthly Meetings — to nominate committees to
visit them, &c,  142
Yearly Meeting to correspond with those of their
own sex,  143
Not to hear appeals nor to make rules : — to have a
stock,  143
Representatives to select a clerk, .... 143
At the request of men, their Monthly, Quarterly,
and Yearly Meetings to appoint committees for
setting up or laying down meetings. . . . 143

190 INDEX. PAGE
WORSHIP, of those not in communion with ns, . . 22
Formal, testified against  39, 40
Meetings for worship discontinued, ... 45
Mode of setting up Meetings composed of parts of
two Monthly Meetings,  47
All worship performed by the aid of the Holy
Spirit  60
All meetings to be held in the authority of Truth, 76
Sleeping and other.unbecoming deportment, . . 76
Exhortation to Christian zeal, for the performance
of, and diligent silent waiting, .... 76
Children and apprentices to be brought, . . 77
Care toward those who are negligent, ... 77
Drowsy members not to be employed, ... 78
A care maintained to guard against disorder, . 81
Persons disturbing by undertaking to preach, . 84
Y.
STEARLY MEETING, to control proceedings of inferior
meetings,  44
No Quarterly Meeting set up without its consent, 44
To dissolve Quarterly Meetings, and attach the
Monthly Meetings to another Quarter, . . 45
History of its origin,  144
Committee on Epistles  145
Letters and papers, not from meetings with which
it regularly corresponds, examined by committee, 145
Representatives to propose clerks  146
The present clerk to act till a new appointment, . 146
In case he is likely to be prevented, the Meeting
for Sufferings to take charge of the papers, . 146
Extracts of Minutes to be sent to all meetings for
Discipline  146
Certificates of Ministers to be read in Yearly Meet
ing,  ... 147
To provide for expenses of Ministers when neces
sary  88

INDEX. 191
PAGE
Of Ministers and Elders, to read replies to Queries,
and to issue advice, or extend care to subordinate
meetings,  89, 90
Its adjournments not to interfere with Yearly Meet
ing for Discipline  90
Of Women Friends — duties,  143
YOUTH — Ability to example them in the concerns of
the church,  65
Care requisite, not to bring them into premature
action,  55
Judicious care on account of marriage, ... 63, 70
See PARENTS and CHILDREN, .... 98

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