2-. -7 . l^- 
 
 PRINCETON, N. J. -fir. 
 
 BX 7608 .L847D 1883x ! 
 Society of Friends. Londod 
 Yearly Meeting. , 
 Book of Christian discipiJ 
 
BOOK 
 
 OF 
 
 CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE 
 
 OP THE 
 
 SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 
 
BOOK 
 
 re r 
 
 \ 
 
 CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE 
 
 OF THK 
 
 EELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FEIENDS 
 
 IN 
 
 CxREAT BRITAIN; 
 
 CONSISTING OF EXTRACTS ON 
 
 DOCTRINE, PRACTICE AND CHURCH GOVERNMENT 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 EPISTLES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ISSUED UNDER THE SANCTION OF 
 THE YEARLY MEETING HELD IN LONDON FROM ITS FIRST 
 INSTITUTION IN 1G72 TO THE YEAR 1883. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 SAMUEL HARRIS & CO., 5, BISHOPSGATE WITHOUT. 
 
 188 3. 
 
West, Newman antl Co., Pi-inters, 54, Hattoii Garden, London. 
 
FEOM THE 
 
 YEAELT MEETING'S EPISTLE, 1883. 
 
 The revision of our Book of Discipline, irhich embodies declara- 
 tions and regulations issued under the sanction of this Meeting at 
 various times during a period of upwards of two centuries, as 
 regards the Doctrine, Practice, and Church Government of our 
 religious Society, lias claimed our close attention. We have vnth 
 gratitude to acknowledge the help mercifully afforded throughotU 
 these deliberations, which have tended yet more closely to unite us 
 in the p7'ecious bond of the Saviour's love and jjeace. We have 
 been afresh impressed with the value and importarice of our 
 Christian profession, and of our general system of Church 
 Government under the Headship of Christ, and we take this 
 opportunity of commending them to the loyal attachment of our 
 various members. 
 
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rilEFACE. 
 
 To bear witness by practice, as well as by profes.sion, to 
 righteousness and true holiness, as necessary fruits of faith 
 in our Lord and Saviour, is one of the great duties of the 
 Christian Church. This important truth, our religious Society 
 has, from an early period of its history, earnestly endeavoured 
 to uphold ; evidence of which will be found in the ensuing 
 pages, consisting of statements of Christian doctrine and 
 counsel, as well as of regulations for the maintenance of good 
 order, adopted from time to time by the Yearly Meeting, as 
 the representative body of the Society. 
 
 From the year 1672, down to 1781, the Minutes of the 
 Yearly Meeting, in i-elation to these subjects, were preserved 
 and circulated in manuscript — each Monthly or Quarterly 
 Meeting being expected to make provision for the supply of 
 copies for the use of its own members. In the year 1781, the 
 Meeting for Sufferings, by direction of the Yearly Meeting, 
 prepared a digest of the regulations and advices issued up 
 to that period. This was afterwards carefully revised, and 
 " compared with the original records," by a large committee 
 appointed by the Yearly Meeting to unite with the Meeting 
 for SuflPerings in the service ; and, having been submitted to 
 the Yearly Meeting of 1782, was soon afterwards published, 
 as approved by that Meeting, under the title of "Extracts 
 
viii 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 from the Minutes and Advices of the Yearly Meeting of 
 Friends held in London from its first institution." 
 
 This volume had been in circulation about eighteen years, 
 when the Yearly Meeting recommended the Quarterly 
 Meetings to send representatives to London to join the 
 Meeting for Sufferings in revising the whole, and pre- 
 paring a new Edition. In proceeding with this work, " it 
 was found expedient to omit several advices which stood 
 in the First Edition ; chiefly because there were others 
 under the same head of equal or superior pertinency ; or 
 because, in a few instances, it seemed eligible to exchange 
 them for others issued since the printing of the Book of 
 Extracts ; and there was a considerable abridgment of some 
 of those which remained." Some change was also made 
 in the general arrangement of the contents. The volume, 
 thus revised, was adopted by the Yearly Meeting of 1801, 
 and published in 1802. 
 
 A Third and enlarged Edition, after undergoing a similar 
 course of revision, was issued by direction of the Yearly 
 Meeting in the year 1834, under the title of "Rules of 
 Discipline of the Religious Society of Friends, with Advices, 
 being Extracts from the Minutes and Epistles of their Yearly 
 Meetinw held in London, from its first institution." A 
 Supplement to this volume appeared in 1849. 
 
 In 1860 another Edition appeared necessary, the prepara- 
 tion of Avhich was, as on previous occasions, referred by the 
 Yearly Meeting of that year to the Meeting for Sufferings, in 
 conjunction with representatives from the several Quarterly 
 or General Meetings. The results of the care and patient 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 ix 
 
 attention bestowed upon this important service were pre- 
 sented to the Yearly Meeting of 1862, and, with a few 
 alterations, were agreed to, and formed the Fourth Edition. 
 
 Twenty-two years having elapsed since the Fourth Edition 
 of this work was issued, during which changes had been 
 made in some of our disciplinary arrangements, and various 
 advices had been issued from time to time by the Yearly 
 Meeting on important subjects, it was concluded in 1882 
 to issue a new Edition. The care of preparing this was 
 entrusted to a Conference consisting of a certain number 
 of Friends, some appointed by the Meeting for Sufferings, 
 and others by the several Quarterly Meetings throughout 
 the Yearly Meeting. 
 
 The result of their deliberations having been submitted 
 to the Yearly Meeting, the whole, with such modifications as 
 have been thought advisable, is now presented, as embodying 
 the Christian Doctrine, Practice and arrangements as to 
 Church Government of our Religious Society. 
 
 As on each of the former occasions, omissions have been 
 made, and new matter has been added. The threefold 
 division of the Book adopted in the last Edition has been 
 adhered to ; but some modifications, for the sake of greater 
 clearness, have been made in the division and arrangement 
 of the chapters and subordinate headings. 
 
 The variety and excellence of the matter thus offered to 
 the reader invite an attentive and serious perusal. There will 
 be found instruction for the inexperienced, as well as that 
 which may confirm the faith of the more advanced Christian. 
 
X 
 
 PKEFAC'E. 
 
 The inquirer after truth may here see that the maintenance 
 of Christian discipline is altogether compatible with the just 
 claims of Christian liberty ; and that, without the interven- 
 tion of a human priesthood, and without any provision either 
 for the appointment or for the payment of a stated ministry, 
 the regular performance of public worship, and the free 
 exercise of spiritual gifts, may be secured in a manner which 
 long experience has proved to be in harmony with the 
 apostolic injunction, " Let all things be done decently and 
 in order." 
 
 To the members of our own Society we commend the 
 ensuing pages, in the earnest desire that the blessing of 
 the Lord may rest upon their publication. May it ever 
 be borne in mind that rules, however wisely devised or 
 carefully digested, if acted on with a mere rigid adherence 
 to the letter, will tend only to formalism. It is a marked 
 feature of this volume, that, whilst exhibiting the form of 
 our discipline, it bears abundant testimony to the spirit in 
 which it should be conducted — to that wisdom, patience, 
 forbearance and love, which ought ever to prevail in the 
 hearts of those engaged in its administration. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PART I.— CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE, 
 (Pp. 1—30). 
 
 PART II.— CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 CIIAI". PAGE 
 
 I. Meetings foh Public Wouship 31 
 
 II. Private Retirement and Prayer .... 42 
 
 III. On Reading the Holy Scriptures .... 47 
 
 IV. On Gifts and Stewardships in the Church : — 
 
 Section 1. The Ministry of the Gospel .... 53 
 
 2. General Advice on Faithfulness in our several 
 
 Stewardships for the benefit of others . . 59 
 
 3. Extracts from the Epistles of George Fox . G4 
 
 V. Love and Unity : — 
 
 Section 1. Love one towards another 67 
 
 „ 2. Love and Unity in the Church ... 72 
 
 VI. Counsel as to Marriage 75 
 
 VII. Counsel to Parents and Heads of Families . . 80 
 
 VIII. Counsel to the Young 90 
 
xii CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. PAGE 
 
 IX. CiiKisTiAN Life in its Various Manifkstations : — 
 
 Section 1. Walk with God 97 
 
 ,, 2. Privileges of the First-day of the Week . .102 
 ,, 3. Christian Self-denial in its relation to — 
 
 (1) Simphcity and Moderation . . .104 
 
 (2) The Use of Intoxicating Beverages . . 107 
 
 (3) Amusements and Recreations . . .110 
 
 (4) Books and Reading 115 
 
 ,, 4. Uprightness and Integrity — 
 
 (1) Business and Trade 117 
 
 (2) Frequent Inspection of AfPairs and early 
 
 disclosure of Pecuniary Difficulties . 122 
 
 (3) Counsel to Insolvents 123 
 
 (4) Advice as to Wills 124 
 
 „ 5. On Liberality and Benevolence, and against 
 
 Covetousness 125 
 
 „ 6. Counsel to Employers 130 
 
 „ 7. Christian Life in its Relation to Civil Govern- 
 ment ........ 132 
 
 ,, 8. Advice to Emigrants ...... 135 
 
 X. Christian Testimony : — 
 
 Section 1 . Government of Christ in the Church as opposed 
 
 to Ecclesiastical or Human Assumption . . 137 
 „ 2. Liberty of Conscience . ... 143 
 
 „ 3. National Fasts and Rejoicings . . . 146 
 
 „ 4. On Oaths 148 
 
 „ 5. On War 153 
 
 „ 6. On Slavery and the Slave Trade . . . .159 
 „ 7. Burials and l\Iourning Habits . . . .164 
 
CONTENTS. xiii 
 
 PACK 
 
 PART III.— CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 Introduction. — -On the Origin of the Christian Discipline 
 
 established among Friends 1G9 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 I. Yearly Meeting : its Establishment, Constitution and 
 
 Arrangements 183 
 
 II. Qu.vRTERLY MEETINGS : their Constitution, Duties and 
 
 Arrangements . . . . . . . . .188 
 
 III. Monthly Meetings : their Constitution, Powers and 
 
 Duties 193 
 
 IV. Preparative Meetings : their Objects and Duties . 214 
 
 V. Women's Meetings : their Establishment, Constitution 
 
 and Duties ......... 216 
 
 VI. General Counsel in relation to Meetings for Dis- 
 cipline 219 
 
 VII. General Advices 225 
 
 VIII. Queries ; 229 
 
 IX. Oversight 233 
 
 X. Meetings on Ministry and Oversight and Morning 
 
 Meeting 239 
 
 XI. Meeting for Sufferings : its Establishment, Consti- 
 
 tution and Duties 248 
 
 XII. National Stock : its Objects, and the Arrangements 
 
 in reference to it . . . . . . . . 254 
 
 XIII. Care of the Poor 257 
 
 XIV. Marriage Regulations 259 
 
 XV. Births, Deaths and Burials : Regulations for 
 
 recording them 288 
 
xiv CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. rAni: 
 
 XVI. Removals : Counsel jiud Certificates respecting them . 2W 
 
 XVII. Ariutkation : nnd Committees on Legal Proceedings 308 
 XVIII. Appeals : Advice and Regulations respecting them . ?>!?> 
 
 XIX. Trust Pkoi'ekty . . ." ... 329 
 
 GENERAL CONCLUSION. 
 
 (P. .-5.%.; 
 
 Alphabetical Index 337 
 
NOTICE TO THE READER. 
 
 In this compilation are included documents of various 
 dates. The figures appended to the extracts indicate the 
 respective years in which they were issued. Where two 
 or more dates are appended to one paragraph, it is intended 
 to show either that some chanofe has been made in the 
 original at the time of the second or other later date, or 
 that two or more paragraphs, issued at different times, 
 have been combined. The letters P. E. added to the date 
 denote that the paragraph was taken from a printed epistle 
 of the Yearly Meeting ; whilst all paragraphs to which 
 these letters are not affixed were taken either from special 
 addresses, or from minutes issued by that Meeting. 
 
PAET I. 
 
 CHEISTIAN DOCTTMNE. 
 
 1 
 
l\oo centuries have passed away since this Yearly Meetimj first 
 asseiiihled in London as a representative meetimj of our relujious 
 Society. Year hy year, in the (juodness of our Heavenly Luther, 
 it has been held from that 2'eriod in unbroken succession. The 
 names of Fox, Penn, Barclay, Dewsbury, and Whitehead, of 
 Thomas Story, the Fothergills, and Woolman — to mention no others 
 — appear in its ])roceedings ; besides those of many, beloved and 
 honoured, at a later day, with whom it has been our privilege to 
 worship and to labour. " 27ie memory of the just is blessed," but 
 their most precious memorial is their united testimony to Jesus. 
 He is, from aye to age, the rest and the sanctuary of the j^eople of 
 God. Beloved Friends, the Christian s is a high and heavenly 
 calling, and great are his respo7isibilities. Tlte Gospel, with its 
 halloived restraints, privileges and consolations, is applicable alike 
 to erery class and j)osition. May all " watch unto pmtyer," and 
 seek with holy consistency, in their varied duties and circumstances, 
 to walk worthy of such a vocation. Let it be our joy to knou- our 
 interest and our abiding to be in Christ. 1879. /*. E. 
 
 " All of you " (in, tlte W07-ds of George Fox's last episth, written 
 three days befure his death) ^' live and walk in Clirist Jesus; so 
 that nothing may be between you and God but Christ, in whom, 
 ye hace salvation, life, rest and jieace v:ith God" 
 
PAET I 
 
 CHIUSTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 FROM AN EPISTLE ADDliESSED T.Y GEORGE FOX AND OTHERS 
 TO THE GOVERNOR OF BARBADOES, 1671. 
 
 (From the First Edition of George Fox's Journal, published iu 1G94, 
 pp. 358-00.) 
 
 We do own and believe in God, the only wise, ouinipotent, 
 and everlasting God, who is the Creator of all things both 
 in heaven and in the earth, and the Preserver of all that 
 He liath made ; who is God over all, blessed lor ever ; to 
 whom be all honour and glory, dominion, praise and thanks- 
 ffiviniT, both now and for evermore ! And we do own and 
 believe in Jesus Christ his beloved and only begotten Son, 
 in whom He is well pleased ; who was conceived by the 
 Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary ; in whom we have 
 redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins ; 
 who is the express image of the invisible God, the first-born 
 of every creature, by whom were all things created that 
 are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, 
 whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or 
 powers ; all things were created by Him. And we do own 
 and believe that He was made a sacrifice for sin, who knew 
 no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth ; and that He 
 was crucified for u.s in the fleah, without the gates of 
 
4 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 [part I. 
 
 Jerusalem ; and that He was buried, and rose again the 
 third day by the power of his Father, for our justification ; 
 and we do beUeve that He ascended up into heaven, and 
 now sitteth at the right hand of God, This Jesus, who was 
 the foundation of the holy prophets and apostles, is our 
 foundation ; and we do believe that there is no other foun- 
 dation to be laid but that which is laid, even Christ Jesus ; 
 who, we believe, tasted death for every man, and shed his 
 blood for all men, and is the propitiation for our sins, and 
 not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world : 
 according as John the Baptist testified of Him, when he said, 
 " Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away thn sins of 
 the world" (John i. 29). We believe that He alone is our 
 lledeeiner and Saviour, even the Captain of our salvation 
 (who saves ns from sin, as well as from hell and the wrath 
 to come, and dt'stroys the devil and his works) ; who is the 
 Seed of the woman that bruises the serpent's head, to Avit, 
 Christ Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. 
 That He is (as the Scriptures of truth say of Him) our 
 wisdom and righteousness, justification and redemption ; 
 neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other 
 name under heaven given among men, whereby we may be 
 saved. It is He alone who is the Shepherd and Bishop of 
 our souls : He it is who is our Prophet, whom Moses long 
 since testified of, saying, "A Prophet shall the Lord your 
 God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me ; Him 
 shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you : 
 and it shall come to pass, that every soul that will not hear 
 that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the peoj^le " 
 (Acts iii. 22, 23). He it is that is now come, " and hath given 
 us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true.' ' 
 And He rules in our hearts by his law of love ami of life, 
 and makes us free from the law of sin and death. And we 
 have no life but by Him ; for He is the quickening Spirit^ 
 the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, by whose blood we 
 
PART I.] 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 5 
 
 are cleansed, and our coni5ciences sprinkled from dead works 
 to serve the living Grod. And He is our Mediator, that 
 makes peace and reconciliation between God offended and 
 us offending ; He being the Oath of God, the new Covenant 
 of light, life, grace, and peace, the Author and Finisher of 
 our faith. Now this Lord Jesus Christ, the heavenly man, 
 the Emmanuel, God with us, we all own and believe in ; Him 
 whom the high-priest raged against, and said He had spoken 
 blasphemy ; whom the priests and the elders of the Jews 
 took counsel together against, and put to death ; the same 
 whom Judas betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, which the 
 priests gave him as a reward for his treason ; who also gave 
 large money to the soldiers to broach an horrible lie — namely, 
 that his disciples came and stole Him away by night whilst 
 they slept. And after He was risen from the dead, the 
 history of the Acts of the Apostles sets forth how the chief 
 priests and elders persecuted the disciples of this Jesus for 
 preaching Christ and his resurrection. This, we say, is that 
 Lord Jesus Christ, whom we own to be our life and salvation. 
 
 And as concerning the Holy Scriptures, we do believe 
 that they were given forth by the Holy Spirit of God, 
 through the holy men of God, who (as the Scripture itself 
 declares, 2 Peter i. 21) " spake as they were moved by the 
 Holy Ghost." We believe they are to be read, believed, 
 and fulfilled (he that fulfils them is Christ) ; and they are 
 "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for 
 instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may bo 
 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 
 iii. 16, 17); and are able to make wise "unto salvation, 
 through faith in Christ Jesus." We call the Holy Scriptures 
 — as Christ and the apostles called them, and holy men of God 
 called them — the words of God. 
 
 We do declare, that we do esteem it a duty incumbent on 
 us to pray with and for, to teach, instruct and admonish, 
 those in and belonging to our families ; this being a 
 
6 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 [part r. 
 
 command of the Lord, the disobedience whereunto will provoke 
 the Lord's displeasure. Now Negroes and Indians make 
 up a very great part of the families in this island, for 
 whom an account will be required by Him who comes to 
 judo-e both quick and dead, at the great day of judgment, 
 when every one shall be rewarded according to the deeds 
 done in the body, whether they be good or whether they 
 be evil, — at that day, I say, of the resurrection both of the 
 good and of the bad, of the just and the unjust, "when the 
 Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty 
 angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know 
 not God, and obey not the Grospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 
 who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the 
 presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power ; 
 when He shall come to be glorified in his saints, and 
 admired in all them that believe in that day." (2 Thess. i. 
 — 10. See also 2 Peter iii. 3, etc.) 
 
 FROM A declaration OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE GIVEN FORTH 
 ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY, 1693. 
 
 We sincerely profess faith in God by his only begotten Son, 
 Jesus Christ, as being our Light and Life, our only way to 
 the Father, and also our only Mediator and Advocate with 
 the Father. 
 
 That God created all things. He made the worlds by his 
 Son Jesus Christ, He being that powerful and living "Word 
 of God, by whom all things were made. And that the 
 Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit are one, in divine 
 being inseparable : one true, living, and eternal God, blessed 
 for ever. 
 
 That this Word, or Son of God, in the fulness of time, 
 became perfect man according to the flesh, descended and 
 came of the seed of Abraham and David ; but was miracu- 
 lously conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin 
 Mary ; and declared powerfully to be the Son of God, 
 
PART I.] 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINK. 
 
 7 
 
 accoi'ding to the spirit of snnctification, hy the resurrection 
 t'roin the dead. 
 
 That in the Word (or Son of ( Jod) wiis life, .-inil llio sann; 
 life was the lio^ht of men ; and that He was that true U<r]]t 
 which enlightens every man coming into the world ; and 
 therefore that men are to believe in the light, that they may 
 become the children of the light. 
 
 That as man, Christ died for our sins, rose again, and was 
 received up into glory in the heavens. He having been, 
 in his dving for all, that one great universal otferino; and 
 sacrifice for peace, atonement, and reconciliation between 
 God and man ; and He is the propitiation not lor our sins 
 only, l)ut also for the sins of the whole world. 
 
 That Jesus Christ, who sitteth at the right hand of the 
 throne of the Majesty in the heavens, is yet our King, High 
 Priest, and Prophet in his Church, a Minister of the sanctuary, 
 and of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not 
 man. He is the Intercessor and Advocate with the Father 
 in heaven, there appearing in the presence of God for us, 
 being touched with the feeling of our infirmities, sufferings, 
 and sorrows. And also by his Spirit in our hearts, He 
 maketh intercession according to the will of God, crying, 
 Abba, Father. 
 
 That the Gospel of the grace of God should be preached 
 in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
 Ghost, being one m power, wisdom, and goodness ; and 
 indivisible (or not to be divided) in the great work of man's 
 salvation. 
 
 We sincerely confess and believe in Jesus Christ, both as 
 He is true God and perfect man, and that He is the author 
 of our living faith in the power and goodness of God, as 
 manifested in his Son Jesus ('hrist, and by his own blessed 
 Spirit (or divine unction) revealed in us, whereby we inwardly 
 feel and taste of his goodness, life, and virtue; so as our 
 souls live and prosper by and in Jlim : and the inward sense 
 
8 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 [part T. 
 
 of this divine power of Christ, and faith in the same, and the 
 inward experience, are absolutely necessary to make a true, 
 sincere and perfect Christian in spirit and life. 
 
 That divine honour and worship are due to the Son of Grod; 
 and that He is, in true faith, to be prayed nnto, and the 
 name of the Lord Jesus Christ called upon (as the primitive 
 Christians did), because of the fi;lorious union or oneness of 
 the Father and the Son, and that we cannot acceptably offer 
 up prayers and praises to God, nor receive a gracious answer 
 or blessing i'rom God, but in and through his dear Son. 
 
 That Christ's body that was crucified was not the Godhead, 
 yet by the power of God was raised from the dead ; and that 
 the same Christ that was therein crucified, ascended into 
 heaven and glory, is not questioned by us. His flesh saw 
 no corruption, it did not corrupt ; but yet doubtless his body 
 was changed into a more glorious and heavenly condition 
 than it was in, when subject to divers sufferings on earth ; 
 but how and what manner of change it met withal after it 
 was raised from the dead, so as to become such a glorious 
 body as it is declared to be, is too wonderful for mortals to 
 conceive. The Scripture is silent as to the manner thereof, 
 and we are not curious to inquire about or to dispute it ; nor 
 do we esteem it necessary to make ourselves wise above 
 what is written, as to the manner or condition of Christ's 
 glorious body in heaven ; no more than to inquire how 
 Christ appeared in divers manners or forms; or how He 
 came in among his disciples, the doors being shut ; or how 
 He vanished out of their sight, after He was risen. 
 
 Concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the great day 
 of judgment yet to come, beyond the grave, or after death, 
 and Christ's coming without us, to judge the quick and the 
 dead ; what the Holy Scriptures plainly declare and testify 
 in there matters, we have been always read}' to embrace. 
 
 1. "VA'e sincerely believe not only a resurrection in Christ 
 from the fallen sinful state here^ but a rising and ascending 
 
PART I.] 
 
 CnniSTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 9 
 
 into fjlory with Him hereafter ; that when He at last 
 appears, we may appear with Him in glory. (Col. iii. 4 ; 
 1 John iii. 2.) But that all the wicked who live in rebellion 
 against the light of grace, and die finally impenitent, shall 
 come forth to the resurrection of condemnation. And that 
 the soul or spirit of every man and woman shall be 
 reserved in its own distinct and proper being, and every 
 seed (yea, every soul) shall have its pi'oper body, as God 
 is pleased to give it. (1 Cor. xv.) A natural body is sown, 
 a spiritual body is raised ; that being first which is natural, 
 and afterward that which is spiritual. And though it is 
 said, " this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this 
 mortal shall put on immortality;" the change shall be such 
 as [will accord with the declaration] " Flesh and blood 
 cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth cor- 
 ruption inherit incorruption" (1 Cor. xv. 50). We shall 
 be raised out of all corruption and corruptibility, out of all 
 mortality ; and the children of God and of the resurrection 
 shall be equal to the angels of God in heaven. As the 
 celestial bodies do far excel terrestrial, so we expect onr 
 spiritual bodies in the resurrection shall far excel what our 
 bodies now are. Howbeit we esteem it very unnecessary to 
 dispute or question how the dead are raised, or with what 
 body they come ; but rather submit that to the wisdom and 
 pleasure of Almighty God. 
 
 2. For the doctrine of eternal judgment, God hath com- 
 mitted all judgment unto his Son Jesus Christ; and He is 
 Judge both of quick and dead, and of the states and ends of 
 all mankind. (John v. 22, 27 ; Acts x. 42 ; 2 Tim. iv. 1 ; 
 1 Peter iv. 5.) 
 
 That there shall be hereafter a great harvest, which is the 
 end of the world, a great day of judgment, the Holy Scripture 
 is clear. (Matt. x. 15, xiii. 39—41 ; Jude G.) "When the 
 Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels 
 with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of his glory ; 
 
10 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 [part I. 
 
 and before Him shall be gathered all nations," etc. (Matt. 
 XXV. 31, 32 to the end; compared with Luke ix. 2(i and 
 1 Cor. XV. 52 ; 1 Thess. iv. IG, and 2 Thess. i. 7, 8 to the end ; 
 liev. XX. 12—15.) 
 
 FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLE, 173(). 
 
 In order that, as we have received Christ, so we may walk 
 in Him in all holiness and godliness of conversation, we 
 earnestly exhort that ye hold fast the profession of the faith 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ without wavering ; both in respect 
 to his outward coming in the flesh, his sufferings, death, 
 resurrection, ascension, mediation and intercession at the 
 right hand of the Father; and to the inward manifestation 
 of his grace and Holy Spirit in our hearts, powerfully 
 working in the soul of man to the subduing of every evil 
 aflection and lust, and to the purifying of our consciences 
 I'rom dead works to serve the living God ; and that through 
 the virtue and efficacy of this most holy faith, ye may become 
 strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. 
 
 DECLARATORY MINUTE OF THE YEARLY MEETING, 1829. 
 
 We feel ourselves called upon, at this time, to avow our 
 belief in the inspiration and divine authority of the Okl and 
 Nfw Testament. 
 
 We further believe that the promise made after the trans- 
 gression of our first ])arents, in the consequence of wliose fall 
 all the jiosterity of Adam are involved, that the seed of the 
 woman shall bruise the head of the serpent ; and the declara- 
 tion unto Abraham, " In thy seed shall all the nations of the 
 earth be blessed," had a direct reference to the coming in 
 the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ. To Him also did the 
 prophet Isaiah b^ar testimon}' when he declared, " Unto us 
 a child is born, unto us a son is given : and the government 
 shall be upon his shoulder : atid his name shall be called 
 
PART I.] 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 11 
 
 Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting 
 Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his govern- 
 ment and peace there shall be no end." And again, the 
 same prophet spoke of Him when he said, " Surely He hath 
 borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows : yet we did esteem 
 Him stricken, smitten of God, and afHicted ; but He was 
 wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our 
 iniquities ; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him ; 
 and with his stripes we are healed." The same blessed 
 Redeemer is emphatically denominated by the prophet 
 Jeremiah " The Lord our Righteousness." 
 
 At that period, and in that miraculous manner, which God 
 in his perfect wisdom saw fit, the promised Messiah ap])eared 
 personally upon earth, when " He took not on Him the 
 nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham." 
 He "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without 
 sin." Having; finished the work which was oriven Him to 
 do. He gave Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to 
 God. He tasted death for every man. " He is the pro- 
 pitiation for our sins : and not for ours only, but also for the 
 sins of the whole world." "We have redemption through 
 his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." He passed into the 
 heavens ; and being the brightness of the glory of God, 
 " and the express image of his person, and ujiholding all 
 things by the word of his power, when He h;id 1)V Himself 
 purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the M;ijesty 
 on high;" and "ever liveth to make intercession for us." 
 
 It is by the Loi'd Jesus Christ that the world will be 
 judged in righteousness. He is "the mediator of the new 
 covenant;" — "the image of the invisible God, the first-born 
 of every creature : for by Him were all things created that 
 are in heaven, and that are in earih, visible and invisible, 
 whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or 
 powers : all things were created by Him, and for Him : and 
 He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." " In 
 
12 
 
 ClIRrsTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 [part I. 
 
 Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily : " and 
 to Him did the Evangelist bear testimony when he said, 
 " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with 
 God, and the Word was God. The same was in the begin- 
 ning with God, All things were made by Him ; and without 
 Him Avas not anything made that was made. In Him was 
 life ; and the life was the light of men." He " was the true 
 light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." 
 
 Our blessed Lord Himself spoke of his perpetual dominion 
 and power in his church, when He said, " My sheep hear 
 my voice, and I know them, and they follow me ; and I 
 give unto them eternal life ; " and when, describing the 
 spiritual food which He bestovveth on the true believers, He 
 declared, " I am the bread of life : he that cometh to me 
 shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never 
 thirst." He spoke also of his saving grace, bestowed on those 
 who come in faith unto Him, when He said, " Whosoever 
 drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; 
 but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of 
 water, springing up into everlasting life." 
 
 Our religious Society, from its earliest establishment to 
 the present day, has received these most important doctrines 
 of Holy Scripture in their plain and obvious acceptation ; 
 and it is the earnest desire of this Meeting that all who 
 profess our name may so live and so walk before God as 
 that they may know these sacred truths to be blessed to 
 them individually. We desire that, as the mere profession 
 of sound Christian doctrine will not avail to the salvation of 
 the soul, all may attain to a living efficacious faith, which 
 through the power of the Holy Ghost bringeth forth fruit 
 unto holiness ; the end whereof is everlasting life through 
 Jesus Christ our Lord. ''Blessing, and honour, and glory, 
 and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and 
 unto the Lamb for ever and ever." 
 
PAKT 1.] 
 
 CilKISTlAN DOCTUINK. 
 
 13 
 
 FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLE, 1836. 
 
 Often as our religious Society has declared its belief in 
 the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures, and uj)held 
 the sacred volume as the only divinely authorized record 
 of the doctrines of true religion, we believe it right at 
 this time to revive some important declarations of Scrijjture 
 itself on the subject. It is expressly declared by the apostle 
 Peter, that " the prophecy came not in old time by the will 
 of man : but holy men of God spake as they were moved 
 by the Holy Ghost." The apostle John declares respecting 
 the gospel which he wrote, " These are written, that ye 
 might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; 
 and that believing ye might have life through his name." 
 Very pertinent and comprehensive is the language which 
 the apostle Paul addressed to Timothy : From a cliiU 
 thou hast known the Holy vScriptures, which are able to 
 make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in 
 Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, 
 and is profitable for doctrine, for re^troof, for correction, for 
 instruction in righteousness : that the man of God may be 
 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Again, 
 the apostle says, " Whatsoever things were written aforetime 
 were written for our learning, that we through patience 
 and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Finally, 
 our blessed Lord, in reference to those divine writings of 
 which the grand object, in accordance with his own decla- 
 ration, was to testify of Himself, emphatically declares " the 
 Scripture cannot be broken." 
 
 Although most of these passages relate to the Old Tes- 
 tament, our Society has always freely acknowledged that 
 the principles developed in them are equally applicable to 
 the writings of the Evangelists and Apostles. In conformity 
 with these principles it has ever been, and still is, the belief 
 of the Society of Friends, that the Holy Scriptures of the 
 
u 
 
 CHKISTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 [part I. 
 
 Old and New Testament were given hy inspiration of God : 
 that there can be no a{)peal from them to any otlier authority 
 whatsoever : that they are able to make us wise unto salva- 
 tion through I'aith which is in Christ Jesus ; being the 
 apjjointed means of making known to us the blessed truths 
 of Christianity : that they are the only divinely authorized 
 record of the doctrines which we are bound as Christians 
 to believe, and of the moral principles which are to regulate 
 our actions : that no doctrine which is not contained in 
 them can be required of any one to be believed as an 
 article of faith : that whatsoever any man says or does 
 which is contrary to the Scriptures, though under profession 
 of the immediate guidance of the Spirit, must be reckoned 
 and accounted a mere delusion. 
 
 We trust, however, that none of our members will content 
 themselves with merely entertaining a sound view on this 
 subject; but that they will remember that the Holy Scrip- 
 tures are given to us that they may be diligently used, and 
 that we may obtain a right understanding of them in the 
 fear of the Lord. Let us never forget that their main 
 purpose is, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, to bring 
 us to our Lord Jesus Christ ; that by a living operative 
 faith in Him, we may obtain reconciliation with the Father, 
 and be made partakers of everlasting life. 
 
 FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLE, 1852. 
 
 Wherefore, beloved brethren, let it be the frequent engage- 
 ment of our souls, in deep reverence and humility, to " con- 
 sider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ 
 Jesus." The promised Messiah, He to whom all preceding 
 dispensations had pointed, and in whom they were ended and 
 fultilled. He who was with God, and was God, the Word who 
 hath declared to man Him that is invisible, even He was 
 made flesh, and dwelt amongst men. Though He was rich, 
 
TAUT I.] 
 
 CIIlilSTIAN DOCTUINE. 
 
 15 
 
 yet fur our sakcs He beciune poor; veiling, in the form of a 
 servant, the brightness of his glory, that, through Him, the 
 kindness and love of God toward man might appear, in a 
 manner every way suited to our wants and finite capacities. 
 His rigliteons precepts were illustrated and confirmed by his 
 own holy example. He went about doing good ; for us He 
 endured sorrow, hunger, thirst, weariness, pain ; unutterable 
 anguish of body and of soul even unto death ; and was " in 
 all points temj)ted like as we are, yet without sin." Thus 
 humbling Himself that we might be exalted, He emphatically 
 recognized the duties and the sufferings of humanity as 
 among the means whereby, through the obedience of faith, 
 we are to be disciplined for heaven ; sanctifying them to us, 
 by Himself performing and enduring them ; and, as " the 
 Forerunner," at once plainly marking out and consecrating 
 for his i'ollowers the path in which they must tread. But not 
 only in these blessed relations nmst the Lord Jesus be ever 
 precious to his people. Exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, 
 in Him has been revealed a Redeemer at once able to suffer 
 and almighty to save ; an High Pi'iesf, *' touched with the 
 feeling of our infirmities," who, having made reconciliation 
 for our sins by the offering up of Himself once for all, " is 
 gone into heaven," now to appear, our Mediator and Advo- 
 cate, in the presence of Grod. 
 
 FKOM THE JOURNAL OF GEORGE FOX, UNDER DATE 1645. 
 (First Edition, p. 4.) 
 
 Priest Stevens asked me a question — viz., why Christ 
 cried out upon the cross, " My God, my God, why hast thou 
 forsaken me ? " and why He said, " If it be possible, let 
 this cup pass from me ; yet not my will, but thine be 
 done"? And I told him: ''At that time the sins of all 
 mankind were upon Him, and their iniquities and trans- 
 gressions, with which He was wounded ; v\ hich He was to 
 bear, and to be an offering for them, as He was man, but 
 
hi 
 
 CIIIUSTIAN DOCTIUNE. 
 
 [part I. 
 
 died not as He was God. And so in that He died for all 
 men, and tasted death for every man, He was an ottering 
 for the sins of the whole world." This I spake, being at 
 that time in a measure sensible of Christ's sutferino[s and 
 what He went through. 
 
 FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLES, 1868, 1881. 
 
 " The Lord our God is holy " ; " his mercy endureth for 
 ever." These great truths were proclaimed under the old 
 covenant. But it is in the glorious Gospel that their harmony 
 is clearly unfolded, and the way revealed whereby fallen man 
 may be made a partaker, through faith, of the righteousness 
 of God. 
 
 The Gosj)el is a message of glad tidings to man as lie is, in 
 order that he may become what he is not. It deals, not with 
 speculation, but with fact. ''All have simied and come short 
 of the glory of God." Sin is indeed a fearful reality. It 
 is in its essence a revolt against God. The Gospel is the 
 recognition of the disease, and God's offer to all of the one 
 remedy. "The wrath of God," of which we are so often 
 impressively reminded in the New, as well as in the Old 
 Testament, is, in the light of the Gospel, the active manifes- 
 tation of his holiness, altogether free from any approach to 
 earthly passion or vindictiveness. The Father's heart still 
 yearns over the lost child. " God commendeth his love 
 toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died 
 for us." 
 
 The offering up of Christ as the " propitiation for the sins 
 of the whole world " is the appointed manifestation both of 
 the righteousness and of the love of God. In this propitiation, 
 the pardon of sin involves no relaxation of the law of holiness. 
 He, the unchangeably Just, proclaims Himself " the justifier 
 of him that believeth in Jesus." From age to age the 
 sufferings and death of Christ have been a hidden mystery, 
 and a rock of offence to the unbelief and pride of man's 
 
I'AIIT I.] 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOOTRINE. 
 
 17 
 
 fallen niiture ; yet to the humble penitent, whose henrt is 
 broken under the convicting power of the Spirit, life is 
 revealed in that death. As he looks upon Him who was 
 wounded for our transgressions, and upon whom the Lord 
 was pleased to lay the iniquity of us all, his eye is more and 
 more opened to see, and his heart to understand, the awfulness 
 of sin, for which the Saviour died ; whilst, in the sense of 
 pardoning grace, he may "joy in God, through our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atone- 
 ment." 
 
 FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLES, 1854, 1881. 
 
 It is they only who are washed, who are sanctified, who 
 are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the 
 Spirit of our God, who can enjoy the unspeakable privilege 
 of membership in the Lord's spiritual Israel. No rite, no 
 outward membership in any church, can suffice to make us 
 children of Abraham. Without conversion they who have but 
 a birthright amongst us may, notwithstanding all their ad- 
 vantages of training and education, grow old, still inquiring, 
 like Nicodemus, " How can these things be ? " To everv 
 member of each successive generation the answer of the 
 Lord is alike applicable, " Ye must be born again." With- 
 out this essential change none can see the kingdom of 
 God. Let none, therefore, allow themselves to be deceived. 
 The words of our Lord and Master cannot be reversed, 
 " Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye 
 shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." 
 
 FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLE, 1858. 
 
 He who loved his Church, and gave Himself for it, yet 
 lives and reigns and intercedes on its behalf. To Him John 
 was commissioned to bear testimony, not only as the Lamb 
 appointed for the sacrifice, but also, in his exaltation and 
 glory, as the Dispenser of the promised Spirit. The voice 
 
 2 
 
18 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 [part I. 
 
 in the wilderness that proclaimed, " Behold the Lamb of God 
 which taketh away the sin of the world," declared also, " He 
 shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." " It 
 hath pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell." 
 He is the anointed Priest and King ; and all who, throuf^h 
 living faith, become Christians indeed, receive an unction 
 of the Spirit from Him, the Holy One. This is " the promise 
 of the Father" under the new covenant ; the seal of recon- 
 ciliation to the humble believer in Jesus ; the earnest and 
 the foretaste of that full communion and perfect joy which 
 are reserved for them that endure unto the end. 
 
 FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLE, 1879. 
 
 The Lord Jesus died not for a favoured few only, but 
 tor all. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for 
 ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." His 
 Church must ever testify to the unsearchable riches of his 
 grace. The invitation is all-embracing. " Whosoever will, 
 let him take the water of life freely." Firmly as we believe 
 this truth, w^e think it right once more plainly to declare 
 that we have never acknowledged any principle of spiritual 
 light, life or holiness, inherent by nature in the mind or 
 heart of man. We confess, with the apostle, that " we are 
 by nature the children of wrath, even as others." It was 
 under a deep impression of this great truth that George Fox 
 writes,* " All are concluded under sin and shut up in unbelief, 
 as I had been, that Jesus Christ might have the pre-eminence ; 
 who enlightens, and gives grace, and faith and power." The 
 lioht that shines into man's heart is not of man, and must 
 ever be distinguished both from the conscience which it en- 
 lightens, and from the natural faculty of reason which, when 
 unsubjected to its holy influences, is, in the things of God, 
 very foolishness. As the eye is to the body, so is conscience 
 
 * George Fox s Journal, \). 6, ed. 1094. 
 
PART I.] 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 19 
 
 to our inner nature, the organ by which we sec ; and as both 
 hght and life are essential to sight in the natural eye, so 
 conscience, as the inward eye, cannot see aright without the 
 quickening and illumination of the Spirit of God. It is the 
 capacity to receive this blessed influence which, in an esi)ecial 
 manner, gives man pre-eminence above the beasts that perish; 
 which distinguishes him, in every nation and in every clime, 
 as an object of the redeeming love of God, as a being not 
 only intelligent, but responsible ; for whom the message of 
 salvation through our crucified Redeemer is, under all 
 possible circumstances, designed to be a "joyful sound." 
 
 FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLE, 1857. 
 
 It is a distinguishing feature of the work of the Holy 
 Spirit, that it bears an effectual witness to Christ, and 
 brings to the enjoyment of his grace in those various 
 relations in which He has been pleased to reveal Himself. 
 Under the power of heart-searching conviction, it draws 
 the believing soul, in contrition and humiliation, to the 
 Saviour's feet. Here, in the acceptance of Him, in living 
 faith, as the propitiation for sin, the reconciling love of 
 God is shed abroad in the heart, and we are enabled to 
 realize the inestimable privilege of access unto God ; not 
 in our own right, or for any works of righteousness that we 
 have done, but for the sake of Christ alone. In thus witness- 
 ing of Christ, and establishing the soul upon Him, the Holy 
 Spirit becomes a Comforter indeed. Through his sanctifying 
 power, the righteousness of God through faith is more and 
 more manifested in the life and conversation, whilst all 
 boasting is excluded. The promise of the New Covenant, in 
 its most precious import, is fulfilled. The law of God becomes 
 more and more plainly written upon the heart, whilst a yet 
 clearer and clearer view is granted of the depth of that love 
 which, in Christ Jesus, pardoneth iniquit}', transgression and 
 sin. Fervently do we desire that our dear Friends, every _ 
 
20 
 
 cnrasTiAN doctrine. 
 
 [part t. 
 
 where, may press after an individual acquaintance with this 
 heart-searching and heart-sanctifying knowledge of the Son 
 of Grod. May none who are under the heavy weight of 
 conviction, stop short in that first stage of Christian ex- 
 ])erience ; but, yielding without reserve to the further mani- 
 festations of light and truth, may they be brought, from 
 step to step, in faith and faithfulness, to the full enjoyment 
 in their own souls of the covenant of life and peace. 
 
 FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLES, 1808, 18G1, 1830. 
 
 As a Christian Church, we accept the iinmcdiatc opera- 
 tions of the Spirit of God upon the heart, in their inseparable 
 connection with our risen and exalted Saviour. We disavow 
 all professed spirituality that is divorced from faith in Jesus 
 Christ of Nazareth, crucified for us without the gates of 
 Jerusalem. One with the Father and with the Son, the 
 Holy Spirit works for the regeneration of fallen and rebellious 
 man. Not merely as the Enlightener of the conscience, and 
 the Reprover for sin, is the Spirit mercifully granted, but also, 
 in an especial manner, to testify of and to glorify the Saviour; 
 to apply, with sanctifying efficacy to the soul, his words and 
 work when upon earth, and his mediation and intercession 
 for us in heaven. Hidden and very gradual as may often be 
 the work of the Spirit, it produces a real and most effectual 
 change ; and as obedience keeps pace with knowledge, the 
 believer is privileged to receive more and more of the fulness 
 which is in Christ. But let him never forget that every 
 increase of light and experience, how much soever connected 
 with his usefulness to others, is also for the furtherance of the 
 work in his own soul. He is taught by the Spirit to look unto 
 Jesus ; that, " beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord," 
 he may be " changed into the same image from glory to 
 glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." To be guided by 
 the Spirit is the practical application of the Christian religion. 
 
PART I.] 
 
 C'lUUSTlAN DOCTIUNK. 
 
 ■2i 
 
 FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLE, l8(iG. 
 
 The Worship of God under the Gospel consists not in 
 ceremonies or in external observances. It is a simple 
 spiritual service. That which vk'as represented in the sacri- 
 fices of the law was fulfilled and ended in the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and in the exercise of faith in Him the reality is 
 now to be enjoyed. " He is the propitiation for our sins," 
 the High Priest who hath passed into the heavens, now to 
 appear our Mediator and Advocate in the presence of God. 
 We cannot doubt that the outward observances ordained 
 under the former dispensation were, through fixith, blessed 
 to the children of God ; but even then the testimony of the 
 Spirit, from generation to generation, pointed with ever- 
 increasing clearness to the eternal Substance ; even then, 
 one prophet after another was called to proclaim the truth 
 embodied in the words, " Thou desirest not sacrifice, else 
 would I give it ; Thou delightest not in burnt offering. The 
 sacrifices of God are a broken spirit ; a broken and a contrite 
 heart, 0 God, Thou wilt not despise." The spiritually 
 enlightened Christian cannot but mark with solemn sadness 
 the fact that whilst the Divine course of discipline and pro- 
 gress, through the law and the prophets, was from the type 
 to the Antitype, from the ritual to the spiritual, from the form to 
 the Substance, from man to Christ ; the downward tendencies 
 of the professing Church through so many successive ages, 
 renewed even in the present day, have been in so lament- 
 able a degree, back again from the Antitype to the type, from 
 the spiritual to the ritual, from the Substance to the form, 
 from Christ to man. 
 
 No worship ought now to be made dependent upon th(? 
 presence of any one man or order of men ; no service, or 
 stated vocal utterance in the confrregation, ouo-ht to be 
 allowed to interfere with the operations of the Lord's frc' 
 Spirit. We thankfully recognize, as a means of edification. 
 
99 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 [part I. 
 
 the preaching of the Clospel, and ofFerinrrs of public prayer 
 or thanksgiving, under the renewed anointing of the Holy 
 Ghost ; but we dare not make these dependent upon human 
 arrangements, or exclude, by any such arrangements, the 
 silent and unseen, but not unfelt ministrations of the Spirit 
 of Christ, " dividing to every man severally, as He wills." 
 
 FROM AN ADDRESS ISSUED BY THE YEARLY MEETING, 1841, 
 ENTITLED " A TESTIMONY TO THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST 
 IN HIS CHURCH." 
 
 It is the prerogative of Christ to call and qualify by the 
 Holy Spirit his servants to minister in word and doctrine, 
 and to preach repentance toward God, and faith toward our 
 Lord Jesus Christ. In the earliest period of the Christian 
 Church his Spirit, agreeably \o ancient prophecy, was poured 
 upon servants and upon handmaidens ; and we believe that 
 He continues to call, from the young and from the old, 
 from the unlearned and from the wise, from the poor and 
 from the rich, from women as well as from men, those 
 Avliom He commissions to declare unto others the way of 
 salvation. 
 
 The servants of Christ who labour in the ministry are 
 to be highly esteemed for their work's sake ; and when, at 
 his call, they leave their outward avocations to preach the 
 Gospel, their outward wants should be cheerfully supplied, 
 if needful. Yet we consider the gift of the ministry to be 
 of so pure and sacred a nature, that no ])ayment should 
 be made for its exercise, and that it ought never to be 
 undertaken for pecuniary renumeration. As the gift is 
 free, the exercise of it ought to be free also, in accordance 
 with the precept of our Lord, " Freely ye have received, 
 freely give." 
 
 In accordance with the views already stated, we consider 
 that no provision of man's arrangement ought to be resorted 
 to lor qualifying those who feel themselves called to minister 
 
PART r.] 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 23 
 
 unto others. We believe it to be the duty of the ministers 
 of the Grospel to be diligent, in the fear of God, in reading 
 the Holy Scriptures ; neither do wo undervalue human 
 learning. But to subject any to a course of teaching, as a 
 necessary ])reparation for the ministry, is, in our apprehension, 
 to interfere with that work of the Holy Spirit which our 
 Lord carries forward in the hearts of those whom He calls 
 to preach his Gospel unto others, or to minister to the 
 conditions of the people. 
 
 FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLES, 1835, 1880. 
 
 We confess our continued conviction that all the cere- 
 monies of the Jewish law were fulfilled and ended by the 
 death of Christ, and that no shadows in the worship of 
 God were instituted by our Lord, or have any place in the 
 Christian dispensation. 
 
 The worship which He appointed is a worship for which 
 He provided no ritual. It may be without words, as well 
 as with them ; but, whether in silence or in utterance, it 
 " must be in spirit and in truth." He is Himself the 
 propitiation and the High Priest, the "one Mediator between 
 God and men." Through Him all believers have the same 
 privilege of free "access by one Spirit unto the Father." 
 No man, or order of men, can worship for the rest. No 
 priests distinct from the congregation were appointed by 
 Christ ; the whole company of believers, redeemed by his 
 blood, being themselves called, under the anointing of the 
 Spirit, to be "an holy priesthood, to otter up spiritual 
 sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Clirist." The word 
 priest is never applied in the New Testament to the Christian 
 minister as such. 
 
 We accept evei'y command of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 in what we believe to be its true evangelical im})ort, 
 as absolutely conclusive. For obedience to his commands. 
 
24 
 
 CHKISTIAN 
 
 DOt'TlUNE. 
 
 [part 1. 
 
 " Swear not at all," " Love your enemies," many of our 
 Friends in earlier and in later times, on both sides of the 
 Atlantic, have endured grievous sufferings, some even unto 
 death. The question of outward ordinances is, with us, a 
 question, not as to the authority of Christ, but as to his real 
 meaning. Language more explicit can scarcely be imagined 
 than that referred to in the Epistle to the Hebrews, in 
 which the prophet Jeremiah was inspired to pourtray the 
 distinguishincT features of the New Covenant. Outward 
 rites were among the special marks of the Old Covenant. 
 The New Covenant was to be the opposite of this, " not 
 according to the Old." The prophecy of Jeremiah is the 
 only place in the ancient Scriptures in which the term "a 
 new covenant" occurs. And may we not believe that in 
 pronouncing the words, " This is my blood of the New 
 Covenant," * our Lord Jesus Christ appropriated to Himself 
 this great prophecy, and thereby proclaimed the Gospel to 
 be a dispensation, not of type or symbol, but of spiritual 
 reality ? He is the Lamb of God, the true Passover, whose 
 " precious blood," oftered upon the cross once for all, is 
 no typical, but a real, all-availing atonement, never to 
 be repeated. The law to be written on the heart under 
 this " Nev^^ Covenant" is, in like manner, no symbol, 
 but a most real experience : " the law of the Spirit of 
 lifie in Christ Jesus " making free from the law of sin 
 and death." 
 
 It continues to be our settled conviction that, in establishing 
 this " New Covenant," the Lord Jesus Christ did not design 
 that there should be any rite or outward observance of per- 
 manent obligation in his Church. His teaching, as in his 
 parables, or as in the command to wash one another's feet, 
 was often in symbols ; but it ought ever to be received in the 
 light of his own emphatic declaration, " The words that I 
 
 * " Testamcut " being translated " Covenant " iu Heb. viii. 8, and 
 elsewhere. 
 
I'AUT 1.] 
 
 (JlimSTlAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 25 
 
 speuk unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." His 
 baptism is the baptism with " the Holy Ghost, and with 
 fire." He is Himself " the bread of life." The eating of 
 his body and the drinking of his blood is not an outward 
 act. They truly partake of them who habitually rest ixpon 
 the sufferings and death of their Lord as their only hope, and 
 to whom the indwelling Spirit gives of the fulness which is 
 in Christ. It is this inward and spiritual partaking which 
 is, as we believe, the true supper of the Lord. The new 
 commandment, under this " New Covenant," is, according to 
 his own teaching, that of love, — a love like his own, — as 
 I have loved you;" love grounded on the "peace" given 
 by Him, and sustained and made fruitful by a continual 
 participation in his life. His presence with his Church is 
 not to be by symbol or representation, but in the real 
 communication of his own Spirit. " I will pray the Father, 
 and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may 
 abide with you for ever." In the withdrawal of his bodily 
 presence, this blessed Comforter remains to the Church the 
 pledge of the power and continued care of its exalted King. 
 He convinces of sin ; He testifies of Jesus ; He takes of the 
 things of Christ, communicating to the believer and to the 
 Church, in a gracious abiding manifestation, the real 
 presence" of the Lord. As the great Remembrancer, 
 through whom the promises are fulfilled, He needs no ritual 
 or priestly intervention in bringing to the experience of 
 the true commemoration and communion. " Behold, I 
 stand at the door and knock : if any man hear my voice, 
 and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with 
 him, and he with me." 
 
 To abide in Christ the living Vine, to continue in his love, 
 to live loose from the world, as those whom He has chosen 
 and redeemed out of the world, — these were the injunctions 
 of our adorable Iledeemer as He went out to his last 
 sufferings ; these are his commands of perpetual obligation 
 
2() 
 
 CHRISTIAN DOCTRIKE. 
 
 [part I. 
 
 to his Church ; and it is in the fulfilling of them that his 
 followers enjoy the true communion, — the fruit of his inter- 
 cession, " that they all may be one." 
 
 CONCLUDING SUMMARY AND EXHORTATION, FROM THE GENERAL 
 EPISTLES, 1871, 1876, 1861. 
 
 In meJitatino; on the hiiili callino; of the Church of God, 
 we would aoain offer, in reverence and thanksofivinti, the 
 tribute of our unwavering allegiance to Him who is its 
 glorified Head, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He 
 was in the beginning with God. and was God ; by Him .-ill 
 things were made ; in Him the glory of the Father is 
 revealed, both in creation and in redemption. He is the 
 Light of the world ; the Word who " was made flesh " ; in 
 whom " dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." 
 Taking upon Him the form of a servant. He lived. He 
 suffered, He died; being "in all points tempted like as we 
 are, yet without sin." " He is the propitiation for our sins"; 
 3^ea, " for the sins of the whole world." He rose from the 
 dead ; and, as our great High Priest, He is passed into the 
 heavens, " now to appear in ihe presence of God for us." 
 He led cajjtivity captive, and having received of the Father 
 the promise of the Holy Ghost," it is through his mediation 
 that the baptism of the Spirit is bestowed. By his Spirit, 
 man in his fallen condition is quickened to a new life, and 
 becomes a partaker of that faith which, working by love, 
 accepts Christ both as Saviour and as King. To Him 
 " the Father hath given authority to execute judgment also, 
 because He is the Son of man." 
 
 In this precious faith the Church of God has lived from 
 age to age. " Other foundation can no man lay, than that 
 is laid, which is Jesus Christ." " It pleased the Father 
 that in Him should all fulness dwell." Through Him 
 the redeemed in all generations have derived their light, 
 
PART I.] 
 
 CHK I STI AN DO( :T]{1NE. 
 
 27 
 
 their forojivenoss, and their joy. He is their peace, who 
 hath reconciled them unto (lod, and in whom they are 
 one. Let his people never forget his words : " Without 
 me, ye can do nothing." It is only as individuals and as 
 churches are united to Him, that they become truly incor- 
 porated, as members of his body, into the living and enduring 
 succession of the people of God. Union with Him is life ; 
 separation from Him is death. In order to such a union we 
 must accept Him as He has been ])leased to reveal Himself. 
 We must be subject to Him in all things ; our understandings 
 must be submitted to his truth, and our wills to the yoke of 
 his love. Ilis union with his people upon earth must, of 
 necessity, be a spiritual union, and it is our privilege to 
 believe that this union is to be enjoyed through the iiniiiediatr 
 presence of his own Spirit. From age to age this Holy 
 Spirit of God attests his living power, still gathering in the 
 sheep and the lambs to the fold of the one Shepherd. "It 
 is the Spirit that quickeneth." He alone can subdue the 
 human heart, and work either repentance, or faith, or the 
 fruits of holiness. 
 
 Beloved Friends, ye who in the riches of the Father's love 
 have been partakers of the heavenly calling, may you receive 
 with faith and thanksgiving, yet with a solemn sense of 
 your responsibihty, the words of the apostle, " Ye have an 
 unction from the Holy One." Let the anointing which ye 
 have received of Him abide in you, we entreat you ; cleansing, 
 guiding, sanctifying ; causing you to grow up into Him in 
 all things wlio is the Head. The cross-bearing follower of 
 Jesus, who sits in penit((ntial love and holy hope at his feet, 
 knows most of this precious anointing. In such "the fruit 
 of the Spirit" is brought forth; not only conviction for 
 sin, repentance and faith, but love, joy, peace, the sense of 
 ])ardoning mercy, an humble reliance on sanctifying grace, 
 the disposition of heart which finds its continual satisfaction 
 in loving, serving, and pleasing God ; and, to c«-own all, the 
 
28 
 
 CHKKSTIAN DOCTRINE. 
 
 [PA1!T I. 
 
 blessed hope of finally resting and worshipping with the 
 general assembly and church of the firstborn who are written 
 in heaven. Oh! then, that neither the hurry of active life, 
 nor the pressure of even necessary duty, may withdraw any 
 from that retired, watchful frame, in which the soul, thirsting 
 for the living God, still breathes the fervent petition, " Thy 
 will be done." 
 
PAET II. 
 
 CHRISTIAIS PRACTICE. 
 
PAKT II. 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 CHAPTEE 1. 
 MEETINGS FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP. 
 
 1. Our religious Meetings are designed to be oppor- 
 tunities for spiritual profit and refreshment ; and General 
 they will become such as they are entered upon in testimnny. 
 a spirit of earnest devotion and prayer. We recognize the 
 value of silence not as an end, but as a means towards 
 the attainment of the end ; a silence not of listlessness or of 
 vacant musing, but of holy expectation before the Lord. He 
 that cometh unto God must believe that He is what He has 
 declared Himself to be, and that access to Him can only 
 be in the wa}^ of his own appointment. The veil has been 
 rent for us ; the door of access has been opened once for all. 
 We are invited freely to " enter into the holiest by the blood 
 of Jesus." " Let us draw near with a true heart in full 
 assurance of faith." The Lord waiteth that He may be 
 gracious. How mighty are his silent operations, whether in 
 nature or in grace ! We are daily witnesses of his infinite 
 power as He noiselessly works, maintaining the stars in their 
 
32 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. 11. 
 
 courses, and causing the seed to germinate and spring up, 
 and all around to be fruitful to his praise. And shall we 
 cease to believe in and reverence his silent and immediate 
 working, by his unseen but not unfelt Spirit, upon our minds 
 and hearts ? The recognition of this is in no degree incon- 
 sistent with the full acceptance of his varied operations in 
 quickening and guiding the vocal services of the Church. It 
 is our privilege and joy to recognize all those ; and it is our 
 prayer that every talent may be more and more given up to 
 his preparing and sanctifying power. Thus would there be 
 a place and a time for Him to work according to his own will 
 and way ; the silent waiting and the vocal offerings would 
 all be in sweet harmony, and God in all things would be 
 glorified through Jesus Christ. 1879. P. E. 
 
 2. As it hath been our care and practice from the beginning 
 Fors<aking that an open testimony for the Lord should be 
 inconsistent t)orne, and a public standard for truth and right- 
 with-nobi- eousness upheld in the power and Spirit of God, 
 
 lity of the i. J. 1 ' 
 
 Truth." by our open and known Meetings, so it is our 
 advice and judgment that all Friends gathered in the name 
 of Jesus keep up these public testimonies in their respective 
 places, and do not decline, forsake, or remove their public 
 assemblies, because of times of suffering; as worldly, fearful, 
 and politic professors have done because of informers and 
 the like persecutors : for such practices are not consistent 
 with the nobility of the truth, and therefore not to be owned 
 in the Church of Christ. 1675. 
 
 3. Let every one be watchful against an earthly spirit; for 
 
 , that will choke the ffood seed, and bring forth a 
 
 Watch _ _ . . 
 
 against an slighting or neglecting of your testimony in your 
 earthly spirit. Week-day Meetings, and bring a 
 
 decay of your strength and zeal for God and his truth, by 
 
CHAP. 1.] 
 
 MEETINGS FOR WOUyUU'. 
 
 reason whereof you will not be able to stand in tbe hour of 
 temptation. ICHO. P. E. 
 
 4. Though Meetings are sometimes held in silence, we 
 tenderly beseech all Friends not to neglect their Meetings 
 attendance ; for the hungry soul will labour for neglected 
 bread, and the thirsty for the water of life; and thougli 
 
 sometimes 
 
 the diligent hand will make rich in that treasure silent, 
 which is of an enduring substance. 1724. P. E. 
 
 5. In your religious Meetings for the worship of God, both 
 on the first and other days of the week, be diligent Diligent 
 to wait on Him, whereby you may renew your waiting, 
 strength, and witness Him your sufficient help ; for surely 
 many of us have cause thankfully to remember his early 
 visitations in the assemblies of his people, where He broke in 
 upon our hearts with his power and love, and did, in the 
 needful time, administer help, comfort and counsel; whereby, 
 in the renewings thereof, we have been upheld in a faithful 
 testimony and in the discharge of our duty to Him. 1725. 
 P. E. 
 
 (). Although the labours of such as are called forth by the 
 Spirit of Christ, and instructed thereby rightly Each to 
 to divide the word of truth, are highly serviceable wlioHy on 
 in the Church ; yet the aim and design of every Christ, 
 true gospel minister is to direct the minds of all to the 
 divine teachings of the Holy Spirit, and to wait upon and 
 have their whole trust and expectation on the Lord alone. 
 And as the religious strength and communion, both of 
 preachers and hearers, consist in their united dependence on 
 the power and Spirit of Christ, their Guide and Leader; so 
 where any part of that dependence is broken off from Him, 
 the holy Head, and placed on any instrument or member of 
 the body, it hath been sometimes experienced to become a 
 weight or burden on such instrument, and a real impediment 
 
 3 
 
34 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. I. 
 
 to its present service. Wherefore, brethren, we beseech you 
 that in all your assemblies for the worship of God your eye 
 be single unto Him, your expectation fixed on Him alone, 
 and your faith standing in his power and Spirit; thus 
 may you grow and be established therein, and be made one 
 another's strength in the Lord. 1753. P. E. 
 
 And let the hearers be watchful over their own spirits, and 
 not forwardly judge or censure the testimonies 
 
 Against hasty 
 
 judgment of which may be delivered amongst them ; for if 
 ministry. they be not very careful and diligent in attending 
 upon the Lord in Meetings, they are liable to mistake in 
 the judgment they may pass on the ministry. Now, this 
 being a matter of great moment, for the preservation of love 
 and concord in the churches, and knowing the danger and 
 ill consequences which attend a hasty and censorious judging 
 of the ministry, we think it necessary to caution Friends not 
 to let their own spirits sway them, but to let the Spirit of 
 God rule and reign in their hearts ; for this will preserve all 
 in sweetness and tenderness one towards another. 1731. 
 
 7. We tenderly exhort such as, through fear of neglecting 
 their temporal concerns, or other considerations, 
 
 Things of ^ ' tit • 
 
 God to have are kept from a due attendance of Meetings for 
 
 the first place, ttt i • • i j_ • i j.i i. 
 
 Worship, seriously to consider that gracious 
 promise left upon record : " Seek ye first the kingdom of 
 God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be 
 added unto you." Some of us have to testify that our out- 
 ward affairs have not suffered by giving up the few hours 
 set apart for religious worship ; but, on the contrary, our 
 minds have been thereby greatly strengthened to come up 
 with propriety in the duties we owe to God, to our families, 
 and to all mankind. Let us call to remembrance the zeal of 
 our honourable predecessors, who, when they had great reason 
 to expect they should be driven into noisome and pestilential 
 
CHAP, 1,] 
 
 MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP, 
 
 prisons, sent into banishment, or subjected to other grievous 
 sufferings for meeting together to worship God accorch'ng 
 to their consciences, yet in the strength of that holy fiith 
 and love which supported them in suffering, failed not con- 
 stantly to keep up their Meetings at the hazard of all, and 
 expense of many of their lives, liberties, and properties. 
 1758. P. E. 
 
 8. They who are obedient to the universal injunction of 
 our Saviour, " Watch," are prepared for the due preparation 
 fulfilling of every duty ; and eminently so, for 
 
 that most essential one of worship. How many feel them- 
 selves languid, when assembled for this solemn purpose, for 
 want of a previous preparation of heart ! The mind, crowded 
 with thoughts on outward things in approaching the place 
 for public worship, and resuming them with avidity on its 
 return, is not likely to fill up the interval to profit ; and 
 to such, their meeting together may prove a form as empty 
 as any of those out of which, we believe. Truth called our 
 forefathers, and still calls us. 1800. P. E. 
 
 9. " Where two or three," saith our Lord, " are gathered 
 together in my name, there am I in the midst of diligent 
 them." In these words He invites us to meet not attendance, 
 only one with another, but, in so doing, with Himself also. 
 Shall the King of kings and Lord of lords condescend to 
 offer his Divine presence for our good, and shall we, his 
 dependent creatures, set so light by his inestimable kindness 
 as, either wilfully or negligently, to let slip those precious 
 seasons wherein we might receive his blessed assistance, so 
 necessary to our help and salvation ? Shall the poor, perish- 
 ing gratifications of sense and self-love, or any inconveniences 
 of a trivial nature, be suffered to prevent our dutiful attend- 
 ance upon Him, in whom alone stands our everlasting interest? 
 Shall a cloudy sky, a little wet, a little cold, a little ease to 
 
3(^ 
 
 CHRISTIAN rUACTICE. 
 
 [CHAr. I. 
 
 tlio flesh, a view to a little eartlily gain, or any common 
 incident, furnish an excuse for declining this duty, and thereby 
 depriving ourselves of the blessed advantage, often vouchsafed 
 to the faithful, of enjoying heavenly communion together in 
 spirit Avith the Lord of life and glory? 1765. P. E. 
 
 10. A punctual attendance at the hour ai)iiointed for 
 Punctuality Public worship is a matter of no small import- 
 enjomed. ancc. If we hurry away from onr outward 
 occupations to the Meeting-house, thinking that, by the 
 delay of a few minutes, we shall not be long behind our 
 brethren, we are in great danger of having our thoughts 
 employed on that in which we have been engaged, and of 
 interru])ting that holy silence which, it is believed, would 
 often prevail, if all the members of a Meeting were assembled 
 not only in one place, but at one time, with one and the 
 same great object in view. 1821. 
 
 11. This Meeting, regarding the attendjmce of all our 
 Attendance religious Meetings as important in the training 
 of the young, q^j, youth in a life and conversation 
 consistent with our Christian profession, thinks it right 
 affectionately to express its concern, that ■ Friends, on 
 placing out their children in situations, may endeavour to 
 make arrangements with their employers for their enjoyment 
 of this privilege. 1837. 
 
 12. Whilst we desire to cherish and to inculcate true 
 Friends en- Christian charity towards those from whom we 
 keeirffrtheir ^^'^'^^5 ^^'^ would affectionately encourage all our 
 own Meetings, niembers, in the performance of the duty and 
 privilege of public worship, to confine themselves to the 
 attendance of our own Meetings, whenever this is prac- 
 ticable. It is highly important that all our members should 
 cherish a lively interest in the congregations of which they 
 
 I 
 
CHAP. I.] 
 
 MEETINGS Foil WORSHII*. 
 
 37 
 
 form part ; an interest which has in many cases been weak- 
 ened hy the practice of attending, sometimes at one place of 
 worship, and sometimes at another. 1840. P. E. 1883. 
 
 13. This Meeting has had some weighty considerations 
 brought before it in relation to- the attitude of rpj^g ^^^^^^ 
 soul in which we should endeavour to iiresent attitwle of 
 
 ■soul 111 
 
 ourselves before the Lord in our Meetings for Meetings 
 Worship. It is our earnest desire that, while not ''''^ ^.i'''"!'- 
 unmindful of our own great needs, we should nevertheless 
 allow our hearts to be drawn into sympathy with the wants 
 of the assembled congregation ; especially recognizing it as 
 a duty on these occasions to be exercised before the Lard on 
 behalf of our brethren and sisters, that their needs may be 
 supplied, — that the Holy Spirit may work in their hearts, — 
 that the word in season may be spoken, — and that if that 
 word be given to ourselves, we may be strengthened to 
 utter it, without waiting for large openings in ministry, but 
 standing ready to hand out the portion given us to distribute 
 by the Great Master of our assemblies. 18.83. 
 
 14. Pure worship under the Gospel stands neither in forms 
 nor in the formal disuse of forms : it may be with- 
 
 , . Pure wivrsliip 
 
 out words as well as with them, but it must be " in under tlie 
 spirit and in truth." It is not the mere outward tj"''i'>^l- 
 gathering together, but the inward gathering of our li«arts 
 unto the Lord, that makes a true Meeting for Warship. 
 This worship depends not upon numbers. Where two or 
 three are gathered in the name of Christ, there is a church, 
 and Christ the living Head in the midst of them. In his 
 name, therefore, to use the language of George Fox, may 
 you seek to keep all your Meetings ; " that you may feel 
 Him in the midst of you exercising his offices. As He is 
 a Prophet whom God has raised up to open his mysteries 
 to you, and as He is a Shepherd who lias laid down his 
 
;58 
 
 OHniSTTAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [OHAP. I. 
 
 life for you, to feed you, so hear his voice ; and as He is a 
 Counsellor and a Commander, follow Him and his coiinsel ; 
 :itul as He is a Bishop to oversee you with his heavenly 
 power and Spirit ; and as He is a Priest who offered Him- 
 self for you, who is made higher than the heavens, who 
 sanctifies his people, his Church, and presents them to 
 God without blemish, spot or wrinkle, so know Him in 
 all his offices, exercising them amongst you, and in you." 
 1855. P. E. 
 
 15. He wlio died for his people to save them from their 
 Spiritual '^i"^; f^'^'Pi' liveth to make intercession for them. 
 Dtieniigs. Through his mediation, without the necessity for 
 any inferior instrumentality, is the Father to be approached 
 and reverently worshipped. The Lord Jesus has for ever 
 fulfilled and ended the typical and sacrificial worship under 
 the law, by the offering up of Himself upon the cross for us, 
 once for all. He has opened the door of access into the 
 inner sanctuary, and graciously appointed spiritual offerings 
 for the service of his temple, suited to the several conditions 
 of all who worship in spirit and in truth. The broken and 
 the contrite heart, the confession of the soul prostrate before 
 God, the prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed, the 
 earnest wrestling of the spirit, the outpouring of humble 
 thanksgiving, the spiritual song and melody of the heart, 
 the simple exercise of faith, the self-denying service of love, 
 — these are among the sacrifices which He, our merciful and 
 faithfal High Priest, is Himself pleased to prepare by his 
 Spirit in the hearts of them that receive Him, and to present 
 with acceptance unto God. 1857. P. E. 
 
 16. You know, dear Friends, that it is not to man, but 
 Expeotant unto the Lord alone, that we must look for the 
 faith. nourishment [of the soul. Bearing in mind the 
 wnrdfi of our holy B.edeemer, " No man cometh unto the 
 
CHAP, r.] 
 
 MEETINGS FOIl WOUSTIIP. 
 
 89 
 
 Father but by me," may it be your concern, in all your 
 assemblies, to gather in the name of Jesus. That which is 
 to be sought after is not silence merely, but worship, — even 
 the worship of the Father "in spirit and in truth." But let 
 not any think that, because their Meetings have been usually 
 held in silence, therefore they are to go on from Meeting to 
 Meeting, never expecting anything else. The true worshipper 
 is he who is resigned to every intimation of the Divine will ; 
 not prejudging the counsels of his Lord, nor allowing any 
 habits or fears of his own to bring him under a bondage 
 wherein the word of the Lord can neither have _ , 
 
 Danger of 
 
 free course nor be glorified. A self-imposed self-imposed 
 
 silence in man's will may be scarcely less formal 
 
 or hurtful than words wanting fitness or power. 1860. P. E. 
 
 17. Guard against an expenditure of time and strength 
 
 upon the things of earth, which leaves little to j^^.^ ^^^^-^ 
 
 be devoted to the interests of the soul. Do your and small 
 TIT- 1 1 -n/T • Meetings, 
 
 utmost to make your Mid-week Meetmgs prior 
 
 engagements, to which, except under very special circum- 
 stances, all others must be subject. Let parents consider 
 how prejudicial an influence it must have upon the cha- 
 racters of their children, to train them up in the habitual 
 neglect of these Meetings, In connection with this subject, 
 we have been brought into close sympathy with members 
 of very small Meetings, who find in them little outward 
 encouragement. Remember, dear Friends, that the true 
 worshippers meet not as separate units, but as one body. 
 Gathered in the name of Jesus, through Him they "have 
 access by one Spirit unto the Father," as members of that 
 spiritual household which is one, whether on earth or in 
 heaven. 1873. P. E. 
 
 18. Many who are burdened with work and pressing 
 engagements, can speak with thankfulness of the rest and 
 
40 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. I. 
 
 refreshment they have found in the diligent attendance of 
 „ ^, our Mid-week Meetin<>;.s. Comino; toffcther, often 
 
 x" urther eu- " o o 7 
 
 coiiragemeut from very diverse occupations, to acknowledge 
 
 to attend . 
 
 Mid-week their coniuion dependence upon our Heavenly 
 Meeouigb. J'ather, and to gather unto Him through our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, they have realised, according to his 
 promise, his healing and comforting presence. Far from 
 thinking that we must absent ourselves because, when the 
 hour for meeting comes round, our minds are full of family, 
 professional, or business cares, from which we seem powerless 
 to part, let us persevere in our attendance, and take all the 
 burden to our Heavenly Father. Help comes in the very 
 endeavour to forget our own needs, and to seek in })rayer the 
 welfare of our fellow-worshippers, with whose difficulties Ave 
 are thus enabled more fully to sympathise. We cannot 
 afford to lose such opportunities for renewing our strength 
 for the battle of life, by waiting upon the Lord. As the 
 attendance of a Meeting for Worship in the middle of the 
 week becomes habitual, our practice will soon become gene- 
 rally known ; and it may be a most useful form of Christian 
 ministry, in this busy bustling time, to let those who do 
 business with us know that we, at least, feel it a necessity 
 of our Christian life, to turn aside for an hour in the middle 
 of the week, in order to unite with our brethren in waiting 
 upon the Lord. 1883. 
 
 19. In all your Meetings, whether on First-days or in the 
 On livino- middle of the week, may yours, dear Friends, be a 
 aud united li\ang worship, in which, as the adopted children 
 of one Father, you may worship as members of 
 his one family, not in individual isolation, nor thinking of 
 yourselves alone. Consider one another, to provoke unto 
 love and to crood works ;" not foro-ettino- the ignorant or the 
 careless, seeing that ye also " were as sheep going astray." 
 In this worship the privileges of the priesthood of believers 
 
CHAP. I.] 
 
 MEETINGS FOR WOKSHri'. 
 
 41 
 
 are to be enjoyed. The true priest must have somewhat to 
 oflPer. Each should covet earnestly the best gifts for the; 
 edifying of the body,; and thus, even in the smaller bands 
 of faithful worshippers, there would lie no lack ; tlui flock 
 would be fed, and the Church built up in Christ. AV'hilst 
 thus engaged on behalf of our own congregations, it is no 
 less important that we should seek for ability to discharge 
 the great duty of the Christian Church, in carrying the glad 
 tidings of salvation to those around us. To the Church is 
 oriven the commission to hold forth to the world the word 
 of life ; to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ : to 
 beseech men, in Christ's stead, " be ye reconciled to Grod." 
 1877. P. E. 
 
CHAPTEE II. 
 
 PRIVATE RETIREMENT AND PRAYER. 
 
 1. Frequent waiting in stillness on the Lord, for the renewal 
 Waiting on of strength, keeps the ii ind at home in its proper 
 theLoitl. place and duty, and out of all unprofitable asso- 
 ciation and converse, whether amongst those of our own or 
 of other professions. Much hurt may accrue to the religious 
 mind by long and frequent conversation on temporal matters, 
 especially by interesting ourselves too much in them ; for 
 there is a leaven therein, which, being suffered to prevail, 
 indisposes and benumbs the soul, and prevents its frequent 
 ascendings in living aspirations towards the Fountain of 
 eternal life. 1770. P. E. 
 
 2. In a well-ordered family, short opportunities of religious 
 Familj' retirement frequently occur, in which the mind 
 \\ 01 ship. inay be turned in secret aspiration to the Author 
 of all our blessings ; and which have often proved times of 
 more than transient benefit. It is our present concern that 
 no exception to this practice may be found amongst us ; 
 whether it take place on the reading of a portion of the 
 Sacred Volume, or when we are assembled to partake of the 
 provisions with which we are supplied for the sustenance of 
 the body. May the experience of us all be such, that we can 
 adopt the words of the Psalmist, " Evening, and morning, 
 and at noon, will I pray." 1817. P. E. 
 
CHAr. II.] PRIVATE Rl'yriREMKNT AND I'RAYRR. 
 
 43 
 
 3. In the Sacred Writings no duty is more clearly set forth 
 than that of prayer. Prayer is the aspiration of The privilege 
 the heart unto God : it is one of the first engage- I'^^y'- 
 ments of the awakened soul ; and it becomes the clothing of 
 the minds of those whose lives are regulated by the fear 
 and love of their Creator. We continue to believe that onv 
 disuse of set forms of prayers is founded on a correct view of 
 the spiritual nature of the Gospel dispensation. At the same 
 time we are persuaded that all who have a just sense of the 
 value of their immortal souls, and of their own great need of 
 help from above, must rejoice with thankfulness, in knowing 
 and in feeling that they may pray unto our Father who is in 
 heaven. Mayeach with a sincere and believing heart reverently 
 approach the throne of grace; trusting in the mediation of Him 
 through whom we "have access by one Spirit unto the Father." 
 Let none be discouraged from the performance of this duty by 
 a sense of their transgressions ; but in humility and sincere 
 repentance let them implore the forgiveness of God, who, as 
 they patiently wait before Him, will in his own time supply 
 all their need. 1823. P. E. 1828. P. E. 
 
 4. Prayer being, in the Divine appointment, essential to 
 our spiritual health, we would earnestly press upon Prayer the 
 all to seek for opportunities, in the course of each ^^"^^ °^ 
 day, for private retirement and waiting upon the Lord ; and 
 tenderly to cherish those precious, but often gentle and easily 
 resisted motions of the Lord's Spirit, which would contrite 
 and humble our hearts, and draw them forth in fervent 
 petitions for that spiritual food which alone can supply our 
 daily, our continual need. May none amongst us be living 
 in a state of unconcern, insensible to the righteous judgment 
 of God upon all that is unholy ; their sins, unrepented of 
 and unforgiven, still resting on their souls : rather let them 
 be encouraged to come in deep humiliation to the mercy- 
 seat, there to plead for pardon and plenteous redemption, 
 
44 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. II. 
 
 in the all-availing name of" our crucified Redeemer. 1854. 
 P. E. 
 
 5. The practice of frequent retirement, and of seeking 
 Frequent counsel and blessing from the Lord in humble 
 letiiemeut. tlependenco upon his guidance, is one of unspeak- 
 able value. Not only does it tend to heavenly-mindedness, 
 but, as a necessary consequence, it strengthens the union of 
 the branch with the vine ; and the daily and continued 
 circulation of life from the root gives greenness and fruit- 
 fulness. How precious in a congregation is the influence 
 of the contrite, the humble, and the prayerful ; of them 
 that hunger and thirst after righteousness ; who, as servants 
 waiting for their Lord, breathe the atmosphere of joy and 
 peace in believing. 18 65. P. E. 
 
 6. We mourn over those who are depriving themselves 
 Private and of much blessing, in not more freely yielding up 
 family prayer, j.jjgj^, jjgj^j.j.g communion with their Father in 
 
 heaven. Little prayer implies little faith ; and with litrle 
 faith there can be but little love : for this cause, we cannot 
 but fear that many are in a state of spiritual sickness, and 
 that some even sleep. We would entreat these not to allow 
 their confessed weakness to discourage them from prayer ; it 
 ought rather to be an inducement to this blessed duty. 
 " Therefore," saith the prophet, " will the Lord wait that He 
 may be gracious unto you." " The Spirit helpeth our infirmi- 
 ties, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought." 
 It is not the absence of his heart-tendering visitations, but 
 our own hesitancy or want of faith, that we have to deplore. 
 The broken and the contrite heart need not hold back. How 
 full is the promise, " Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever 
 ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it you." 
 May jmrents or heads of families be under no undue restraint 
 in the exercise of this privilege before their children or house- 
 
CllAl'. II. J I'UIVATE UETIUKMENT AND PRAYER. 
 
 45 
 
 holds. The qualification for such services may differ in 
 deforce from that which should be waited for on more public 
 occasions. The sense of need, of parental responsibility, of 
 the priceless value of the souls entrusted to our cai-e, may 
 not only warrant, but require, such acts of dedication 
 on the part of those who are not called to a more public 
 ministry ; whilst our countless blessintjs claim the tribute of 
 praise from thankful hearts. 1873. P. E. 
 
 7. Prayer is the duty and the privilege of all, of every 
 age and of every class. Life presses on with its piayer and 
 inevitable engagements. He who is a stranger praise, 
 to jirayer enters upon them in his own strength, and finds, 
 to his unspeakable loss, that a life without prayer is a life 
 practically without God. The command, " Ask, and it shall 
 be given you," is not fulfilled by merely one petition. The 
 Christian's life is a continued asking; and a thankful using 
 of that which is received. The thirst that prompts the petition 
 produces, as it is satisfied, still deeper longings, which prepare 
 for yet more bounteous supplies from the inexhaustible 
 Fountain. And ought a life of prayer to be other than a 
 life of praise ? As the Lord's children humbly accept all 
 that tliey receive as from his pure bounty, each day brings 
 tliem fresh pledges of their Father's love. Satisfied with the 
 goodness of his house, they will be still praising Him; heart 
 answering to heart, — " Bless the Lord, oh my soul ; and all 
 that is within me, bless his holy name." 1874. 1877. 
 P. E. 
 
 8. " Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with 
 thanksgiving." Neither the church nor the Conthmo in 
 individual can ever outgrow this blessed dut}-. prayer. 
 Both by precept and example, the Lord Jesus Christ teaches 
 his people to pray. Prayer is the expression at once of 
 our dependence and of our need. It is the cry of the child 
 
4H 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE, 
 
 [chap. 11, 
 
 lifting up his heart to his Father in heaven. Quickened 
 by the Spirit it becomes a sweet exercise of faith in Christ, 
 a continued remembrance of his sacrifice and mediation. 
 The sense of need is the true warrant for prayer. All are 
 invited to this great privilege. 1882. P. E. 
 
 9. Often as we have of late years dwelt upon the subject 
 of prayer, the breathing of soul that has found 
 he;irtto''the expression from many hearts in the course of 
 grace aiid of ^^^^ Meeting, has been a cause of thankful rejoic- 
 
 supplica- infr^ in the belief that our Father in heaven is 
 tions." 
 
 waitmg to bless, and to pour out upon us a yet 
 larger measure of " the Spirit of grace and of supplications." 
 Be not afraid, dear Friends, to open your hearts wide that 
 you may receive of this blessing. Let your ears be awakened 
 to hear the gentlest whispers of his love. As retirement and 
 waiting upon God in prayer and praise become habitual, 
 they will lead to a sense of their preciousness in the family 
 and social circle. Whilst every approach to formalism is to 
 be guarded against, may the assembhng of our families and 
 households ever be times of reverential waiting and worship, 
 wherein living prayers and praises may ascend with accept- 
 ance in the name of the Lord Jesus. 1883. P. E. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 ON READING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 
 
 1. Let the Holy Scriptures be diligently searched, and 
 seriously read by Friends, with due regard to the The Sciip- 
 
 tures to be 
 
 Holy Spirit from whence they came, and by which searched, 
 they are truly opened. 1720. P. E. 
 
 2. The Holy Scriptures are the means of conveying and 
 preservinor to us an account of the things most t, , 
 
 r o o Keverent es- 
 
 surely to be believed concerning the coming of teem for, and 
 
 T IT r 1 • • n 1 1 1 p 1 iustructinii in 
 
 our Lord Jesus Christ in the nesh, and the ful- Holy Scrip- 
 filling of the prophecies relating thereto. Let 
 all, especially elders in the church and masters of families, 
 both by example and advice, impress on the minds of 
 the younger a reverent esteem of those Sacred Writings, 
 and advise them to a frequent reading and meditating 
 therein. And, Friends, you may, at proper times and 
 seasons, give the youth to understand that the same good 
 experience of the work of sanctification, through the opera- 
 tions of the Spirit of God, to which the Holy Scriptures 
 plentifully bear testimony, is to be witnessed by believers 
 in all generations, as well as by those in the first ages of 
 Christianity; in doing which some account of your own 
 experience will be helpful to them. This we recommend 
 as the most effectual means of begetting and establishino; 
 in their minds a firm belief of the Christian doctrine in 
 
48 
 
 CHRISTIAN I'UACTICE. 
 
 [CIIAP. III. 
 
 general, contained in the Bible, as well as of the necessity 
 of the aid and help of the operations of the Holy Spirit of 
 God in the hearts of men in particular ; and of preserving 
 them from being defiled with the many pernicious notions 
 and princi[)les, contrary to sound doctrine, which are at this 
 time industriously dispersed in the nation, to the reproach 
 of the Christian profession in general. 1728. P. E. 
 
 3. We recommend it as an incumbent duty on Friends 
 to cause their children to be frequent in readin"; 
 
 l<re(|Uont -"^ ° 
 
 leadin-uf the Holy Scriptures, and to observe the examples 
 
 Scripture. r i i i • o • 
 
 of such children as m Scripture are recorded 
 to have early learned the fear of the Lord, and hearkened 
 to his counsel ; instructing them in the fear of the Lord, 
 planting upon their s|)irits impressions of reverence towards 
 God, from whom they have their daily support; showing 
 them they ought not to offend Him, hut love, serve, and 
 honour Him, in whose hand all blessings are. 1709. 
 RE. 
 
 4. We tenderly and earnestly advise and exhort all parents 
 Instruction ^"^1 masters of families, that they exert themselves 
 of families. |,j ^visdom of God, and in the strength of his 
 love, io instruct their children and families in the doctrines 
 and precepts of the Christian religion contained in the 
 Holy Scriptures ; and that they excite them to the diligent 
 reading of those Sacred Writings, which i)lainly set forth the 
 miraculous conception, birth, holy life, wonderful works, 
 blessed example, meritorious death, and glorious resurrection, 
 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 operation of the Spirit of God on their 
 own ininds ; that they may reap the benefit and advantage 
 thereof, for their own peace and everlasting happiness, which 
 
OnAP. III.] ON RKADING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 
 
 4!) 
 
 is infinitely i)ref<'rable to all other considerations. We tlier.'- 
 for(> exhort, in the most earnest manner, that all be very 
 careful in this respect; a neglect herein being, IMontlily 
 
 • 1 11 ii A w ii, and Quarterly 
 
 m our jiKlgiiicnt, very blamewortuy. Andiurtner, Meetings 
 where any deficiency of this sort a{)i)ears, we r,"en(lVto 
 recommend to Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, this duty, 
 that they stir up those whom it may concern to their duty 
 therein. 1732. RE. 
 
 ■"). The possession of the Holy Scriptures is a ])recious 
 privileife for which we must mve account. Mav „ . 
 
 I « - 1 he Scnp- 
 
 both the private and the family reading of them t'"es to be 
 ever be conducted with reverence, and with minds devotioml 
 crathered under the heavenly teachino-s of the Hpint. 
 Holy Spirit. Let not the period of silent waiting, on these 
 occasions, be so short as to exclude or interrupt inward 
 retirement and prayer. And we would encourage our dear 
 Friends so to dwell under spiritual exercise on account of their 
 beloved children and tlie other members of their households, 
 that the word of tender counsel or encouragement, or the 
 offering of ])rayer or thanksgivings seasoned with grace, may 
 not be unduly withheld. 18(52. P. E. 
 
 6. While we are anxious that all our members should 
 exercise a daily diligence in the perusal of the Prayer for 
 Sacred Volume, we would earnestly invite them i,',!y"'^p.'i'rti'al 
 to wait and ])ray for that Divine immediate '^"'^ exclusive 
 
 views to be 
 
 teaching, which can alone effectually illuminate avoided, 
 its pages, and unfold their contents to the eye of the soul. 
 " For what man knoweth the things of a man, save tlie 
 spirit of man which is in him ? Even so the tilings of 
 God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." As this 
 is our humble endeavour, the various features of Divine 
 truth will be gradually unfolded to the seeking mind. We 
 beseech you, dear Friends, carefully to avoid all pnrfial and 
 
 4 
 
50 
 
 CHRISTIAN PkACTICE. 
 
 [chap. III. 
 
 exclusive views of religion, for these have ever been found 
 to be the nurse of error. " Tlie truth as it is in Jesus " forms 
 a perfect whole ; its parts are not to be separated, much 
 less opposed to each other. They all consist in beautiful 
 harmony ; they must be gratefully accepted in their true 
 completeness, and applied with all diligence to their 
 practical purpose. That purpose is the renovation of our 
 fallen nature, and the salvation of our never-dying souls, 
 1835. P. E. 
 
 7. Our minds have been brought into religious solicitude 
 on behalf of our younger members, and especially such as 
 may be in situations from home, in the desire that the care 
 which, whether under the parental roof or in our several 
 schools, may have been bestowed upon their religious in- 
 struction, may still be continued in this critical period of their 
 life. Deeply impressed with the claims which these have 
 Bible-classes ^^pou our Sympathy and nurturing care, and with 
 encouraged, ^^le importance of endeavouring to imbue their 
 minds with sound religious principles, we think it right to 
 encourage well-concerned Friends, in the exercise of a kind 
 and Ci ristian interest for this and every other portion of 
 our Societv, to consider whether, without in anywise inter- 
 fering with our Meetings for Worship, arrangements might 
 not be made for meeting together for the serious perusal 
 of the Holy Scriptures. Such engagements, if rightly 
 entered into, would, we believe, tend to promote, and not 
 in anv degree to supersede, the private perusal of the Sacred 
 Volume. 
 
 When thus occupied in an humble and teachable dispo- 
 sition, and in reverent dependence upon the enlightening 
 influence of the Holy Spirit, opportunities would be aflfbrded 
 for the ilhistration of our religious principles, and for the 
 mutual edification and establishment of our members in the 
 liiith and hope of the Grospel. 18G1. 
 
C'HAl'. 111.] ON READING THE HOLY riCKIl'TLrilES. 
 
 51 
 
 8. We advert with much interest to the increased attention 
 given by many of our members to the careful perusal of the 
 Sacred Writings. May this be ever associated pg^,,^); study 
 witli a deepening sense that it is only "through of Holy 
 
 Scripture. 
 
 faith which is in Christ Jesus" that they can 
 " make wise unto salvation." " The natural man receivethnot 
 the things of the Spirit of God." The Comforter alone can 
 open the understanding to " the truth as it is in Jesus," and 
 to a right sense of its harmony and just proportions. And 
 there are experiences of the inner life which, though in 
 perfect unison with Scripture, may not be there literally 
 described. They can only be understood as they are un- 
 folded to the soul, waiting in simple dependence upon that 
 Spirit who searcheth all things — yea, the deep things of 
 God." 18til. P.E. 
 
 9. We would earnestly caution our members — though we 
 trust that such a caution is needed bv very few — „ . ^ , 
 
 iiixperimeiital 
 
 against any attempts to undermine the authority knowledge 
 
 TT 1 CI • • '^^ Christ, 
 
 of Holy Scripture. The more we are experiment- the antidote 
 ally acquainted with the mind of Christ, the more "utehef. 
 shall we be taught the inestimable value of those records of 
 which He is the centi-al theme. Their inspiration will become 
 not a matter of opinion merely, but of experience, as the 
 great Inspirer of all Scripture opens and appHes the i)recious 
 truths which are there revealed. 
 
 Such an experience as this is still the true antidote to that 
 speculative unbelief which pervades so much of the j)opular 
 reading of the present day. For the Truth there is nothino" 
 to fear ; it is safe in the keeping of God. But to the sincere 
 inquirer we would say, Dwell not with thy doubts, but with 
 thy convictions. Prove the Truth for thyself. Put it to the 
 test not so much by arguing as by acting upon it. Submit 
 thyself unto God, in the acceptance of his mercy, and in the 
 doing of his will. 1861. P. E. 1879. P. E. 
 
52 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. III. 
 
 10. Placed as the Bible now is within the reach of all, 
 The luspirer let it not be thrust aside in the mnltiplicity of 
 i'ts^rue*"'*^ our reading. Rather may we feel our responsi- 
 Interpretev. bility iu the possession of such a treasure ; and 
 not only read it in our families, but individually set apart 
 a portion of each day for its prayerful perusal. Let us 
 search the Scriptures for ourselves. To the Christian 
 the Old Testament comes with the solemn and repeated 
 attestation of his Lord. As it is read in the light of the 
 -New, its meaning is unveiled, and the humble disciple is 
 taught to discern the unity and mutual adaptation of the 
 whole, and the many-sidedness and harmony of its testimony 
 to Christ. The great Inspirer of Scripture is ever its true 
 Interpreter. He performs this office in condescending love, 
 not by superseding our understandings, but by renewing 
 and enlightening them. Where Christ presides, idle specu- 
 lation is hushed ; his doctrine is learned in the doing of his 
 will, and all knowledge ripens into a deeper and richer 
 experience of his love. 1879. P. E. 
 
CHAPTE'dl IV. 
 
 ON GIFTS AND STEWARDSHIPS IN THE 
 CHUliCH. 
 
 Section I. — The Ministi-y of the Gospel. 
 
 ,, II. On Faithfulness in our several Stewardships for the 
 
 Benefit of Others. 
 ,, III. — Extracts from the 'Epistles of George Fox on the 
 Importance of Faithfulness. 
 
 SECTION I. — THE MINISTRY OF THE GOSl'EL. 
 
 1. All true ministry of the Gospel is from the appoint- 
 ment of the Lord Jesus Christ : and it is He who, 
 
 . . 1 T,> n 1 1-^11 true 
 
 by his Spirit, prepares and quaufies for the work. ministry 
 The gift must bo e.xercised in continued depend- '^^'and cf()|,en^ 
 ence upon Him ; and blessed is that ministry in dent ujiou 
 
 0 111 int. 
 
 which man is humbled, and Christ and his grace 
 exalted. Gifts, precious as they maybe, must not be mistaken 
 for grace. They add to our resj)onsibility, but they do not 
 raise the Minister above his brethren. All are not called to 
 be public preachers ; yet it is not for any in his own will to 
 say that he may not bo so called. Let none, therefore, give 
 themselves np to listlessness or unconcern, but let all be 
 faithful in their appointed places. The privileges of training 
 and education have led many to a knowledge of Holy Scrip- 
 ture, and to a cultivation of the understanding whicli may 
 become truly serviceable, if yielded up in simple dedication 
 to the Lord'.s own teaching. But how much depends upon 
 
54 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IV. 
 
 this dedication. May every talent, whether natural or ac- 
 quired, be offered upon the Lord's altar ; may every crown 
 be cast at the feet of Jesus ; and as He is pleased to call any 
 into his service, whether of our brethren or our sisters, may 
 every gift be exercised in singleness of heart as unto the 
 Lord. If we would, as a Church, vindicate and exemplify the 
 testimony of Christianity against an exclusive and separate 
 priesthood, it must be in becoming ourselves conformed to 
 the mind of Christ, and in being subject to his government 
 through the power of his Spirit. Thus will each be taught 
 and qualified to take his part in the true Priesthood of 
 believers. 1871. 1876. P. E. 
 
 2. A living, rightly authorized ministry has ever been a 
 blessing to the Church. Our views on the nature 
 
 On true ^ 
 
 (lualification and sourcc of Gospel ministry have undergone no 
 foi miiii.stij. ^^jjj^j^gg^ jg j.]^^ prerogative of Christ Jesus our 
 
 Lord to choose and to put forth his own Ministers. A clear 
 apprehension of Scripture doctrine, or a heart enlarged in 
 love to others, are not of themselves sufficient for this work. 
 Whatever may be the talents or scriptural knowledge of any, 
 unless there be a distinct call to the ministry, our religious 
 Society cannot acknowledge it ; and except there be a sense 
 of the renewed putting forth and quickening influence of the 
 Holy Spirit, we believe it to be utterly unsafe to move in this 
 office. We thankfully believe that, from the early rise of 
 our Society, the Lord has been pleased to bestow this gift 
 upon servants and upon handmaidens without respect of 
 persons, and that it has been exercised in his fear and to the 
 honour of his name ; and we would humbly acknowledge that 
 He does not at this day withhold from us this living ministry. 
 We pray that He may be pleased to grant us its continuance 
 and increase, and to keep us from ever desiring any other. 
 That which is uttered under the qualification already set forth 
 may sometimes be only in a few sentences; but as a holy 
 
SECT. I.] 
 
 tub: ministry of thk (iospel. 
 
 55 
 
 care prevails to move only under the leadings of the Spirit of* 
 Trnth, unexcited by the activity and affection of the natural 
 man, it will contribute to the edificatron of the body in love. 
 1835. 1842. P. E. - 
 
 3. The callino; of the Christian Minister has its rich 
 rewards and privileges ; but at no period in the special 
 history of the Church has it been without its counsel to 
 
 • 1 • 1 mi • n ^ Ministers. 
 
 special trials and dangers. Ihe caution or the 
 apostle is at all times needed : " Giving no offence in any- 
 thing, that the ministry be not blamed." Ministers, even 
 those of large experience and gifts, may profitably be led 
 into a review of their ministry in its varied relations. May 
 all be preserved in the exercise of it in the life and power of 
 the Spirit — dividing the word aright — not falling short of the 
 measure of the gift, and yet not exceeding it. Public prayer, 
 thanksgiving, and praise ought ever to spring from a living 
 sense of the wants and condition of the conofreeation. In 
 this solemn service may all be impressed with the importance 
 of their words beina few and full. 1868. 
 
 4. This Meeting desires and hopes that you whom the 
 Lord hath gifted with a public testimony for his Ministers to 
 name and truth will, in this day of liberty, be '•I'/Siug 
 diligent to visit the heritage of God in their Meetings. 
 Meetings, and more especially those least frequented. 
 1695. P. E. 
 
 5. Dear brethren and sisters, all of you nave a godly care 
 of iudgincr or contradicting one another in public . , 
 
 " ° ° i Mitusters uot 
 
 meetings, or showing marks or signs of division publicly to 
 
 HIT- • • 1 • f> judge or 
 
 therein amongst Ministers or otners ; it being of contradict 
 
 • • J. 1 • 1 1 eiich other. 
 
 a pernicious consequence to bring blame or con- 
 tempt upon the ministry, and a great hurt to our youth and 
 others. 1716. P. E. 
 
CUniSTlAN PRACTICl;. 
 
 [chap. IV. 
 
 6. Advised, tliat Ministers, as well as Elders and others, 
 To kei p to in all their preaching, writing, and conversing 
 'r'siiru? ^'^o^t the things of God, do keep to the form of 
 teimtj. sound words or Scripture terms ; and that none 
 pretend to be wise above wliat is there written, and in such 
 [)retended wisdom go about to explain the things of God in 
 the words which man's wisdom teaches. 1728. P. E. 
 
 7. As the Lord in his mercy is breathing afresh on several 
 Youiif,' of our youth of both sexes, and fitting them for his 
 mmiBteis. service, we recommend it to the Elders in every 
 M(!eting that they tenderly watch over all young Ministers, 
 and advise and help them, as they in the wisilom of truth 
 may be opened thereunto ; nourishing that which is right and 
 which comes forth in the savour of life, and discouraging 
 everything that is unbecoming the ministry. 1736. 
 
 8. We further entreat you that in all your religious Meet- 
 
 „ ^. ^ intjs for the worshii) of Almi^htv God you wait in 
 Caution to In J 
 
 Ministers humblc reverence for the influence of llie AVord 
 
 not til move . i • . t. 
 
 in tbi'ir of lile. Be cautious not to move in acts ot 
 ownwi . tlevotion in your own will: set not self to work, 
 but patiently ;ittend and wait for the gift and enlivening 
 power of the Divine Spirit, without which your perform- 
 ances will be unacceptable and like those of old, of which 
 tt was said, "Who hath required this at your hand?" 
 1742. P.E. 
 
 9. In much love we caution those Friends who are con- 
 cerned in the work of the ministiy to watch over 
 
 To avoid . . . 
 
 censorious their own spirits, and not to be hasty or cen- 
 judgmeuts. gQj-jQyg passing judgment resj)ecting the state 
 of those who hear them, but to manifest that, in the exercise 
 of their ministry, they are led by the love of God. 1745. 
 
SECT. 1.] 
 
 TliE 511N1STKY UF THE GOSPEL. 
 
 57 
 
 10. This MeetintT recommends to Ministers on nil occasions, 
 and more especially when about to leave home in to have 
 the service of the Gos})el, to take care that their iffJ^rsXTy 
 outward affairs are so conducted and arranged arranged, 
 as to prevent any dishonour being brought on our religious 
 profession, through any neglect on the one hand, or, on the 
 other, through their being immersed in the cares of the 
 present life. 1833. 
 
 11. Let none despise the shortness or simplicity of any 
 offerings in the ministry, and let all be careful None to 
 not to indulge in a criticising spirit, much less despise short 
 
 o o 1 7 or smiplo 
 
 in controversy, or in a disposition to cavil or to offerings, 
 judge their brethren. Such things are highly injurious and 
 unbecoming ; they lead olF from that individual watchfulness 
 and knowledge of ourselves which are essential to a growth 
 in grace, and they are opposed to the meekness and lowliness 
 of a disciple of Christ. Light conversation on the sacred 
 truths of religion is also dangerous. 1835. 
 
 12. How large the wisdom, how tender the sympathy, 
 required to be exercised towards those who believe 
 
 Sympathy 
 
 themselves called to bear a public testimony to for Mmisters 
 their Lord, esiJecially in the earlier stages of their ^'^^""''^o^'^^- 
 ministry ! On the other hand, they ought to be open to the 
 counsel of their more experienced brethren ; and whilst seek- 
 ing to minister for their Lord in the ability which He giveth, 
 to be ever subject one to another in love. 1868. 
 
 13. Whilst greatly desiring an increase of labourers in 
 the Gospel, we no less desire that the ministry lyj^j^jj^^^^j,^ 
 amongst us may include the declaration of the «tudy sound- 
 
 11 1 • • • T 11 11- °'^*'^> clear- 
 
 whole truth as it is in Jesus, and that under his ness, and 
 
 quickening power it may tend to bring manv bieMtj. 
 under the yoke of his love, and to edify and comfort his 
 
58 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IV. 
 
 people. Of whatever character the work may be in which 
 such labourers are called to engage, let them regard it as 
 not theirs, but their Lord's ; and thus committing it into 
 his hands, look to Him in lively faith for the needful wisdom 
 and strength, coveting the enlargement of their gifts not in 
 a multitude of words, but in the awakening and converting 
 power of the Spirit. May all be diligent in the use of 
 those means by which a growth in the gift may be pro- 
 moted ; — private retirement before God, meditation upon 
 Holy Scripture, and prayer for ability to declare with clear- 
 ness the simple Gospel of salvation under the anointing and 
 guidance of the Holy Spirit. Sueh a cultivation of spiritual 
 gifts is in no way incompatible with a full and implicit 
 reliance on his immediate guidance. May those who are 
 called to the ministry not neglect the gift which they have 
 received, but study to show themselves approved unto God, 
 workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word 
 of truth. 1868. 
 
 14. And yon who are called to bear a public testimony to 
 Concluding your Lord, let such a call be accepted as a motive 
 exhortation, increased watchfulness and humility. Be 
 willing to feel the weight of the service as well as its privi- 
 lege. Yield up yourselves wholly to the operations of his 
 Spirit who sitteth " as a refiner and purifier of silver," to 
 " purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, 
 that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteous- 
 ness." Let self be laid low, and your will be given up to 
 the Lord. Move only as He calls you, and be very watchful 
 to know both the outflowing and the staying of the anointing 
 oil. 1861. P. E.— 1869. P. E. 
 
SECT. 11.] ON FAITHFULNESS IN OUK STEWAKDSIUl'S. Ol» 
 
 SECTION II. — GENERAL ADVICE ON FAITHFULNESS IN OUR 
 SEVERAL STEWARDSHIPS FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS. 
 
 1. Christ, who is Head over all things to the Church, and 
 who hath promised to be in the midst of those „ , , • . 
 gathered in his name, condescends to make use of Christ; and 
 
 diversities 
 
 his servants, by imparting to them spiritual gifts, of spiritual 
 to be exercised under the renewed anointing of 
 the Holy Grhost, for the conversion of sinners, and for the 
 edification, exhortation, and comfort of the assembled wor- 
 shippers. Each living member of the Church of Christ 
 has a place of service, and to such the manifestation of the 
 Spirit is given to profit withnl. We tliankfully acknowledge 
 the goodness of the Lord in the diversities of gifts, intel- 
 lectual as well as spiritual, which, in his care for the Church, 
 He is pleased to confer upon its several members. May we 
 ever bear in mind that, however great their diversities, 
 it is by the one Spirit thoy are given ; however differing 
 in the administrations, it is the same Lord ; however diver- 
 sified the operations, it is the same God which worketh all 
 in all. 
 
 We believe that a freer exercise of the various gifts 
 graciously bestowed upon our members might, under the 
 Divine blessing, tend to the instruction, comfort, and edifi- 
 cation of the body, and to the spreading of the " truth as 
 it is in Jesus." We would therefore encourage Friends to 
 be individually faithful in occupying the talent received, ''as 
 they that must give account"; in dependence upon his grace, 
 and in loving service to Him, who loved them and gave 
 Himself for them ; remembering the apostolic injunction, 
 " Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price ; 
 therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which 
 are God's." l8f>L 
 
GO 
 
 CHIUSTIAN I'UAOTICE. 
 
 [chap. IV. 
 
 2. No lite is too long for the performance of the duties 
 Motives to whidi He who measures it out appoints for it. 
 diligence. jyj^^ bcloved Friends, in the middle or 
 
 in more advanced stages of life, be faithful in your several 
 stewardships. Whether it be in the family or in the shop, 
 in the market, the bank, or the board-room, — in those 
 things which belong to your private or to your public 
 duties, let the light of the Grospel shine through all. The 
 ])arent, the mastei', the man of business, the citizen, the 
 servant, — each has a testimony to bear for Christ. Let all 
 be willing to dwell under a sense oi' their responsibilities 
 and of their needs. Let our prayers be fervent, in the name 
 of Jesus, for ourselves and for others. May those upon 
 whom it rightly devolves be diligent in feeding the Lord's 
 Hock, and in gathering souls to Christ. And ma}' none, 
 whatever their position, overlook the lesser openings of duty. 
 A word of counsel, of reproof, or of encouragement, spoken 
 in season, in ever so broken a manner, whether in the family 
 and social circle, or more publicly, how good it is I Each 
 may be called to manifest his interest, by word or deed, 
 on behalf of a brother or a sister ; and thus to follow in 
 the footsteps of our Divine Master, whose whole life was 
 marked by symjjathy for the sorrows and infirmities of man. 
 1859. F. E. 
 
 o. Let none so overcharge themselves with business, 
 pleasure, or other pursuits, or so (jive way to 
 
 All duties to ^ ' . . 1 1 
 
 be pevformed the love of case, as in any degree to obstruct 
 service for""' exercise of their gifts, or hinder their right 
 Christ. service. This is a caution not needful only for 
 those who occupy prominent stations in the church : it 
 is applicable alike to all the living members, and to every 
 gift with which they may be entrusted, whether for public 
 or for private usefulness. How influential is the example 
 of the Christian in the midst of his outward affairs, or 
 
SECT, II.] OK FAITFTFULNESS IN 0U1{ STEWAUDSIllPS. ()1 
 
 of the Christian mistress of a honscliold, when the right 
 ordering of time, and the allotment of the right place to each 
 duty, render the due fulfilment of religious services perfectly 
 compatible with the diligent discharge of secular avocations. 
 And, on the other hand, has it not sometimes happened that 
 those who, in their earlier life, had looked forward to a time 
 of comparative leisure and exemption from outward care, in 
 which they would devote themselves to increased religious 
 work amongst their neighbours or in the Church, have, when 
 that leisure has really come, allowed increased opportunity to 
 be accompanied by even diminished service for their Lord 
 and his cause ? Assuredly it ought not so to be. If things 
 are in their right places, best things will be uppermost, and 
 joy in the Lord's work on earth will be increasingly known as 
 a foretaste of his perfected service in heaven. 1865. P. E. 
 
 4. Against the kingdom of Satan the Church of Christ 
 should ever wage an aggressive warfare in the The Chris- 
 strength of her living Lord ; and each member, ^''^^l^gj^es^i™ 
 in subjection to Him, should prepare himself to warfare, 
 take his part in the mighty conflict. Each has received a 
 talent, with the charge, " Occupy till I come." Great as 
 are the diversities of these talents, and varied as are their 
 spheres of operation, we desire that every true disciple, 
 in the solemn sense of that which he owes to Him who 
 hath loved us, may be engaged to put up the prayer, 
 "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" In whole-hearted 
 dedication and loving obedience, in dependence upon the 
 help of the Holy Spirit, may each follow the leadings of 
 his Lord, and diligently labour in his appointed duty. 
 Among the many ministries devolving upon the members 
 of the body of Christ, that which may be little in the 
 estimation of man will not fail, if performed in love to 
 Jesus, and with a single eye to his glory, to be owned and 
 blessed of Him. In First-day school instruction ; in visiting 
 
1)2 
 
 CHRISTIAN rRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IV. 
 
 the poor and the afflicted ; in readinc^ the Scriptures to 
 them ; in giving a tract with a few appropriate words ; and 
 in many other labours of Christian love, the Saviour may 
 be served and the enlargement of his kingdom promoted. 
 The young may gently influence the young ; striving to 
 win them to give their hearts to Him whose yoke is easy 
 and whose burden is light; who, in every time of difiiculty 
 or sorrow, will be their ever-present Helper and Friend. 
 186G. P. E. 
 
 5. We owe much to the privileges of trainin"; and educa- 
 tion. Many have enjoyed abundant advantages 
 
 Our great . , . , . . . . 
 
 responsibili- in their Outward circumstances or social position, 
 ties. How rich have been the manifestations of the love 
 
 of God, and the visitations of his Spirit, — quickening, arous- 
 ing, constraining. May we accept the word of exhortation 
 and entreaty. Be vigilant, be faithful. In all your pursuits 
 and engagements, keep within the restraints of a tender and 
 enlightened conscience. May the world be crucified unto 
 you, and ye unto the world. Neglect no opportunity for 
 doing good. " Let your loins be girded about, and your 
 lights burning," and ye yourselves, every one of you, "like 
 unto men who wait for their Loi'd, that when He cometh 
 and knocketh, they may open unto Him immediately." 
 1883. P. E. 
 
 (3. We turn to our dear Friends, both younger and older, 
 who have been led under the constraining in- 
 
 Encourage- _ _ _ " _ 
 
 ment to mis- fluences of love to Christ, into varied fields of 
 siou woi eis. g^,-(jQjjggt those around them. In assuring 
 
 these of our warm sympathy, we would express the desire 
 that in our various Meetings they may be cheered by the 
 counsel and assistance of Friends ; and that they may be 
 enabled, on suitable occasions, to set before those who are 
 brought under their oare, the scriptural ground of those 
 
SECT. II.] ON FAITHFULNESS IN OUR STFWAUDSHII'S. 
 
 views with regai'd to worship and ministry which we have 
 always maintained. l'S74. V. E. 
 
 7. We recognize the great importance of the mission work 
 of various kinds, in which many of our members Need of 
 are engaged, as a branch of the work of the ^'^'domfn^the 
 Church which has reference to the propagation wo'k- 
 of the Grospel amongst the masses around us. Amidst the 
 diversities of operations by the one Spirit, it may well be 
 expected that some of the methods found useful in this field 
 of labour will not be identical with those employed for the 
 edification of persons brought up in the knowledge of the 
 truth. Yet even here the wise and prayerful worker will, 
 under his Lord's teaching and guidance, distinguish between 
 that which may excite the sensibilities without feeding the 
 soxxl, and that "sincere milk of the word " which is adapted 
 to the newly awakened, " that they may grow thereby." 
 1878. P. E. 
 
 8. The Church of Christ, if true to her allegiance, cannot 
 forget her part in the command, " Go ye into all the The Gospelto 
 world, and preach the gospel to every creature." 'to every 
 It is the operation of the Spirit of God that pre- creature, 
 pares and qualifies the instruments who shall fulfil this com- 
 mand. Depending on his guidance, waiting on Him for the 
 renewal of strength, the disciple is found still sitting at the 
 feet of Jesus, listening that he may learn, and learning that 
 he may obey. He humbly places himself at his Lord's dis- 
 posal ; and when he hears the call, " Whom shall I send, and 
 who will go for us?" is prepared to respond, in childlike 
 reverence and love, " Here am I, send me." X882. P. E. 
 
(54 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [crap. IV. 
 
 SECTION III. — EXTRACTS FROM THE EPISTLES OF GEORGE FOX 
 ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITHFULNESS. 
 
 1. All Friends everywhere, that have Indians or blacks, 
 All to be yon fire to preach the Gospel to them and other 
 'piv^chiug\he s<^rvfints if you be true Christians ; for the Gospel 
 (Jdspel. (jf salvation was to be preached to every creature 
 under heaven. Christ commands it to his disciples, " Go 
 and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the 
 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." And this is the one baptism 
 with the Spirit into the one body, which plunges down sin and 
 corruption, which have gotten up by disobedience and trans- 
 gression ; for all have been plunged into sin and death from 
 the life ; for all died in Adam. All have been subjected by 
 the evil spirit, which hath led them out of the truth into 
 the evil ; and therefore they must all be baptized into the 
 death of Christ, and put on Christ, if they have life. And 
 also you must instruct and teach your Indians and negroes 
 and all others how that Christ, by the grace of God, tasted 
 death for every man and gave Himself a ransom for all men, 
 to be testified in due time, and is the propitiation not for 
 the sins of Christians only, but for the sins of the whole 
 world. Therefore you are to open the promises of God to 
 the ignorant, and how God would give Christ a covenant, 
 a light to the Gentiles, the heathen, and a new covenant 
 to the house of Israel and the house of Judah, and that He 
 is God's salvation to the ends of the earth. 1(579.* 
 
 2. All Friends everywhere, to whom God hath given a 
 
 • X X sift of the ministry, and who use to travel up and 
 Ministers not " ' i 
 
 to hide theii- down in the gift of the ministry, do not hide your 
 talent, nor put your light under a bushel ; nor 
 cumber yourselves, nor entangle yourselves with the affiiirs 
 
 * George Fox's Epistles, No. 355, p. 427. 
 
SKCT. III.] 
 
 (iEORGK FOX ON FAITHFULNESS. 
 
 of this world. For tho natural soldiers are not to cumber 
 themselves with the world, much less the soldiers of Christ, 
 who are not of this world. Therefore stir up the gift of 
 God in you, improve it, and do not sit down, Demas-like, 
 and embrace this present world. Be vahant for God's truth 
 upon the earth, and spread it abroad in the dayUght of 
 Christ. As able ministers of the Spirit, sow to the Spirit, 
 that of the Spirit ye may reap everlasting life. Go on 
 in the Spirit, ploughing with it in the purifying hope, and 
 threshing with the power and Spirit of God. 1690.* 
 
 3. Dear Friends and brethren, ministers, exhorters and 
 admonishers, that are gone into America and the ^^^^ ^^^^ 
 islands thereaway, stir up the gift of God in g't't ; awake 
 
 . . to ligliteous- 
 
 you and the pure mmd, and improve your ness, and 
 talents. Let your light shine among the Indians, ^^^^ awake, 
 the blacks and the whites, that ye may answer the truth in 
 them and brino; them to their standard and ensign that God 
 hath set up, Christ Jesus. For from the rising of the sun to 
 the going down of the same, God's name shall be great among 
 the Gentiles. Have salt in yourselves that ye may be the salt 
 of the earth, that ye may salt it ; that it may be preserved 
 from corruption. And all grow in the faith and grace of 
 Christ, that ye may not be like dwarfs. And, Friends, be 
 not negligent, but keep up your Negroes' Meetings and 
 your family Meetings, and have Meetings with the Indian 
 kings, and their councils and subjects everywhere, and with 
 others : and bring them all to the baptizing and circumcising 
 Spirit, by which they may know God and worship Him. And 
 all take heed of sitting down in the earth, and having your 
 minds in the earthly things, coveting and striving for the 
 earth : for to be carnally minded brings death, and covetous- 
 ness is idolatry. Be awakened to righteousness, and keep 
 awakened ; for the enemy soweth his tares while men and 
 * George Fox's Journal, First ed., 1694, p, 609. 
 
 5 
 
ClUaSTlAN rUACTlCE. 
 
 [OllAP. IV. 
 
 women sleej) in carelessness and security. Therefore so 
 many slothful ones go in their filthy rags, and have not the 
 fine linen, the righteousness of Christ ; but are straggling, 
 and ploughing with their ox and their ass,* in their woollen 
 and linen garments, — mixed stuff ; — and drinking of the dregs 
 of their old bottle, and eating the sour leavened bread, which 
 makes their hearts burn one against another. But all are to 
 keep the Feast of Christ our Passover with the unleavened 
 bread of sincerity and truth. This unleavened bread of life 
 from heaven makes all hearts and souls glad and joyful and 
 lightsome and cheerful, to serve and love Grod, and to love 
 and servo one another in the peaeeal)le truth, and to kecsp 
 in th(! unity of God's Spirit which is the bond of peace. In 
 this love and peace God Almighty keep all liis people, and 
 make them valiant for his Truth upon the earth, to spread 
 it abroad both in doctrine and in good life and conversation; 
 Amen. All the members of Christ have need one of another. 
 The foot hath need of the hand, and the hand hath need of 
 the foot ; the ear hath need of the eye, and the eye of the 
 ear. So that all the members are serviceable in the body 
 of which Christ is the Head; and the Head sees their service. 
 Therefore let none despise the least member. And have a 
 care to keep down that greedy earthly mind, that ooveteth 
 after the riches and things of this world, and so lose the 
 kingdom of God, that is everlasting, f 1690. 
 
 * See Deut. xxii. 10, 11. 
 
 f George Fox's Journal, under date lltli of 10th mouth (now 12th), IG'JO, 
 pp. 610, 611. He died on the 13th of the following month. 
 
 I 
 
CHAPTEE V. 
 
 LOVE AND UNITY. 
 
 Section I. — Love One towards Another. 
 
 II. — Love and Unity in the Church. 
 
 SECTION I. — LOVE ONE TOWARDS ANOTHEU. 
 
 1. Dear Friends, the prosperity of truth, the increase of 
 love, unity and peace amongst all Friends, in 
 
 1 • • HT • 1 • 1 • Occasions of 
 
 then- respective Meetings and in general, is greatly ottence to be 
 desired by us ; and that every one watch against '^^ oided. 
 and shut out all occasions of offences, contentions, and 
 divisions, and stop all whisperings, tale-bearing, back-biting 
 and evil-speaking tending thereunto. Be kind and tender- 
 hearted one to another, and earnestly labour for universal 
 love, union, and peace, in all the churches of Christ. 1081). 
 P. E. 
 
 2. Where any hath received offence from another, let him 
 first speak privately to the part}' concerned, and Private 
 endeavour reconciliation between themselves ; and ';'J"te''»in''t,.. 
 not to whisper or aggravate matters against others behind 
 their backs, to the making of parties, and to the widening of 
 the breach. 1692. P. E. 
 
 3. If you hear a report to the disadvantage of a Friend, l)e 
 careful not to report it again, but go to the person 
 
 . ... Against 
 
 of whom the report is, and inquire if it be true or repeating 
 not ; and if it be true, then deal with such person 'epoiti.. 
 for it according to the doctrine of Christ ; but if false, then 
 
68 
 
 CHRISTIAN I'UACTIOE. 
 
 [chap. V. 
 
 endeavour, as much as in you lies, to stop such report. 
 1719. P.E. 
 
 4. Among the Gospel precepts we find nothing more 
 The duty of strongly and frequently recommended to the 
 love. primitive believers, by our Lord Jesus Christ 
 and his apostles, than that they should love one another ; 
 and as we are sensible that nothing will more contribute to 
 the peace and prosperity of the Church than a due regard to 
 this advice, so we earnestly desire that it may be the care and 
 concern of all Friends everywhere to dwell therein ; and in 
 the unity of the Holy Spirit to maintain love, concord and 
 peace, in and among all the churches of Christ. 1730. P. E. 
 
 5. From love to Christ arises that stream of love to the 
 T , brotherhood which, if suffered to flow in our 
 
 Love to ■ 
 
 Christ, the hearts with unobstructed course, would bear 
 
 true spring 
 
 of love to away all malice and guile, and cause all com- 
 
 the brethren, t • i c j. ^ ^ • j. 
 
 plamts 01 tale-bearmg and detraction to cease m 
 our borders. 0 the precious care that attends the mind in 
 which Christian charity is become habitual I " Charity," 
 saith the apostle, " hopeth all things." It divulges not the 
 faults of others, because in its unbounded hope it desires 
 their removal without exposure. For the mind in which it 
 dwells ascribes its own preservation and the cleansing of its 
 former sins to the unbounded love of God in Christ Jesus ; 
 and it prays that all may partake of the same benefit. How 
 opposite that disposition which delights to report evil, and 
 to accuse ! Shun it, dear friends, as the poison of asps. The 
 sacred writings emphatically denominate the great adversary 
 of mankind by the name of accuser of the brethren. " Follow," 
 therefore, " peace with all men, and holiness, without which 
 no man shall see the Lord : looking diligently, lest any man 
 fail of the grace of God ; lest any root of bitterness springing 
 up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." 1804. P. E. 
 
SECT. I.] 
 
 LOVE ONE TOWARDS ANOTHER. 
 
 6. Friends, seek peace and pursue it. Ye are called to 
 love. 0 that the smallest germ of enmity might 
 
 be eradicated from our inclosure ! And verily and dwell in 
 there is a soil in which it cannot live, but naturally • 
 withers and dies. This soil is Christian humility ; a state 
 highly becoming and indispensable for a being who depends 
 continually on the favour of his Lord ; a state in which, of 
 all others, he can most acceptably approach his presence ; and 
 which naturally conducts frail man to love and compassion 
 for the companions of his frailty and poverty, yet his 
 fellow-partakers of the offered riches of the Gospel. 1805. 
 P. E. 
 
 7. To be " made perfect in love " is a high state of Chris- 
 tian excellence, and not attainable but by the Lo^g and 
 sacrifice of selfish passions. No degree of resent- forgiveness, 
 ment can consist with this state. Some persons are apt 
 to profess that they can forgive those whom they suppose to 
 have injured them, when such are brought to know and 
 acknowledge their fault. But that is little else than a dis- 
 guised pride, seeking for superiority. The love which Christ 
 commanded to his Church goes further than that. " This is 
 my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved 
 you." And how did the Lord love the world ? Let the 
 apostle answer : " God commendeth his love toward us, in 
 that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." And, 
 Friends, mark and remember bis gracious dying words, when, 
 praying for his very persecutors. He said, " Father, forgive 
 them, for they know not what they do." How can we 
 expect access for our prayers at the throne of grace if we 
 harbour any ill-will to our fellow-travellers towards immor- 
 tality ? Let us hear again the Saviour of men : " And when 
 ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any." 
 He doth not allow time for seeing- the injuring person become 
 submissive ; but — Standing, forgive : for, "if ye do not for- 
 
70 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. V. 
 
 give, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive 
 your trespasses." O the excellence of Christian love and of 
 the temper of forgiveness ! 1806. P. E. 
 
 8. Let Friends be prompt in undertaking, and prudent in 
 
 executing, the hlessed office of peacemaker. We 
 The blessed . , . 
 
 office of believe that the patient endeavours of faithful 
 peacemaker, pj.jg^^jg generally crowned with success, in 
 
 proportion as their own minds are seeking to Jesus for assist- 
 ance in performing an office on which He has pronounced 
 his blessing ; and in endeavouring to lead the minds of con- 
 tending persons to a sense of the absolute necessity for all 
 true disciples to live in peace one with another, and to forgive 
 one another, even as Grod, for Christ's sake, has forgiven 
 them, 1812. P. E. • 
 
 9. As the love of God prevails, it leads us to love one 
 Love to God another ; but how often does the enemy of man's 
 ou^e^Invirdr ^^Ppiii^ss endeavour to scatter and divide. We 
 anotlier. therefore press it upon every one to examine 
 whether he is distinguished by this badge of discipleship. 
 Maintain that charity which suifereth long, and is kind. Put 
 the best construction upon the conduct and opinions one of 
 another which circumstances will warrant. Take heed that 
 the enemy produce no dissensions among you ; that nothing 
 like a party spirit be ever suffered to prevail. Let each be 
 tender of the reputation of his brother, and be earnest to 
 possess the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. Watch 
 over one another for good, but not for evil ; and whilst not 
 blind to the faults or false views of others, be especially 
 careful not to make them a topic of common conversation. 
 And in those cases in which it may be necessary to disclose 
 the failings of others, be well satisfied as to the purity of 
 your own motives, before making them the subject of even 
 confidential communication, whether verbally or by letter. 
 
SECT. I.] 
 
 LOVE ONE TOWARDS ANOTHEK. 
 
 71 
 
 How beautifully are the origin, the motive, and the effect of 
 love set forth by the apostle John in the fourth chapter of 
 his first epistle. Meditate again and agam upon the com- 
 prehensive nature of this heavenly virtue, as there described. 
 1834. P. E. 
 
 10. How can they, whose only hope is in the Lord's mercy, 
 indulge in hard and unforgiving thoughts towards Hard 
 a brother or a sister ? It may be that thou hast ^^'tlf^l 
 just ground for offence. Is thy brother's trespass iudulged. 
 against thee any warrant for thy own disobedience ? Con- 
 sider how '•' exceeding broad " is the " new commandment " of 
 thy Lord : " Love one another, as I have loved you." Wait 
 not until thy brother be reconciled unto thee, or until he 
 shall make the first overture. Be thyself the first to seek 
 reconciliation, and to prove that thou art honestly desirous 
 to submit thyself to the government of the Prince of Peace. 
 1872. P. E. 
 
 11. Christ died for us even when we were enemies : He has 
 followed us by his Spirit in our many wanderings : „ . 
 
 I- JO lurgiveness 
 
 He has borne with us in loncr-sufferinor pity : and the example 
 •PI , f. • , p . of Christ. 
 
 if we hope to be forgiven, we must also forgive 
 one another. He who yields to a suspicious and unforgiving 
 spirit is led on to imagine things against his brother that are 
 exaggerated, or even false. But love suffereth long and is 
 kind. It beareth all things ; it hopeth all things ; it is not 
 easily provoked ; it thinketh no evil. The Christian must 
 cherish this Christ-like disposition, and, lajang aside all hard 
 thoughts and all evil speakings, must seek, day by day, to 
 be clothed with meekness, putting on charity as the " bond of 
 perfectness." 1870. P. E. 
 
72 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. V. 
 
 SECTION II. LOVE AND UNITY IN THE CHURCH. 
 
 1. The Church is the body of which Christ is the Head, 
 -r,, , In union with Him the various members are 
 
 Blessedness 
 
 of Chiistiau brought into fellowship with each other. CoUec- 
 fellowbhip. ^-ygiy ^jjgy jj^j,g jjjjg body ; individually they are 
 
 members one of another in Him. They that are truly his 
 are in the Spirit of the Lamb. He gives them of his patience, 
 his meekness and gentleness. He teaches them how to bear 
 and forbear; how to "be subject one to another"; and when 
 and how, in faithfulness to Him, their lowly and longsuflFering 
 Lord, they must make concessions to one another, and give 
 up, if need be, something of their own individual freedom 
 for the general good. 1878. P. E. 
 
 2. The faith which receives the Lord Jesus Christ as 
 r T -J 1 our Saviour leads us to receive Him also as our 
 
 Individual 
 
 subjection King. Where He reigns, self is laid low : the 
 
 to ChrLst. . . 
 
 question is not who shall be greatest, but who 
 shall serve Him faithfully. Under the abiding presence of 
 his Spirit, individual subjection to Christ becomes the highest 
 joy ; and in this subjection his disciples are clothed with 
 humility, forbearing one another in love. It is here alone 
 that the true liberty is to be found ; a liberty not to please 
 ourselves, but in all things to please Him. Each is taught, 
 under the training of the one Master, his true line of service. 
 There is no place for the idler ; for there is work for all. 
 Each rejoices in his brother's faithfulness, and jealousies and 
 complainings are excluded. 1882. P. E. 
 
 3. Whilst it is at all times the duty of members of the 
 Caution Church faithfully to maintain the Truth, and whilst 
 religious some of them may rightly feel themselves called 
 controversy, upon Openly to oppose error, we believe that there 
 is hardly anything more inimical to the growth of vital re- 
 
SECT. II.] LOVE AND UNITY IN THE CHURCH. 
 
 78 
 
 ligion than indulgence in the spirit of religious controversy. 
 Satan triumphs when he can make the name of Jesus a word 
 of strife and debate among the professed followers of the 
 Lord. If he, our soul's enemy, can but introduce men into 
 his spirit, he cares little how true may be their words. Let 
 us, therefore, each of us mind our own calling by keeping 
 our eye single to the Lord ; and then shall we know that 
 " the fruit of the Spirit " will, in the sight of others, l)e " in 
 all goodness and righteousness and truth," and to ourselves 
 joy and peace. 1846. P. E. 
 
 4. How precious is the unity which is known amongst 
 
 brethren who are made one in Christ. Their cha- 
 
 . . . . . , . . Precioiisness 
 
 racters, their position, their gilts, their services of unity in 
 
 may greatly differ, but their hearts are one. tlhnst. 
 They have one Father, who is in heaven ; they serve one 
 Master, even Christ; and amidst all the diversities of gifts 
 and administrations it is the same Spirit that worketh all 
 in all, dividing to every man severally as He will. We 
 know that to realise these things fully is no small attain- 
 ment, — that the complete subjection of the human heart and 
 understanding to Divine grace is a great and a deep work. 
 In proportion as this is not accomplished in any, will be 
 the evidence that these are not made perfect in love. Even 
 in the primitive Church the spirit of party and of division 
 was early manifested. There were those who pleaded for 
 an unhallowed liberty, whilst there were others who, with 
 but an incomplete understanding of Divine truth, were 
 ready to make their own narrow conceptions the universal 
 standard, and rigidly to exclude from communion all who 
 were not equally straitened with themselves. May we ever 
 guard against these snares. Watching one over another 
 for good, may our love towards each other be pure and 
 fervent. Bearing in mind the longsuffering and patience 
 which we have ourselves experienced, let vis be willing to 
 
74 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. V. 
 
 exercise all patience and forbearance towards others. And 
 if through vinmerited mercv we have been tau<i;ht to see 
 more clearly, let our growth in knowledge be accompanied 
 by the evidences of a growth iu grace, ever remembering 
 that the deepest experience in the things of God is that 
 which brings into and preserves in the deepest humility and 
 the most fervent love. 1857. 
 
 I 
 
CHAPTEE VI. 
 COUNSEL AS TO MARRIAGE. 
 
 1. Marriagb, being a divine ordinance and a solemn en- 
 gagement for the term of life, is of great importance ,^ . 
 
 ^ ° 5 o I Marriage 
 
 to our peace and well-being in this world, and a divine 
 
 , " . ordinance. 
 
 may prove or no snuiU consequence respectmg our 
 state in that which is to come. It was designed for the 
 mutual assistance and comfort of both sexes, that they might 
 be meet-helps to each other, both in spirituals and temporals, 
 and that their endeavours might be united for the pious and 
 proper education of their children, in the nurture and admoni- 
 tion of the Lord, and for suitably qualifying them to discharge 
 their duty in their various allotments in the world. May it 
 never be inconsiderately entered into, upon motives incon- 
 sistent with the evident intention of that unerring Wisdom 
 by which it was primarily ordained. Marriage implies union 
 and concurrence, as well in spiritual as in temporal concerns. 
 Whilst the parties difi'er in religious views, thev stand dis- 
 united in the main point : even that which should increase 
 and confirm their mutual happiness, and render them helps 
 and blessings to each other. 
 
 To prevent falling into such engagements, it is requisite to 
 beware of the paths that lead to them; — the sordid interests 
 and the ensnaring friendships of the world, the contaminating 
 pleasures and idle pastimes of earthly minds ; the various 
 solicitations and incentives to festivity and dissipation ; like- 
 wise, especially, too frequent ami too familiar converse with 
 
76 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. VI. 
 
 those from whom may arise a danger of entanglement, by 
 their alluring the passions and drawing the aflections after 
 them. 
 
 For want of due watchfulness, and obedience to the con- 
 victions of Divine grace in their consciences, many have 
 wounded their own souls, distressed their Friends, injured 
 their families, and done great disservice to the Church, by 
 these unequal connexions ; which have proved an inlet to 
 much degeneracy, and mournfully affected the minds of 
 those who labour under a living concern for the good of 
 all, and the prosperity of Truth upon earth. 1777. P. E. 
 
 2. This Meeting is impressed with a sense of the vast 
 influence, either for good or for evil, which marriacje 
 
 Cautions m o ^ o 
 
 entering on exercises on both the temporal and the spiritual 
 mama e. condition of man, and earnestly desires that, in 
 the choice of a companion for life, all may seek unto the 
 Lord for his guidance ; not allowing any merely exterior 
 advantages to be the primary motive, and bearing in mind 
 that an accordance in religious principles and practice is 
 essential to the perfectness of such a union. 
 
 And seeing that the real enjoyment of life is far more 
 Simple effectually secured by contentment, with simple 
 habits. habits, than by a mode of living which entails 
 anxiety or risk, let parents, whilst they exercise a prudent 
 care over the interests of their children, not be unduly 
 anxious to secure worldly advantages for them on entering 
 the marriage state. And we would aflfectionately encourage 
 our younger members to be satisfied to set out in life in a 
 manner befitting their circumstances ; not seeking to imitate, 
 in their style of living, the example of those who possess 
 larger resources. Thus, on the one hand, tbey will avoid 
 the necessity of unduly deferring their union ; and, on the 
 other, be less exposed to the temptation of launching into 
 business beyond their means. 
 
CIIAI'. VI.] 
 
 COUNSEL AS TO MARIilAOK. 
 
 77 
 
 ]\Iany, we fear, have, under those circumstances, been 
 induced to enter into trade on their own account Moderate 
 with borrowed capital, who, had their views been views, 
 more moderate, might, with greater safety and more real 
 comfort to themselves, have continued, at least for a time, 
 in the employ of others. 
 
 The solemnization of marriage should in all cases be 
 conducted in the fear of the Lord, and in humble Tj^g fear of 
 dependence on his blessing. On these occasions, 
 let there not be, either in the attire of the parties them- 
 selves or in that of their relatives and friends, any display 
 unbecoming an assembly of Christian worshippers ; and 
 may the subsequent proceedings of the marriage day, 
 whilst characterized by cheerful enjoyment, never pass the 
 boundary line of Christian simplicity, moderation, and self- 
 restraint. 1857. 
 
 3. May no right union be unduly delayed by overmuch 
 carefulness as to a provision for the future. It 
 
 Against 
 
 would be far indeed from our desire to encourage overmuch 
 a hasty and ill-advised procedure in this im- 
 portant matter ; but we fear that, in the present day of in- 
 creasing luxury and ease, there may have been a tendency, 
 from considerations of mere worldly prudence, too long to 
 defer unions which, with moderate views and simpler faith, 
 might have been productive of mutual help and joy, spiritual 
 as well as temporal. 18(39. P. E. 
 
 4. In setting out in life, let there be a prudent and 
 Christian care to avoid a scale of living which Avoidance 
 may minister to luxury or pride, or tend to an luxury, 
 increase of worldly care, and thus diminish the power to 
 devote time and money to the service of others for the 
 Lord's sake. 1872. 
 
78 
 
 CIIUlS'l'IAN PUACTICK, 
 
 [(■iiAr. VI. 
 
 5. Wc earnestly advise and exhort all yonng and unmarried 
 Consent of I' i"iends, that they do not make any ])rocedure 
 parents or one With another upon the account of marria<re, 
 
 guardians. . , p , . t . 
 
 Without first applying to their parents or guardians 
 for their consent and agreement therein. And we also advise 
 that, in the first place, all seriously wait upon the Lord for 
 counsel and clearness before making any procedure with 
 any, in order to marriage ; that they may not be led by any 
 forward or uncertain affections in this weighty concern, to 
 their own hurt, the grief of their friends, and the dishonour 
 of Truth. 1()90. P. E. 1801. 1833. 
 
 fi. Tliis Meeting strongly recommends Friends to avoid and 
 ^ ^. discountenance very early proceedings in recrard 
 
 Caution J r n 
 
 against early to marriage after the death of husband or wife; 
 after*^ death of esteeming such conduct as tending to the dis- 
 ^•ife "^Ri^hts lionour and reproach of our Christian profession, 
 of children to ^jjd cases of future marriage, let the rights or 
 
 be secured. _ , . . 
 
 just expectations of children by a former marriage 
 be carefullf,^ respected, and, where necessary, legally secured. 
 1691. 1833. 1872. 
 
 7. Parents are tenderly advised not to make it their first 
 
 or chief care to obtain for their children large por- 
 
 Money not , _ o j. 
 
 the first con- tions or settlements on marriage ; but rather to be 
 sideration. (,g^j,gfyj i]^.^^ their children be joined in marriage 
 with persons of religious inclinations, suitable dispositions 
 and temper, sobriety in manners, and diligence in business ; 
 and carefully to guard against all mixed marriages, and 
 unequal yoking of their children. 1722. P. E. 
 
 8. We think it right to remind our members of the ancient 
 Marriage a testimony of our Society, that marriage is not a 
 religious act, jj-,gj.g contract, but a religious act : that it 
 
 not a mere ' ° ' 
 
 civil contract, jg God's ordinance and not man's ; and therefore 
 seeing that the legislature has fully confirmed us in our 
 
CHAP. VI.] 
 
 COUMSKL AS TO MAKiUA(;E. 
 
 7U 
 
 privilege of solemnizing marriage according to our own 
 long-established religious usages, we desire that none of our 
 members may be fovind departing therefrom. We further 
 think it right explicitly to state our judgment, that marriages 
 of our members before the Superintendent Registrar, though 
 not open to the special religious objections connected with 
 marriages by a priest, are nevertheless inconsistent with the 
 good order of our discipline, and witli our testimony to the 
 true nature and character of the marriaoe ordinance. 1848. 
 
 9. The subject of the marriage of first cousins has been 
 again seriously considered ; and this Meeting M;ari:ir'e of 
 concludes to rescind the regulations heretofore ^^"^ cusms. 
 existin<T, disallowing such marriages. In coming to this 
 judgment we would record our strong feeling that such 
 marriages are highly inexpedient, and ought to be, as far 
 as practicable, discouraged amongst us. 1883. 
 
 For further acUdces and rules in relation to marriage, see under tlie 
 head " Marriage," Part III. 
 
CHAPTEE VII. 
 
 COUNSEL TO PARENTS AND HEADS OF 
 FAMILIES. 
 
 1. We entreat and desire all you dear Friends that are 
 , , , parents and governors of families, that ye dili- 
 
 Parents to be ^ " J J 
 
 faithful to gently lay to heart your work and calling in 
 their chaige. ^^^^ generation for the Lord, and the charge 
 committed to you ; not only in being good examples to the 
 younger sort, but also to use your power in your own 
 families in educating your children and servants in modesty, 
 sobriety, and in the fear of God. 1688. P. E. 
 
 2. As touching the education of Friends' children, for 
 To neglect no which this Meeting hath often found a concern, 
 of uistructuig think it our duty to recommend unto you, 
 their children, that no opportunity be omitted, nor any endea- 
 vours wanting, to instruct them concerning the principles of 
 Truth which we profess. 1717. P. E. 1861. 
 
 3. You who are parents of children, labour fervently in 
 To seek Spirit, with supplication unto the Lord, that 
 heavenly He may give them an inheritance in the Truth, 
 
 rather than iin i • t • 
 
 earthly wherein they may be enabled to stand up m their 
 riches. generation after you, to his praise and glory, 
 rather than labour to get great inheritances for them in this 
 world ; which have proved a snare and temptation to some 
 to shun the cross and embrace the glory of this present 
 world. But let those to whom God hath given riches take 
 
OHAI'. VII.] 
 
 COUNSEL TO PARENTS. 
 
 81 
 
 the apostle's advice, that they ''be not highmindetl, but 
 fear," and trust not in uncertain riches ; but " be rich in 
 good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate," and 
 therein be good examples to their children. 1725, P. E. 
 
 4. Our advice and exhortation is, that all mast(>rs of 
 families, parents, guardians and tutors of chil- 
 
 ' I > o w aiting upon 
 
 dren would frequently put in practice the calling trod iu their 
 
 (. 1 • 1 M 1 11 111 • families. 
 
 together of then* children and households, to wait 
 upon the Lord in their families ; that, receiving wisdom and 
 counsel from Him, they may be enabled seasonably to exhort 
 and encourage them to walk in the way of the Lord, to 
 exercise themselves in reading the Holy Scriptunis, and in 
 ob.serving the duties and precepts of holy living therein 
 recommended. 1748. P. E. 
 
 5. To all masters and tutors of children, we affectionately 
 address ourselves ; that in a particular manner it Against 
 may be your care to caution, and, as much as in reading mkI 
 you lies, to guard the youth committed to your conversation, 
 charge, against the dangers and allurements of evil commu- 
 nications, and the reading of profane and immoral writings, 
 those powerful engines of Satan ; whether they be such as 
 directly tend to defile the affections, or, with a more specious 
 appearance, to subvert the doctrines of Christianity by a 
 presumptuous abuse of human reason, and by vain and subtle 
 disputations, " after the rudiments of the world, and not after 
 Christ." 17GG. P. E. 
 
 6. As, next to our own souls, our offspring are the most 
 immediate objects of our care and concern, it is r^j^g f^^^. 
 earnestly recommended to all parents and oruardians ^'^'^ 
 
 1 o knowledge 
 
 of children, that the most early opportunities be of Holy 
 taken, in their tender years, to impress upon them ^'^"i*^"''- 
 a sense of the Divine Being, his wisdom, power, and omni- 
 
 6 
 
82 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. VII. 
 
 presence, so as to beget a reverent fear of Him in their 
 hearts ; and, as their capacities enlarge, to acquaint them 
 with the Holy Scriptures, by frequent and diligent reading 
 therein ; instructing them in the great love of Grod to 
 mankind through Jesus Christ, the work of salvation by Him, 
 and sanctification through his blessed Spirit. For though 
 virtue descendeth not by lineal succession, nor piety by 
 inheritance, yet the Almighty doth graciously regard the 
 sincere endeavours of those parents whose early and constant 
 care is over their offspring for good ; who labour to instruct 
 them in the fear of the Lord, and in a humble waiting for, 
 and feeling after, those secret and tender visitations of Divine 
 love, which are afforded for the help and direction of all. 
 17G7. P. E. 
 
 7. The habit of a constant attendance of Meetings for 
 J . Divine Worship forms an important branch of the 
 
 Importance i i 
 
 of habit of religious education of our youth ; we are there- 
 attending 
 
 religions fore desirous of impressing on the minds of those 
 Meetings. whom they are intrusted, who themselves may 
 
 be diligent, to beware how they de})rive their children of 
 such opportunities on the week-day. Let not the pressing 
 claims of higher education, now prevalent, be allowed to 
 encroach upon the yet higher claims of religious training ; 
 but let parents select Avisely such a school or college, as 
 well as place of business, for their children, as may favour 
 the healthiest development of the whole character, religious 
 and moral, as well as intellectual. 1815. P. E. 1883. 
 
 8. Parents, as they watch the opening capacities of their 
 Early beloved offspring, may, during their very early 
 irHoly^"" years, when prejudice and worldly temptations 
 Scripture. present but little obstruction to the work, instil 
 into them the first principles of religion. It is their indis- 
 pensable duty to seek opportunities for this purpose ; that 
 
CIlAl'. Vir.] COUNSEL TO PARENTS. ^-■^ 
 
 they may impress upon their children the fear and the love 
 of God, and point their early affections to the blessed Jesus, 
 who laid down his hfe for them, and who has, in a peculiar 
 manner, called them unto Himself : " Suffer little children 
 to come unto me, and forbid them not." 1818. 
 
 9. In the earliest periods of life, much of the care of 
 children rests with mothers, and we desire that in Fathers and 
 all eases their pious endeavours may be strength- ilbour 
 ened by the co-operation of the fathers. The together, 
 youthful mind is very early susceptible of serious impressions; 
 and we believe that if parents are careful to watch the most 
 favourable opportunities, they may instil religious truths, lay 
 a foundation for correct principles, and give a right bias to 
 the affections, which may be greatly blessed at a future day. 
 The safe ground on which parents can proceed is, so to live, 
 and so to wait before the throne of grace, as to be enabled 
 to pour forth their secret prayers for the blessing of the 
 Most High. 1821. P. E. 
 
 10. This Meeting tenderly, affectionately, yet earnestly, 
 entreats such as are parents, or have the care of Parental 
 children, that they be very early and firm in ygcessa™and 
 endeavouring to habituate them to a due sub- endearing, 
 jection of their will ; that, having maturely weighed the 
 injunctions which they find necessary to impose, they suffer 
 them not to be disregarded and disobeyed. The habit of 
 obedience, which may thus be induced, will render the 
 relation of parent and child additionally endearing ; and as 
 it will prepare the infant mind for a more ready reception 
 of the necessary restraints of the cross, it may be considered, 
 in part, as preparing the way of the Lord : whilst those who 
 neglect to bend the tender minds of their children to parental 
 authority, and who connive at their early tendencies to hurtful 
 gratifications, are, more or less, making way for the enemv 
 and destrover. 1822. 
 
M CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. [CHAP. VII. 
 
 11. We affectionately exhort parents, and all who have the 
 Value of a ^^^^ childi'en and of young persons, constantly 
 tender con- to bear in remembrance the great value of a 
 
 science and . . 
 
 subjected tender conscience ; and to turn their attention to 
 the secret instructions of Divine Grace, reproving 
 for evil, and bringing peace for doing well. Be concerned, 
 dear Friends of this class, early to subject the wills of those 
 entrusted to your charge ; encourage them to fix their atfec- 
 tions on things which are eternal ; set before them the neces- 
 sity of being converted from the evil of their own hearts, and 
 kept clean from the sin which abounds in the world ; impress 
 them with a sense of the holiness and purity of God, and of 
 his righteous law ; instruct them in the invaluable truths of 
 the Bible, and lead them to seek after the practical applica- 
 tion of its precepts and doctrines under the influence of the 
 Holy Spirit. By such a course of religious care and Christian 
 instruction, carried on in simple, humble dependence upon 
 God, you will perform the great duty of bringing them up 
 in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 1830. P. E. 
 
 12. Our sympathy and esteem are peculiarly due to those 
 Sympathy '^'^^ conscientiously occupied in discharging 
 with teachers, responsible duties attached to the care of 
 youth. With the right fulfilment of your trust, dear Friends, 
 our hopes of a succeeding generation are intimately con- 
 nected. Your calling is arduous, but of eminent utility ; 
 and one in which you have abundant opportunity to serve 
 the Lord. You have especial need to seek for the wisdom 
 which is from above ; but if, through heavenly help, you 
 have been made instrumental in establishing correct moral 
 habits and sound religious principles, however limited your 
 sphere, you may hope to partake of the blessing of them 
 " that turn many to righteousness." 1833. P. E. 
 
 13. The end of all religious training is to bring the mind 
 under subjection to the will of God, to lead our children unto 
 
GlIAI". VII.] 
 
 COUNSEL TO TAUENTS. 
 
 85 
 
 Jesus, that through Him they may obtain the forgiveness 
 of sins, and be taujiht in his school the lessons 
 
 ' » Leading our 
 
 of his truth and love. How, dear Friends, shall ehildren to 
 
 Jesuts. 
 
 we prosecute this work, if we have not ourselves 
 submitted to the yoke of Christ and been taught of Him ? 
 
 We beheve that not a few, who have been measurably 
 thus instructed, and who are religiously concerned ^ ^ 
 for the welfare of their families, will do well to against self- 
 look around them and consider whether there be ii^iJits 'rfad- 
 anything in their habits of life, in the indul- ^^S '^u'^ com- 
 
 " ' ^ panionships. 
 
 gences which they allow themselves, in the cha- 
 racter of their conversation, in the persons with whom their 
 children have intercourse, or in the books and other publica- 
 tions which are permitted to enter their houses, opposed to the 
 training of their families in a relio^ious life and conversation. 
 Let us not esteem any of these things as insignificant. 
 
 Parents should beware that they do not cherish the seeds 
 of vanity in their offspring, by providing them with orna- 
 mental attire, or gratify similar dispositions in themselves, 
 by thus decorating their children even of the tenderest 
 age. The will should be early subjected in the authority of 
 Christian love ; and children accustomed, from their very 
 infancy, to a strict adherence to truth-speaking. 
 
 Above all things, seek to impress upon the susceptible 
 minds of our youth, the fear and love of their Trutli-speak- 
 Creator and Redeemer, and the importance of fe"^f .iln^fiove 
 giving heed to those gentle intimations of his will oi God. 
 which are made by the Spirit of Truth upon the youthful 
 heart. 1842. 
 
 14. How important to the Church is the influence of the 
 Christian woman. In how many ways does the 
 
 .. . ^ T • ^ 1 Influence of 
 
 Christian adorning give additional power and sweet- the christian 
 ness to all that is attractive and persuasive in her woman, 
 character. To the sister whose heart is consecrated to the 
 
*S() CHRISTIAN rKACTlCE. [CHAP. VII. 
 
 Lord belongs, in the appointment of Him who has ordained 
 the family as the training school of society, that place in 
 her brothers' deepest and purest affections, which gives to 
 her example and counsel a heavenly charm, and has often 
 proved a blessing for time and for eternity. And in what 
 language shall we speak of the influence of the wife and the 
 mother ? As a living power in the hearts of her husband 
 and children, her language or example seldom foils to be 
 effective. Upon her, to a large extent, devolves the respon- 
 sible privilege of training her children, in those years when 
 the mind is open to its tenderest and most abiding impres- 
 sions. In view of the solemn trust involved in the possession 
 of such an influence, our hearts are lifted up in prayer that 
 it may please the Lord so to turn his hand upon our beloved 
 sisters, that, shining more and more in the beauty of holiness, 
 all that is lovely and influential may be employed on behalf 
 of Christ, that He may be served and glorified in all our 
 families. 1864. P. E. 
 
 15. It is not on the highly-gifted parent alone that the 
 All parents ^^^Y imposed of training up his children in 
 responsible the fear of God, and in the knowledge of the 
 
 for their tt i ci • • • i • i 
 
 children's Holy bcriptures ; it is a charge laid upon every 
 tiaiumg. parent ; and the sense of our own insufficiency, 
 however deeply felt, will prove no valid plea for neglect, 
 when we are called to account for the trust committed to 
 our keeping. Let none, whilst endeavouring, with single- 
 minded earnestness and in reliance upon higher aid, to 
 discharge this duty, doubt that ability will be granted to 
 them ; let them rather believe that they will reap the 
 reward of their efforts in a blessing upon their children 
 and upon themselves. The endearing relation which sub- 
 sists between parent and child ought surely to awaken 
 in the hearts of parents earnest breathings of spirit, 
 that they may be helped to train their children, even from 
 
oiiAr. VI].] 
 
 COUNSEL TO PARENTS. 
 
 87 
 
 very early years, in tenderness of conscience, in obedience 
 to the restraints and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and in 
 the love of Christ our Saviour. 
 
 How appropriate and how interesting would be the 
 occupation of a few minutes each evening before retiring to 
 rest, and of larger portions of time on First-days, in hearing 
 each child of a family repeat a Scripture text learned 
 during the day, or passages from the psalms and the 
 prophecies, or from the parables and precepts of our 
 Lord. Whilst such exercises would richly store the memory 
 and strengthen the intellect, how many opportunities would 
 they afford to the watchful parent to impart some lesson 
 of Christian practice, or to present some simj^le view of 
 Divine truth. 1857. 
 
 16. Christian fathers and mothers, honour the Lord in 
 your families. Let your lives be a daily confession „ 
 
 •J J J Honour the 
 
 of Christ in yeur households. In connection with Lord in the 
 the family reading of the Scriptures, and the ac- 
 companying devotional silence, which we trust will ever be 
 felt to be precious, quench not the gentle drawings of Divine 
 love, prompting the word of exhortation or instruction, or 
 the outpouring of the heart in prayer. Tray with, as well 
 as for your children, watching for opportunities of uniting 
 with them individually in the exercise of this blessed privi- 
 lege. And seek for ability on these occasions to bring the 
 special needs of each before our loving Father in Heaven. 
 Let none think that their religious concern for their children 
 will be in vain. How often have hearts been lifted up in 
 gratitude and praise in the remembrance of the Christian 
 walk, the prayerful spirit, the faithful couns«l, the loving 
 sympathy, of the father or the mother now at rest in Jesus. 
 18G6. P. E. 1883. 
 
 17. Of all the influences bestowed by God upon man, 
 
88 
 
 CHRIST TAN PUACTIOE. 
 
 [CIIAP. Vll. 
 
 one of the most important and responsible is that of the 
 
 parent. FiKal submission is the first command- 
 Parental 
 
 influence and ment with promise ; and the Divine precept to the 
 lespon&ibility. ^I^.j^ involves the obligation on the |>arent so to 
 
 walk before his children as to be worthy of the honour and 
 obedience thus enjoined. Be encouraged, dear Friends who 
 are parents, to fulfil this obligation. Pray earnestly and 
 in faith for the wisdom of which you must feel the want. 
 Remember that in entrusting you with children your Father 
 in heaven has devolved upon you the high privilege of 
 nurturing them for Himself. A neglect of your duty 
 towards them is an act of unfaithfulness in this your 
 important stewardship, as well as a betrayal of their best 
 interests. It was, we trust, your desire to enter into the 
 solemn covenant of marriage in the fear of the Lord ; and 
 now that He has given you these tokens of his love, may you 
 still walk in his fear, and feel it your privilege and joy to 
 train up your children in his nurture and in his admonition. 
 They partake with you of a fallen nature; and it is your 
 sacred duty to strive, through Divine help, to lead them to 
 Him in whom is plenteous redemption. Be miich in prayer 
 on their account. Seek for opportunities of speaking to 
 them with a view to their being brought to the experience 
 of a definite personal interest in Christ as their Saviour ; 
 not necessarily in all cases looking for responsive expression. 
 And whilst providing liberal instruction for your children, 
 may you never be drawn aside by the desire for fashionable 
 or merely ornamental accomplishments, from a course of 
 training and education conducive to a useful and honourable 
 life upon earth, and in harmony with the discipline that renders 
 meet for heaven. 1868. P. E. 1869. P. E. 1881. P. E. 
 
 18. Based upon the Divine ordinance of marriage, the 
 family is designed, under the influences of faith and love, 
 to be not only the cradle of the Church, but the training- 
 
OIIAI'. Vll.j COUNSKl: TO PARENTS. «!) 
 
 school both for earth and for heaven. Let fathers and 
 mothers amongst us be faithful to their solemn 
 
 .... . , . 1 . The family 
 
 responsibilities. Their children are given them the cradle of 
 in trust for the Lord. Natural affection may Chuich. 
 ordinarily furnish a sufficient stimulus as regards a provision 
 in temporal things ; nay, a guard may even be needful that 
 this be kept within due limits. But the privilege of Christian 
 parents^is hallowed by yet more blessed obligations. They 
 are called upon diligently to instruct their children in the 
 knowledge of Holy Scripture. It is theirs to bring their 
 children to Jesus that He may bless them ; to train them, 
 from their earliest years, in a reverent submission to the 
 inward convictions and guidance of the Holy Spirit ; and 
 by their own counsel and example to help them forward in 
 the way to Zion ; that so parents and children may rejoice 
 together in Him " of whom the whole family in heaven and 
 earth is named." 187L P. E. 
 
CHAPTEE VIII. 
 COUNSEL TO THE YOUNG. 
 
 1. Strong are our desires for you, beloved young Friends, 
 Counsel to that you may know the work of the Lord not only 
 selves^o"' began, but to be carried forward in your 
 
 the Lord. hearts. Dwell under the power and discipline 
 of the Spirit of the Lord. Give place to no views which 
 would in the least degree weaken your faith in the sacred 
 and all-important doctrines of that salvation which is in 
 Christ. Feeling your own weakness and the limited powers 
 of the human intellect, may you accept these doctrines in 
 reverence of soul, in simplicity, and in godly sincerity. Pray 
 that you may be kept in that humble, dependent state of 
 mind in which the Lord, by his Spirit, gradually unfolds the 
 deep things of his kingdom, and grants a holy settlement in 
 the experience of their reality. " Love not the world, neither 
 the things that are in the world." Under a sense of the 
 many temptations which beset your path, earnest is our con- 
 cern that you may now, in early life, choose the Lord for your 
 portion. Set apart at least a short time daily for private 
 retirement. Seek for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thus 
 will you escape many trials, and practically realize the truth 
 that "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise 
 of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Let 
 not pleasure, profit, or advancement in life, be your first 
 desire, but be concerned above all things to know your 
 calling and election in Christ to be made sure. 1851. P. E. 
 
CIlAl'. Vlll.] ('C)UNSt;L TO TIIIC YoUNG. !' I 
 
 2. Beloved youth, guard in an especial manner against 
 the first sacrifices of duty to inclination. If" ye Not to 
 curb inordinate desires in their infancy, your duty^to 
 victory over future temj)tations will be the more niclmation. 
 easy, and through faith in Him that hath loved us and hath 
 overcome, ye will in time be " more than conquerors " ; but if 
 ye shrink from the conflict, or resign the victory to the 
 teinpter, ye will be despoiled of the armour designed to 
 serve you in future assaults, and may become unable to 
 resist, in your further progress through life, temptations which 
 in the fresh morning of your day ye would have held in 
 abhorrence. 1795. P. E. 
 
 3. Many of you, dear youth, jH'e no strangers to the 
 practice of the devotional reading of the Holy Devotional 
 Scriptures, and to some we trust it has already ■ '"""^"jlQiy 
 been blessed. Allot a portion of each day Scripture, 
 to read and meditate upon the Sacred Volume in ]n-ivate, 
 steadily directing your minds to Him who alone can open 
 and apply the Scriptures to your spiritual benefit. In these 
 seasons of retirement, enter into a close examination of the 
 state of your own hearts ; and, as you may be enabled, pray 
 to the Almighty for preservation from the temptations with 
 which you are encompassed. 
 
 Be very careful, we beseech you, not to read publications 
 which openly, or indirectly, inculcate a disbelief in the 
 benefits procured to us by the sufferings and death of Christ, 
 in the divinity of Him our Lord and Saviour, or in the 
 perceptible guidance of his Spirit. 1815. P. E. 1820. P. E. 
 
 4. Dear young Friends, earnest have been our desires that 
 you may all not only be professors with us, but Not professors 
 by obedience to the S])irit of Christ become real ''"^ 
 
 i possessors of 
 
 possessors of the Truth as it is in Jesus. We are Truth, 
 persuaded that, in the eyes of many amongst you, the Truth 
 
92 CHRISTIAN PliACTIC'E. [CHAP. VIII. 
 
 has indeed appeared lovely : why, then, is there not a full 
 surrender to its power and to its convictions ? The Lord 
 loveth an early sacrifice. His numberless blessings call for 
 your gratitude and your allegiance ; and mournful indeed 
 will be the reflection, should your days be lengthened to 
 advanced age, that you have slighted the mercies of a 
 gracious Creator, that you have preferred the love of the 
 world and its fading pleasures, and that there can be no 
 peaceful retrospect on devotedness to his cause. 1818. P. E. 
 
 5. We recommend to such of our young Friends as know 
 The young ^^^'^ approve what is excellent, and may have 
 may counsel been strengthened in some degree to practise 
 
 the young. . _ . , 
 
 it, not to shrink from modestly, yet faithful!}', 
 counselling their associates in early life, when they may be 
 deviating from the path of duty. A tender caution may be 
 received with peculiar advantage, when those to whom it is 
 given know that their counsellors are still alike subject to 
 the same temptations to which they are exposed. 1827. P. E. 
 
 6. The more our young Friends are engaged to dwell in 
 Respect ^^^^ humility, the more will they evince that 
 for cage. respect for age and experience which has ever 
 characterised every well-regulated community, whether civil 
 or religious. It was an injunction to Israel of old, and we 
 regard it as a standing precept, " Thou shalt rise up before 
 the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear 
 thy God." 1835. 
 
 7. Our sympathy is awakened for our young men who are 
 Sympathy sent out as Commercial travellers. This occupation 
 commercial renders it highly important to maintain, through 
 travellers; holj aid, a firm and Christian course of conduct. 
 The employment leads to the frequenting of inns. The 
 company there met with is often inimical to a growth in 
 
CHAP. VIIT.] 
 
 COUNSEL TO THE YOUNG. 
 
 grace, and exposes to intemperance and other vices. When 
 young men ai'e tlius from home, we affectionately exhort 
 them to seek the company of Friends, and gratefully to avail 
 themselves of those kind and hospitable attentions which are 
 offered to them. It is very important that their arrange- 
 ments be such that they can spend the First-day of the 
 week where our Meetings for Worship are hold ; and that, 
 as far as practicable, they attend also a Mid-week Meeting. 
 1834. P. E. 
 
 8. The circumstances of our beloved young Friends, 
 whether under the shelter of watchful parental And witli the 
 care, or exposed to the temptations of the metro- ^ ^pe'^^kl 
 polis and other large towns, have at this time temptations, 
 had our very serious consideration. We do not forget the 
 temptations of our early life, and especially those incident to 
 our entrance upon general intercourse with the world ; they 
 were slippery paths to us, and, with humble thanksgivings 
 to God, we call to mind the tender care of his fatherly 
 providence, the pleadings of his warning voice, and his 
 forbearance towards us. We know that, up to this hour, 
 we have nothing to depend upon but the free mercy of God 
 in Jesus Christ our Lord ; but, through the aboundings of 
 his grace renewed unto us, we cannot but express our strong 
 solicitude — our prayer — that it may please the Lord to deal 
 graciously with you, dear young Friends ; that He may 
 never take his Holy Spirit from you, but deepen and 
 strengthen your convictions of the guilt of sin, its hateful- 
 ness in his holy sight, and its certain and awful consequences 
 to the impenitent and unconverted. 0 that we could 
 induce you duly to appreciate these tokens of our heavenly 
 Father's love, and that nothing may ever tempt you to 
 call in question the Divine origin of those secret checks in 
 the conscience, those pleadings of the Holy Spirit, by which 
 our heavenly Father would draw you to Himself, and make 
 
94 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. VIIT. 
 
 you rich partakei's of that pardon and reconciliation which 
 He grants to his beheving and contrite children, through 
 the blessed intercession of our Saviour. Open your hearts 
 to Him that standeth at the door and knocks ; suffer his love 
 to prevail ; strive to enter in at the strait gate ; we press 
 it upon you with the most earnest and tender entreaty. 
 There is much by which many of you are surrounded at 
 the present day, which would draw you away from the 
 humbling discipline of the cross, and induce you to seek an 
 easier path to the kingdom. But the words of our Lord are 
 simple, plain, and full : " Strait is the gate, and narrow is 
 the way, which leadeth unto life." 1837. P. E. 1883. 
 
 9. We tenderly sympathize with those beloved younger 
 
 Friends, who feel that they are,-as it were, passing 
 
 through con- through the wilderness, and whose souls are often 
 
 fibeity^in*' discouraged because of the way. To the young 
 
 subjection disciple the conflict is at times severe. Temptation 
 to Christ. , ' . . ^ . 
 
 is strong, whilst the heart is weak, tremblingly 
 
 haltinf between Christ and the world. In straits such as 
 these, may yovi never yield to the suggestions of the carnal 
 mind. Consult not how far you may safely indulge your- 
 selves, or how nearly you may approximate to the ways and 
 habits of the world. Be in earnest to realize a yet closer 
 and more dependent walk with God. The faith that leads 
 you unto Christ will, as it is exercised, give you the victory, 
 through Him. To our fallen nature the path of the cross 
 has ever been a strait and narrow path ; but He who hath 
 appointed it will make it easy, and even full of joy, to them 
 that are led by Him ; not by widening it, or changing its 
 course, but by bringing their wills into harmony with it. 
 Gently, and at times very gradually, yet surely, does he 
 accustom them to his yoke, and prepare and strengthen 
 them for the difficulties of the way. In submitting to his 
 training, beloved younger Friends, is true liberty to be 
 
CHAP. VI 11.] 
 
 COUNSEL TO THE YOUNG. 
 
 found. In the service of Christ you will find iihundant 
 scope for the right employment of every talent, and, in the 
 enjoyment of his love, your cup will .overflow with blessing 
 and praise. 1858. P. E. 
 
 10. The present is a day of inquiry and discussion, of 
 bold assertion and varied opinions. How ini- The 
 
 ,,■•,,,1 J--1 1 1 blessedness 
 
 portant is it to the young disciple, under such Christ's 
 circumstances, to be kept faithful to the teaching training, 
 and training of his Divine Master. How necessary that he 
 should not mistake the false liberty of the natural will, 
 which is in bondage to its own unrenewed desires, for the 
 true and glorious liberty wherewith Christ makes his people 
 free, and in which his service is their delight. Let no 
 knowledge, no gifts, no merely human acquirements or quali- 
 fications, ever be preferred before the humbling operations 
 of Divine grace. It is not they who are ever halting at the 
 threshold of the sanctuary, doubting and questioning, but 
 they who conform to the needful discipline, and who enter 
 in through the appointed means of access, who become 
 prepared to join in the services, and to partake of the 
 inestimable privileges, of the true worshippers of God. 1857. 
 
 11. Beloved younger brethren and sisters ! may you more 
 
 and more feel that you are not your own : that „ , , . , 
 _ _ _ Bought with 
 
 you are bought with a price. Where much is aprice; 
 given, there, in the great day of final account, an hnniortiil 
 will much be required. May all your talents be crown, 
 freely offered unto the Lord, and consecrated to his blessed 
 service. May every crown be cast at the feet of Jesus. Bear 
 in mind that the unfaithfulness or infirmities of others, what- 
 ever be their age or station, will furnish no excuse for you. 
 Their mistakes or inconsistencies will not relieve you, as 
 you grow in Christian experience and attainment, from the 
 faithful exercise of all those gifts which it may please the 
 
96 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. VIII. 
 
 Lord in his mercy to bestow upon you, to the help of the 
 Church and to the praise of his great and worthy name. 
 The prize is before you : it is a prize not of earth but 
 of heaven ; to be obtained not without conflict, through 
 heartfelt repentance, through the forsaking of sin, through 
 the way of the cross, through the life of faith, looking unto 
 Jesus. Press on towards this prize, we entreat you. Shrink 
 not from the warfare : yield up your hearts unreservedly 
 unto Him who will fight for you, the Captain of your 
 salvation. So shall the crown immortal be yours; so shall 
 you for ever rejoice in Grod your Saviour, and adore his 
 abundant mercy who hath prepared for those that love 
 Him " an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that 
 fadeth not away." 1851. 
 
CHAPTEE 
 
 IX. 
 
 CHRISTIAN LIFE IN ITS VARIOUS 
 MANIFESTATIONS. 
 
 Section I. — Walk with God. 
 
 „ II. — Privileges of the First day of the week. 
 
 „ III. — Christian Self-Denial. 
 
 Division 1. Simplicity and Moderation. 2. Christian 
 Self-denial in its application to the Use of Intoxi- 
 cating Beverages. 3. Christian Self-denial in its 
 application to Amusements and Recreations. 
 4. Books and Reading. 
 
 „ IV. — Uprightness and Integrity. 
 
 Division 1. Business and Trade. 2. Frequent Inspec- 
 tion of Affairs and Early Disclosure of Pecuniary 
 Difficulties. 3. Counsel to those in Insolvent Cir- 
 cumstances. 4. Advice as to the Making of Wills. 
 
 „ V. — On Liberality and Benevolence, and against Covetousncss. 
 
 „ VI. — Counsel to Employers. 
 
 „ VII.— Christian Life in Relation to Civil Ciovcrament. 
 ,, VIIL — Advice to Emigrants. 
 
 SECTION I. — WALK WITH GOD. 
 
 1. " God is faithful," who has called us " unto the fellow- 
 ship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." With ^^jj 
 Him, there is bread for the hungry, water for » change 
 
 of lieirt 
 
 the thii-sty, strength for the weak, healing for the 
 
 sick, and life for the dead. Who amongst us, beloved Friends^ 
 
 has not been made a partaker of the ofters of his grace ? 
 
 7 
 
CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 To which of us has it not been proclaimed, " Behold the 
 Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world"? 
 For which of us hath Christ not died? And is there one 
 amongst us unacquainted with the inward pleadings of the 
 Holy Spirit, contriting the heart, and graciously inviting to 
 the full acceptance and enjoynaent, in the obedience of faith, 
 of the plenteous redemption which is in Christ? May none 
 in anywise shrink from the full surrender of heart unto Him. 
 To be baptized with the Holy Ghost, to experience the circum- 
 cision of the heart, is indispensably necessary to membership 
 in the Church of the redeemed. How inestimable is the 
 value, how full of woe is the loss, of the immortal soul. May 
 none, then, be loitering as at the threshold of the sanctuary ; 
 prepared, it may be, to rejoice at the entering in of others, 
 without entering in themselves. May none allow the strength 
 and vigour of their days to pass away as though they had 
 no object beyond this transitory life : but may each, in 
 reverence and godly fear, keep continually in remembrance 
 the infinite importance of our present stewardship ; and 
 that we are individually called by the most impressive con- 
 siderations, not to be spectators merely of the Christian race, 
 but to run that race ourselves, if we would, in the end, 
 through unmerited mercy, obtain the incorruptible crown. 
 1856. P. E. 
 
 2. What is the Church, beloved Friends, but the Lord's 
 T - • flock, " which He has purchased with his own 
 
 Living ' -i 
 
 memLership blood " ? He souwht them when they were "as 
 
 with the . ° , 1 1 1- 
 
 Chuichofthe sheep going astray." He taught them by his 
 Redeemed, gp^j.jj- misery of that state of bondage in 
 which they were held. And in yielding themselves to Him, 
 they have experienced the blessedness of that repentance unto 
 salvation which involves a real change of heart and life ; in 
 which evil is forsaken, and Christ is accepted both as a 
 
SECT. I.] 
 
 WALK WITH (;oi). 
 
 1)1) 
 
 " Prince and a Saviour." Convincing them of sin, the Spirit 
 has testified to them of the holiness ajid the love of God in 
 the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. The light which 
 enabled them to see their transgressions still reveals, with 
 ever-increasing clearness, the Lamb that was slain. They 
 know that they are not their own ; that they are bought with 
 a price ; and that they are bound to glorify Grod in their 
 body and in their spirit, which are Grod's. 
 
 It is an experience such as this, grounded upon genuine 
 conversion, and sustained by the abidiufj presence t -f j- 
 of the Spirit, which gives to the individual believer, Christ, life 
 
 ^ ' ^ . ' in. Christ, the 
 
 and to the Church, their true motive power, basis of life 
 Without this, our Christianity is but a name ; and *^'" 
 if we have a name that we live, when we are dead, what doth 
 it profit? Life /rom Christ, — life in Christ, — must ever be 
 the basis of life for Christ. Life in Christ is a continued 
 abiding in his love. For this we have been created and 
 redeemed ; and in this alone can the longings of our im- 
 mortal souls be satisfied. His love is the one " expulsive 
 power," divinely ordained to drive out, and to take the 
 place of, the spirit of worldliness. 1883. P. E. 
 
 3. May all keep and walk in Christ Jesus, the Sanctuary ; 
 for in Him are peace and safety, who destroys the Leadingtoan 
 destroyer, the enmity, and adversary. For Christ n^i^^the 
 is your Sanctuary in this day of storm and tempest, Sanctuary ; 
 in whom you have rest and peace. And therefore, whatever 
 storms or tempests may arise within or without, Christ your 
 Sanctuary is over them all, who has all power in heaven and 
 earth given unto Him ; and none is able to pluck his lambs 
 and sheep out of his Father's or his hand, who is the true 
 Shepherd ; neither are any able to hurt the hair of your 
 head, except it be permitted for your trial. And therefore 
 rejoice in his power, the Lamb of God who hath the victory 
 
100 
 
 CHIUSTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 over all, both within and without ; He by whom all things 
 were made, and is over all ; the first and the last ; the Amen. 
 1683. P. E. 
 
 4. It is much upon us to put Friends in remembrance to 
 To a faithful keep to the ancient testimony Truth begat in our 
 agrdust spirit ^^^^^^ in the beginning, against the spirit of this 
 of the world ; world ; for which many have suffered cruel mock- 
 ings, beating, stoning, etc., particularly as to the corrupt 
 fashions, dealings and language of the world, their over- 
 reaching, and vain jestings ; that the cross of Christ in all 
 things may be kept to, which preserves Friends blameless, 
 and honours the Lord's name and truth in the earth. 1675. 
 
 5. In these days of religious liberty, in which our inter- 
 , , . course with those of other Societies is widely 
 
 And to con- 
 sistency of different from that which obtained in the times of 
 
 conduct; . . . 
 
 our pious predecessors, it becomes us to be especially 
 careful that we do not in any way compromise our ancient 
 principles and testimonies. We believe that it is equally 
 incumbent on us, as on those who were made instrumental 
 in first gathering our Society, to maintain those views and 
 practices by which they were distinguished. And we feel 
 desirous that, both in the performance of our civil duties 
 and in associating with others for objects of benevolence, we 
 may all be concerned in no way to forfeit the character of 
 consistency, but in all things to adorn the doctrine of God 
 our Saviour. It is alike important to our own benefit, and 
 to that of the universal Church of Christ, that we do not 
 shrink from filling that station in it which Divine Wisdom 
 has assigned us, but that in singleness of heart we give 
 ourselves up to what it may be our individual duty to 
 perform. 1828. P. E. 
 
SECT. I.] 
 
 WALK WITH GOP. 
 
 101 
 
 6. Mighty, and, when submitted to, all-prevailing, is the 
 work of the Spirit in arousing the soul from its And true rest 
 slumbers, in breaking up its false rest, and in l""'*^- 
 bringing to that simple, childlike, yet reverential faith in the 
 Son of God, in which every other confidence is renounced, 
 and He is accepted both as our Saviour and our King, 
 
 Herein, beloved Friends, is the true rest of the Christian. 
 Not a rest in indolent quietude, but in delighting in God. In 
 this blessed state his commandments are not grievous : the 
 new man in Christ accej^ts them with joy as his " heritage 
 for ever," and in the keeping of them great is his reward. 
 May it be our individual concern to know for ourselves this 
 rest. As the attainment of it has been made possible to us 
 only through the infinite love of Christ in offering up Him- 
 self a sacrifice for us, " the just for the unjust"; let us ever 
 remember that the same love has inseparably connected the 
 full participation of it with the humbling of the heart to 
 take his yoke upon us and to learn of Him. 1862. P. E. 
 
 7. " Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children." 
 Keep within the restraints of his Spirit in your ^^^^^ ^^^^^ 
 outward engagements, and even in pursuing the an instiuct 
 higher gratifications of intellect or taste. Seek renewed 
 not how near you can approach the world ; how "atuie , 
 much of its care, its business, or its enjoyments you can 
 partake of, without the loss of heaven ; but rather, how 
 closely you can follow Christ in the obedience of faith. As 
 this is the guiding principle of action, the walk of the 
 believer, both in private and in public, becomes a continued 
 walk with God. He fulfils the duties of earth, as one who 
 has bis citizenship in heaven. He will watch both against 
 the influences of worldly care, and against the seductions of 
 luxury and ease. In his pursuits, in the choice both of his 
 reading and of his companions, in his engagements, whether 
 in the Church or in the world, he will be governed by an 
 
102 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 habitual reference to the will of God, towards Whom his 
 heart will turn with the instincts of the renewed nature, as 
 the needle to the pole. 1«71. P. E. 1873. P. E. 
 
 8. A close walk with Grod is indispensable both for our 
 Leaving uo individual and our congregational life. In propor- 
 foom for jg wantinw, deadness enters into the 
 
 the love oi 
 
 tlie world. Church. Vital reHgion is no mere negation. It 
 is eminently practical. It is nothing less than the following 
 of Grod in childlike trust and obedience. Love to Christ and 
 work for Him will leave no room for the world or its spirit. 
 The mind is renewed ; the tastes are changed. Our all-wise 
 and loving Father withdraws his children from every un- 
 lawful gratification, not for the diminution of their happiness, 
 but that He may give them in Himself and in his service 
 pure and substantial joy. 1881. P. E. 
 
 SECTION II. — PRIVILEGES OF THE FIRST PAY OF THE WEEK. 
 
 1. Whilst the remembrance of our Creator ouoht at all 
 Privilege of times to be present with us, it is our concern that 
 the First-day. ^j^g ^^^y jj^gj-g particularly set apart for jmblic 
 worship may be rightly observed. It is no small ])rivilege 
 to be living in a country where much more regard is paid 
 to this duty than in many others ; and it highly becomes us 
 to be careful that our example in this respect be consistent 
 with the profession we make to the world. 
 
 May all our Friends seriously examine whether the mode 
 of spending that portion of the day, not occupied with the 
 attendance of our Meetings for Worship, is that which is 
 likely to contribute to the eternal interests of the soul ; and 
 whether the character both of their pursuits and of their 
 conversation be such as may tend to confirm rather than 
 
SECT. TI.] 
 
 FIKST-DAY PIllVILKOKS. 
 
 to dissipate any religious impression that may have been 
 received. 
 
 Many have derived great increase of spiritual strength, 
 both on this and on other days, from private retirement ; from 
 reading the Holy Scriptures with minds turned to their 
 Divine Author, in desire that Ho would bless them to their 
 comfort and edification ; and from reading the lives and 
 experience of the Lord's faithful servants. 
 
 On this day of the week especially, ought the households 
 of Friends to be assembled for the reading of the Scriptures, 
 and for waiting upon the Lord ; — a practice to which we wish 
 particularly to call the attention of those who live in remote 
 and secluded situations. 1817. P. E. 1828. P. E. 18(31. 
 
 2. We rejoice that so many of our members are engaged 
 in efforts to promote the best interests of their Rest needed 
 fellow-men in First-day schools and in other ^'''''ciiriltkn 
 ways. May these persevere in a course of woikn-. 
 devotedness and consistency, knowing that the harvest is 
 hastening on, when there shall be a blessed reaping to them 
 that faint not. Let the language of our Redeemer be their 
 constant watchword : " Without me ye can do nothing." 
 
 It is in a feeling of cordial sympathy with the earnest 
 workers that we would affectionately remind them that, even 
 in these labours, the human mind needs rest and refresh- 
 ment. For this the First day of the week has been mercifully 
 bestowed ; and, in a Christianly wise economy of our time 
 and strength, the engagements of that day will be so ordered, 
 as not to frustrate this gracious [irovision, or to shut out 
 the opportunity either for public worship, or for private 
 retirement and devotional reading. 
 
 But let not this hint encourage others to excuse themselves 
 from their right part in these blessed labours. The hours of 
 the working day are numbered, and are at most very few. 
 Every moment that is wasted shortens our only opportunity 
 
104 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 for service, and echoes back, as it leaves us, the solemn 
 Avords, " The night conieth, when no muu can work." 18bo. 
 
 SECTION III. — CHRISTIAN SELF-DENIAL. 
 
 Division 1.— SimpUcity and Moderation. 
 
 1. We earnestly desire that Friends everywhere keep 
 Danger of Under the leadings and guidance of the Spirit of 
 Se^spmt of Truth in their outward habits and fashions ; not 
 the world. suffering the spirit of the world to get over them, 
 in a lust to be like unto it in things useless and superfluous; 
 lest it prevail upon them, by giving way to it little by little, 
 till it leads them from the simplicity and plainness that 
 become the Gospel ; and so from one vain liberty to another, 
 till they come to lose the blessed liberty that is in Christ, 
 into which they were in measure redeemed, and fall back 
 into the bondage of the world's spirit, and grow up into the 
 liberty of the flesh with the lust and concupiscence thereof ; 
 and so lose both their name and place in the Truth, as too 
 many have done. 1688. P. E. 
 
 2. It is our tender and Christian advice that Friends take 
 Truth and care to keep to truth and plainness, in language, 
 simplicity. habit, deportment, and behaviour ; that the sim- 
 plicity of Truth in these things may not wear out or be lost 
 in our days, nor in those of our posterity ; and to avoid 
 pride and immodesty in apparel, and all vain and superfluous 
 fashions of the world. 1691. P. E. 
 
 3. It is also our concern earnestly to exhort Friends, both 
 
 men and women, to watch against the ffrowino- sin 
 
 AgaiuBt pride „ ., r i • ^ ° 
 
 and excess of pride, and to beware of adornmg themselves in 
 in apparel. ^ manner at variance with the plainness and sim- 
 plicity of the Truth we make profession of. 0 that they 
 
SECT, til] 
 
 SIMPLKJITY AND MODERATION. 
 
 1U5 
 
 would duly consider that reproof which the Lord, by the 
 iiiouih of his prophet, jjrouounced against the haughty 
 daughters of Zion (Isa. iii. 16 — 24), where he describes 
 even the particularities of their dressings and ornaments, as 
 disjJeasing to the Lord, and drawing down his judgments 
 upon them. "I will," saith the apostle Paul, "that women 
 adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness 
 and sobriety ; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, 
 or costly array ; but (which becometh women professing 
 godliness) with good works : " plainly showing that such 
 adornings are contrary to the profession of godliness. The 
 apostle Peter also is very full in his exhortations on this 
 subject : " Whose adorning," saith he, " let it not be that 
 outward adorning, of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of 
 gold, or of putting on of apparel ; but let it be the hidden 
 man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the 
 ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of 
 God of great price ; for after this manner in the old time the 
 holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves." 
 1739. P. E. 
 
 4. It was in the hearty reception of the government of 
 Christ, and in love to Him and fidelity to his law, The true 
 that our forefathers, in the light of that Truth %^^ti"n 
 which the Lord was pleased so largely to shed simplicity, 
 upon them, were led to the full testimony which they bore 
 against the flattery, pride, and untruth which have ever so 
 largely insinuated themselves into the established customs 
 and the changing fashions of the world. They were an 
 honest, plain, truth-speaking people; their conduct mani- 
 fested that they were not of this world ; and they believed it 
 right to train up their children in those habits and practices 
 into which the law of Christ had led them. Our present 
 concern is that we may all be brought to follow Christ in 
 the same faithfulness and devotedness of heart. 1842. 
 
CHRISTIAN rRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 5, We are apprehensive that a degree of display, of luxury, 
 A-ainst and of sclf-iiidulgencc, has crept in amongst us, 
 lliullle tending not only to gratify the vain mind, but 
 
 expenditure, niore or less to benumb the spiritual faculties ; 
 and the effect i.s often not less injurious u])on the children 
 of those who, in these particulars, are departing from our 
 testimonies. We fear also that some, who are in moderate, 
 or even in limited circumstances, being led away by a desire to 
 imitate those whose means are more ample, have been induced 
 to set out in life on a scale of expenditure unsuited to their 
 income, and have thereby been led into a course which has 
 ended in ruin ; and where this may not have been the result, 
 their time, their strength and their hearts have, in consequence 
 of the eff'orts to meet such expenditure, been absorbed by the 
 pursuits of business, to a degree detrimental to their religious 
 growth and to their usefulness in the Church. 1849. P. E. 
 
 6. How important, in its connexion with the great work 
 Importance of the Holy Spirit, is the duty of cultivating 
 reli'^iour ^ tender religious susceptibility. Christianity is 
 susceptibility, intended to influence the whole life and conversa- 
 tion. Some of its most pi-ecious promises relate to the daily 
 conduct and experience of the believer. " I will dwell in 
 them, and walk in them," saith the Lord. Marvellous con- 
 descension ! Blessed is he who, in the living sense of it, 
 abides continually in the filial fear of offending Grod. His 
 tastes and perceptions being renewed from above, he Avill 
 separate himself from that which the Lord hateth, and which 
 his Spirit reproves. Faithfulness to the Divine requirings in 
 the varied details of life leads him into nonconformity with 
 the world ; and in this nonconformity he is, of necessity, a 
 marked man amongst the worldly or less restrained. It was 
 a deep consciousness of the essentially practical character of 
 true religion that led our forefathers to be distinguished from 
 others. Often and feelingly did they declare that they 
 
SECT, nr.] 
 
 TNTOXTCATTNO BEVERAGES. 
 
 107 
 
 affected no singularity, and imposed no merely human 
 restraints ; that they had no pleasure in offendino; their 
 neighbour, and no stoical indifference to personal suffering ; 
 but that it was in the exercise of a g^ood conscience towards 
 
 CD 
 
 God and man that they were constrained to differ from 
 others in these respects. Like them, we would plead for 
 conformity unto Christ. The testimony which we receive 
 from Him is to simplicity, truth-speaking and self-denial. 
 These we continue to esteem to be among the distinguishing 
 features of complete, practical Christianity. 1858. P. E. 
 
 Division 2. Christian Self-denial in its application to the Use oi 
 Intoxicating Beverages. 
 
 1. As temperance and moderation are virtues proceeding 
 from true religion, and are of great benefit and Temperance 
 advantage, we beseech all to be careful of their i^^^^^lcated. 
 conduct and behaviour, abstaining- from every " appearance 
 of evil" ; and as an excess in drinking has been too prevalent 
 among many of the inhabitants of these nations, we recom- 
 mend to all Friends a watchful care over themselves, attended 
 with a religious and prudent zeal against a practice so 
 dishonourable and pernicious. 1751. P. E. 
 
 2. We desire that all under our name may be cautious 
 of remaining in public-houses after the purpose Against 
 of business or of refreshment is accomplished, frequenting 
 
 public-bouses. 
 
 lo make them a resort for any other pvirpose, may 
 
 it never need to be named among a people who profess the 
 
 practice of Christian sobriety. 1797. P. E. 
 
 3. This Meeting has been brouo;ht under renewed concern 
 respecting the dreadful evils which result to the ,, ^. 
 
 ^ ° Abstmeuce 
 
 community from intemperance, and especially from distilled 
 from the use of ardent spirits : and it recom- ^ 
 mends to Friends individually, seriously to examine what 
 
108 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 it is in their power to do towards diminishing this fruitful 
 source of evil. We consider that abstainino; from the use of 
 distilled spirits, except for medicinal purposes, would not 
 only preserve many from a snare into which they might 
 otherwise be drawn, but might be highly useful as an example 
 to others more exposed to the temptation ; and we believe 
 that those who, from love to God and their neighbour, are 
 wilhng thus to deny themselves the use of these articles, will 
 find satisfaction therein. 1835. 
 
 4. To indulgence in the use of intoxicating liquors, more 
 „ than to any other cause, must be attributed the 
 
 Temperance •' ' 
 
 workers fearful amount of sin and misery, of poverty and 
 
 encouraged. . , . , . . , , , . 
 
 crune, which exists m our land ; and it, at the 
 same time, presents the greatest obstruction, exerted by any 
 single agency, to the moral and religious improvement of 
 our countrymen, and to the extension of the Redeemer's 
 kingdom in the earth. We rejoice in witnessing the Christian 
 labours of many of our members in their advocacy and 
 promotion of the cause of temperance ; and we cordially 
 desire their encouragement in this good work. The progress 
 and extended benefits of this cause are, we believe, largely 
 dependent upon the influence exerted by professing members 
 of the Christian Church. We would, therefore, affectionately 
 invite all our Friends seriously to ponder the responsibility 
 of their example and influence in regard to this momentous 
 subject, and prayerfully to seek to know what is their indi- 
 vidual duty in relation to it. 1867. 
 
 5. In contemplating the ravages, moral as well as physical. 
 Influence Consequent upon the drinking customs of our 
 of example, country, we have again been introduced into deep 
 religious concern. We attempt not to define the limits of 
 individual duty ; but we desire that all our members may 
 be willino-, in the fear of the Lord, to take a calm view of 
 
SECT. III.] 
 
 INTOXICATING BRVEUAGES. 
 
 1()<J 
 
 this great subject. In looking at the vast extent of sin, 
 wretchedness, and woe wliich attends the indulgence in this 
 national habit, we would affectionately urge upon Friends 
 everywhere, prayerfully to consider whether anything in their 
 conduct gives countenance to it, or whether they are doing 
 all that is required of them to counteract it. It is alike 
 the duty and the privilege of the Christian to deny himself 
 for the sake of the fallen or the weak. " Hereby," saith 
 the apostle, " perceive we the love of God, because He laid 
 down his life for us : and we ought to lay down our lives 
 for the brethren." If this be true of our lives, how much 
 more in the giving up of anything in our conduct whereby 
 our brother may stumble, or be offended or made weak. 
 1870. P. E. 
 
 G. Considering the magnitude of the evils resulting from 
 the prevailing drinking customs of society, and individiuil 
 the insidious nature of all alcoholic bcveracres, we icspousibihty. 
 wish to press home to every one of our members his indi- 
 vidual responsibility. We would affectionately and earnestly 
 appeal to them to consider the ground upon which they 
 stand, both as regards their own personal safety and the 
 necessary effect of their example upon their children, their 
 households and every one in their employ, as well as upon 
 all who come within the sphere of their influence. We are 
 not unmindful that some amongst us are engased in the 
 manufacture or sale of intoxicating drinks. These 
 dear Friends may be assured that our exhorta- ^"*inent^to 
 tions are offered in no harsh or iudmng spirit. relinquish 
 
 J >^ >^ i the trade. 
 
 We sympathise with those who have been brought 
 into this business without much choice of their own, or who 
 have inherited it from their predecessors. We doubt not 
 that some who are so circumstanced would gladly be freed 
 from the responsibilities inseparably attached to such a 
 business. We would, with affectionate tenderness, invite 
 
110 
 
 CIIIIISTIAN PHACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 tliem not only to make their position a matter of prayer, 
 but to watch for the right oj)portunity to relinquish a trade 
 which, as at present generally carried on, seems fraught with 
 danger to the families and assistants of all concerned. 1<S74. 
 
 Division 3. Christian Self-denial in its apphcation to Amusements 
 and Recreations. 
 
 1. The life of the Christian is not a dull and cheerless 
 , - ,. • existence. There are no ioys here below to be 
 
 Joy in hviug ^' 
 
 to God aud compared with those of which the renewed soul 
 
 not to self. . . , 1 • 1 
 
 IS permitted to partake, even upon earth, in the 
 faithful service of' the Lord. It is not then for the dimi- 
 nution, but for the increase, of their happiness, that Ave 
 Avould affectionately invite our dear Friends unreservedly to 
 submit all their pursuits, even those which may be intended 
 as recreations, to the holy restraints and government of the 
 Lord's Spirit. As this is the case, the various duties and 
 enjoyments of the present life will be placed in their true 
 relation to the life to come. The desires, the affections, the 
 very tastes, will be " renewed." The occupations of our 
 leisure hours, — and with many of our dear Friends these 
 make up a large amount in the sum of their responsibilities, 
 — our associations, our reading, our varied engagements of 
 a social or more public nature, will be baptized into the 
 Christian spirit. 1853. P. E. 
 
 2. We earnestly beseech our Friends to avoid the foolish 
 Avoid Jind wicked pastimes with which this age aboundeth, 
 huitfur"*^ particularly balls, gaming-places, horse-races, and 
 pastimes. play-houses, those nurseries of debauchery and 
 wickedness, the burden and grief of the sober part of other 
 Societies, as well as of our own ; things wholly unbecoming 
 a people under the Christian profession, contrary to the tenor 
 of the doctrine of the Gospel, and to the examples of the best 
 men in the earliest ages of the Church. 1739. P. E. 
 
SECT. 111.] 
 
 AMUSEMENTS AND UECKEATIONS. 
 
 Ill 
 
 3. Tlii-s Meeting tonderly advises against the practices 
 of hunting and of shooting for diversion, and ^j.^ 
 other similar recreations ; which besides involving shooting 
 
 for (liver.siuii. 
 
 the necessity of distressing, for ainuseinent, the 
 
 creatures of God, so often lead into untlesirable associations. 
 
 1795. 1883. 
 
 4. It is jiart of our Clirisiiaii duly lo secure fur our- 
 selves and for our childnin a due measure of i)„ty ,,f 
 bodily exercise, and those opportunities for un- iieedfuf 
 bending the mind, without which neither our recreation, 
 physical nor our mental faculties can be preserved in a 
 healthy condition. A neglect of this duty may materially 
 lessen our usefulness in life and our service for our Master. 
 There may even be a danger on the part of some lest 
 philanthropic and religious engagements should so exclu- 
 sively occupy their time and attention as to throw their 
 minds off the true balance, and lessen their power of 
 sympathy with those whom they might largely influence 
 for good. But whilst recognizing the force of these con- 
 siderations, we are persuaded that the unerring standard 
 of the Gospel is applicable to these things. To keep under 
 the government of Christ under all circumstances is the 
 blessed privilege of the Christian; in realizing which he 
 will be preserved from every snare. 1883. 
 
 5. We have been at this time introduced into much con- 
 cern, with reference to the well-known testimony Against 
 of our religious Society atjainst the attendance attending 
 
 " o place.s ot 
 
 of places of diversion. Earnest have been our diversion, 
 desires that Friends everywhere, and particularly those in 
 younger life, may seriously reflect on the injury, and in 
 many instances the moral ruin, which pursuits of this 
 description bring with them. It is our conviction that, 
 in proportion as the mmd is renewed by Divine grace, 
 
112 
 
 CHKISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [CIIAI'. IX. 
 
 all these vain amnsements will be felt to be inconsistent 
 with the restraints of the Gospel, and incompatible with 
 that quietness and peace of mind which arc the portion 
 of the watchful Christian. 1846. P. E. 
 
 , 6. Of the various means of allowable recreation and mental 
 Cautions as improvement placed within our reach, few call 
 to travelling. ^j^^ exercise of greater circumspection than 
 travelling, especially in foreign countries. In excursions, or 
 in tarrying at watering places, whether at home or abroad, 
 the time may be wasted, and the mind insensibly drawn 
 into habits and associations more or less undesirable or 
 pernicious. It especially behoves the disciple of Christ to be 
 careful, when thvis separated from his home associations, to 
 maintain a course of conduct in all things consistent with 
 his profession. He is not warranted in lowering the 
 Christian standard by doing, amongst strangers, that which 
 he would hesitate to do amongst his friends. Nor can he 
 consistently countenance, by his presence or his conformity, 
 either the superstitions or the follies which may prevail 
 around him. And we would encourage Friends, whilst thus 
 absent from home, and deprived of opportunities of meeting 
 with their brethren on the First-day of the week for the 
 purpose of waiting upon the Lord, not to shrink from 
 acting upon their own religious principles ; but, at stated 
 times, whether alone or with their com})anions, to present 
 themselves in reverence of soul before Him. Let them never 
 forget that his all-seeing eye is upon thorn, and that, in 
 whatever circumstances they may be, the worship that is " in 
 spirit and in truth " is his due. 1853. P. E. 
 
 7. To look upon this life as the training-school for heaven. 
 Musical enter once the Christian's duty and consolation. The 
 tainnients. sense of his responsibilities and of his dangers is 
 too strong to allow him to court temptation. He has no 
 
SECT. III.] 
 
 AMUSEMENTS AND RECREATIONS. 
 
 113 
 
 time to squander upon trifles. His renewed tastes have no 
 rolisli for vain or frivolous pursuits. He asks not bow near 
 he can approach without danger to the gaieties or amuse- 
 ments of the world. Rather does he seek to know how 
 closely he can follow that Saviour by whom the world is 
 crucified unto him and he unto the world. With these 
 views of the practical effect of the religion of Jesus, we 
 cannot learn without sorrow the increased interest taken by 
 several of our members in musical entertainments. There 
 are amusements (and we consider these performances to 
 be among them), the object of which is principally, if not 
 entirely, the gratification of sense, which possess a fasci- 
 nation sufficient more or less to withdraw the mind from 
 worthier objects, and the pursuit of which almost necessarily 
 distracts the attention from the sober realities of life and the 
 duties of religion. As regards those musical exhibitions in 
 which an attempt is made to combine religion with a certain 
 amount of amusement, it is hard to understand how a truly 
 Christian mind can allow itself to sanction the profanation 
 of the sacred name by attending such performances ; in 
 which the most awful events recorded in Holy Scripture 
 are made the subject of professed entertainment to an 
 indiscriminate assembly, many of whom make no pretensions 
 to religion. 1854. P. E. 1860. P. E. 
 
 8. Words fail to convey our sense of the importance of 
 realizing the influence of the Spirit of God, in its Frivolous 
 sanctifying power, upon the habits, the affections, a«i"sements. 
 and even the tastes. We plead for no mere outward imitation 
 of that which is good, but rather for that conformity to 
 Christ which springs from the renewal of the mind. As the 
 love of God is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit, 
 the Christian will have within him the true antidote to the 
 love of the world in its varying forms. The relish will 
 be lost for frivolous gratifications, and for amusements that 
 
 8 
 
114 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 have no useful object. Therefore, dear Friends, let the 
 Ihnitation of the Lord's Truth be applied, in his fear and 
 love, to all your pursuits, and even to your recreations. To 
 the watchful and loving child the gentlest restraint of the 
 Father's hand or eye has the force of law. In all your 
 occupations and pursuits set the Lord always before you. 
 Have the courage to confess Him wherever you are ; and 
 should any kind of reading, of recreation, or of indulgence, 
 that may once have seemed allowable, be found, by experi- 
 ence, to impair the tenderness of your conscience, to obscure 
 your sense of the Divine presence, or to weaken your relish 
 for spiritual things, cut it off and cast it from you. 1804. 
 P. E. 1868. P. E. 1880. P. E. 
 
 9. Among other indications of the prevalence among us 
 of the spirit of worldHness, we fear that, in some 
 
 The theatre, ' ' 
 
 the dance, circles, the theatre, the dance, and the ball-room 
 e a oom. altogether discountenanced. The number 
 
 may be but small, and yet we know how great is the ten- 
 dency to spread, even of "a little leaven"; and when we see 
 those of our members, from whom greater firmness might 
 have been expected, sanctioning these things and mixing 
 with the world, apparently in its own spirit, we cannot but 
 tremble for the effect upon our young people. What shall 
 we then say ? Will not this short direction suffice for all ? 
 — Allow yourselves no indulgence, whether in your habits 
 or pursuits, in your reading, companionships, or recreations, 
 that shall grieve the Holy Spirit, or upon which you cannot 
 ask your heavenly Father's blessing. 1881. P. E, 
 
 •J 
 
SECT. III.] 
 
 BOOKS AND READING. 
 
 115 
 
 Division 4. Christian Self-denial in its application to Books 
 and Reading. 
 
 1. This Meeting, considering that some in the present age 
 do endeavour, by certain books, to lessen and , . ^ 
 
 ^ , , Against 
 
 decry tlie true faith in our Lord and Saviour infldel 
 T r-it • , / ii • liulilications. 
 
 Jesus Christ (even that precious laith once 
 
 delivered to his saints, which by the mercy of God is also 
 
 bestowed upon us) doth therefore earnestly advise and 
 
 exhort all parents, masters and mistresses of families, and 
 
 guardians of minors, that they prevent, as much as in 
 
 them lies, their children, servants, and youth under their 
 
 respective care and tuition, from having or reading books or 
 
 papers that have any tendency to prejudice the profession of 
 
 the Christian religion, to create in them the least doubt or 
 
 question concerning the truth of the Holy Scriptures, or 
 
 those necessary and saving truths declared in them ; lest 
 
 their minds should be poisoned thereby, and a foundation 
 
 laid for the greatest evils. 1723. P. E. 
 
 2. Books may be regarded as companions ; they become 
 associated with our most retired thoughts, and Books om- 
 insensibly infuse somewhat of their spirit and "tl^'blT wisely 
 character into those who converse with them. chosen. 
 It behoves us to exercise a sound discretion as to what 
 publications we admit into our houses ; that neither we 
 nor our children may be hurt by that reading which would 
 tend in any degree to leaven our minds into the spirit of 
 the world, and to unfit us for the sober duties of life. The 
 books which we introduce to the young require particular 
 care : they may give a bias to the mind, and materially 
 influence the future character. Some of those which, 
 we fear, find access to our families are calculated to oive 
 false views of real life, and to lower that standard of 
 morals which Christianity upholds ; and others, though they 
 
CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 may not stimulate evil jjassions, are adapted to lessen the 
 attacliment of our youth to the principles of their education, 
 or even to rob them of their tenderness of conscience, and to 
 alienate them, it may be by slow gradations, from the fear of 
 God. 1831). P. E. 1869. P. E. 
 
 3. One feature of our times is the spread of doubt, and 
 
 . even of extreme forms of imbelief. Many minds, 
 
 iJanger of j ^ 
 
 sceptical eminent in literature and in the successful investi- 
 " ' gation of natural science, have, in the absorbing 
 pursuit of lower forms of truth, overlooked, doubted, or 
 denied the existence of the higher. The popular reading of 
 the day is more or less imbued with the views of men skilled 
 in negation, some of whom are even zealous in the denial of the 
 fundamental truths of the Christian religion. We earnestly 
 desire that our dear Friends may be kept from this evil. 
 
 We would caution them against all writings the tendency 
 of which may be to weaken their allegiance to Christ, to 
 create a disesteem or disrelish for Holy Scripture, or in any 
 other way to enfeeble their capacity for engaging with quiet 
 earnestness in the duties of life. And let parents and teachers 
 watch carefully over the books and periodicals introduced 
 into the family, and seek opportunities for directing the 
 minds of the young to the perusal of such of the lives and 
 writings of our faithful Friends, and of others of the Lord's 
 devoted servants, as may instruct and confirm them in the 
 knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, and in a course 
 of heartfelt experience under the teaching of the Holy 
 Spirit. 18G9. P. E. 1878. P. E. 
 
 4. Dear younger Friends, we feel a lively concern that 
 And of writ J*^^ anywise beguiled from the 
 ings overlook- simplicity which is in Christ ; and we would 
 Christian affectionately desire that in your intellectual 
 redemption, pyj-guitg jj^^y be guarded against publications, 
 or any other vehicles of opinion, of which there are so many 
 
SECT. IV.] 
 
 BUSINESS AND TRADE. 
 
 117 
 
 in tlie prosent day, in which the deep questions of moral 
 truth are so treated that the natural depravity of man, and 
 the absolute need of redemption, as set forth in the Gos])el, 
 are almost, if not altogether, set aside or overlooked. In 
 however captivating a form the opinions thus set forth may 
 appear, and however nearly in some instances they may seem 
 to approach to those glorious views of Gospel freedom which, 
 as a Christian Church, we have ever maintained, we are 
 persuaded that no sound or permanent reformation, either in 
 ourselves or in others, can be expected from them. Depraved 
 and corrupted in the fall, the human heart cannot cleanse 
 itself ; and they that would thus work upon it in its unre- 
 generate state, without regard to the great truths of Christian 
 redemption, can do no more than propose the substitution of 
 one mode of selfishness for another. The evil may change 
 its form, but it is not eradicated : the soul, still weary and 
 restiess, is drawn no nearer to its God. 1850. 
 
 SECTION IV. — UPRIGHTNESS AND INTEGRITY. 
 
 Division 1. Business and Trade. 
 
 1. Let Friends and brethren in their respective Meetings 
 watch over one another in the love of God and 
 
 Caution 
 
 care of the Gospel ; particularly admonishing agaiust over- 
 that none trade beyond their ability nor stretch tr'^^^mg- 
 beyond their compass ; and that they use few words in 
 their dealings, and keep their word in all things, lest 
 they bring, through their forwardness, dishonour to the 
 precious truth of God. 1675. 
 
 2. As it hath pleased God to bring forth a day of liberty 
 and freedom to serve Him, let every one have a 
 
 ' Strict 
 
 care so to use this liberty, as that the name of integiity 
 
 God may be honoured by it ; and that no occa- 
 
 sion be taken by any, because of the present freedom, to 
 
CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 Innncb forth into tradinn^ and worldly business beyond wbat 
 they can manage honourably and with reputation ; and so 
 that they may keep their word with all men, and that 
 their yea may ])rove yea indeed, and their nay may be nay 
 indeed. 1(588. F. E. 
 
 3. It is earnestly desired that the payment of just debts 
 DeUs to be delayed, by any professing Truth, beyond 
 punctually the time agreed upon ; nor occasion of complaint 
 
 given to those they deal with by their back- 
 wardness of payment where no time is limited ; nor any 
 to overcharge themselves with too much trading and com- 
 merce, beyond their capacities to discharge with a good 
 conscience towards all men ; and that all Friends be very 
 careful not to contract extravagant debts, endangering the 
 wronging of others and their families, which some have 
 done to the grieving the hearts of the upright ; nor to 
 break their promises, contracts, or agreements, in their 
 buying or selling, or in any other lawful affairs, to the 
 injuring of themselves and others, occasioning strife and 
 contention, and reproach to Truth and Friends. And it is 
 advised, that all Friends that are entering into trade, or 
 that are in trade, and have not stock sufficient of their own 
 to answer the trade they nhn at, be very cautious of 
 running themselves into debt, without advising with some 
 of their experienced Friends. 1692. P. E. 
 
 4. We warn all against a most pernicious practice, too 
 
 much prevailing, which hath often issued in the 
 
 Against . „ , i i • • i 
 
 Accommoda- utter rum of those concerned therein, viz. that of 
 tion Bills. raising and circulating a fictitious kind of paper- 
 credit, by what are called accommodaiion bills, with indorse- 
 ments and acceptances, to give an appearance of value 
 without an intrinsic reality ; a practice highly unbecoming 
 that uprightness which ought to appear in every member 
 
SECT. IV.] BUSINESS AND TRADE. Hi) 
 
 of our religious Society ; and of which practice we think 
 it our incumbent duty to declare our disapprobation, as 
 absolutely inconsistent with the truth we make profession of. 
 1771. P. E. 
 
 5. We would caution Friends against imprudently enter- 
 ing into joint securities -with others ; by which caution 
 many innocent wives and children have been against 
 inevitably and unexpectedly involved in ruinous ^ ^ 
 and deplorable circumstances. Let Friends keep strictly on 
 their guard that none, through any specious pretences of 
 rendering acts of friendship to others with safety to them- 
 selves, may risk their own peace and reputation and the 
 security of their families. We commend the salutary advice 
 of the wise man to their especial notice and regard : " Be not 
 thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are 
 sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should 
 he take away thy bed from under thee?" 1771. P. E. 
 
 6. Those who, whilst honestly and diligently endeavouring 
 to provide for their families, have to encounter „ , 
 
 ' Danger oi 
 
 many difficulties, have a strong claim on the making haste 
 
 r> 1 • -n • T to be rich. 
 
 sympathy of their r riends : yet they need not 
 fear, as they continue to place their whole trust in our 
 heavenly Father, but that He will care for them in such 
 a way as He sees meet. But if any are de^dating from 
 safe and regular methods of business ; if they are carried 
 away by uncertain and hazardous, though plausible, schemes 
 for getting rich ; if they yield to a desire rapidly to enlarge 
 their possessions — such are in imminent danger. They can- 
 not justly expect the blessing of the Most High on such 
 pursuits ; their spiritual eye becomes dim ; and they do 
 not perceive with clearness that light which would enable 
 them to perfect holiness in the fear of God. 1825. P. E. 
 
 7. We feel a concern that none of our dear Friends may be 
 
120 
 
 CHlllSTIAN I'UACTICE. 
 
 [CIIA1\ IX. 
 
 tempted, by the prospect of high rates of interest, to risk 
 The tempta- their property in hazardous engagements ; and 
 rates°of'^'°^ that they may be very careful, before making 
 interest. any investment, to ascertain the extent of the 
 responsibility involved, that their peace of mind may not be 
 endangered, or the cause of Truth be evil spoken of. 1849. 
 
 8. We would caution our dear Friends how they enter 
 Against the ^^^^ engagements which may subject them to the 
 leaven of the influence and example of individuals or bodies of 
 
 world. . . 
 
 men, whosf^ mm s are not under the regulatmg 
 power of the Truth ; lest thereby a worldly standard should 
 be substituted for that true tenderness of conscience which 
 would not only preserve from injustice in dealing, but would 
 lead us, in all things, to do unto others as we would that 
 they should do unto us. 1846. P. E. 
 
 9. Our brethren who are employed in agriculture, and 
 Honest those who are engaged in the various branches of 
 
 trade, claim our sympathy. They may be much 
 profits. tried by the small profits often resulting from a 
 course of honest industry and diligent attention to business ; 
 but it should never be forgotten that there is a standard of 
 sterling integrity set before us in the New Testament, which 
 the Christian trader should always keep in view. As this 
 is the case, he will be honourable and just in his trans- 
 actions; he will have a true support imder all his difficulties, 
 and he may ask the blessing of the Lord on his efforts to 
 " provide things honest in the sight of all men." As he is 
 concerned that his wants may be few, that his affection may 
 be set on things above, and that he may not be ensnared by 
 the love of money, he will escape many a bitter pang and 
 many an anxious toil. 1851. P. E. 
 
 10. In the Divine economy diligence in business is, in 
 most cases, necessary for the supply of our ordinary wants. 
 
SECT. IV.] 
 
 BUSINESS AND TRADE. 
 
 121 
 
 And it is tin great privilege of the Christian to feel that 
 in the midst of earthly duty, however at times 
 
 ■ 111- Danger of 
 
 wearisome and perplexing, he may cast all his care worldly en- 
 upon his Father in heaven, and humbly rely upon *'"an^^g,^fety 
 his help and blessing. Yet we desire to give a of holy 
 
 ^ " moduratiou. 
 
 watchword, which, ol'ten as it has been repeated, 
 is still applicable to all — " Love not the world, neither the 
 things that are in the woi'ld." How great are the anxieties 
 of those who spread their sails too wide upon the sea of 
 commerce ; how bitter the distress which attends the wreck 
 of their earthly hopes. " See then that ye walk circum- 
 spectly, not as fools, but as wise ; redeeming the time." Let 
 those who are setting out in life be assured that no outward 
 condition is more happy or blessed than that in which the 
 desires, bounded by the Divine will, are content with modera- 
 tion, satisfied with that which the Lord provides. 1865. P. E. 
 
 11. In the recollection of the many solemn warnings of the 
 past, we would bid all beware of that spirit which Watch 
 " hasteth to be rich," and which so often leads those 'Jth*iig'°from 
 who give way to it, to trade beyond their ability, to business, 
 the great hurt of themselves and their families, and to the 
 grievous injury of others. Even where speculations may ap- 
 pear outwardly successful, how injurious to the Christian life is 
 the over-burdening of the heart with worldly cares. Be upon 
 the watch to know the right time for retiring from business. In 
 these, and in all other things, seek, both for yourselves and for 
 your children, to be limited by the will of God. 1872. P. E. 
 
 12. Our sympathy is awakened for those who may be 
 struggling under burdens little known save unto Sympathy 
 the Searcher of hearts ; with whom the anxieties ^^i^h those in 
 
 s^' uggling 
 
 of business, the care of maintaining a family, the circumstances, 
 weight of worldly engagements, are felt as a heavy load. 
 Dear Friends, your Father in heaven knoweth all your need. 
 He never designed that you should bear your burdens 
 
1-^ cnrasTiAN practice. [chap. ix. 
 
 unaided of Him. Commit your way unto Ilim in humble 
 trust. How appropriate is the prayer, " Let integrity and 
 uprightness preserve me, for I wait on Thee." " Rest in the 
 Lord and wait patiently for Him," that He may guide you 
 by his counsel, and that you may receive from Him your 
 daily portion according to your need. Let care never prevail 
 over faith. Though some of you may think that you can do 
 but little for your Lord, He is honoured in a course of daily 
 submission, of patient continuance in well-doing, and of that 
 thankful trust in which the promise is applied, " I will 
 never leave thee nor forsake thee." 18(59. P. E. 
 
 Division 2. On a frequent Inspection of Affairs and early Disclosure 
 of Pecuniary Difficulties. 
 
 1. We particularly advise young persons to be cautious 
 Caution as to enter too hastily into business, and, from 
 hasty entering the time of their being thus enijawed, to be very 
 
 into business. ° o n ? ^ ^ J 
 
 careful to make themselves well acquainted with 
 their annual income and expenditure. This would be greatly 
 facilitated by their early adopting, and regularly pursuing, 
 a clear and methodical system of keeping their accounts, in 
 regard both to trade and domestic expenses. 1826. 
 
 2. It is earnestly recommended, that Friends frequently 
 „ , ins]}ect the state of their affairs, and, if reverses 
 
 Frequent i ' ' 
 
 inspection of should occur, ascertain and know for themselves 
 
 atf.iirs, and 
 
 keeping clear that they are fully justified, as honest, upright 
 
 accounts. ■ . -iL ii • i • o i 
 
 men, in gomg on with their business, feuch an 
 examination would be greatly facilitated by all being very 
 careful to keep clear accounts ; that whether they be taken off 
 by death, or whether it be needful to exhibit those accounts 
 to others, the same may appear perspicuous and intelligible. 
 
 And we would affectionately encourage Friends who find 
 themselves in embarrassed, or even in doubtful circumstances, 
 to disclose their affairs to men of upright character, in 
 
SECT. IV.] 
 
 COUNSEL TO INSOLVENTS. 
 
 123 
 
 whom tliey can confide. Such a timely procedure would, we 
 believe, often save the reputation of individuals, call forth 
 the respect and compassion of their creditors, and prevent 
 the keen sufFerino^s of tender wives and innocent children, 
 and such reproach as, in some instances, has been brought 
 upon our high profession. 1782. 1819. 
 
 3. Those who hold the property of others (and this may 
 be said to be the case more or less with most „ , 
 
 Karly dis- 
 
 who are engaged in trade) are not warranted closure of 
 
 . ° * . ' . difficulties. 
 
 in neglecting to inform themselves from time to 
 time of the real situation of their affairs. If men conceal 
 from their nearest connexions in life a knowledge of the 
 actual state of their property, they may deprive themselves 
 of salutary counsel and of a kind participation in trouble ; 
 family expenses may be incurred, and subsequent distress 
 may ensue, which might have been avoided. 1826. 
 
 4. Friends in struggling or embarrassed circumstances are 
 cautioned to be particularlv careful not to pay Against 
 one creditor in preference to another. 1782. preference. 
 
 Division 3. Counsel to those in Insolvent Circumstances. 
 
 1. It is the sense and judgment of this Meeting, if any 
 fall short of paying their just debts, and a compo- 
 sition be made with their creditors to accept of ciebts^in^fuU 
 a part instead of the whole, that, notwithstanding notwithstand- 
 the parties may be legallv dischartred of anv '•'■'^^^ 
 
 . " ° creditors. 
 
 obligation to pay the remainder, yet the principle 
 of universal righteousness enjoins full satisfaction to bo 
 made, if ever the debtors are of ability. And in order that 
 such may the better retrieve their circumstances, v/e exhort 
 them to submit to a manner of living in every respect the 
 most conducive to this purpose. 1759. F. E. 
 
124 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 2. For you, dear Friend.^, who from whatever cause are 
 Adxace to brought into pecuniary diflficulties, and for your 
 live accord- families, we feel an earnest desire that you may 
 altered cir- DC preserved from yielding to the peculiar temp- 
 
 cumstauces. , ,. • -j j_ j_ -i i- n j i 
 
 tations incident to your situation ; that you may be 
 enabled to make n right use of your trials, and that, through 
 the help of the Lord, these trials may work together for 
 your good. We believe that your comfort and peace of 
 mind, and your future success in life, will be materially 
 promoted by a willingness to come down at once to the true 
 level which your altered circumstances require. 1848. P. E. 
 
 Division 4. Advice as to the Making of Wills. 
 
 1. Knowing how quickly many are removed by death, 
 Wills to be '^^ weightily recommended that care be taken in 
 made in time each ]\Ionthly Meeting that Friends who have 
 
 of health •' .11 1-1 
 
 and sound estates to dispose of, by will or otherwise, be 
 ]udgment. advised to make their wills in time of health and 
 strength of judgment ; to prevent the inconveniences, loss 
 and trouble that may fall upon their relations and friends 
 through their dving intestate. Making wills in due time 
 can shorten no man's days, but the omission or delay 
 thereof has proved very injurious to many. 1691. 1695. P. E. 
 1703. P. E. 
 
 2. Eecommended, that Friends who have young children 
 Guardians do in their wills ap})oint faithful Friends to be 
 ior in ants, guardians to them till they come to the age of 
 twenty-one years. 1706. 
 
 3. Advised, that Friends in making their wills have a 
 Observinn- Strict regard to justice and equity, and be not 
 justice and actuated by caprice and prejudice, to the injury 
 
 equity, and 
 
 employing of those who may have a reasonable expectation 
 
 skilled advice. „ .i-i-in i • xij. 
 
 irom their kindred and near connexion ; that none 
 (although occasion may have been given or taken) carry any 
 
SECT. IV,] 
 
 ADVICE AS TO WILLS. 
 
 125 
 
 resentment to tbo grave, remembering that we all stand 
 
 in need of mercy and forgiveness : also that none postpone 
 
 making their wills to a sick-bed, an improper season to settle 
 
 our outward affairs, in the painful struggles of nature, even 
 
 if we should be favoured with a clear understanding, which 
 
 ought not to be diverted from a solemn consideration of the 
 
 approaching awful period of life. 
 
 Friends are earnestly recommended to employ persons 
 
 skilful in law and of good repute to make their wills ; 
 
 as great inconvenience and loss, and sometimes the ruin 
 
 of families, have happen2d through the unskilfulness of 
 
 some who have taken upon them to make wills. They are 
 
 also tenderly cautioned, in the making of their ' 
 
 wills, against undue care as to the future. Long against too 
 
 and intricate provisions, as to contingencies which ^"^si^jj|'f°j. 
 
 may never arise, often defeat their own ends by future con- 
 tingencies. 
 
 arousing undue expectations leading to improvi- 
 dence I or by creating doubts and dissension amongst those 
 whom the testator may have wished to benefit. Even where 
 arrangements may be legally secure, it is very questionable 
 how far it is, in ordinary cases, consistent with a sound and 
 enlightened judgment, to attempt, by our shortsighted post- 
 humous provisions, to anticipate the wants or responsibilities 
 of those who must succeed us. 1782. 1801. 1883. 
 
 SECTION V. — LIBERALITY AND BENEVOLENCE, AND AGAINST 
 COVETOTJSNESS. 
 
 1. Let none strive or covet to be rich in this world, 
 in these changeable things that will pass away, Beware of 
 but let your faith stand in the Lord God who covetousness. 
 changes not, that created all, and gives the increase of 
 all. Be on the watch against an ambitious and covetous 
 spirit, by which many are ensnared in an eager pursuit of 
 earthly enjoyments, the danger of which is thus described 
 
CHRISTIAN PKACTICE. 
 
 [OIIAP. IX. 
 
 1)}' the apostle Paul : " They that will be rich fall into temp- 
 tation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, 
 which drown men in destruction and perdition : for the love 
 of money is the root of all evil ; which while some coveted 
 after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves 
 through with many sorrows." Beware, therefore, dearly 
 beloved, lest you also, being led aside by the love of this 
 -world and the doceitfulness of riches, fall from your own 
 steadfastness. 1(376. 1740. P. E. 
 
 2. The great deception of mankind is that they look for 
 The deceitful- ^^PP^'^®^^ where it is not, are ensnared by the 
 uess of riches. iQyg qJ' ^jjg world and the deceitfulness of riches, 
 " which while some coveted after, they have erred from the 
 faith," have abused what they should have made good use of, 
 and hurt themselves with the means given for the help of 
 others ; the love of money shutting up their hearts from the 
 exercise of charity in proportion to the substance bestowed 
 on them. 1746. P. E. 
 
 3. We fear that some of our youth are being trained in 
 
 habits of expense in attire, furniture and attend- 
 
 Against . . . , , 
 
 expensive ance, which are not only inconsistent with the 
 habits,. simplicity of the Gospel, but absorb property 
 which might be better employed in feeding the hungry, and 
 time which might be occupied in visiting and cheering the 
 habitations of human misery. " The trimming of the vain 
 world," said our worthy Elder, William Penn, " would 
 clothe the naked one." 1798. P. E. 
 
 4. Cherish a disposition for active benevolence. Let each 
 Active concerned to know for himself in what waj', 
 benevolence, consistent with his private and social duties, he 
 may employ his talents for the good of others, and steadily 
 persevere in what he may have rightly undertaken, with a 
 constant reference to the Divine blessing ; not with a view 
 
SKCT. v.] 
 
 LIBERALITY AND BENK VCJLENC'K. 
 
 127 
 
 to popularity or ostentation, but in the simple performance 
 of bis duty as a wise antl faitbful servant, wbo must give an 
 account to bis Lord at bis coming. 1825. P. E. 
 
 5. Let tbe Cbristian duty of visiting the sick be timely 
 remembered and practised ; it baving often left Visiting 
 comfort, ease, and sweetness upon tbe spirits of 
 many, to tbeir very end. 1710. P. E. 
 
 (). " Blessed is be that considereth the poor." It is our 
 desire that we may all of us be kept in that state 
 
 ^ . The duty nf 
 
 of watchfulness from day to day, and in that sense cousidoiiug 
 of our responsibility to God, in which we may be 
 enabled to ascertain whether a due portion of our time, our 
 sympathies, and our substance is devoted to the great duty 
 of visiting the poor in our respective neighbourhoods, to the 
 inspection of their condition, and to the relief of their wants. 
 Let our dear young Friends consider whether a larger portion 
 of their time, of tbe means they may have at their disposal, 
 and of that which they could spare from the superfluities of 
 life, might not be acceptably devoted to this object. The 
 support of institutions whose object is the relief of human 
 suffering, however important, should not be substituted for 
 the personal visiting of the poor in their own habitations, 
 and the administering to their wants. 1844. P. E. 
 
 ■ 7. The Christian is to abstain from costly and worldly 
 amusements. Restrained from a vain, a self- Accumulation 
 indulgent, or an imprudent expenditure, be will ^^^'^ ^^^^ 
 be preserved from parsimony and tbe snare of beneficence, 
 accumulating property to his own and his children's Taurt. 
 He will feel it a ]"eligious duty to keep down accumu- 
 lation, by a course of wise and large-hearted beneficence. 
 Remembei", dear Friends, that you are but stewards. Seek 
 clearly to discern how much of your income, or of your 
 property, you ought to spare, and in what manner it may 
 be well and wisely distributed for the good of others. Souie 
 
128 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 of you are tiiLrusted with large possessions. May you seek 
 for large supplies of grace and of lieavenly wisdom. Leave 
 it not to your successors to distribute that which you ought 
 to dispense yourselves. Let all, whatever be their circum- 
 stances, cultivate, from early years, the spirit of true liberality, 
 according to their means. " Lay not up for yourselves 
 treasures upon earth." Let nothing bo given to self or 
 to the world which ought to be given to Him. Neglect 
 no opportunity of doing good, seeing that " to him that 
 knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." 
 1849. P. E. 1870. P. E. 1872. P. E. 1877. P. E. 
 
 8. Habits of industry and thrift, important as they are 
 in themselves, obviously tend to an increase of 
 money aud worldly possessions, and lead without great watch- 
 worldly care fulnggg undue accumulation, which, in its turn, 
 
 to be counter- ' ' ' 
 
 acted by love is apt to foster ease and self-indultjence, endinn:, 
 
 Chn.st. . Ill 
 
 ]n so many cases, in spiritual lethargy and death. 
 Nor does tlio temptation arise only from the " deceitfulness 
 of riches." " Tlje care of this world," with its distrust, un- 
 thankfulness and anxious forebodings, is a canker-worm 
 that eats into the very vitals of the soul ; whilst to all, 
 of ever}'' age aud cla^s, the friendships, the pursuits and 
 the allurements of the world offer themselves in many a 
 captivating form ; and, where the mind has been more or 
 less cultivated, unJer many a specious guise of taste and 
 refinement. For all these things the love of Christ, pro- 
 ducing love to Him, is the only efficient corrective. This 
 love, imselfish, large-hearted and spiritually wise, sheds its 
 heavenly radiance upon all the circumstances in which the 
 child of the Lord can be placed. It leads him always to give 
 the precedence to the things of the kingdom, and enables him, 
 in the necessary attention to the affairs of this life, to keep 
 within the limitations of his Father's wiU. It is this which 
 preserves him in spiritual health, quick of understanding in 
 
SECT, v.] 
 
 LIBKRALITY AND BENEVOLKNOE. 
 
 129 
 
 the fear of the Lord, and tenderly suseeptiblo to the motions 
 of his Spirit. He knows that he has nothing wliich he has 
 not received ; and, as a faithful steward, he dares not to nse 
 as his own that which has been given him in trust lor his 
 Master. 1883. P. E. 
 
 9. The love of money is apt to increase almost imper- 
 ceptibly. That which was at first laboured after Love of 
 nnder the pressure of necessary duty may, withont ™untCTacted 
 sreat watchfulness, steal upon the atfections, and ''y f'lii'istiMi 
 
 *' ' ' Ixnintiful- 
 
 gradually withdraw the heart from Grod. The ness. 
 danger depends not upon how much a man has, ljut upon 
 how much his heart is set upon what he has, and upon 
 accumulating more. The trafficker in hundreds may be no 
 less involved in the spirit of the world than the trafficker 
 in thousands. Therefore watch, dear Friends, Ave entreat 
 you, not only in the beginning, but in the midst of your 
 active career, yea, even to the very end of life, lest you 
 reap from earthly care nought but vanity and vexation of 
 spirit, or sink at last into the grave weary and ojipressed, 
 laden as with thick clay. In all your business engagements, 
 whether in smaller or larger concerns, as individuals or as 
 partners with others, keep within the restraints of a tender 
 and enlightened conscience, quick to discern where the desire 
 to serve the Lord in all things ceases, and the service of 
 self begins. Seek to have your hearts raised above the 
 world, that you may live as strangers and pilgrims upon 
 earth. May wealth or position never be your object in life. 
 " If riches increase, set not your heart upon them." Watch 
 carefully, lest that which may have been originally Christian 
 prudence degenerate into the habit and the love of accumu- 
 lation. Guard against an enfeebling indulgence even in 
 lawful things. Encourage a .spirit of Christian bountifulnes.s. 
 Let them that have but little to give, give that little cheer- 
 fully according to their ability ; and let those to whom a 
 
 9 
 
130 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTFf'E. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 larger stcwardshii) lins heon coinmitfpd, be larfjelv liberal in 
 profiortioij to their means, 1858. P. E. I8(j;». P. E. 
 
 SKCTION VT. — COUNSEL TO KMPLOYKRS. 
 
 1. A reli<fions care is recoininendcd toward our servants ; 
 Religious a]>peai-anee of pride, idleness, and vain 
 interest in conversation in them may be di.scouraged, and 
 
 that they mny be exhorted to attend public 
 Avorship, and have a sense oC God's love upon their spirits, 
 and therein partake of the sweetness of Truth; and, in the 
 dischai'ge of their duty to (io l and to their masters and 
 mistresses, know peace in themselves. 1718. 1861. 
 
 2. We earnestly entreat that it may be the constant care 
 For whuni '^^ '^^^ masters and mistresses properly to teach, 
 account nuist [-(^strain and example those whom Providence 
 
 Le renileicil. i • i i t 
 
 hath placed under tlieni tor then- help, direction, 
 and preservation, and i'or whom an account must be rendered ; 
 bringing them up in the fear of the Lord. 17G0. P. E. 
 
 S. May those who employ servants, whether professing 
 ^ ,. , with us or not, sympathize with them in their 
 
 Dehglit in ' ' 
 
 their true lal)ours, delight to render them happy, and seek 
 happiness. disposition that can lead them along as 
 
 fellow-travellers in the road to the city of God. Various 
 are the means by which this may be attempted. The 
 principal one certainly is, the keeping of the mind attentive 
 to the discoveries of Truth : and we desire that servants may 
 be made partakers of the benefits resulting from the practice 
 of i-eading the Scriptures in the family, and from opportunities 
 of religious I'etirement. 180,5. P. E. 1883. 
 
 1. Our solicitude has at this time been awakened for our 
 
SRCT. VI.] 
 
 COUNSKL TO KMPLOYERS. 
 
 131 
 
 young men employed as travellers in business. The temp- 
 tations to which they are often unavoidably .subjected, have 
 tended to draw aside .some from that .simplicity, Care for 
 that purity of heart and thought, that strict morality, 
 which Christianity requir(\s. We would submit to tmveller.s. 
 the serious consideration of parents and employers, the extreme 
 danger of sending forth into such service any young persons 
 whose religious principles and habits are not fixed ; and we 
 would encourage Friends in different places, where those in 
 this line of employment may travel, to continue to extend to 
 them a kind and hospitable notice. 1816. P. E. 
 
 5. This Meeting has been impressed with the importance 
 of the exercise of a due care towards young Care for 
 persons who are taken as apprentices by Friends, ^'^^^'aud'as- 
 It may be thought that an additional responsi- sistants. 
 bility attaches to the taking of members of our Society in 
 that station, or as shopmen or servants. But this Meeting 
 thinks that if, from a sincere desire for the welfare of such 
 individuals, Friends were willing to give a preference to 
 our own members, a real satisfaction would arise from it ; 
 and let all who fill the station of master exercise a moral 
 and religious care over those who are employed in their 
 service. 
 
 We are comforted in the persuasion that the care and 
 instruction which many in early life have received in our 
 public schools have been a blessing to them, and we are 
 anxious that both their employers and other Friends in the 
 Meetings in which these and other young persons reside, 
 may watch over them for good, and be willing in various 
 ways to show an affectionate interest in their comfort and 
 welfare. A few kind expressions arising from a solicitude 
 for their moral and spiritual good, offered in love as oppor- 
 tunities occur, may have more effect than is at the time 
 apprehended. 1828. 
 
132 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 6. This Meeting recommends Friends who have the charge 
 ^ of servants and apprentices to make such domestic 
 
 attencknfe arrangements as may enable them to attend public 
 worsWirand "^"^orship duly and ])unctually, and to promote the 
 for religious employment by them of the portion not so occu- 
 
 instruction. . . . 
 
 pied of the First-day of the week, in a manner 
 becoming the professors of the Christian name. They are also 
 encouraged, as far as practicable, to arrange opportunities for 
 their Christian instruction. 1833. 1870. P. E. 
 
 SECTION VII. — CHRISTIAN LIFE IN ITS RELATION TO 
 CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 
 
 1. Advised to walk wisely and circumspectly towards all 
 „, „ . men, in the peaceable spirit of Christ Jesus, 
 
 walk circum- ' r r i 
 
 spectly in sivine no offence or occasion to those in out- 
 
 Chrisfs , 
 
 peaceable ward government, nor way to any controversies, 
 spirit. heats, or distractions of this world, about the 
 
 kingdoms thereof ; but to pray for the good of all, and submit 
 all to that Divine power and wisdom which rules over the 
 kingdoms of men. 1689. P. E. 
 
 2. The corrupt and immoral practices which have frequently 
 Disorders attended public elections are a scandal to the 
 at elections. Q^j-jg^ian name, and would be very reproachful 
 to any of our profession. We know how often drunkenness, 
 riot and confusion have characterised these contests ; and 
 we trust that Friends will not only keep themselves un- 
 spotted from such contamination, but will give the whole 
 weight of their example and influence to discourage and, 
 if possible, to put an end to these disgraceful proceedings. 
 1774. 1790. 1883. 
 
 3. We have ever maintained that it is our duty to obey 
 
SECT. VII.] 
 
 CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 
 
 133 
 
 all the enactments of civil government, except those by which 
 our allegiance to Grod is interfered with. We 
 
 .... Subjection 
 
 owe much to its blessings; through it we enjoy to civil 
 liberty and protection in connexion with law and ^\*Xere"on- 
 order : and, whilst bound by our sense of re- science not 
 
 ' _ _ infringea. 
 
 ligious conviction not to comply with those requi- 
 sitions which violate our Christian principles, we desire ever 
 to be found amongst those who are " quiet in the land " ; 
 a condition favourable to true Christian patriotism, and in 
 which services highly valuable and useful may be rendered 
 to the community. 1843. P. E. 
 
 4. The i)osition of our members in connexion with the 
 laws which have rendered them eligible for civil Advice as to 
 offices, from which they have long been excluded, "'^ offices, 
 has excited our concern. We are not about to discourage 
 any one from taking his proper share in those services, 
 which, as a member of the community, he may be rightly 
 called to perform, and which involve no compromise of our 
 Christian principles. But we desire that, when the oppor- 
 tunity of choice is afforded, our dear Friends may seriously 
 consider the responsibilities which they are required to take 
 upon themselves, and the temptations to which they may be 
 exposed. Do not satisfy yourselves, dear Friends, that it is 
 merely lawful ; but also ascertain whether it is for you 
 expedient. Beware lest you be influenced by any other 
 motives than those which will bear the test of Christian 
 principle acting on an enlightened conscience. 
 
 And let those who enter on any public office be concerned, 
 in the first place, to fulfil its duties in the fear of the Lord, 
 seeking for his help, and diligently and faithfully performing 
 the trust reposed in them, as those who have to render an 
 account, not to man only, but to God. We desire that our 
 dear Friends may, on these occasions, support in simplicity 
 and fidelity all those testimonies which distinguish us from 
 
134 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 others; resting as these testimonies do on no other foundation 
 than the great jjrinciples of Cln-istianity. Fulfil the law of 
 immutable righteousness; uphold the standard of truth- 
 speaking and inflexible integrity in all things; watch over 
 your spirits, that you be not leavened into the spirit of 
 the world: never allow principle to yield to the influence 
 of party combination, but pursue in humility the course of 
 Christian independence. In thus discharging in the Divine 
 fear your duties among men, you will be made rich in the 
 inestimable treasure of a good conscience, be enabled to 
 grow in Christian vigour and experience, and be of those 
 preachers of righteousness who, bringing forth the fruit of 
 the Spirit, do, by their good works, glorify our Father who 
 is in heaven. 1836. 1883. 
 
 5. The liability of Friends, in the present state of the law. 
 Counsel as to to be called upon to fill magisterial offices, has 
 magisterial^ ^^"^ ^'^^^ ^ serious review of the character 
 offices. Qf gyc]^ offices, and of the nature of the duties 
 connected with them. We continue to entertain a high 
 sense of the just authority of civil magistracy. The nature, 
 however, of some of the duties which, in the present state 
 of the civil and political institutions of our country, are 
 attached to the magisterial office, is such as to demand 
 the prayerful consideration of Friends before undertaking 
 the responsibilities which they involve. May our members 
 be especially watchful that no such undertaking in anywise 
 mars the work of the Lord in their own hearts, or inter- 
 feres with their true line of service in the Church. 1838. 
 1847. 1883. 
 
 6. We continue to be deeply impressed with the awful 
 On the subject of capital punishment. We believe that, 
 punishment to a very great extent, it fails to produce the 
 
 effect of deterring from the commission of crime. 
 Is it for fallible man to presume to determine, by his laws 
 
SECT. VIll.] 
 
 ADVICE TO EMIUUANTS. 
 
 135 
 
 and decisions, the period at whicli liis iellow-ninn shall cense 
 to exist in this world ; when all o{)i>ortunity for rei)ent!vnce 
 terminates, and when the criminal, however unprepared he 
 may he, is hurried into the jiresence of the Judge of the 
 whole (sarth? We commend this solemn subject to the very 
 serious attention of our members, and would encourage them 
 to seek, under the influence of the wisdom which is from 
 above, to promote that close examination of the matter by 
 oar countrymen and our rulers, which may so enlighten 
 their understandings, as to hasten the day when the punish- 
 ment of death shall be wholly abolished. 1818. 1847. 
 1883. P. E. 
 
 SECTION VIII. — ADVICE TO EMIGRANTS. 
 
 1. This Meeting has been introduced into feelings of 
 sympathy in behalf of our members who may General 
 contemj)late emigration, either singly or in dilutions, 
 families, to distant countries. We strongly recommend our 
 Friends, on all such occasions, to take counsel of tlieir 
 brethren before entering on an undertaking of such impor- 
 tance. W^e also desire, in much aflfection, to offer a word 
 of caution to such, that they be not hastily induced by the 
 prospect of outward advantage to engage in a movement so 
 fraught with important consequences, but that in singleness 
 of heart they seek for Divine; direction, whereby they may 
 be favoured to know the place of their right allotment, 
 whether at home or abroad. Vie would especially entreat 
 them to guard against the influence of an impatient or 
 restless si>irit, which would lead them, under the pressure 
 of present difiicnlties or discouragement, to seek in foreign 
 lands those temporal advantages which may not seem to be 
 easily attainable at home, and whereby they may expose 
 themselves and their families to much disadvantage in 
 reference to their religious interests. Many are the dangers 
 
lo6 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 atlendinif a hasty and unadvised movement of this kind : 
 our safety consists in being willing to commit all our ways 
 to the Most High. In regard to this subject, as well as 
 to every other important undertaking connected with the 
 att'airs of this life, we desire to remind our dear Friends of 
 the gracious promise to those who seek first the kingdom 
 of God and his righteousness, even that all things necessary 
 shall be added. 1839. 
 
 2. We would entreat those who may establish themselves 
 siliilityin newly settled countries to reflect upon the 
 ciWll/ldor responsibility which attaches to them, when they 
 lieathen. .^j.g neifjhbours of uncivilized and heathen 
 tribes. It is an awful but indisputable fact, that most 
 settlements of this description, besides dispossessing the 
 natives of their land without equivalent, have hitherto been 
 productive of incalculable injury to the moral and physical 
 condition of the native races ; which have been thereby more 
 or less reduced in numbers, and in some instances completely 
 exterminated. Earnestly, therefore, do we desire that all 
 those under our name, who may emigrate to such settlements, 
 may be careful neither directly nor indirectly to inflict 
 injury upon the natives, but that they may, on the contrary, 
 in their whole conduct, exhibit the practical character of that 
 religion which breathes " Glory to God in the highest ; 
 on earth peace, good will toward men." As this is their 
 aim, they will not only exert themselves to check the evils 
 which are but too generally inflicted by the whites upon 
 their feebler neighbours, but will be solicitous to do their 
 })art in endeavouring to diffuse amongst them the blessings 
 of Christianity and civilization ; which will prove the best 
 means of preventing their extermination, and of raising them 
 to the full enjoyment of their rights. 1840. 
 
CHAPTEE X. 
 CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY. 
 
 Section I. — Government of Christ in the Church as opposed to 
 Ecclesiastical or Human Assumption. 
 Division 1. Ecclesiastical Assumption and Claims. 
 2. Liberty of Conscience. 3. National Fasts and 
 Rejoicings. 
 ,, II.— On Oaths. 
 ,, III.— On War. 
 
 ,, IV. — On Slavery and the Slave Trade. 
 ,, V. — Burials and Mourning Habits. 
 
 SECTION I. — ECCLESIASTICAL ASSUMPTION. 
 
 1. We believe that the refusal of all ecclesiastical demands 
 was laid upon our forefathers as a testimony against Testimony 
 the corruptions of the Church, and to the spiritual of "ur 
 
 . . predecessors. 
 
 reign and government of Christ ; and that, in the 
 patient endurance of persecution in consequence of this part 
 of their Christian profession, they were evidently owned 
 of their Lord. 1841. P. E. 
 
 2. Our testimony against titlies and forced maintenance in 
 this Gospel day, being received from Christ our ^j^^ 
 Head and High Priest, is not of our own making testimony 
 
 , . . , not ours, but 
 
 or imposing, nor from the tradition of men, but received 
 what we have from Him by whose Divine power ^'^iii^*^- 
 we were raised up to be a people, and by which we have 
 been preserved to this day ; knowing that his ministry and 
 
138 
 
 CHUISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [cuAr. X. 
 
 Gospel are free accor(lin<^ to liis o)vn express coininand, 
 Freely ye have received, freely give." 17U1. P. E. 
 
 3. We have uniformly entertained the belief, on the 
 
 authority of Holy Scripture, that when, in the 
 Ti ne ground . . . . 
 
 of the fulness of time, according to the all-wise purposes 
 
 testinionj. q^^^ ^^^j, j-jipggf^;^^! Lord and Saviour appeared 
 
 personally upon earth, He introduced a dispensation pure 
 and spiritual in its character. He taught by his own holy 
 example and divine precepts that the ministry of the Gospel 
 is to be without pecuniary remuneration. As the gift is free, 
 the exercise of it is to be free also ; the office! is to be 
 filled by those only who are called of God by the })ower of 
 the Holy Spirit — who, in their preaching as well as in their 
 circumspect lives and conversation, are giving proof of this 
 call. The forced maintenance of the ministers of religion is 
 in our view a violation of tliose great privileges which God, 
 in his wisdom and goodness, bestowed upon the human race 
 when He sent his Son to redeem the world, and, by thejjower 
 of the Holy Spirit, to lead and guide mankind into all truth. 
 
 Our blessed Lord jnit an end to that priesthood, and to all 
 those ceremonial usages connected therewith, which were 
 before divinely ordained under the law of Moses. The 
 system of tithes was not in any way instituted by Him 
 our holy Head and High Priest, the great Christian 
 Lawgiver. It had no existence in the purest and earliest 
 ages of his Church, but wns gradually introduced, as super- 
 stition and apostacy spread over professing Christendom, 
 and was subse(piently enforced by legal authority. In thus 
 enforcing, as due "to God and holy Church,"* a tithe upon 
 the ])roduce of the earth and upon the increase of the herds 
 of the field, an attempt was made to uphold and ])erpetuate 
 a Divine institution appointed only for a time, but which 
 was abrogated by the coming- in the flesh of the Lord Jesus 
 
 * fStaUite 27 Ilcnry VIII., c. 20. 
 
SECT. I.] TESTIMONY ON ECCLESIASTICAL ASSUMPTION. lo'J 
 
 Christ. Tlx; vesting of power by tlie laws of the land in the 
 king, assisted by his council, whereby articles ot" belief have 
 been framed for the adoption of his subjects, and under which 
 the support of the teachers of these articles is enforced, is in 
 our judgment a procedure at variance with the whole scope 
 and design of the Gospel ; and as it violates the rights of 
 private judgment, so it interferes with that responsibility by 
 which man is bound to his Creator. 1832. 
 
 4. The blessings and privileges of the Christian dispensa- 
 tion are, in our apprehension, greatly interfered Ecclesiastical 
 with by the systems of human invention intro- '''^thTin-eseut 
 duced into the worship of God, under which a day. 
 certain order of men assume a power in the Church incon- 
 sistent with the free exercise of those gifts which it may 
 please the Lord to confer. This assumption was one of the 
 earliest, and it continues to be the source of some of the most 
 grievous, corru})tions of the professing Church. 
 
 We feel truly grateful to Almighty God for that large 
 measure of religious liberty which, after a protracted period of 
 cruel sufferings, has long been afforded to our religious Society. 
 We love our country, and we are, in the largest sense of the 
 term, a Protestant Church. But we believe that in con- 
 tinuing to usurp authority over conscience in the exercise of 
 the civil power, by maintaining established forms of worship, 
 and by obliging men to contribute to those which they con- 
 scientiously disapprove, one of the worst features of the 
 apostacy is retained. We think that, with a right sense of 
 the inestimable value of religious truth, no truly conscientious 
 man could join in supporting rites and practices which he 
 believes to be contrary to the law of Christ and to the spirit 
 of his religion ; and still less could he impose the maintenance 
 of his own religious opinions and practices upon those who 
 differ from him. True religion undoubtedly leads us to do 
 to others as we would that they should do to us. The estab- 
 
140 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 lishinent by law of one system of faith and observance as the 
 recognized religic)n of the state, and a legal provision for 
 the use of all the sects into which a nation may be divided, 
 appear to us to be both unwarranted ; the former as being 
 an assumption of exclusive rule, the latter as treating the 
 great questions of religion as matters of indiflference. 
 1845. P. E. 18(31. 
 
 5. " Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 
 The freedom of Grospel ministry, and the liberty of all the 
 Testimony to '^^''^^S members of the Christian Church to exercise 
 Liberty for the gifts bestowed upon them by its Holy Head, 
 
 the exercise ... 
 
 of spiritual have been among the most promment testimonies 
 of our religious Society. In the fear of Grod, our 
 early Friends protested against the exercise of authority over 
 conscience in matters between man and his Creator, and 
 against the assumption by any one individual, to act as the 
 sole agent for the people in their assemblies for Divine worship. 
 We believe that this arrangement, by which the conducting of 
 services in a Christian congregation rests with the minister, 
 and the hearers are precluded from the exercise of spiritual 
 gifts in the public worship of God, is a departure from 
 primitive Christianity. In regard to these things, beloved 
 Friends, accept the word of earnest exhortation : " Stand fast 
 in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." 1843. P. E. 
 
 6. In withdrawing the Query on the subject of ecclesi- 
 , . . astical demands, and in discontinuing the returns 
 
 Keiteration ... 
 
 of the testi- of distraints, we think it right to make the fol- 
 
 withdrawing lowing statement. For many years after the 
 
 *JfgJie-y passing of the Tithe Commutation Act* our 
 
 siastical members, as a body, declined the payment of 
 
 demands. ... . 
 
 what in its commuted form was, at the time, 
 generally believed by them to be, both in its root and 
 
 * Statute 6 and 7 William IV., c. 71, A.D. 1836 
 
SECT. I.] TESTIMONY ON ECCLESIASTICAL ASSUMPTION, 141 
 
 nature, the same as tithe. But there were some in various 
 parts of the country who considered that the character of 
 the impost had been materially changed. This conviction 
 gradually spread ; and as the practical working of the Act 
 came to be more and more understood, it became apparent 
 that, in the opinion of many of our members, the Tithe Rent- 
 charge had, by the alteration in the law, assumed the character 
 of a charge upon the land, for the application of which the 
 payer could not be held responsible ; and which, in the 
 purchase or hiring of land, was necessarily taken into account 
 in estimating its value. Impressed vdth these views, a large 
 proportion of our members were brought to the conclusion 
 that they could no longer conscientiously refuse the payment. 
 In this state of things, whilst expressing no judgment upon 
 the question now raised under the altered circumstances, this 
 Meeting believes that the time has arrived when the mode 
 of bearing this testimony must be left to the individual 
 consciences of Friends. At the same time we desire to 
 express our sympathy with those who may still believe that 
 the change in the law has made no change in the character 
 of the impost, and that it is still a payment against which, as 
 regards bo.h its origin and its application, they are bound 
 to protest. 
 
 In expressing this judgment we would affectionately 
 remind our members that, how much soever the mode of 
 bearing it may vary, the testimony remains. Our views 
 on the free and immediate operation of the Holy Spirit ; 
 on the Presidency of Christ in the Church ; on that which 
 constitutes the call and qualification of all true Gospel 
 ministry ; and on the worship of God in spirit and in truth, 
 remain unchanged. In the face of so much in professing 
 Churches that tends to create a dependence upon outward 
 ordinances, we desire still to bear an earnest testimony to 
 the immediateness of the Saviour's presence and ministration. 
 The hierarchical system, with its ritual and ceremonial, has 
 
142 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 no place in the New Testament. The invitation, " Come 
 unto nie, — I will give you re.st," is free from all priestly 
 intervention. " Whosoever will," may come immediately/ 
 to Him the Almighty Saviour. The work of the ministry 
 of the Gospel is not limited to any particular class or order 
 of men ; neither is worship dependent upon the presence 
 of an outward minister. Wherever the two or the three 
 are truly gathered in the name of Christ, there is He " in 
 the midst of them"; and there is a Church. How unsafe 
 is that condition of mind which associates Christian worship 
 with pomp and ceremony ; or that can view it as a gorgeous 
 spectacle or an outward show. " God that made the world 
 and all things therein, dwelleth not in temples made with 
 hands." The Most High cannot be worshipped by proxy. 
 He looketh at the heart, and requires heart-service in humble 
 dedication to Him. 
 
 The union of the Church with the State derives no support 
 from the New Testament. It involves the intrusion of the 
 secular power into spiritual concerns, which are not within 
 its rightfid province. It is an unwarrantable interference 
 with the rights of conscience, and with the prerogative of the 
 great Head of the Christian Church. With these convictions 
 we cannot but earnestly desire that Friends everywhere 
 may continue to bear a faithful and open testimony against 
 hierarchical systems in every form. May they seek to avail 
 themselves of every right opportunity to promote sound 
 Scriptural views on this great subject among their fellow- 
 Christians, and in the world at large ; and seek for grace 
 and wisdom to take their part in the winning of souls to 
 Christ, in accordance with those precious principles of his 
 free Gospel which we assuredly believe to be adapted for 
 all. 1875. 
 
CHAPTEE X. 
 
 (Continiu'il.) 
 
 CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY. 
 
 SECTION II. — LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE. 
 
 1. Tliat conscience slioiikl be free, and that, in matters of 
 
 relioious doctrine and worship, man is accountable 
 
 1 ' Man ac- 
 
 only to God, are truths which are plainly declared co^untable to 
 in the New Testament, and confirmed by the whole the things 
 scope of the Gospel, and by the example of oui* 
 Lord and his disciples. The command, " Render unto Ctesar 
 the things which are Ctesar's, and unto God the things that 
 are God's," points at the true limits of the civil power. The 
 emphatic inquiry of the apostles Peter and John, " whether 
 it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more 
 than unto God, judge ye" (put, as it was, as a sufficient 
 reason for disobeying an express command of the Council 
 at Jerusalem to refrain from jjreaching the then new truths 
 of the Gospel), practically illustrates what those limits are. 
 And, on the other hand, the language of the apostle Paul, 
 addressed to the converts in Rome, even under such a prince 
 as Nero, shows plainly that, in purely civil matters, the 
 Christian is to be subject to the civil authorities, and con- 
 sequently that liberty of conscience is not to be used as an 
 excuse for anything that is inconsistent with our duty to our 
 neighbour, or with our peaceable subjection to law and order 
 in things secular. 
 
144 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 How beautiful is the harmony thus set forth between true 
 Christ's khif liberty of conscience in things pertaining to God, 
 dom not of and tru(^ obedience to the magistrate in things 
 
 this world. . . . , 
 
 pertaining to civil government. How clear, again, 
 is the evidence furnished by the New Testament and b}^ the 
 conduct of the early Christians, that the kingdom of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ is not of this world, and is not to be 
 advanced by the sword ; and that, in matters of faith, we 
 are not to yield our convictions to political authority, nor to 
 shape our conduct by the decisions of the princes of this 
 world ; that we are even to suffer wrong and take it patiently ; 
 and that the blessing of Him whom we call Master and Lord 
 rests not upon the persecutors, but upon those who are 
 persecuted for righteousness' sake. The New Testament 
 gives no warrant to the civil government for inflicting tem- 
 poral punishments on the professors of one particular creed, 
 in respect only of their religious opinions, or for bestowing, 
 on the like grounds, temporal emoluments on the professors 
 of another. 
 
 2. We plead for no license to do wrong : we advocate no 
 Liberty of weak indulgence to the workings of unbridled 
 notTllcense imagination or passion : we plead for Hberty of 
 to do wrong, conscience toward God. To rule over the con- 
 science, and to command the spiritual allegiance of his 
 creatures, is his high and sacred prerogative. To prohibit 
 by law the doing of that which conscience enjoins as a 
 religious duty, and which in no wise interferes with the just 
 requirements of civil order, is to assume a jurisdiction for 
 which the Supreme Judge has given no warrant under the 
 Gospel : whilst to enforce the performance of services, under 
 the plea of religion, upon those who believe such services to 
 be uncalled for, or for them even positively sinful, must 
 surely be highly offensive to a pure and holy God. In 
 religion every act ought to be free ; a forced worship is 
 
SECT. 11.] 
 
 LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE. 
 
 145 
 
 plainly a contradiction in terms under that dispensation in 
 which, accordincr to the declaration of our Lord himself, they 
 that worship the Father " must worship Him in spirit and 
 in truth." And in our apprehension every assembly which 
 is held, with ojjen doors, for the sole purpose of the public 
 worship of God, ought to be free from all interruption or 
 molestation, and is entitled to the protection of the civil 
 power. 1^56. 1878. 
 
 3. It is our conviction — a conviction which is, we submit, 
 abundantly confirmed by the past history and -pj^jj, ubg^ty 
 present condition of Great Britain and of the greatly con- 
 
 . 1111 tributes to 
 
 other nations or lljurope — that the thorough welfare of 
 maintenance of the principles of true liberty of nations, 
 conscience greatly contributes to the temporal as well as the 
 spiritual welfare of nations. It promotes the increase among 
 them of the number of upright and faithful subjects and 
 citizens, — men fearing God and discharging their various 
 duties to his glory, and to the benefit of their country. 
 These are the men who are the real strength of the Govern- 
 ment under which they live, and who afford a security to 
 the State which nothing else can equally confer. 1856. 
 1878. 
 
 10 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 (ContimieiL) 
 
 CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY. 
 
 SECTION III. NATIONAL FASTS AND REJOICINGS. 
 
 1. Advised, that Friends keep to their wonted example and 
 Against super- testimony acrainst the superstitious observance 
 vanceofdays. of days. 1691. P. E. 
 
 2. It is well known that we regai'd it as a Christian 
 Days of testimony, to refrain from uniting in many of 
 thanksgiving, ^jj^gg demonstrations of joy which prevail on 
 occasions of public rejoicing. They not unfrequently lead 
 to practices inconsistent with that meek and quiet spirit 
 which should clothe the disciple of Jesus, and they are 
 often an inlet to excesses which estrange the mind from 
 God. It is not in this way that we should manifest our 
 gratitude for national blessings ; but by endeavouring, 
 through redeeming love and power, to live more and more 
 in the spirit of the Gospel, and thus to hold out an example 
 of genuine Christian conduct. 1814. P. E. 1861. 
 
 3. We believe that at times the Lord is pleased, in an 
 National especial manner, to visit nations by his judgments, 
 Fasts. ^-^^^ ^jjgy ^g^j^ ^ggj^ humiliation before 
 
 Him, and for that repentance which includes a real turning 
 away from all our evil works. This was the great feature 
 of that memorable fast which obtained the Divine favour for 
 Nineveh, after the prophet had been sent to pronounce its 
 destruction. The true and acceptable fast to the Lord was 
 
 1 
 
SECT, nr.] 
 
 NATIONAL FASTS AND UEJOICINGS. 
 
 147 
 
 declared by the prophet Isaiah to be, not the bowin;]; of the 
 liead for a day, but the right jierformance of acts of Justice 
 and mercy. How loudly then are we, as Christians, called 
 u{)on to beware of dependin<ij upon any temporary or external 
 ])('rf()rinances, and to observe that daily and continual ftist, 
 which consists in the obedient homage of the soul to its 
 Almighty Creator and Redeemer. It is the great duty of 
 Christians so to live that, when public calamities visit a 
 nation, their sense of the chastening which is laid upon 
 them may be manifested by humiliation of soul, under a 
 feeling of that constant dependence upon God in which 
 our spiritual strength so greatly consists. 
 
 The imposition of religious exercises by the civil govern- 
 ment, we conceive to be an infringement of the rights of 
 conscience, and an intrusion on his prerogative whose right 
 it is to rule there. We have thought it right, as a religious 
 Society, to abstain from the observance of days set apart, 
 without a Divine direction, for the religious commemoration 
 of particular events, or for national humiliation under pecu- 
 liar trials ; and when we consider that the orders for such 
 observances in this country are issued under the authority 
 of the Sovereign, as the head of the Church of England, 
 we feel additionally bound, with meekness, to refuse com- 
 pliance with such orders, and thereby to testify against that 
 usurpation which we believe to be anti-Christian. 
 
 Whilst supporting these our views of the libertv of the 
 Gospel, let us be careful to prove, by our conduct and 
 conversation, that we walk in the fear of God, and do indeed 
 believe that He rules in the kingdoms of men. May we 
 increasingly cherish that true love of our country, which 
 would lead us frequently to the throne of grace on its 
 behalf, that so, whilst we cannot lift up the sword in its 
 defence, our prayers and intercessions may ascend availingly 
 to Him in whose hand are the prosperity of nations, and 
 the issues of life and death. 1833. 1851. 18G1. 
 
CHAPTEE X. 
 
 (Continued.) 
 
 CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY. 
 
 SECTION IV. — ON OATHS. 
 
 1. Advised, that our Christian testimony be faithfully 
 TestiiiKiny niaiutainod against the Inirthen and imposition 
 foun(le(Uin of oaths, according to the express prohibition of 
 
 prohibition 
 
 of Christ cand Christ, and also of the apostle James: "Ye have 
 his apohtle. ]^^,c^^.^\ it hath been said by them of old time, 
 thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt jierform 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, nay; for 
 whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." "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." 1G93. P. E. 1782. 
 
 2. In the year 1833 an Act was passed (3 & 4 William IV., 
 Friends' c. 49) giving, in all cases, to the affirmation of 
 affirmation Fj.iends the legal force and efl'ect of an oath.* 
 
 now accepteil f 
 
 in all cases. Thus has the testin)ony of our religious Society 
 against all swearing been, thi'ough progressive steps, recognised 
 
 * The tirst Act .-xllowing the affirmation of Friends was the Statute, 
 cnnmionly called the Toleration Act, 1 W. iV' M., Sess. I, c. 18, s. 13 This 
 
SECT. IV.] 
 
 ON OATHS. 
 
 by the legislature, until at length, in this respect, every 
 obstacle is removed to a full participation with our fellow- 
 countrynaen in all civil duties and privileges. We cannot 
 but regard this important result, although not solicited by 
 us, as hajtpily indicating more enlarged and enlightened 
 views than have heretofore prevailed, in regard to Christian 
 liberty and the rights of conscience. 1834. 1801. 
 
 3. The following is an extract from the Act referred to : — 
 
 " Whereas it is expedient and reasonable that the solemn 
 affirmation of persons of the ])(;rsuasion of the Exti-act from 
 people called Quakers, and of Moravians, should St. 3 & 4 
 be allowed in all cases where an oath is or shall W.IV.,c. 49. 
 be required ; be it therefore enacted by the King's most 
 excellent majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the 
 lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in this present 
 parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same. 
 That every person of the persuasion of the people called 
 Quakers, and every Moravian, be permitted to make his or 
 her solemn affirmation or declaration, instead of taking an 
 oath, in all places and for all purj)oses whatsoever where an 
 oath is or shall be required, either by the common law or 
 by any Act of Parliament already made or hereafter to be 
 made ; which said affirmation or declaration shall be of the 
 same force and effect as if he or she had taken an oath in 
 the usual form ; aud if any such person making such solemn 
 affirmation or declaration shall be lawfully convicted, wilfully, 
 falsely, and corruptly to have affirmed or declared any matter 
 or thing, which, if the same had been in the usual form, 
 would have amounted to wilful and corrupt perjury, he or 
 she shall incur the same penalties and forfeitures as by the 
 laws and statutes of this realm are enacted against persons 
 convicted of wilful and corrupt perjury, any law, statute, or 
 
 was afterwards extended by St. 7 & S W. III., c. 34 ; and, the form 
 of affirmation having been simplified by St. 8 Geo. I., c. 0, it was 
 by St. 22 Geo. II., c. 40, made applicable to all cases except criminal 
 cases, and the oaths reipiired for serving on juries, or for bearing any 
 office or place of profit in the Government. The St. 3 & 4 W. IV., 
 c. 49, mentioned in the text, finally made the affirmation of a Friend 
 equivalent to an oath in every case in which an oath can lie legally 
 recpiired. Much information as to the earlier eflbrts on this subject 
 wiU be found in George Whitehead's " Christian Progress," 635 — 630 
 and 646 — 655. 
 
15U 
 
 CllUIsJ'lAM I'KAl TH E. 
 
 [c'llAl'. X. 
 
 cn.stoin to the contrary iu)tsvitlistiimliii<i : Provided always, 
 that every such athrination or deehuatioii shall be in the 
 words following: (that is to say) 
 
 '7, A. B, heituj one of tlie people railed Qnaker.s [or one of 
 ihe pergiiasion of the people colled Quakers, or of the United, 
 lirethrea called ]\[oi-aria nx, as the case may be], do aolcmnlij, 
 siacerelti, and truly declare and a^rnt.^ " 
 
 4. We entreat that, when any Friend has occasion to 
 
 ^. make an affirmation, he be very considerate and 
 
 t(j giving sure of the truth of what he is about to affirm, 
 evideuce. . 
 
 remembermg that " a false witness shall not be 
 unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape," and 
 that the command, " Thou shalt not bear false witness," is 
 equally binding under the Gospel as under the law. They 
 who are called upon to give evidence are reminded that their 
 testimony is required, not as to what they may believe upon 
 the assertion or statement of others, however credible : but 
 as to what they themselves know from their own know- 
 ledge. If a due sense of the obligation to truth-speaking 
 adequately rests upon the mind, its effect will be manifest, 
 even in the deportment of those who are giving evidence. 
 1834. 1883. 
 
 5. The following summary may be found useful by way 
 
 . of information as to the present state of the law 
 
 Summary of _ _ ^ 
 
 present state upon this subject. By enactments of the legis- 
 ut t L aw. j.^j-m.^, subsequent to the Act 3 & 4 William IV., 
 c. 4*J, above referred to, the right to make an affirmation in 
 lieu of an oath has been extended to persons having formerly 
 been Friends or Moravians ; also, in many cases, to any 
 persons who are unwilling from alleged conscientious motives 
 to be sworn, and of the sincerity of whose objection the 
 judge or other person authorised to take an oath is satisfied. 
 The form of affirmation in such a case, under the statute 
 17 & 18 Vict., c. 125, relating to witnesses in civil proceedings, 
 is as follows: 
 
SECT. IV.] 
 
 ON OATJIS. 
 
 151 
 
 " /, A. B., do solerimli/, sincerely, and fruh/ a firm and 
 declare that the taking of aruj oath is, acrordriKj to nii/ relvjioits 
 belief, unlawful; and 1 do also solenmli/, sincerel/j, and irul/j 
 affirm and declare,^^ etc. 
 
 By the statute 31 & 32 Vict., c. 72, which now regulates 
 the form of the oath of allegiance, and of certain official, 
 judicial, and parliamentary oaths therein specified, it is 
 enacted as follows (Sect. 11) : 
 
 " When an oath is required to he taken under this Act, every 
 person for the time being by laio permitted to make a solemn 
 affirmation or declaration instead of taking an oath, may, 
 instead of taking such oath, make a solemn affirmation in the 
 form of the oath hereby appointed, substituting the loords 
 ^solemnly, sincerely, and tridy declare and affirm,'' fo)' the 
 word ' swear,^ and omitting the ivo^'ds ' So hel/> me God.^ " 
 
 The following schedule of all the unrepealed Acts of Par- 
 liament relating to this subject is taken from the 7th edition 
 (1881) of the Index of Statutes prepared by the Statute Law 
 Committee, under Government authority. The letters E., S., 
 and /., denote that the Acts refer to England, Scotland, and 
 Ireland respectively. Acts not so distinguished, refer to the 
 United Kingdom generally. 
 
 Affirmation or Declaration in lieu of Oath :— 
 
 By Quakers and Moravians . . 3 & 4 Will. IV., c. 41). 
 By Quakers in criminal cases in 
 
 Scotland . . . . t) Geo. IV., c. 20, s. 13. 
 By Quakers in excise matters . 7 & 8 Geo. IV., c. 53, s. 3U. 
 By persons having been Quakers 
 
 or Moravians . . . 1 & 2 Vict., c. 77. 
 By Separatists . . . . 3 & 4 Will. IV., c. 82. 
 By person objecting from conscientious motives to take an oath : — 
 in civil proceedings, England . E 17 & 18 Vict., c. 125, ss. 20, 2J. 
 
 „ „ Ireland . 1 19 & 20 Vict., c. 102, ss. 23, 24, 
 
 in probate proceedings, England E. 20 & 21 Vict., c. 77, s. 27. 
 
 „ „ Ireland. /. 20 & 21 Vict., c. 79, s. .32. 
 
 in matrimonial causes, England . ^. 20 & 21 Vict., c. 85, ss. 49, 50. 
 
152 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 in matrimonial causes, Ireland . /. 34 & 35 Vict., c. 49, ss. 14, 19. 
 in English informations and pro- 
 ceedings at law on revenue 
 
 side of exchequer, England . E. 28 & 29 Vict., c. 1U4, ss. 22, 35. 
 in criminal proceedings, England 
 
 and Ireland .... E. I. 24 & 25 Vict., c. 66. 
 in civil or criminal proceedings, 
 
 Scotland .... S. 28 & 29 Vict., c. 9. 
 
 By juror in civil or criminal proceedings, objecting from conscientious 
 motives to take oath ; statement thereof in legal proceedings : — 
 ^ , ^ {E.Q&l Vict., c. 85, s. 2. 
 
 ^^^^"^•^ U.30&31Vict.,c.35,s.8. 
 
 Scotland S. 31 & 32 Vict., c. 39. 
 
 f /. 6 & 7 Vict., c. 85, s. 2. 
 
 Ireland 
 
 t /. 31 & 32 Vict., c. 75. 
 
 By person required to take oath 
 of allegiance, official oath, 
 
 or judicial oath . . . 31 & 32 Vict., c. 72, s. 11. 
 Words "oath," "swear," "affida- 
 vit," in all Acts to include 
 affirmation, declaration, af- 
 firming, and declaring . 13 & 14 Vict., c. 21, s. 4. 
 
 N.B. — The foregoing schedule does not include certain enactments 
 relating to persons objecting to take oaths, or objected to as incom- 
 petent to take them, on the ground of want of religious belief. It 
 must also be borne in mind that there are still (speaking in the year 
 1883) special cases to which the Acts enumerated do not extend, as, 
 for example, the admission to practise as a Solicitor, in which legal 
 effect is not allowed to the affirmation of individuals not being either 
 Friends or Moravians or Separatists, who have a conscientious objection 
 to the taking of an oath. 
 
CHAPTEK X. 
 
 (^Cimthmed. ) 
 
 CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY. 
 
 SECTION V. — ON WAR. 
 
 1. We feel bound explicitly to avow our continued un- 
 shaken persuasion that all war is utterly incom- war incom- 
 patible with the plain precepts of our Divine ^pr^^^eptsof 
 Lord and Lawgiver, and with the whole spirit Christ, 
 and tenor of his Gospel ; and that no plea of necessity or 
 of policy, however urgent or peculiar, can avail to release 
 either individuals or nations from the paramount allegiance 
 which they owe unto Him who hath said, " Love your 
 enemies." To carry out such a profession consistently is 
 indeed a high attainment, but it should be the aim of 
 every Christian. 1854. P. E. 
 
 2. The Christian and truly Scriptural testimony of our 
 religious Society against all war is as precious which are not 
 to us as ever it was. We dare not believe that ^'^P^^'^^^^^^^^- 
 our Lord and Saviour, in enjoining the love of enemies and 
 the forgiveness of injuries, has prescribed for man a series 
 of precepts which are incapable of being carried into 
 practice ; or of which the practice is to be postponed till 
 all shall be persuaded to act upon them. We cannot doubt 
 that they are incumbent upon the Christian now ; and that 
 we have in the prophetic Scriptures the distinct intimation 
 of their direct application, not only to individuals, but to 
 nations also. 
 
 Great indeed must be the change before our fellow- 
 
154 
 
 CHIllSTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 countrymen frenerally, and the subjects and citizens of 
 other professedly Christian States, are brought to admit 
 that all war, defensive as well as offensive, is unlawful for 
 the followers of the Lamb : but how is this change to be 
 brought about, unless by faithfulness in word and deed 
 on the part of those who are already convinced in their 
 consciences, that both the precepts and the example of our 
 Lord enjoin an adherence, on the part of his disciples, 
 to the principles and the practice of inviolable peace? 
 1859. P. E. 
 
 3. As it hath pleased the Lord, by the breaking forth of 
 Faithfulness glorious light of his Gospel, and the shedding 
 to govern- abroad of his Holy Spirit, to rather us to be a 
 
 ment of .... 
 
 Prince of people to his praise, and to unite us in love, not 
 Peace. only one unto another, but to the whole creation 
 of Grod, by subjecting us to the government of his Son, 
 our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, it 
 behoveth us to hold forth the ensign of the Lamb of God, 
 and, by our patience and peaceable behaviour, to show 
 that we walk in obedience to the example and precepts 
 of our Lord and Master, who hath commanded us to love 
 our enemies, and to do good even to them that hate us. 
 Wherefore, we entreat all who profess themselves members 
 of our Society to be faithful to that ancient testimony, 
 borne by us ever since we were a people, against bearing 
 arms and fighting; that, by a conduct agreeable to our pro- 
 fession, we may demonstrate ourselves to be real followers 
 of the Messiah, the peaceable Saviour, of the increase of whose 
 government and peace there shall be no end. 1744?. P. E. 
 
 4. We are sorrowfully affected to find that some Friends 
 
 have failed in the maintenance of our Christian 
 
 Against pro- . . i r. i • , . . . 
 
 viding svib- testmiony against wars and fightings, by joining 
 with others to hire substitutes, and, by the i^ay- 
 ment of money, to exempt themselves from personal service 
 
SECT, v.] 
 
 ON WAli. 
 
 155 
 
 in the niilitiu ; ;i ])riictico inconsistent with our testimony to 
 the reign of the Prince of Peace. 176U. 
 
 5. We entreat that, when warlike preparations are making, 
 Friends be watchful lest any be drawn into loans, Against loans 
 or arming or letting out their ships or vessels, or ^arjike^^iire- 
 otherwise promoting the destruction of the human parations. 
 species. And let all be careful not to seek or accept profit 
 by any concern in the preparations for war. How reproach- 
 fully inconsistent Avould it be, to refuse an active compliance 
 with warlike measures, and, at the same time, to enrich our- 
 selves by the commerce and other circumstances dependent 
 on war. 1790. 1798. P. E. 
 
 6. Friends are advised against aiding and assists Caution 
 
 . . against 
 
 ing in the conveyance of soldiers, their baggage, conveying 
 arms, ammunition or military stores. 1810. 1861. 
 
 7. Our testimony against bearing arms is a testimony for 
 the Messiah, of whose reign it is predicted, that „ , , 
 "the wolf and the lamb shall feed together." excellency of 
 Most, if not all, people admit the transcendent 
 excellency of peace. All who adopt the petition, " Thy 
 kingdom come," pray for its universal establishment. Some 
 ]jeople then must begin to fulfil the evangelical pi'omisc, 
 and cease to learn war any more. Now, Friends, seeing 
 these things caimot lie controverted, how do we long that 
 your whole conversation n)ay be as becomcth the Gos[)el. It 
 is a solemn thing to stand forth to the nation as the advocates 
 of inviolable peace ; and our testimony loses its efficacy in 
 proportion to the want of consistency in any amongst us. 
 We are peculiarly called to let our light shine with clearness, 
 on account of the lenity shown us by Governincnl, and 
 the readiness of magistrates to afford us all legal relief 
 under suffering. We can serve our country in no wav 
 more availingly, or more acceptably to Him who holds its 
 
15G 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 prosperity at his disposal, than by contributing, all that 
 in us lies, to increase the number of meek, humble, self- 
 denying Christians. 
 
 Guard against placing your dependence on fleets and 
 armies ; be peaceable yourselves, in words and actions, and 
 ])ray to the Father of the universe that He would breathe 
 the spirit of reconciliation into the hearts of his erring and 
 contending creatures. 1804. P. E. 1805. P. E. 
 
 8. We hail, as a symptom of the spread of more enlightened 
 Inteniiitional views, many instances in later years in which 
 aibitiation. (jjgpytes between nations have been settled by 
 arbitration, and not by recourse to the anti-Christian 
 practice of war. May a sense of the wisdom and true policy 
 of arbitration increase, until it .shall become the ultimate 
 rule for the determination of such differences. And 0 ! 
 that all nations professing the name of Christ may be 
 brought, by the light of his Spirit, to see that in having 
 recourse to arms to settle disputes, and in gratifying the love 
 of conquest and power, they give occasion for his holy name 
 to be blasphemed by Mahometans and Pagans. 1846. P. E. 
 
 9. If war is to be prevented, the spirit from which war 
 Against the proceeds must be excluded. As with individuals, 
 wai .spuit. with nations, the beginnings of strife must be 
 watchfully guarded against. To give occasion of oflfence or 
 jealousy to the governments or to the inhabitants of other 
 countries, whether by imputing evil motives, by needless 
 alarms of invasion, or by anything approaching to a hostile 
 attitude, is inconsistent alike with Christian duty and with 
 true patriotism. May the members of our religious Society 
 be so watchful over their thoughts, their Avords, and their 
 actions, as not only to be themselves preserved from the 
 contagion of a martial spirit, but to be enabled, by 
 example and by precept, to do their full part towards 
 counteracting it. 
 
SECT, v.] 
 
 ON WAR. 
 
 157 
 
 We observe with pain tlic; arrangements extensively made 
 in various localities to organize rifle clubs and j^j^g 
 volunteer corps. Grreat is the force of example and Volunteer 
 tlic seductive influence of companionship; and some Corps, 
 who, in their moments of serious reflection, would refuse to 
 take the life of a single fellow-creature even to save their 
 own, may, either through the excitement of emulation or the 
 want of moral courage to withstand a sneer, be tempted to 
 enter into pursvxits the object of which is to acquire, for the 
 professed pur[)ose of national defence, dexterity and certainty 
 in the destruction of human life. May our dear young 
 Friends have the courage to resist the temptation ; and may 
 they remember that, if herein they faithfully confess their 
 Lord and Master before men. He will sustain them in the 
 hour of trial. 1859. P. E. 
 
 10. The whole life and teaching of our Lord and Saviour 
 is one continued testimony against the spirit of war. His 
 words are not to be annulled by the teachings Protest 
 of men. We look with serious apprehension against 
 
 ^ military 
 
 upon the existence and increase of " military centres." 
 centres." How often do they become also centres of demorali- 
 zation and sin ! War, springing from a root of 
 
 , " _ War cannot 
 
 bitterness, polluted alike in its origin and in its be carried 
 object, poisons everything that comes within its in- Christian 
 fluence. The soldier cannot become skilled in the pim^iples. 
 art of destruction, armaments cannot be raised or kept 
 together, battles cannot he fought, multitudes of men cannot 
 be slaughtered, and their souls hurried into eternity, upon 
 Christian principles. We entreat all who love our Lord 
 Jesus Christ to consider the dishonour to his holy name, 
 and the hindrance to the true progress of the Gospel, 
 occasioned by the sanction given by its professors to the 
 military system and spirit. 1872. P. E. 
 
158 
 
 CIIRrSTTAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 11. We continue to uphold the testimony, which we beheve 
 . ^ ^ , , to be that of Christ Himself, aoainst all war. To 
 
 I^ot ashamed ' 
 
 of testiiuuiiy be ashamed of this testimony would be, in our 
 
 to Christ. . 1 1 1 P T 1 
 
 judgment, to be ashamed of our Lord. We do 
 not believe that He has enjoined what is impracticable, nor 
 that there is any i"elease from the obligation to act out what 
 He has enjoined. In this matter we feel bound to use great 
 plainness of speech, and, in the face of all past and present 
 discouragements, to assert our belief that a time will surely 
 come when the wars of our day will be looked back upon as 
 a barbarism lingering in the midst of assumed civilization 
 and professed Christianity. Meanwhile we hold it to be 
 true patriotism to do all that in us lies towards averting 
 from our beloved country any share in the calamity and 
 guilt of war. 1878. P. E. 
 
CHAPTEE X. 
 
 {Ofndin.ii.ed.) 
 
 CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY. 
 
 SECTION VI. — SLAVERY AND THE SLAVE TRADE. 
 
 1. It is the sense of this Meeting that the irapoi-ting, bv 
 Friends, of negroes from their native country slave trade 
 and relations is not a commendable nor allowed censured, 
 practice, and is therefore censured by this Meeting. 1727. 
 
 2. We fervently warn all in profession with us that they 
 be careful to avoid being in any way concerned Warning 
 in reaping the unriffhteous profits arising from against the 
 
 ^ o 1 miquitouB 
 
 the iniquitous practice of dealing in negroes and practice 
 other slaves ; whereby, in the original purchase, one man 
 selleth another, as he doth the beast that perisheth, without 
 any better pretension to a property in him than that of 
 superior force, in direct violation of the Grospel rule which 
 teacheth all to do as they would be done by and to do good 
 unto all ; being the reverse of that covetous disposition which 
 furnisheth encouragement to those poor ignorant people to 
 perpetuate their savage wars in order to supply the demands 
 of this most unnatural traffic, whereby great numbers of 
 mankind, free by nature, are subjected to inextricable 
 bondage, and which hath often been observed to fill their 
 possessors with haughtiness, tyranny, luxury, and barbarity, 
 corrupting the minds and debasing the morals of their 
 children, to the unspeakable prejudice of religion and virtue, 
 and to the exclusion of that holy spirit of universal love, 
 
160 
 
 CHRISTIAN PRACTICE. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 meekness and charity, which is the unchangeable nature and 
 glory of true Christianity. 1758. P. E. 
 
 3. We lament the slow progress in this country of the 
 „ , , . . cause of our fellow-men, the o])pressed black 
 of final people, but we do not despair of its success : and 
 
 we desire Friends may never suffer the cause to 
 cool on their minds, through the delay which the op])osition 
 of interested men hath occasioned in this work of justice and 
 mercy ; but rather be animated to consider that, the longer 
 the opposition remains, the more necessity there is, on the 
 side of righteousness and benevolence, for steadiness, per- 
 severance, and continued breathing of spirit to the God and 
 Father of all, who formed of one blood all the families of the 
 earth. 1793. P. E. 
 
 4. We would express our thankfulness for an event which 
 
 concerns not us only, but incalculable multitudes 
 to-Tboftion^ of our fellow-creatures, our fellow-possessors of 
 of the slave ^^ye faculty of reason, our fellows-objects of the 
 
 trade m j ? .1 
 
 Britisli redemption which comes by Christ. We scarcely 
 " need name the abolition of the slave trade. We 
 view it as one of the most important acts of public, national 
 righteousness, which ever dignified the councils of any 
 government ; and our minds have been directed in secret 
 prayer to the Almighty Parent of the universe, that He 
 may be pleased to regard this kingdom for good, and direct 
 its future councils to such further acts of justice and mercy 
 as may promote his glory, in the harmony of his rational 
 creation. 1807. P. E. 
 
 5. The bill for the abolition of slavery in the British 
 Abolition of colonies, which was before Parliament when we 
 British ^^^^ met, has passed into a law ; and, on the first 
 dominions, the Eighth Month, 1834, slavery is to cease in 
 the colonies of Great Britain. Some provisions are attached 
 
SECT. VI.] ON SLAVERY AND THE SLAVE TKADE. 
 
 to this Act, the insertion of which we regret. Wc, at the 
 same time, think it right to express our gratitude to God, 
 in that He has been pleased to incline the hearts of our 
 rulers to this act of national justice and mercy. We look back 
 to the faithful, persevering labours of our dear Friends of 
 former days, when, simply following those principles of 
 justice and equity which the Gospel enjoins, they bore their 
 testimony to the unrighteousness of man holding his fellow- 
 man in bondage. To the spread of this view of the subject 
 we attribute, under Divine Providence, the removal of this 
 system of iniquity. It may truly be said to have been 
 hastened in the Lord's time. Such were the singular provi- 
 dences brought to bear upon the public feeling and upon the 
 Legislature, that none could point to the result as arising from 
 their individual efforts ; and the lesson was afresh sealed 
 on the Christian mind, that the Lord ruleth amongst the 
 children of men. We commend the moral and religious 
 condition of these our long-injured fellow-subjects to the 
 continued interest of our members. 1834. P. E. 
 
 fi. This Meeting thinks it right to record its thankfulness 
 to Almighty God, in that it has pleased Him to And of neTo 
 crown with success the efforts made for the extinc-'^''^"""*'*''*^'*^'!'' 
 tion of the last remnant of slavery, by the termination of the 
 system of negro apprenticeship in the British colonies. 
 183<J. 
 
 7. The subjects of the slave-trade and of slavery have, 
 with much religious weight, formed a part of the Testimuuy 
 deliberations of this Meeting, during which the'''S'""'* ^''"f 
 testimony of our religious Society in regard to '"^^^ slavery, 
 them has been afresh set forth in an address which we have 
 thought it right to issue at this time. It is our prayer that it 
 may please the Lord, who alone can do it, effectually to reacli 
 the hearts of all involved in these abominations, brini<:iu<f 
 
 11 
 
162 
 
 CHKISTFAN I'KACTICE. 
 
 [OUAP. II. 
 
 them into fear before Hiin, and causing the bonds of 
 iniquity to be broken, and righteousness to flow down as a 
 mighty stream. ]\Iay it consist with his will to hasten this 
 day. P. E. 1<S41). 
 
 <S. The subject is so vast, and of such manii'old atrocity, 
 The atrocity ^'^^'^^ think that even the iiistory of the whole 
 
 and guilt of world doos not furnish a parallel to its crime, 
 the slave 
 
 trade and We deem it scarcely possible for a man of the 
 '^'^^ most comprehensive mind fully to possess himself 
 of the extent of the evil. The Lord alone doth know, none 
 but the Infinite Mind can comprehend, the individual and the 
 aggregate sufi'erings of those subjected to these enormities. 
 God alone can reach the heart and awaken the conscience. 
 It is our strong desire— we speak with reverence and fear 
 — it is our prayer, that He may bring every one to a sense 
 of his own share in the guilt, and that, ceasing from his 
 iniquity, the condemnation resting upon- the man-stealer 
 and upon those who trade in the persons of men may no 
 longer attach itself to any one l)earing the name of a 
 Christian ; and that the slaveholder, whether he be more 
 or less involved in the sin of op])ression, may be brought 
 to act in obedience to the law of impartial and uncom- 
 promising equity, and, without hesitation and without delay, 
 restore to immediate and unconditional freedom every slave 
 that he holds in bondage. 1.S4!:).* 
 
 * The address from which the foregoing is an extract was presented 
 by a deputation fi'om the Yearly Meeting to the various governments in 
 Europe, in the course of the years 1849-58. A deputation of four Friends, 
 of whom the late Wm. Forster was one, pi'oceeded to the United States in 
 the summer of 1853, and presented the address to many of the state 
 governors; in the course of which visit Wm. Forster died in East Tennessee, 
 on the 27th of the 1st month, 1854. The address, with the reports on its 
 presentation, are printed in a little volume of " Addresses and Papers 
 illustrative of Christian Principle or Testimony, issued by or on liehalf of 
 the Yearly Meeting." London, 1803. 
 
tSKl'l'. VI. J UN SLAVEUY AND THE SLAVE TUADE. 
 
 163 
 
 [). For several years past we Lave had to deplore the exist- 
 ence of a saiiiruinarv conflict in the United States. „„ ,, , 
 
 0|)posed, as we are, on Christian ;;;rounds, both f'"' nbulitiim 
 • • • 1 p 1 • • 1 • 1 slavery in 
 
 to war ;ind slavery, it is with ieehni>s ot heartfelt tlie United 
 
 tliankfiilness that we contemplate the end, as we States. 
 
 trust, of this fearful struggle. It has pleased the Lord to stay 
 
 the whirlwind, and, in his overruling providence, to bring forth 
 
 the oppressed fVoin the house of bondage. AVe have long 
 
 sympathized with our- dear brethren in America in their 
 
 testimony against slavery : and have deeply felt for them 
 
 in the sufferings and difficulties to which thay have been 
 
 of late exposed, in connection with the faithful maintenance 
 
 of our testimony against all war. We desire to assure 
 
 them of our warm interest and sympathy in their efforts, in 
 
 co-operation with many of their fellow-citizens, on behalf of 
 
 the freedmen, whose jjosition must probably, for some years 
 
 to come, present many claims on the patient, wise and liberal 
 
 care of the Christian community. l^Go. P. E. 
 
 10. A deep concern was laid upon the minds of Friends 
 of a past generation for the abolition of the „„. , 
 slave trade and slavery. In that cause they neces^iry for 
 
 i . . , its abolition 
 
 laboured faithfully, and m the end with much throughout 
 success. These great evils still prevail on a scale woikl. 
 of fearful magnitude. The slave trade on the east of 
 Africa ai)pears to be as extensive and as atrocious as that 
 which formerly existed on the west coast ; and slavery, 
 with its cruelly and immorality, is yet maintained, both in 
 Mohammedan and in some professedly Christian countries. 
 We desire that the interest of Friends in the cause of the 
 helpless and oppros-^cd may be maintained, and that thev 
 may still labour and })ray ibr tlu; I'omoval of these great 
 iniquities. Ls?.'). P. E. 
 
CHAPTEK X. 
 
 {Continued.) 
 
 CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY. 
 
 SECTION VII. — BURIALS AND MOURNING HABITS. 
 
 1. Advised against imitating the vain custom of wearing 
 Against or giving mourning, and all extravagant expenses 
 
 mourning , , » r 
 
 apparel. about the interment of the dead. 1724. P. E. 
 
 2. It is advised that women Friends should not be induced, 
 Women ^^^^ desire to imitate prevailing customs or 
 Friends en- otherwise, to refrain from attending the burial 
 
 couraged to . 
 
 be present at 01 their relations, agreeably to the practice of 
 funeials. ^^^^ worthy predecessors, and as a becoming token 
 of respect to the deceased. 1782. 1861. 
 
 3. Our attention has been turned to the practice of 
 
 wearing mourning garments on the occasion of 
 
 Mournmg " . 
 
 apparel the decease of relatives and friends ; and we 
 
 (liscourcV^^fl. 
 
 feel concerned to offer an affectionate caution 
 to our members against this obvious conformity to the 
 vain and oppressive customs of the world. It tends to 
 occupy the thoughts with useless and frivolous subjects, 
 at a time Avhen it is peculiarly important that nothing 
 should interfere with those precious visitations of the love 
 of God to the soul which often, in an especial manner, 
 accompany the afflictive dispensations of the Most High 
 in the death of our near connexions, contriting the hard 
 heart, and comforting the true mourner. It is, moreover, 
 in many instances a token of a sorrow not really felt ; 
 
SECT. YII.] BURIALS AND MOURNING HABITS. 
 
 and thus includes a departure from that strict truthfuhiess 
 which, in deed as well as in word, ought ever to mark tlie 
 Christian character. We are also desirous of cautioning our 
 friends against those progressive deviations from simplicity 
 of dress in other respects, and that gradual assimilation 
 with the world, which we believe often render it additionally 
 difficult for them to resist its customs in this particular. 
 1845. P. E. 
 
 4. This Meeting, after serious and deliberate considera- 
 tion of the subject, is of the judgment, that our Against 
 religious Society has a sound Christian testimony "^"""costly 
 to bear atjainst the erection of monuments, as gravestones, 
 well as against all inscriptions of a eulogistic character, 
 over the graves of their deceased friends. Nevertheless, it 
 is of the opinion that it is no violation of such testimony 
 to place over or beside a grave a plain stone, the inscription 
 on which is confined to a simple record of the name, age, 
 and date of the decease, of the individual interred. The 
 object in this instance is simply to define the position of 
 the grave, with a view to the satisfaction of surviving re- 
 latives, and the preventing of its premature re-opening. 
 
 Friends are therefore left at liberty to adopt the use of 
 such stones in any of our burial grounds ; it being distinctly 
 understood that, in all cases, they are to be put down 
 under the direction of the JMonthly Meeting ; so that, in 
 each particular burial ground, such a uniformity may be 
 preserved as may effectually guard against any distinction 
 being made in that place between the rich and the poor. 
 1850. 1861. 1883. 
 
PAKT III. 
 
 CHURCH GOYERNMENT. 
 
PAET III. 
 
 CHURCH GOYERNMENJ\ 
 
 INTKODUCTION. 
 
 ON THE ORIGIN OF THE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE ESTABLISHED 
 AMONG FRIENDS. 
 
 By the term discipline, are to be understood all those 
 arrangements and regulations which are instituted for the civil 
 and relig-ious benefit of a Christian Church. The Meetings 
 for Discipline are, of course, for the purpose of carrying those 
 objects into effect : their design was said by Greorge Fox to 
 be, " the promotion of charity and piety." 
 
 It cannot be said that any system of discipline formed 
 a part of the original compact of the Society. There was 
 not, indeed, to human appearance, anything systematic in 
 its formation. It was an association of persons who were 
 earnestly seeking after the saving knowledge of Divine 
 Truth. They were men of prayer, and diligent searchers 
 of the Holy Scriptures. Unable to find true rest in the 
 various opinions and systems which in that day divided 
 the Christian world, they believed that they found the 
 Truth in a more full reception of Christ, not only as the 
 
170 
 
 OHITRCH 
 
 GOVERNMENT, 
 
 [tntrop. 
 
 living and over-present Head of the Church in its aggre- 
 gate capacity, but also as the light and life, the spiritual 
 ruler, teacher and friend of every individual member. 
 
 These views did not lead them to the abandonment of 
 those doctrines which they had previously held in regard 
 to the Manhood of Christ, his propitiatory sacrifice, media- 
 tion, and intercession. They did lead them, however, 
 to much inward retirement and waiting upon God, that 
 they might know his will, and become quick of under- 
 standing in the fear of the Lord ; and they were very 
 fi'equent in their meetings together for mutual edification 
 and instruction, for the purpose of united worship in spirit 
 and in truth, and for the exercise of their several gifts, as 
 ability might be afforded by Him who has promised to be 
 with the two or three disciples who are gathered together in 
 his name. 
 
 From these meetings, in which the love of God was often 
 largely shed abroad in the hearts of those who attended 
 them, even when held in silence, most of tliose ministers 
 went forth who, in the earliest periods of the Society, pro- 
 claimed to others the truth as they had found it, and called 
 them from dependence on man to that individual knowledge 
 of Christ, and of his teachings, which the Holy Scriptures 
 so clearly and abundantly declare to be the privilege of the 
 Gospel times. As these views struck at the very root of 
 that great corruption in the Christian Church by which 
 one man's performances on behalf of others had been made 
 essential to public worship, and on which hung all the load 
 of ecclesiastical domination and the trade in holy things ; 
 so it necessarily separated those who had, as they believed, 
 found the liberty of the Gospel, from those who still adhered 
 to that system which was upheld by the existing churches 
 of the land. 
 
 Being thus separated from others, and many being every 
 day added to the Church, there arose of course peculiar duties 
 
]NTI!OP.] 
 
 oniGlN OF C'UHISTIAN DI S( 'I TLltJK. 
 
 171 
 
 of the associatod ])pr.sons towards each other. Christianity 
 has ever heoii a powerful, active, and beneficent principle. 
 Those who tridy receive it no more "live unto themselves," 
 .•md this fcatnre and I'ruit of ;:;ennine Christianity was 
 strikin<i;ly exhibited in the conduct of the early Friends. 
 No sooner were a few persons connectcnl together in the 
 new bond of religious fellowship, than they were en- 
 gaged to admonish, encourage, and, in s[)iritual as well 
 as temporal matters, to watch over and help one another 
 in love. 
 
 The members who lived near to each other, and who 
 met together for religious worship, immediately formed, 
 from the very law of their union, a Christian family or 
 church. Each member was at liberty to exercise the gift 
 bestowed upon him, in that Ijeautiful harmony and sub- 
 jection which belong to the several ]iarts of a living body, 
 from the analogy to which the apostle Paul draws so 
 striking a description of the true church : "Ye are the body 
 of Christ and members in particular," 
 
 Of this right exercise of spiritual gifts, and thereby of 
 an efficient discipline, many examples are afforded in the 
 history of the earliest period of the Society : we shall 
 select one which we believe may be considered as fairly 
 illustrating the practice of early times. Stephen Crisp, 
 in his Memoirs, speaking of his own state soon after his 
 convincement, which was in Kioo, and within a few years 
 of the establishment of a Meeting at Colchester, the place 
 of his residence, thus expresses himself : — " The more I 
 came to feel and perceive the love of God and his good- 
 ness to me, the more was I humbled and bowed in my 
 mind to serve Him, and to serve the least of his people 
 among whom I walked ; and as the word of wisdom began 
 to s{)ring in me, and the knowledge of God grew, so I 
 became a counsellor of those that were tempted in like 
 manner as I had been ; yet was kept so low, that I waited 
 
172 
 
 CHUKCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [iNTROD. 
 
 to receive counsel daily from God, and from those that 
 were over me in the Lord, and were in Christ before nie, 
 against whom I never rebelled nor was stubborn ; but 
 the more I was kept in subjection myself, the more I was 
 enabled to help the weak and feeble ones. And, as the 
 Church of God in those days increased, and my care daily 
 increased, and the weight of things relating both to the 
 outward and inward condition of poor Friends came upon 
 me, and being called of God and his people to take the 
 care of the poor, and to relieve their necessities as I did see 
 occasion, I did it faithfully for divers years, with diligence 
 and much tenderness ; exhorting and reproving any that 
 were slothful, and encouraging them that were diligent, 
 putting a difference according to the wisdom given me of 
 God, and still minding my own state and condition, and 
 seeking the honour that cometh from God only." 
 
 Thus, then, we believe it may be safely asserted, there 
 never was a period in the Society when those Avho agreed in 
 religious principles were wholly independent of each other, 
 or in which that order and subjection which may be said to 
 constitute discipline did not exist. But, as the number of 
 members increased, those mutual helps and guards which had 
 been, in great measure, spontaneously afforded, were found 
 to require some regular arrangements for the preservation of 
 order in the Church. 
 
 The history of these proceedings affords no small evidence 
 that the spirit of a sound mind influenced the body in its 
 earliest periods. Contending, as they did, for so large a 
 measure of individual spiritual liberty, and placing the autho- 
 rity of man, in religious matters, in a position so subordinate 
 to that of the one Great Head of the Church, they neverthe- 
 less recognized the importance and necessity of arrangements 
 and of human instrumentality, under the direction of the 
 Spirit of Christ : and they were led to establish a system of 
 order at once so simple and efficient, that, notwithstanding 
 
INTKOD.] 
 
 OiaiilN UF (.'HKISTIAN DlSCll'LlNE. 
 
 173 
 
 tlie varying circumstances of the Society, and the power of 
 every annual meeting to aUer it, it has been found, in its 
 main particulars, adapted to those changes ; and it remains 
 to this day essentially the same as it was within forty years 
 of the rise of the Society. Previously, however, to the esta- 
 blishment of that regular system of discipline, and of that 
 mode of representation in the meetings for conducting it, 
 which now exist, there had been many General Meetings held 
 in ditt'erent i)arts of the nation, for the purpose of providing 
 for the various exigencies of the Society. George Fox 
 mentions, in his journal, that some Meetings for Discipline 
 were settled in the north of England so early as 1653. The 
 first General Meeting of which wo are aware that any records 
 are extant was held at Balby, near Uoncaster, in Yorkshire, 
 in the year 1656 ; and from this meeting a number of direc- 
 tions and advices were issued, addressed " To the Brethren 
 in the North." This document refers to most of the points 
 which now form the chief subjects of our discipline. It 
 contains instructions as to the Gospel order of proceeding 
 with delinquents, and advices to husbands and wives, parents 
 and children, masters and servants, as to the discharge of 
 their relative duties, and also in regard to strict justice in 
 trade, and a cheerful and faithful performance of civil offices 
 in the commonwealth. George Fox mentions attendino; a 
 General Meeting in Bedfordshire, in 1658, which lasted three 
 days ; at which, he says, " there were Friends present from 
 most i)arts of the nation, and many thousands of persons were 
 at it." He also mentions attending a meeting at Skipton, in 
 1660, " for the atl'airs of the Church, both in this nation and 
 beyond the seas;" and he says that he had recommended the 
 establishment of this meeting several years before, when he 
 was in the North ; " For many Friends suffered in divers 
 parts of the nation ; their goods were taken from them 
 contrary to law, and they understood not how to help them- 
 selves, or where to seek redress." " This meeting," he adds, 
 
174 
 
 CHUKCll GOVEliNMENT. 
 
 [INTIIOD. 
 
 had stood several years, and divers justices and captains 
 liad come to break it up ; but when they understood the 
 business Friends met about, and saw Friends' books, and 
 accounts ot" collections for the use of the i)oor ; how we took 
 care one county to help another, and to help our friends 
 beyond sea, and to provide ibr our ])()or, so that none should 
 be chargeable to their parishes, the justices and oflicers 
 confessed we did their work, and would pass away peaceably 
 and lovingly." 
 
 Next to General Meetinofs we must notice the establishuient 
 of Quarterly Meetings, which were constituted of Fi-iends 
 deputed by the several Meetings within a countv. These 
 Meetings, in several of the counties at least, had existetl prior 
 to the e8tal)lishment of Monthly Meetings, and thev appear 
 to have had much the same otKce in the body as the Monthly 
 Meetings now have amongst us. George Fox, in an e])istle 
 of an early date, writes thus respecting them : — " In all the 
 Meetings of the county, two or three may be apjjointed from 
 them to go to the Quarterly Meetings, to give notice if there 
 be any that walk not in the Truth, or have been convinced 
 and gone i'rom the Truth, and so have dishonoured God ; and 
 likewise to see if any that jtrofess the Truth follow pleasures, 
 drunkenness, gaming, or are not faithful in their callings 
 and dealings, nor honest, but run into debt, and so bring a 
 scandal upon the Truth. Friends may give notice to the 
 Quarterly Meetings (if there be any such), and some may be 
 ordered to go and exhort them, and bring in their answers 
 to the next Quarterly Meeting. And to admonish all them 
 that be careless and slothful, to diligence in the Truth and 
 service for God, and to bring forth heavenly fruits to God, 
 and that they may mind the good works of God, and do 
 them in believing on his 8on, and showing it forth in their 
 conversation, and to deny the devil and his bad works, and 
 not to do them ; and to seek tLem that be di'iven away from 
 the Truth into the devil's wilderness by his dark power ; seek 
 
INTlKll'.] 
 
 OKKilN OF CIIKISTIAN I)1SCIPJ,INK. 
 
 170 
 
 them ai;ain by tlin Truth, and, by tho Truth and power of (jod, 
 brino; them to God ai^ain." 
 
 It appears to have been with our Society as it had been 
 with the Primitive Church, that the care and provision ibr 
 its poor members were amongst the earliest occasions of dis- 
 ci})linary arrangements. The occasion for this provision was 
 much increased by the cruel persecutions and robberies to 
 which, on their first rise, the Friends were almost every- 
 where exposed. It was no rare occurrence, at that period, 
 for the father of a family to be thrown into a dungeon, and 
 for the house to be spoiled of the very children's beds 
 and all their provisions. Nor was it uncommon to seek 
 their entire proscription and ruin, by refusing to deal with 
 them. AV^ell may we say, with reverent thankfulness, in 
 reference to those times, " If it had not been the Lord 
 who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then 
 they had swallowed us np quick, when their wrath was 
 kindled against ns." 
 
 The members of the ])ersecuted Society were most of them 
 far from opulent ; but they ])roved themselves rich in charity, 
 as well as in faith and hope ; and the illustration of these 
 virtues, by the sacrifices which they made for the relief of their 
 more afflicted associates, and their unbroken constancy in the 
 sufferings which they endured for the testimony of a good 
 conscience, were doubtless amongst the practical arguments 
 which at length extorted the commendation ev(>n of their 
 enemies. 
 
 A second, and j)erhaps contemporaneous, object of the 
 meetings for the discipline of the Society, was the obtaining 
 of redress lor those illegally prosecuted or imprisoned. 
 Though so patient in suffering, they deemed it their duty to 
 apprise magistrates, judges, and the Government, of illegal 
 proceedings, and to use every legal and Christian effort to 
 obtain redress. Several Friends in London devoted a laroe 
 })ortion of time to this object, and regular statements of the 
 
170 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [iNTROD. 
 
 most flagrant cases were sent to them, and were frequently 
 laid by them before the King and Government. Their con- 
 stancy in suffering was hai'dly exceeded by their unwearied 
 efforts to obtain relief for their suffering brethren, and 
 for the alteration of the persecuting laws ; and through 
 these means the cause of religious liberty was essentially 
 promoted. 
 
 A third object, which at a very early period of the Society 
 pressed upon its attention, was the proper registration of 
 births and deaths, and the provision for due proceedings 
 relative to marriage. Their jirinciples led them at once to 
 reject all })riestly intervention on these occasions, and hence 
 the necessity for their having distinct arrangements in regard 
 to them. In some of the Meetings of earliest establishment 
 regular registers are preserved from the year 1650 to the 
 present time. Great care was taken in regard to proceed- 
 ings in marriage ; investigation as to the clearness of the 
 parties from other marriage engagements, full publicity of 
 their intentions, and the consent of parents, appear to have 
 been recommended in early times as preliminaries to the 
 ratification of the agreement between the parties; and this 
 act took place publicly in the religious meetings of the 
 Societ3^ Marriage has always been regarded by Friends as 
 a religious, not a mere civil compact. 
 
 The right education of youth, the provision of suitable 
 situations for them as apprentices or otherwise, and the 
 settlement of differences without going to law one with 
 another, were also among the early objects of the Society's 
 care. 
 
 The last object of the discipline, in early times, which 
 we shall enumerate, was the exercise of spiritual care over 
 the members. As the Society advanced it was soon re- 
 minded of our Lord's declaration, " It must needs be that 
 offences come." Evidencing, as the Society did to a large 
 extent, the fruits of the Spirit, there were those who fell 
 
INTllOU.] UIUGIN OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE. 
 
 177 
 
 away from their Christian profession, and walked disorderly; 
 and, sound as was the body of l^Viends in Christian doctrine, 
 there were members who were betrayed into false doctrines 
 and vain imaginations ; and pure, and spiritual, and con- 
 sistent with true order and Christian subjection as were 
 the principles of religious liberty advocated by the Society, 
 there were those who appear to have assumed them under 
 the false expectation of an entire independence. 
 
 To all these cases the discipline was applied in very early 
 times ; yet the spirit of tenderness, which breathes through 
 the writings of George Fox in regard to the treatment of 
 delinquents, and which there is good reason to believe was 
 practically illustrated, to a large extent, in the conduct of 
 the Friends of those days, is worthy of especial notice. 
 From one of his epistles we make the following extracts : — 
 " Now concerning Gospel order, though the doctrine of Jesus 
 Christ requireth his people to admonish a brother or sister 
 twice, before they tell the Church, yet that limiteth none, 
 so as that they shall use no longer forbearance. And it is 
 desired of all, before they publicly complain, that they wait 
 to feel if there is no more required of them to their brother 
 or sister, before they expose him or her to the Church. 
 Let this be weightily considered, and all such as behold 
 their brother or sister in a transgression go not in a rough, 
 light, or upbraiding spirit, to reprove or admonish him or 
 her, but in the power of the Lord and spirit of the Lamb, 
 and in the wisdom and love of the Truth which suffers 
 thereby, to admonish such an offender. So may the soul 
 of such a brother or sister be seasonably and effectually 
 reached unto and overcome, and they may have cause to 
 bless the name of the Lord on their behalf, and so a blessing 
 may be rewarded into the bosom of that faithful and tender 
 brother or sister who so admonished them. And so keep 
 the Church order of the Gospel, according as the Lord Jesus 
 Christ hath commanded ; that is, ' If thy brother shall 
 
 12 
 
178 
 
 GHUKCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [iNTROD. 
 
 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 nioi'e, 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.' " 
 
 We now proceed to notice the more regular and systematic 
 establishment of Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, and of 
 the Yearly Meeting. Though the history of those times 
 bears ample testimony to the useful part which was taken 
 in this important work by many faithful Friends, yet it is 
 clear that George Fox was the chief instrument in the 
 arranicement and establishment of these Meetings. There 
 was doubtless much reference to his individual judgment ; 
 but it is worthy of notice how carefully he sought to keep 
 the body from an improper dependence upon him. As, in 
 his preaching, he directed his hearers to Christ for them- 
 selves, as alike tlieir and liis Teacher, so in the discipline of 
 the Society, he laboured diligently that the body might be 
 strengthened to help itself. 
 
 Under the date of lfi6G, George Fox says in his journal : — 
 " AVhereas Friends had had only Quarterly Meetings, now 
 Triith was spread and Friends were grown more numerous, 
 I was moved to recommend the setting up of Monthly 
 Moetinos throuohout the nation." In 1G()7 he laboured 
 most diligently in this service, under much bodily weakness 
 from his long confinements in cold and damp prisons. In 
 KKly he thus writes : — " The men's Monthly Meetings were 
 settled through the nation. The Quarterly Meetings were 
 generally settled before. I wrote also into Ireland, Scotland, 
 Holland, Barbadoes, and several parts of America, advising 
 Friends to settle their men's Monthly Meetings in those 
 countries, for they had their Quarterly Meetings before." 
 These Monthly Meetings, so instituted, took a large share 
 of that care which had previously devolved on the Quarterly 
 
INTROD.] 
 
 ORIGIN OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE. 
 
 179 
 
 Meetings, and were no doubt the means of bringing many 
 more of the members into a larger sphere of usefulness and 
 the exercise of their respective gifts in the Church, the 
 free course for which he was so anxious to promote. With 
 reference to this subject, he observes in one of his epistles : — 
 The least member in the Church is serviceable, and all 
 the members have need one of another." 
 
 The Quarterly Meetings, from this time, received reports 
 of the state of the Society from the Monthly Meetings, and 
 gave such advice and decisions as they thought right ; but 
 there was not, until some years after this period, a general 
 Yearly Meeting, at which all the Quarterly Meetings were 
 represented. Of the establishment of that Meeting we come 
 now to speak. 
 
 In the year 1672, a General Meeting of Ministers was 
 held at Devonshire House, London : amongst its proceedings 
 we find the following minute, in which we trace the origin 
 of the Yearly Meeting: — "It is concluded, agreed, and 
 assented unto, by Friends present, that, for the better 
 ordering, managing, and regulating of the public affairs 
 of Friends relating to the Truth and service thereof, there 
 be a General Meeting of Friends held at London once a 
 year, in the week called Whitsun-week, to consist of six 
 Friends for the city of London, three for the city of Bristol, 
 two for the town of Colchester, and one or two from each of 
 the counties of England and Wales respectively." 
 
 This representative Yearly Meeting met at the time pro- 
 posed in 1673, and came to the conclusion, that the General 
 ]\Ieeting, constituted as it then was, "be discontinued till 
 Friends, in God's wisdom, shall see a further occasion ; " 
 and it was further agreed that, " the General Meeting of 
 Friends who labour in the work of the ministry do continue 
 as formerly a])pointed." This Meeting of Friends in the 
 ministry ajjpears to have been regularly held annually from 
 this time to the year 1677 inclusive. 
 
180 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT, 
 
 [iNTROD. 
 
 In 1675, important advices and instructions were agreed 
 upon, and sent forth to the several Meetings : they are 
 contained in an epistle, and are thus introduced : — " At a 
 solemn General Meeting of many faithful Friends and 
 brethren concerned in the public labour of the Gospel and 
 service of the Church of Christ, from the most parts of 
 the nation." This document is signed by eighty-one Friends, 
 most of whom are well known as conspicuous in the early 
 history of the Society ; and the spirit of fervent piety and 
 charity which it breathes is well worthy of their character. 
 In 1677, it was agreed again to convene the Meeting of 
 representatives in the ensuing year, and then to advise 
 respecting its continuance. Accordingly in 1678 the re- 
 presentative Yearly Meeting assembled in London, and, 
 after agreeing upon several matters, the substance of which 
 was conveyed to the various Meetings of Friends in the 
 form of an epistle, with much Christian counsel, concluded 
 to meet again the next year after the same manner ; and 
 these Meetings have continued to assemble once a year 
 in London, with unbroken regularity, to the present 
 time. 
 
 When the General Meeting of Ministers transferred much 
 of its duties to the representative Yearly Meeting, of which 
 they formed a part, there were some portions of the service 
 of these Meetings which more particularly belonged to the 
 Ministers. Although the power to approve and disapprove of 
 Ministers rested with the members of the church to which 
 they respectively belonged, in the capacity of a Monthly 
 Meeting, yet it was deemed fitting that the Ministers should 
 have an especial oversight of each other, and that they should 
 meet together for mutual consultation and advice in regard 
 to those of their own station. 
 
 George Fox, in 1674, writes thus : — "Let your general 
 assemblies of the Ministers [in London, or elsewhere] 
 examine, as it was at the first, whether all the Ministers that 
 
INTROD.] ORIGIN OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE. 
 
 181 
 
 go forth into the counties do walk as becomes the Gospel ; 
 for that, you know, was one end of that Meeting, to prevent 
 and take away scandal, and to examine whether all who 
 preach Christ Jesus do keep in his government and in 
 the order of the Gospel, and to exhort them that do not." 
 About the year 1727, Friends in the station of Elder 
 were united to these Meetings, which under the name of 
 " Meetings of Ministers and Elders " continued to be regularly 
 held till 1876, when their duties were committed to the 
 " Meetings on Ministry and Oversight," constituted by the 
 Yearly Meeting in that year. 
 
 It was one of the earliest features of our religious economy 
 to elevate the character of the female sex, by recognising 
 them as helpers in spiritual, as well as in temporal things ; 
 holding, in the former as well as in the latter, a distinct 
 place, and having duties which more peculiarly devolved 
 on women. For this purpose Meetings were established 
 among them, with a special regard to the care and edifi- 
 cation of their own sex. The views of George Fox, in 
 regard to the establishment of these Meetings, are conveyed 
 in the following passages : — " Faithful women, called to a 
 belief of the Truth, and made partakers of the same precious 
 faith and heirs of the same everlasting Gospel of life and 
 salvation as the men are, might in like manner come into the 
 profession and practice of the Gospel order, and therein be 
 meet-helps to the men in the service of Truth, and the affairs 
 in the Church, as they are outwardly in civil and temporal 
 things ; that so all the family of God, women as well as men, 
 might know, possess, and perform their offices and services in 
 the house of God ; whereby the poor might be better taken 
 care of; the younger sort instructed, informed, and taught 
 in the way of God ; the disorderly reproved and admonished 
 in the fear of the Lord ; the clearness of persons proposing 
 marriage more closely and strictly inquired into, in the wisdom 
 of God ; and all the members of the spiritual body, the 
 
182 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [iNTROD. 
 
 Church, miojht watch over and be helpful to each other in 
 love." 
 
 Thus was a system of order and government, in conformity 
 with the spirit of Christianity, established amongst us in early 
 times ; and thus a field was opened for the exercise of the 
 various gifts by which the Church, the body of Christ, is 
 edified. 1833. 1861. 1883. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 YEARLY MEETING. 
 
 1. For better orderiu";, niana<Tin<][, and reo;nlatin(i the 
 public atfairs of" Friends, relating to Truth and the EstabHsli- 
 service thereof, it is agreed that a General Meeting- ment. 
 be held in London once a year. Ifi72. 
 
 2. The good and blessed intent and end of this and all our 
 assemblies is, with the Lord's assistance, for his 
 
 . . Objects. 
 
 honour ; in the proniotmg and maintaining of our 
 
 Christian society and religion, in life and practice, in all the 
 
 parts and branches thereof. 1(195. P. E. 
 
 3. The intent and design of our annual assemblies, in their 
 first constitution, were for a great and weighty oversight and 
 Christian care of the aflfairs of the churches pertaining to 
 our holy profession and Christian communion ; that good 
 order, true love, unity, and concord may be faithfully 
 followed and maintained amongst us. 1718. P. E. 
 
 4. It is the fervent desire of this Meeting, that the business 
 and concerns thereof be solidly, in the fear of o • ■ 
 
 - ' Spirit 111 
 
 God, managed and carried on, Avitliout contention whkh tlie 
 
 . . 1-1 p 1 • business 
 
 or striving, and with as lew words, and m as should be 
 pertinent expressions to the matter in hand, as conducted, 
 may be, for expediting the affairs thereof without loss of 
 
184 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. I. 
 
 time, or any ways disordering the Meeting ; but one at a 
 time speaking, and standing np, that all things may be done 
 decently, and in order. 1710. 
 
 5. It is concluded that this Meeting consist of all the 
 
 members of the Quarterly and General Meetings 
 
 Cnnstitution. . ^ -ci • • i c • o 
 
 m Great Britain, and or representatives from the 
 Yearly Meeting in Ireland. In order to provide for the due 
 attendance of this Meeting, each Quarterly and General 
 Meeting is to appoint not more than eight nor less than four 
 representatives, where they can conveniently be found ; but 
 the Quarterly Meetings of Lancashire and Cheshire, London 
 and Middlesex, and Yorkshire, in consideration of their 
 numbers, are each allowed to send twelve. 1728. 1782. 
 1833. 18G1. 
 
 6. Members of any Yearly Meeting with which we have 
 appointed correspondents are allowed to attend the Yearly 
 Meeting, but this liberty is not understood to accord any 
 right to take part in the deliberations of the Meeting. 
 1883. 
 
 7. Members of other Meetings in France, Norway, Den- 
 Attendance Syria, India, Australasia, and elsewhere,* 
 by members with which the Society corresponds, are admitted 
 
 of certain i ht • i • i • 
 
 foreign to our Yearly Meetmg on their producing a 
 Meetmgs. letter of introduction, signed by the Clerk of their 
 Meeting, addressed to the Clerk of our Yearly Meeting, or 
 otherwise satisfying the Clerk of their membership. 
 
 The Clerk shall mention to the Yearly Meeting the names 
 and residences of persons so introduced. 
 
 The liberty thus granted shall not accord a right to any 
 person thus introduced to take part in the deliberations of 
 the Meeting. 1881. 1883. 
 
 • As to Hobart, Melbourne, und Adelaide, see p. 21.S. 
 
CHAP. I.] 
 
 YEARLY MKETING. 
 
 185 
 
 8. The Yearly Meeting is to begin at ten o'clock on the 
 Fourth-day after the third First-day in the Fifth Tmien of 
 Month. Meetings for Worship are to be held at Meetings. 
 t(!n o'clock on Sixth-day morning in the same week and 
 on the Fourth-day in the week following.* 1798. 18()1. 
 1881. 
 
 9. It is agreed that the representatives shall meet at the 
 close of the first sitting of this Meeting in each 
 
 _ Appointment 
 
 year, and shall, when so met, nominate a Clerk of Clerk and 
 and two Assistants for the current year, from 
 amongst the members of this Meeting. The said nomination 
 is to be reported to the next sitting of this Meeting pre- 
 viously to any other business ; and the former Clerk is not 
 to consider himself discharged until another be chosen. The 
 representatives are also to consider of suitable Friends to 
 act as Clerk and Assistants of the Large Committee, and to 
 submit such nomination to the Large Committee, at its first 
 sitting, for its approval. 1807. 1833. 1861. 1883. 
 
 10. A committee of three Friends is to be nominated 
 by the Committee of Representatives at its first committee 
 sitting, and reported to the next sitting of this arrange- 
 
 _ _ _ ments and 
 
 Meeting ; to whom shall be committed, along with control of 
 the Clerk and Assistant Clerks of the Yearly ^ P'^mises. 
 Meeting, all questions as to the arrangement of the times 
 of holdinof the various sittings of this Meeting; and its 
 committees. The control of the Meeting-house premises at 
 Devonshire House during the Yearly Meeting, for purposes 
 not immediately belonging to the business of the Yearly 
 Meeting, shall be vested in this committee. Applications 
 for the use of the premises are to be made through the 
 Clerk of the Yearly Meeting. 1868. 1873. 
 
 * For the time of holding the Yearly Meeting on Ministry and Oversight, 
 see Chapter X., p. 2-tO. 
 
186 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. I. 
 
 11. Agreed that two or three Friends be appointed to revise 
 ^ .,, the Minntes of eacli day's transactions, and to 
 
 Committee ' 
 
 to revise correct any sli^lit inaccuracies that may be 
 
 Minutes. i ' i . p 
 
 observed ; and, if any alterations or corrections in 
 things of moment appear necessary, to propose the same to 
 the Meeting at its next sitting, previously to any other 
 business ; in order that the Minutes may be entered with 
 due accuracy, and in a manner clearlj' to he comprehended. 
 1762. 
 
 12. A committee is to be annually appointed to audit the 
 Committee ^■ccounts of the National Stock, and is to consist 
 to audit of one Friend from each Quarterly Meeting, such 
 
 accounts of , 
 
 the National Friend being a representative to the Yearly Meet- 
 Stock, j^^^ nominated by his Quarterly Meeting for 
 that special service. 
 
 The members of this committee are to draw together at 
 the conclusion of the first sitting of the Committee of Repre- 
 sentatives, in order that arrangements may be made for a 
 systematic audit by some of their number, previous to the 
 meeting of the Auditing Committee on Sixth-day, at 12.30 
 p.m., when they are to prepare their report to the Yearly 
 Meeting thereon. 1752. 1861. 1867. 1883. 
 
 13. It is concluded that the Yearly Meeting make 
 
 arrangements for the holding, during its course, 
 
 Annual Meet- . . , 
 
 iugs of Tract of the Annual Meetings of the Friends' Tract 
 Fuieigif'Mis- Association, the Friends' Foreign Mission Asso- 
 Rion Associa- cijjtjon, and the Friends' Temperance Union. 
 
 tion, and ^ 
 
 Tempertince Each of these Meetings, as well as that of 
 the First-day School Association, usually held at 
 Ackworth during the time of the General Meeting, is expected 
 to report to the Yearly Meeting that they have been held, and 
 is invited to forward, in addition, brief reports on the subjects 
 which have claimed their attention. The reception of this 
 
CHAP. I.] 
 
 YEARLY MEETING. 
 
 187 
 
 inforination is to be recorded on the Minutes of tlie Yeiirly 
 Meeting. 1873. 1881. 1883. 
 
 14. This Meeting desires that all propositions from any 
 
 Quarterly Meeting to this Meetinfj be delivered „ 
 
 • " ^ Propositions 
 
 in writino- and signed by order of such Meeting. to be in 
 1735. 
 
 15. All letters directed to this Meeting, except from such 
 Meetings as regularly correspond therewith, are to Letters to be 
 be first perused by two or three Friends to be '^^'^ ^1'™^ 
 apjiointed, who are to consider and report whether mittee. 
 the same be proper to be read in this Meeting or not. 
 1736. 
 
 16. It is agreed that if, when any subject comes under 
 the consideration of the Yearly Meeting having 
 reference to the welfare of the entire body, it th^^Woi"en°s 
 appear desirable to the Yearly Meeting to ascer- Meetiugmay 
 
 be invited. 
 
 tain the opinion of the Women's Yearly Meeting 
 thereon, that Meeting be invited to consider such subject 
 and send in its views to the Yearly Meeting before the final 
 decision is arrived at. 1881. 1883. 
 
CHAPTEE II. 
 QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 
 
 1. A Quarterly Meeting consists of all Friends who 
 
 are members of any Monthly Meeting within the 
 
 Constitution. 
 
 limits thereof, and each of these Monthly Meetings 
 is to appoint representatives thereto. The Quarterly Meeting 
 is subordinate to the Yearly Meeting, and is to appoint repre- 
 sentatives thereto.* 1883. 
 
 2. This Meeting has had under its consideration the impor- 
 Committees tant place which Quarterly Meetings hold in the 
 subordinate arrangement of our Meetings for Discipline. It 
 Meetings. lias often been found to be of great advantage for 
 those Meetings to appoint committees who should, in Christian 
 love, attend the Monthly Meetings as well as the Particular 
 Meetings within their limits, extending this service sometimes 
 to the families of Friends, under a concern for the growth of 
 their members in the truth, and for the faithful maintenance 
 of our relicrious testimonies. These visits are found to be a 
 means of strengthening the bond of Christian fellowship, and 
 especially so if occasionally repeated ; they bring the visitors 
 to a more thorough knowledge of the trials and cares of their 
 fellow members, and afford an opportunity to enter into 
 sympathy with them, and to administer counsel, encourage- 
 
 * The General Meeting for Scotland occupies the same position as a 
 Quarterly Meeting. 
 
CHAP. 11.] 
 
 QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 
 
 189 
 
 ment, or help. Such ;i service may sometimes be acceptably 
 rendered by Monthly Meetings, where they include several 
 Preparative Meetings and spread over an extensive district. 
 Well-concerned Friends are encouraged to manifest their love 
 for their brethren by accepting of the appointment, and we 
 believe that, as it is done in the fear of the Lord and in the 
 simplicity of faith, it will contribute to their own religious 
 benefit. 1852. 
 
 3. This Meeting recommends to the attention of our 
 Quarterly Meetings the circumstances of the very ^^^^ 
 small Meetings for Worship and the small Monthly subordinate 
 
 . , . ,. . , . Meetings. 
 
 Meetmgs withm their Imnts. We desire that the 
 condition of these Meetings may obtain the care of well- 
 concerned Friends, and that a brotherly and Christian inter- 
 course, so far as practicable, may be kept up between all the 
 members of a Quarterly Meeting. 1842. 
 
 4. The several Quarterly Meetings are to transmit annually 
 in the Sprint to the Meeting for SufJ'erings infer- _ 
 
 ■to o o Settlement 
 
 mation of any Meetings which have been settled, and discon- 
 
 . . , . , , tinuauce of 
 
 discontinued, or united in the course oi the year ; Meetings to 
 in order that such information may bo duly com- lepoited. 
 municated to the Yearly Meeting. And when any Quarterly 
 Meeting thinks it right, under special circumstances, to give 
 permission to a Monthly Meeting to be held less frequently 
 than once in the month, the same is to be reported to the 
 Yearly Meeting. 1833. 1861. 
 
 5. The several Quarterly Meetings are to transmit annually 
 in the Spring to the Meeting for Sufferings a 
 Tabular Statement of the number of their members returns to 
 and of the attenders of their Meetings, of Ministers, ^^'^^^ 
 
 ° ' annually. 
 
 Elders and Overseers in their Meetings, of mem- 
 bers residing abroad, of admissions to and removals from 
 the Quarterly Meeting, of marriages happening during the 
 
190 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. II. 
 
 preceding year, and of any other matters of interest required 
 by the Yearly Meeting to be reported. Forms for this return 
 are to be prepared and distributed by the Meeting for 
 Sufferings. 1861. 1862. 1883. 
 
 6. The several Quarterly Meetings are requested to send 
 up once in three years a report on the state of 
 
 Triennial ' ./ i 
 
 Reports on their Meetings ; these reports to be so arranged 
 the Quarterly that about six shall bo read in the Yearly Meeting 
 Meetings. year. For the purpose of these Reports the 
 
 Quarterly Meetings are to be divided into three sections 
 which are to include respectively : — 
 
 1. — South- Western. 
 Berks and Oxon. 
 Bristol and Somerset. 
 Devon and Cornwall. 
 Sussex, Surrey and Hants. 
 Warwick, Leicester and Stafford. 
 Western. 
 
 2. — Eastern. 
 
 Bedfordshii"e, 
 
 Derby, Lincoln and Notts. 
 Essex and Suffolk. 
 Kent. 
 
 London and Middlesex. 
 Norl'olk, Cambridge and Hunts. 
 
 o. — Northern. 
 
 Cumberland. 
 Durham. 
 
 Lancashire and Cheshire. 
 Westmoreland . 
 Yorkshire. 
 
 General Meetino- for Scotland. 1875. 1881. 
 
CHAI'. II.] 
 
 QUAUTEULY 
 
 MEKTINGS. 
 
 191 
 
 7. The several Quarterly Meetinirs are to send up reports 
 on the Home Mission work in which their mem- Tiienni.il 
 hers are en<;a2;ed at the same time as the Triennial „ ^^^'1'"!^"" 
 Reports on the state of their Meetings. The two work, 
 reports may, if it be thought desirable, be amalgamated. 
 
 Advantage mighfe also arise if the Quarterly and Monthly 
 Meetings were encouraged to appoint committees to sym- 
 pathise and advise with those of their members who are 
 en<rao[ed in mission work. 1881. 
 
 8. Whereas cases may arise in which it may be needful 
 for proceedings at law to be taken, each Quarterly 
 
 ^ om II UttG 6 
 
 Meeting is desired to appoint a committee, with on legal 
 
 . . . proceedings. 
 
 power to grant, in its discretion, permission to 
 proceed at law as the case may appear to require. Quarterly 
 Meetings are directed annually to read over the names of the 
 Friends on the committee on legal proceedings, and to trans- 
 mit them to their Monthly Meetings, and also to furnish the 
 Recording Clerk in London with a list of them.* 1828. 186U. 
 
 y. This meeting is of the judgment, that ministering 
 Friends who have a concern to travel in Ireland 
 or Scotland, or on the islands adjacent, with a ^'^^g ^°g^y^g]\j,\g 
 view of holdinfj- Meetings among those of other Ireland or 
 
 _ Scotland. 
 
 relioious Societies, should have the concurrence 
 and unity of their Quarterly Meetings, in addition to that 
 of their Monthly Meetings, when the same can be had with 
 convenience ; apprehending that such procedure will be of 
 considerable advanUige to Friends under an exercise of so 
 important a nature. Nevertheless, it is not meant that this 
 rule shall a[)ply to Friends travelling in the work of the 
 ministry, whose concern is chiefly to the members of our 
 own Society. 1812. 1<S()1. 
 
 * !5cc iilso Chap. XVII., p. 307. 
 
192 
 
 CIIUKCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. II. 
 
 lU. Any of the ])owers and duties belonging to or 
 ^ imposed on Quarterly Meetings, or to or on Men's 
 
 of joint or Women's Quarterly Meetings, may, it" the 
 Meetings. Men's Quarterly Meeting think fit, be exercised 
 or attended to by a joint Quarterly Meeting of men and 
 women Friends, but no powers or duties of the Women's 
 Quarterly Meeting shall be so exercised or attended to 
 without its previous consent. 1883. 
 
CHAPTER nr. 
 MONTHLY MEETINGS. 
 
 POWERS AND DUTIES. 
 
 1. A Monthly Meeting consists of all the persons who, 
 under the rules relatino; to the subject, are for the 
 
 ,. •11 1 11 IT n • Constitutiou. 
 
 time being entitled to be recorded on the list or its 
 members. Monthly Meetings are subordinate to the Quarterly 
 Meeting of which they form part, and are to appoint repre- 
 sentatives to attend that Meeting.* 1883. 
 
 2. It is the judgment of this Meeting, that when any 
 Monthly Meeting thinks it right to establish any Establishment 
 new Meeting for Worship, or any Prepirative ti^^c^^of 
 Meeting, or to discontinue, either wholly or in Meetings, 
 part, any such Meeting already settled, the same be reported 
 to the Quarterly Meeting I'or its approbation before it be 
 carried into effect. 1822. 
 
 3. Agreed, that no Monthly Meeting shall be allowed to 
 divide itself into two separate Monthly Meetings, Division of 
 without the consent or concurrence of the Quarterly Meet'lu'Tlf 
 Meeting. 171, 5. 
 
 ♦ The rules as to Montlily Meetings extend to other Meetings exercising 
 the powers of Monthly Meetings, although assembling less frequently than 
 once a month. 
 
194 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [cHAr. HI. 
 
 4. Wheresoever it appears that any Monthly Meetings, 
 
 through the sniallness of the number of Friends 
 
 Junction of . 
 
 Monthly attending them, are not sufficiently qualified for 
 Meetings. carrying on the discipline of the Church, we wish 
 that such small Meetings might be joined to some other 
 neighbouring Monthly Meetings, that by such union they 
 might be assisted and strengthened.* 1752. 
 
 5. As it is occasionally necessary to hold a special 
 Kegulations Monthly Meeting, the following regulations are 
 
 for summon 
 ing Special 
 Meetings. 
 
 adopted ; but it is evidently desirable that they 
 should be put in operation only under very excep- 
 tional circumstances : — 
 a. The Clerk of a Monthly Meeting, on receiving a 
 written requisition signed by at least five men 
 Friends members of the Meeting, three of whom 
 either were representatives to the preceding Monthly 
 Meeting or are holders of an official position in the 
 Monthly Meeting, and setting out clearly the reason 
 for calling a Special Meeting, shall be at liberty to 
 summon such Special Meeting at a time and place 
 to be fixed by himself. 
 h. Such Special Meeting shall be summoned, by notice 
 given at the close of a First-day Morning Meeting 
 in each of the Particular Meetings, comprised in the 
 Monthly Meeting, at which a Meeting is held, on 
 the First-day preceding such Special Meeting. 
 
 c. Such notice shall state the business to be transacted 
 at the Special Meeting, and the time and place 
 appointed for holding the same. 
 
 d. The representatives appointed to the preceding 
 Monthly Meeting shall be representatives to the 
 Special Meeting. 
 
 * As such changes alter the ilistricts in which Registering Officers of 
 Marriages can act, notice should be at once given to the Registrar-General 
 in London. 
 
CHAP. III.] 
 
 MONTHLY MEETINGS. 
 
 195 
 
 e. The Clerk shall satisfy himself that due notice of 
 such Special Meeting has been given in accordance 
 with these regulations, and shall produce at the 
 opening of the Special Meeting a certificate in 
 writing, signed by himself, that he has done so, 
 which sliall be read and entered on the Minutes of 
 the Special Meeting. Such certificate shall, for all 
 purposes, be prima facie evidence that the Meeting 
 has been regularly summoned. 
 
 /. The requisition asking for the Special Meeting 
 shall be read before the commencement of busi- 
 ness, and shall be entered on the minutes. 
 
 g. No business shall be transacted at any Special 
 Meeting except such as was sj^ecified in the notice 
 convening the Meeting, nor unless there be at least 
 five men Friends present. 1883. 
 
 6. We are concerned to recommend to Monthly Meetings 
 
 the appointment of suitable Friends to visit the 
 
 ' i Committees 
 
 families of their brethren in Christian love, and to \is,\t 
 
 , . . „ 1 • 1 1 1 • • families. 
 
 therem to inform, admonish and advise, as occasion 
 may be ; and we beseech you, brethren, let the tender advice 
 of such as shall undertake so brotherly an office meet with 
 a kind and open reception, that in the mutual giving and 
 receiving of wholesome counsel and advice you may co- 
 operate to the help and furtherance of each other's faith. 
 1752. P.E. 
 
 7. In addition to the duties resting upon parents and hwids 
 of families, and the more special services devolving 
 
 • T ■ 1 1 • • I'll Pastoral care. 
 
 upon individuals, it is greatly to be desired that 
 Friends, in their Monthly and other Meetings, should fully 
 recognise the responsibility of the Church itself as regards 
 oversight and pastoral care, religious teaching, and the 
 religious instruction of the young ; and from time to time 
 
196 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. Ill, 
 
 consider the state of their respective congregations in relation 
 to these matters, and endeavour, under the guidance of their 
 Lord, to make appointments and arrangements for these 
 purposes. When so met may they be encouraged, us a col- 
 lective body, to seek in united prayer those gifts which are 
 essential for these services. Under such a preparation, it is 
 believed that Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, whether of 
 men or women Friends, would be enabled to exercise more 
 efficient pastoral care through the more frequent appoint- 
 ment of committees for visiting their members in Christian 
 love. 
 
 Under the like preparation we believe that the way would 
 open for the holding of meetings for mutual religious instruc- 
 tion, in which those assembled, with a single eye, in depend- 
 ence upon Christ, might enjoy mutual edification and profit. 
 1874. 
 
 8. This Meeting, being of the judgment that it would be 
 
 an acceptable and useful service if Friends were 
 
 Attendance • n n T\/r • /. 
 
 of small occasionally to attend the smaller Meetings for 
 meetmgs. ^Yorship held on First-days and on other days of 
 the week in the districts in which they reside, recommends 
 the subject to the attention of Monthly Meetings. Such an 
 intercourse would enable Friends to enter more closely into 
 the peculiar circumstances of their brethren ; and would, we 
 believe, tend to strengthen the precious bond of Christian 
 fellowship. 1826. 
 
 9. This Meeting directs Monthly Meetings annually to 
 Committee to make appointments of suitable Friends to impart 
 advi.se on out- those of their members to whom it may be 
 
 ward atiairs J 
 
 and wills. applicable advice on the subject of keeping clear 
 and correct accounts, and on that of carefully inspecting 
 the state of their aftairs at least once in the year, as well as 
 to recommend them to make or revise their wills and 
 
CHAr. III.] 
 
 MONTHLY MEETINGS. 
 
 197 
 
 settle their outward concerns in time of health. In the 
 discharge of this service, op{)ortuniti('S are aft'orded for a 
 kind and brotherly intercourse, which, without intruding into 
 the private affairs of individuals, may be productive of real 
 benefit. 1793. 1833. 1845. 1883. 
 
 10. It is desired that Monthly Meetings would request 
 their Particular Meetings to revise the catalogues c^^^e of 
 of their libraries once in the year, and report their libraries, 
 having done so to the Monthly Meeting ; and then to consider 
 what additions may be suitably made, as well as the best 
 means of giving publicity to the collection, promoting the 
 circulation of the books, and affording ready access to all 
 who may wish to peruse them, whether members of our 
 religious Society or not. 1821. 1833. 
 
 11. Monthly Meetings are in the Winter to inform 
 their Quarterly Meetings in writing whether the Annual Re- 
 lollowmg duties and matters have been regularly tain dutiea. 
 attended to : — 
 
 1st. The revision of the list of the appointed members 
 of the Meeting on Ministry and Oversight at least 
 once in three years. 
 
 2nd. The advice to Friends on their outward affairs, and 
 the timely making and revision of their wills. 
 
 Srd. The rules respecting removals. 
 
 4rth. The revision of the list of members and attenders 
 of Meetings. 
 
 5t/i. The recording of births, marriages, and burials. 
 Oth. The care of libraries and of trust property ; including 
 
 the revision of the lists of trustees, and the right 
 
 appropriation of the income. 
 1th. The reading and consideration of the Queries and 
 
 Advices as directed. 1875. 1876. 
 
198 
 
 CHURCH GOVERKMENT. 
 
 [chap. III. 
 
 12. This Meeting desires that Monthly Meetings may 
 
 maintain a correspondence with such of their 
 encr^^with members as have removed out of the reach of the 
 Sircad oversight of their friends, and beyond the limits of 
 
 any recognised Meetings for Discipline, so as to 
 bring them under the Christian notice and sympathy of 
 these Meetings ; and that they have a special regard to 
 them when their lists of members are annually read and 
 revised. 1844. 
 
 13. Friends are advised to exercise a sound discretion 
 T in either lending, or refusing to lend, our 
 
 Lending c>j o ' 
 
 meeting- meeting-houscs, for the purpose of worship, to 
 persons of other religious denominations. 1861. 
 
 1883. 
 
 14. The following suggestions with regard to our Meet- 
 Suggestions as ings for transacting the affairs of the Church 
 Meetingi'^^for obtained the general acceptance of this Meeting, 
 Discipline, and it commends them to the consideration and 
 adoption of those Meetings generally : — 
 
 a. That, as far as practicable, matters of formal and 
 routine character, and those relating to accounts, 
 should be previously digested either by the Clerk or 
 committees, so as to occupy as little of the time of 
 the Meeting as possible. 
 
 h. That, especially where certificates of membership or 
 their acknowledgment are numerous, a simple state- 
 ment may be made of the names of the Friends to 
 whom they relate, and of the Meetings from which 
 they come or to which they are addressed ; care being 
 of course taken to ensure the regularity and correct- 
 ness of the documents. 
 c. That a greater variety of subjects of general Chris- 
 tian interest may rightly engage the attention of 
 these Meetings. 
 
CHAP, in.] MONTHLY MEETIX(;S. 199 
 
 d. That much advantage may arise; from more general 
 and freipient joint Conferences of men and women 
 Friends, both in Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, 
 in. relation to such subjects as may rightly engage 
 the united concern of all the members of the Church. 
 
 e. That the social character connected witli these 
 Meetings, which has of late years, in many places, 
 been largely interfered with by the increased facili- 
 ties for travelling, should be promoted. 1874. 
 
 15. It is concluded that two or more Friends be appointed 
 in each Monthly Meeting to take charge of the 
 
 Committee 
 
 travelling arrangements of Friends engaged in to arrange 
 
 T- • ,1 • Ai for Ministeris 
 
 religious service therein. Also that whenever travelling, 
 a minute is adopted liberating a Minister for 
 religious service, the Clerk of the liberating Meeting shall 
 at once forward a copy of such minute to the Clerk of 
 the Quarterly or Monthly Meeting where the Minister 
 proposes to commence his engagement, and that the Clerk 
 of the latter Meeting shall forward the information to the 
 Friends appointed as above ; these Friends should likewise, 
 before the conclusion of the visit in their district, transmit 
 a copy of the liberating minute to the Clerk of the Meeting 
 which embraces the next sphere of the Minister's labour. 
 1880. 
 
 IG. Any of the powers and duties belonging to or 
 imposed on Monthly Meetings, or to or on Men's „ - 
 
 ^ ./ o ; I'owers oi 
 
 or Women's Monthly Meetings, may, if the Men's joint Meet- 
 Monthly Meeting think fit, be exercised and ^ " 
 attended to by a joint Meeting of men and women ; but 
 no powei-s or authorities of the Women's Meeting shall be 
 so exercised or attended to without its previous consent. 
 1883. 
 
200 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. III. 
 
 MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 17. On the subject of the right of chiklren to membership 
 Birthright in the Society, this Meeting considers it proper 
 membership. define that such right is to be understood as 
 extending to any child born of parents in membership ; also 
 to any child either the father or mother of whom is at the 
 time of its birth a member, provided such father and mother 
 were both of them members at the time of marriage. 1820. 
 1861. 
 
 18. Although we recognise the children of our members 
 Nece.ssitv of objects of our care, and partakers of the out- 
 conversion. -^ard privileges of Christian fellowship, we would 
 earnestly remind all that such recognition cannot constitute 
 them members of the Lord's spiritual Israel. Nothing can 
 effect this but the power of the Holy Spirit working repent- 
 ance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ ; 
 therefore let the words of our Divine Master have their due 
 place with us all — " Ye must be born again." May all our 
 members become such on the ground of true convincement, 
 and be prepared in their several places to bring forth fruit 
 unto God. 18C1. 
 
 19. Monthly Meetings are left at liberty, in their discretion. 
 Admission to admit into membership, in their infancy, any 
 of minors. children whose parents are, or may have been, 
 members, or who may be otherwise connected with our 
 Society, in cases where a reasonable probability appears that 
 such children will be educated in accordance with our religious 
 principles. 1861. 
 
 20. In cases where both the parents, or the surviving parent, 
 Children of of children in membership, may, by resignation 
 resi^^ing disownment, have ceased to be in membership ; 
 or disowned gjj^j where it does not appear probable that such 
 
 may be . 
 
 disunited. children will be educated in accordance with our 
 
OHAi>. nr.] 
 
 MONTHLY MEETINGS. 
 
 201 
 
 religious principles, Montlilj McM^tiiigs arn left at liherty, 
 in their discretion, and after conununicating, wlien prac- 
 ticable, with their parents or guardians, to declare any 
 such c-hildren, not being above fourteen years of age, to be 
 no longer members of our Society. In every such case, 
 information of the conclusion of the Monthly' Meeting is to 
 be communicated in writing to the parents or guardians 
 of the child or children to whom the same shall relate. 1861. 
 
 21. Where there are persons in membership who make 
 little or no profession with us, and do not attend Members not 
 our Meetings for Worship, and no advantage Meethigsmay 
 appears likely to arise from their retaining a disunited, 
 membership in our Society, Monthly Meetings are at liberty 
 to remove the names of such persons from their lists of 
 members, if, after communicating verbally or in writing 
 with them, they are satisfied that there is no probability of 
 their resuming the attendance of our Meetings. Information 
 must be given to such persons that their names have been 
 so removed. 1883. 
 
 22. Monthly Meetings are to keep an alphabetical list of 
 their members, and annually to appoint a com- List of mem- 
 mittee for the purpose of examining such list by ^erstobekept. 
 comparing the entries with the Monthly Meeting's books.* 
 After being thus examined, it is recommended that the said 
 list be read over once a year, either by a committee of 
 the Monthly Meeting, or by that Meeting in its collective 
 capacity. 1812. 1833. 1861. 
 
 23. Lists of the names of attenders of our Meetings not 
 
 in membershi]! are recommended to be kept and t ^ . .. , 
 '- ^ List of attend- 
 
 read, for the purpose of maintaining a Christian ers of Meetings 
 interest on their behalf. 1851. *° ^'^ 
 
 * The same committee may also with advaiitacre examine the Marriage 
 Registers, and compare the Birth and Burial Notes with the cheek margins, 
 And make out the annual return for the disrest. 
 
202 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. III. 
 
 ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS. 
 
 24. Advised, that Monthly Meetings do not too hastily 
 Advice as to admit into membership any who may come to 
 pe^^ons'iuto Friends' Meetings as convinced persons, especially 
 membership. g^(.[j Jigcover an earnestness for a speedy 
 admission into communion with us, without a seasonable 
 time to consider their conduct. Let the innocency of their 
 lives and conversation first be manifested, and a deputation 
 of judicious Friends be made, to inquire into the sincerity of 
 their couvincement of the truth of our religious principles ; 
 and let this appear to the Monthly Meeting previously to 
 their admission. 1764. 1883. 
 
 25. Whilst all who are drawn to unite with iis in sin- 
 Qualifications cerity shoiUd be welcomed in a spirit of Christian 
 or admission, kjndness and cordiality, we greatly desire that a 
 loving care may be exercised that all such are not only 
 satisfied of the true ^rounds of our distinguishing Christian 
 principles, but are also giving evidence of conversion of 
 heart, and of love to our Lord and Saviour. 1883. 
 
 26. In the case of women who apply for admission or 
 _ reinstatement into membership, the Men's Monthlv 
 
 Froceedmgs ^ ' 
 
 on application Meeting should request the Women's Monthly 
 
 by a woman, t,, . . . . . . , 
 
 Meeting to make appomtments to visit or join the 
 men in visiting them. The report of the committee is to 
 be made to the Men's Monthly Meeting, which is to inform 
 the Women's Meeting of the conclusion. 1792. 1802. 1883. 
 
 27. This Meeting, under a concern for the religious over- 
 
 ^ , sight of children and voung persons who may be 
 Care or young o ./ ^ i j 
 
 persons not in in profession, though not in membership, with us, 
 membership. • i, i . , , . 
 
 and especially ot those who have received their 
 education in some of our public schools, recommends to 
 
 J 
 
CIIAl". III.] 
 
 MONTHLY MEKTINGS, 
 
 203 
 
 Monthly Meetin<^s that provision he made for bringing such 
 young persons under the notice of Friends. Ib51. 
 
 DELINQUENCIES. 
 
 28. («). We earnestly exhort you to watch diligently over 
 the flock, and deal in due time, and in a spirit pj-^ggg^ugg 
 of Christian love and tenderness, with all such as in cases of 
 
 deiinquency. 
 
 walk disorderly amongst you, in order to reclaim 
 and restore them by brotherly counsel and admonition ; and, 
 when any one of your members commits an offence, and after 
 due private labour it has been communicated to the Monthly 
 Meeting, that Meeting shall appoint some well qualified 
 Friends to visit the offending member, and to inquire care- 
 fully into the matter, and labour for the restoration of the 
 brother or sister who may have been overtaken in a fault. 
 The Friends so appointed are to report as early as convenient 
 to the Monthly Meeting. When, after patient waiting, you 
 find that your Christian labour of love hath not its desired 
 effect, the Monthly Meeting should, after due consideration, 
 issue a testimony of disownment against such person. 
 
 (b). In cases of delinquency of women Friends, when, 
 after due exercise of private labour, the Women's special pro- 
 Monthly Meeting believes it necessary that any ^r'^^men 
 of its members be dealt with as delinquents, it Friends 
 is to inform the Men's Meeting thereof. That Meeting may, 
 if it think fit, request the Women's Meeting to proceed to 
 deal with the delinquent, and report the result of their labours 
 to the Men's Meeting ; but, if the Men's Meeting should see 
 it expedient to join them in the dealing, the report of the 
 joint committee is to be made to the Men's Meeting, which, 
 in either case, is to inform the Women's Meeting of its deter- 
 mination. No proceedings of the women only are to be a 
 sufficient ground for a testimony of disownment ; unless, 
 after mature deliberation, and from any peculiar circum- 
 
204 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. III. 
 
 stances attaching to the case, the Men's Meeting, being 
 satistied that the discipHne has been fully exercised by the 
 labour of the women Friends, shall be convinced that it is 
 not its place to make any appointment. 
 
 (f). In the case of delinquency by a Friend who is not a 
 When delin- member of the Meeting in which he resides, care 
 resklin''* "in* should be takeu, after due inquiry and private 
 the Meeting labour, that the Meeting to which he belongs be 
 
 01 which he f " 
 
 is a memher. informed of the case. The Meeting of which he 
 is a member is then to proceed to visit and deal with him, 
 unless by reason of distance it be not convenient ; in which 
 case, it is to apply to the Monthly Meeting in which the 
 offender resides, to visit him on its behalf, and report to 
 the Meeting of which he is a member ; which Meeting is to 
 receive his acknowledgment, or disown him, as in its 
 judgment the case shall require, reporting either conclusion 
 to t'.e other Meeting. If a testimony of disownment be 
 issued, a copy thereof is to be sent to the Meeting in the 
 compass of which the offender resides, which is to acquaint 
 him therewith, and report the delivery thereof to the dis- 
 owning Meeting. 
 
 (d) . If the offender remove after dealing be commenced, the 
 WTiere of- Meeting that had him under its care shall continue 
 pendlng^pro- same if he be equally within its reach, or 
 ceedings. otherwise shall be at liberty to write to the Meeting 
 into the compass of which he is removed ; which Meeting is 
 to proceed therein, and report to the Meeting of which he is 
 a member, which shall receive his acknowledgment or pro- 
 ceed to disown him as aforesaid. 
 
 In case an offender shall remove beyond the limits of any 
 Monthly Meeting, it is agreed that he may be placed under 
 the care of the nearest Monthly Meeting. 
 
 (e) . If an offender cannot be found, the Meeting to which 
 ^^^lel■e of- he belongs shall, if the nature of the case require 
 
 fender cannot . ' . ... 
 
 he found, it, issue a testimony against him. 
 
CHAP, in.] 
 
 MOKTHLY MEETINGS. 
 
 205 
 
 ( /'). Int'orination of any disownment is to be sent to the 
 
 Women's Monthly Meetintj, and also to the Pre- 
 
 . . Notice 
 
 parative Meeting (if there be one) to which the 
 
 disowned person belonged ; and in all cases a copy is to be 
 
 delivered to the person disowned, if access can be had to him. 
 
 (</). When a person, having been disowned, is desirous of 
 
 re-admission into the Society, and is not resident 
 
 Re-admission. 
 
 within the compass of the Monthly Meeting which 
 disowned him, it is advised that any committee appointed 
 in the case do communicate with the Meeting which disowned 
 him. 1782. 1792. 1801. 1802. 1822. 1861. 
 
 29. If there be any such gross errors, false doctrines, or 
 mistakes held by any pi-ofessing Truth, as are c,^sgr,fpj.igjj(ig 
 either against the validity of Christ's sutFerings, holding false 
 
 , . doctrine. 
 
 blood, resurrection, ascension, or glory in the 
 heavens, according as they are set forth in the Scriptures ; 
 or any ways tending to the denial of the heavenly Man 
 Christ ; such persons ought to be diligently instructed and 
 admonished by faithful Friends, and not to be exposed by any 
 to public reproach ; and where the error proceeds from igno- 
 rance and darkness of their understanding, they ought the more 
 meekly and gently to be informed ; but if any shall wilfully 
 persist in error in point of faith, after being duly informed, 
 then such to be further dealt with according to Gospel order ; 
 that the Truth, Church, or body of Christ, may not suffer by 
 any particular pretended member that is so corrupt. 1(394. 
 
 30. We recommend to Friends in their respective Quarterly 
 and Monthly Meetings to have a watchful eye over Cases of failure 
 all their members ; and where they observe any business, 
 deficient in discharging their contracts and just debts in due 
 time, so as to give reasonable suspicion of weakness or negli- 
 gence, that Friends do earnestly advise them to a suitable 
 care and necessary insi)ection into their circumstances, in 
 order that they may be helped ; and if any proceed contrary 
 
206 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT, 
 
 [chap. hi. 
 
 to such advice, and by their faihire bring open scandal and 
 reproach on the Society, that then Friends justifiably may 
 and ought to testify against such offenders. Nevertheless, it 
 is not intended to prevent Monthly Meetings from exercising 
 the discipline in cases in which no advice may have been given 
 prior to insolvency. Those Friends who may be appointed 
 by Monthly Meetings to visit those who have failed should 
 inquire whether they have kept clear and accurate accounts, 
 and carefully avoided giving one creditor any undue prefer- 
 ence over others, and report to the Meeting. 1732. P. E. 
 1782. 1816. 
 
 31. It is the judgment of this Meeting that Monthly or 
 
 other Meetintjs ouo-ht not to receive collections 
 
 Caution ° 
 
 against receiv- or bequests for the use of the poor, or other 
 
 ing collections . i- ,i o • , p i i 
 
 or bequests services 01 tiie oociety, trom persons who have 
 from persons f^Hen short in the payment of their iust debts, 
 
 who nave not ^ '' ' 
 
 paid their though legally discharged by their creditors ; for 
 until such persons have paid the deficiency, what 
 they possess cannot in equity be considered as their own. 
 And Monthly Meetings are desired to exercise due caution 
 against too early admitting such individuals to take an active 
 part in the discipline. 1782. 1833. 
 
 MINISTERS. 
 
 32. We earnestly desire the increase of true Gospel labourers 
 . , . amono-st us, for the edification of our own bodv, 
 
 Advice as ^ •' ' 
 
 to recording and the spreading of the Truth as it is in Jesus. 
 
 At the same time let us remember the apostolic 
 advice, " Lay hands suddenly on no man ;" for we have cause 
 to believe that injudicious encouragement hath tended to 
 produce an unsound ministry in some places. It is therefore 
 recommended that the Ministers and Elders in the several 
 Monthly Meetings would tenderly advise those who come forth 
 in public testimony to wait patiently, under a deep consideration 
 
CHAP. III.] 
 
 MONTHLY MEETINGS. 
 
 207 
 
 of their state of infancy and childhood ; and when their fruits 
 afford sufficient evidence of their qualifications for so important 
 a service, that the cases of such Friends be reported to their 
 Monthly Meetings ; which, upon solid and deliberate con- 
 sideration, may, as in the wisdom of Truth shall seem meet, 
 record them as Ministers. 1773. 1833. 18G1. 
 
 33. This Meeting recommends to Monthly Meetings on 
 Ministry and Oversight,* that when they deem it Q„.„.teiiy 
 proper to submit to their Monthly Meetings the pro- Meeting on 
 
 r. T , 1 • -r, ■ ^ \t- ■ Ministry and 
 
 priety or acknowledging a b riend as a Mmister, Oversight to 
 they should previously to doing so apply to, and ^on^ulted. 
 have the advice of, the Quarterly Meeting on Ministry and 
 Oversight of which they form a part; but no record of these 
 cases is to be made in any such Meeting. 1830. 1876. 
 
 34. This Meeting recommends, when a proposition for 
 acknowledging a Friend as Minister is made to a Proceedings 
 Monthly Meeting, as pointed out by the pre- ledgment of 
 ceding; rules, that the same be broutjht forward * Minister, 
 in the Men's Monthly Meeting, previously to its entering 
 upon any other business. The Men's Meeting, on receiving 
 it, is either then, or at a .suitable time, to proceed, in con- 
 junction with the members of the Women's Monthly Meeting, 
 to the consideration and conclusion of the case. If the case 
 originate in the Meeting itself, the Men's Meeting is to 
 determine whether the time be come for it to be laid before 
 a general conference of men and women Friends. 181U. 
 1822. 1861. 
 
 35. Friends of judgment and experience are advised to 
 watch with fatherly care over such especially as 
 
 1 J Care over 
 
 may be young in the ministry ; that whilst, on the young 
 
 one hand, nothing tending to the glory of God and 
 
 the edification of his Churcli and people may be discouraged, 
 
 * See Chap. X., p. 23'.). 
 
208 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [char. III. 
 
 SO, on the other hand, where counsel may appear to be called 
 for, it may be wisely and faithfully administered. 1720. P. E. 
 1861. 
 
 3(j. If an}' person aj)pearing as a Minister shall give cause 
 Mode of deal- of uneasiness or dissatisfaction to Friends, in 
 "if ^7*'^ doctrine, behaviour or conversation, the person 
 
 oSending ■ ' i 
 
 Ministers. go offending is to be dealt with privately in a 
 
 Gospel sj^irit and manner. If this shall not take effect, then 
 
 let complaint be made of such person to the Monthly Meeting 
 
 to which he or she may belong, in order that proceedings 
 
 thereon may be had accordingly, and the affair settled with 
 
 all })ossible expedition. 1723. 
 
 37. If any individuals feel disunity with the communications 
 Where dis- of a Minister, let them not make any public 
 vrith^ 'a demonstrations of their disapprobation, but rather 
 Minister. impart their uneasiness privately, either to tlie 
 party concerned, or to an Elder or Overseer, according to 
 Gospel order ; and if private counsel be unavailing, let the 
 matter be made known to the Meeting to which the Minister 
 belongs. 1699. 1723. 1861. 
 
 38. It is recommended to Monthly Meetings to be careful 
 Friends tra- that all Friends travelling from or among them in 
 nSStrj" to*" tl^e work of the ministry do go in the unity of 
 have minutes, the Meeting to which they belong, and with 
 written testimonials thei-efrom. And we advise all Monthly 
 Meetings to take due care in giving such testimonials, to 
 prevent the uneasiness which sometimes falls on the Church 
 from a weak and unskilful ministry. 1720. P. E. 1731. 1861. 
 
 39. It is the judgment of this Meeting, when either men 
 
 or women Friends have a concern to travel in the 
 
 Proceedings 
 
 on applieation work of the ministry, and have occasion to apply to 
 
 for a minute. , . -bt i i -»/r • i- • -if 
 
 their Monthly Meeting tor a written testimonial <;! 
 
CHAP. III.] 
 
 MONTHLY MEETINGS. 
 
 209 
 
 its concurrenc*, that tliey communicate their views to men and 
 women Friends collectively assembled, on notice being given, 
 at the close of the preceding Meeting for Worship, for the 
 women to remain until the Men's Meeting is regularly con- 
 stituted ; when, on the concern of the individual being com- 
 municated, it is to be made the subject cf joint deliberation 
 and conclusion ; after which, if the concern be united with, 
 a written testimonial of concurrence is to be prepared, and 
 signed by the Clerk of the Monthly Meeting. Nevertheless 
 Friends are at liberty to postpone the decision, or to refer 
 the subject to a committee for consideration, whenever they 
 may apprehend such delay or reference desirable. Any 
 committee so appointed is to make report at another Joint 
 Conference, previously to the ordering or granting of a 
 certificate. 1811. 1816. 1822. 1861. 
 
 40. It is the sense and judgment of this Meeting, that 
 Ministers who believe it to be their religious duty ^ ^.^ ^ . 
 
 ^ •' Certificates of 
 
 to travel in the service of the Gospel in foreign Ministers tra- 
 
 . . vellingaLroad. 
 
 parts do submit the same, not only to their 
 Monthly, but also to their Quarterly Meeting ; and also 
 (unless the service be confined to those professing with Friends 
 in the South of France or at Minden and Pyrmont) to the 
 Yearly Meeting on Ministry and Oversight, or to the 
 Morning Meeting ; in order to be favoured with the con- 
 current testimonies of the said Meetings, to strengthen them 
 in so great and weighty engagements. 
 
 When either of these Meetings shall have confirmed the 
 Hberation of a Minister, to travel in foreign parts in the 
 service of the Gospel, the same shall be reported to this 
 Meeting. 1763. 1861. 1876. 
 
 41. This Meeting recommends, when Monthly Meetings 
 liberate Friends to travel in the work of the Travelling 
 ministry, and the places at which their labours are Ministers and 
 likely to commence are at a considerable distance Committees. 
 
 14 
 
210 
 
 CHURCH GOVERXMEXT. 
 
 [chap. III. 
 
 from their respective residences (as may particularly occur in 
 the case of visits to Ireland and Scotland), that such Meetings 
 provide for the discharge of the necessary travelling expenses 
 of such Friends, and of a guide where needful, until they 
 enter upon their service, in like manner as if the distance 
 were less ; and that similar expenses of any Friends so travel- 
 ling and returning home from a place considerably remote be 
 defrayed by any ]\Ionthly Meeting in Great Britain in the 
 compass of which their service may terminate. 
 
 The expenses of a Minister passing from one sphere of 
 labour to another should be paid from the point of starting to 
 that of arrival ; and when this involves necessary travelling 
 through the Metropolis, or from one railway to another and 
 the payment of a second railway fare, if no guide accompany 
 the Minister, all expenses likely to be incurred should be 
 carefully ascertained and defrayed. 
 
 The payment of the expenses of committees appointed 
 by the Yearly Meeting and by Quarterly and Monthly Meet- 
 ings, or of Friends otherwise travelling by appointment in 
 the service of the Church, has obtained our careful con- 
 sideration. This Meeting feels that it cannot issue any 
 recommendations that would be applicable to all cases, and 
 that each appointment must be treated on its own merits ; 
 but it considers it to be the duty of both Quarterly and 
 Monthly Meetings to make such arrangements as may eflFec- 
 tually preclude the Church from being deprived of the services 
 of any of its members, whether Ministers or otherwise, by 
 pecuniary considerations. 
 
 If, in any of the cases which may come within the preceding 
 recommendation, neither the Monthly Meeting, nor the 
 Quarterly Meeting of which it forms a part, should be in a 
 situation suitably to bear the expenses so incurred, it is agreed 
 that the latter Meeting shall be at liberty to apply to the 
 Meeting for Sufferings ; which Meeting may, in its dis- 
 cretion, reimburse the whole or any part thereof out of the 
 National Stock. 1827. 1877. 
 
CHAP. III.] 
 
 MONTHLY MP:ETINGS. 
 
 211 
 
 ELDERS. 
 
 42. Monthly Meetings are desired to appoint some serious, 
 discreet and judicious Friends, who are not Minis- Elilers to be 
 ters, tenderly to encourage and help young '^i 'pointed. 
 Ministers, and advise others, as they, in the wisdom of God, 
 see occasion. 1727. 
 
 43. In the appointment of Elders, age or wealth is not to 
 be an inducement in the choice ; but let such be Character 
 appointed as fear God, love his truth in sincerity, Elders, 
 are sound in Christian doctrine, and of clean hands. '^1761. 
 1833. 
 
 44. When a Friend appointed to the station of Elder in any 
 Monthly Meeting removes into another, it is the when an 
 judgment of this Meeting that such station is not fatra^ther 
 lost provided such removal be within the same Meeting. 
 Quarterly Meeting : but in case the removal of an Elder be 
 out of the limits of the Quarterly Meeting to which he or 
 she belongs, such Elder shall not be continued in that 
 station, unless a reappointment be made, pursuant to the rules 
 for the choice of Elders.f 1801. 
 
 OVERSEERS.* 
 
 45. We desire, pursuant to former advices, that Meetings 
 would appoint suitable Friends as Overseers of Overseers to 
 the flock, who are entreated to enter into and m^^^^- 
 discharge this labour with a ready mind. And, dear friends, 
 we earnestly recommend that, in all your Meetings, in the 
 choice of Elders or Overseers of the flock, you be especially 
 careful to choose such as are themselves of upright and 
 unblamable conversation ; that the advice which they shall 
 administer to other Friends may be the better received, and 
 
 * See further under Chapters IX. and X., pp. 233, 239. 
 t See next page. 
 
212 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. III. 
 
 carry with it the greater weight and force on the minds of 
 tliose whom they shall be concerned to admonish. 1752. 
 
 46. It is the judgment of this Meeting that, as far as circum- 
 Two men and stances will admit, at least two men and two women 
 
 two women in -n • i i • i /-\ • i t> 
 
 each Meeting, r riends be appointed as Overseers m each par- 
 ticular Meeting. 183,3. 1861. 
 
 MEETINGS ON MINISTRY AND OVERSIGHT.* 
 
 47. It being important that Meetings on Ministry and 
 Who to be Oversight should consist, as far as practicable, of 
 appomted. individuals of varied ages, gifts and qualifications, 
 Monthly Meetings should be careful, in making appointments 
 thereto, not to limit the selection to Friends in later life ; 
 those being appointed, whatever their age, who give evidence 
 of love to Christ and of attachment to the principles we 
 profess. 1876. 
 
 48. In the selection of Friends to fill the office of Elder or 
 
 Overseer, and in the appointment of other Friends 
 
 How appoint- tit i i ht • -»/r- • 
 
 mcuts to be as members of a Monthly Meetmg on Mmistry 
 and Oversight, it is recommended that the nomi- 
 nation be in each case submitted, for confirmation or otherwise, 
 to a joint Monthly Meeting of men and women Friends, by 
 a committee previously appointed for the purpose by the 
 Monthly Meeting. Small Monthly Meetings, especially, are 
 recommended to apply for the assistance of a committee 
 of the Quarterly Meeting, to unite with their own committee 
 in the selection or revision of the names to be submitted 
 to the Monthly Meeting. Monthly Meetings are to make 
 similar arrangements for the careful revision of the appoint- 
 ments referred to in this paragraph, at least once in three 
 years. 1876. 
 
 * See fiu'ther under Chapter X., p. 239. 
 
CHAP. 111.] 
 
 MONTHLY MEETINGS. 
 
 213 
 
 TESTIMONIES. 
 
 49. Monthly Meetings are advised to exercise due care 
 and deliberation before they conclude on issuing ^^j^,;,,^ .^^ 
 testimonies or minutes concerning the religious testimonies 
 
 concerning 
 
 lives and services of deceased Friends, whether deceased 
 Ministers or others, whose lives have been marked Fneuda. 
 by devotedness to the cause of their Lord, and to the service 
 of the Church. In drawing up such documents, Monthly 
 Meetings are desired to pay due regard to conciseness, and 
 especially to bear in mind that the object is not eulogy, but 
 to preserve a record of the power of Divine grace in the lives 
 of the Lord's faithful servants. Testimonies, when agreed 
 upon by the Monthly Meeting and signed by its clerk, are to 
 be forwarded to its Quarterly Meeting, which Meeting is 
 recommended, in each case, to revise the testimony so pre- 
 sented (by the appointment of a committee or otherwise) ; 
 and it is left to the discretion of the Quarterly Meeting either 
 to send forward the same, or a new testimony prepared by 
 itself, to this Meeting ; or, if thought expedient, to withhold 
 altogether any such testimony.* 1861. 
 
 AUSTRALIAN MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 
 
 50. The Meetings for Discipline established at Hobart 
 in Tasmania, at Melbourne in Victoria, and at , , ,. 
 
 ' Australian 
 
 Adelaide in South Australia respectively, are Meetings for 
 
 . . Discipline. 
 
 recognised as regularly constituted Meetings, 
 having the standing of Monthly Meetings subordinate to 
 the Yearly Meeting of London. They are encouraged to 
 correspond with the Meeting for Sufferings, and one or two 
 Friends in each of these Meetings are to be appointed as 
 correspondents. 1861. 1883. 
 
 (_For other duties of Monthly Mceting.i we I/idr.r.') 
 
 * It is advised that all testimonies, intended for the next ensuing Yearly 
 Meeting, be transmitted not later than to the Winter Quarterly Meeting. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PREPARATIVE MEETINGS. 
 
 1. It is the judgment of this Meeting, that the holding of 
 Objects aud Preparative Meetings, under suitable regulations, 
 Duties. j^^^ advantage where Monthly Meet- 
 ings consist of two or more Particular Meetings ; and that 
 the proper business of such Meetings is — 
 
 To inquire after births, burials, and removals, in order to 
 carry accounts thereof to the Monthly Meeting : 
 
 To read and consider the queries, as settled by the Yearly 
 Meeting, and in the Spring to prepare an answer in 
 writing to the Monthly Meeting to the first part of the 
 second query : 
 
 To appoint representatives to the Monthly Meeting: 
 
 To attend to financial or secular matters specially affecting 
 the Particular Meeting. 1794. 1833. 1875. 1883. 
 
 2. Advantage may be derived from occasionally reading in 
 Preparative Meetings portions of the counsel issued by this 
 Meeting, and contained in this volume. 1833. 
 
 3. It is suggested that Preparative Meetings may, with 
 advantage, refer business of a financial and secular character 
 to an adjournment of such Meetings, or to a committee of 
 men Friends appointed for the service. 1861. 
 
CHAP. IV.] 
 
 PREPARATIVE MEETINGS. 
 
 215 
 
 4. This Meeting; is of the iiidofmont, that advantage would 
 accrue to our small Preparative Meetings by their gj^^^jj jyj^g^. 
 being encouraged, in the discretion of Monthly ings to be 
 
 nT • • 1 -r> • n/r • lield jointly. 
 
 Meetings, to act as a united rreparative Meeting 
 of men and women Friends. The answers therefrom to be 
 sent to both the Men's and Women's Monthly Meetings, 
 and representatives appointed to each when practicable. 
 1799. 1833. 1861. 
 
 5. When a Preparative Meeting is omitted to be held, 
 information of the same should be sent from the Omission to 
 Monthly to the Quarterly Meeting ; but it is not tL'CterS 
 necessary for such information to be transmitted Meeting, 
 to this Meeting. 1828. 
 
CHAPTEK V. 
 WOMEN'S MEETINGS. 
 
 1. It is our Christian advice that you do encourage faithful 
 Establish- Women's Meetings, and the settling of them where 
 meut. ^YiQy are wanting, and may with convenience be 
 settled ; knowing their service, and what need there is also 
 of their godly care in the Church of Christ, in divers weighty 
 respects proper to them. 1691. P. E. 
 
 2. The several Quarterly Meetings of women Friends are 
 Constitutiou liberty to appoint two or more of their members 
 and Duties to meet in London, at the time of holding this 
 
 of Women's -.^r . , , , , in 
 
 Yearly Meetmg ; nevertheless, so that the number irom 
 Meeting. Women's Meeting do not exceed that of the 
 
 representatives allowed to be appointed by the Men's Meeting 
 for the same district. The Meeting so appointed shall be 
 denominated the Yearly Meeting of Women Friends held in 
 London. 
 
 This Meeting agrees that the said Meeting be at liberty to 
 correspond in writing with the Quarterly Meetings of women 
 Friends, to receive accounts from them, and to issue such 
 advice as, in the wisdom of truth, may from time to time 
 appear necessary and conducive to their mutual edification ; 
 but it is not at liberty to make or alter any Rules of Discipline 
 or Queries. 1784. 1790. 
 
CHAP, v.] 
 
 women's meetings. 
 
 217 
 
 3. On considerin;;- the nature and extent of the discipline 
 committed to women Friends, it is our judgment Duties de- 
 that its nature is to come up to the help of their ^"women's 
 brethren in the discipline of the Church. Meetings. 
 
 As to its extent : — 
 
 (a) . They are to inspect and, in their discretion, to relieve 
 
 the wants of the poor of their own sex ; and to apply 
 to the Men's Meeting for its concurrence, and for 
 the means, as each case shall require. 
 
 (b) . They are to join in certificates of removal for women 
 
 Friends, and to make appointments to visit women 
 Friends removed into the compass of the Monthly 
 Meeting, conformably to the rules on that subject. 
 
 (c) . They are, at the desire of the Men's Monthly Meeting, 
 
 to make appointments to visit or join the men in 
 visiting such women as apply for admission or 
 reinstatement into membership. 
 
 (cZ). They are to assist the Men's Monthly Meeting in 
 dealing with cases of delinquency of women Friends, 
 conformably to the rules on that subject. 
 
 (e). The several Women's Quarterly and Monthly Meetings 
 should annually, in the Spring, send to their Yearly 
 Meeting or Quarterly Meeting respectively answers 
 to the first parts of the 2nd and 10th Queries, 
 conformably to the rules on that subject. 1792. 
 1801. 1802. 1822. 1861. 1875. 1883. 
 
 4. Women's Meetings for Discipline are encouraged occa- 
 sionally to enter upon the consideration of what ,,,, 
 
 J Other matter.s 
 
 may be due from them to the members and to be attended 
 attenders of Meetings for Worship of their own 
 sex ; so that, if way should open, an appointment may be 
 made to visit all, or any of these, under feelings of Christian 
 sympathy ; and that, when it can suitably be done, some of 
 our younger Friends may be united in the service. The 
 
218 
 
 CHURCH GOVEUNMENT. 
 
 [chap. V. 
 
 making of such appointments should, however, be reported to 
 the Men's Meeting. 
 
 Women Friends are encouraged occasionally to read, in 
 their Meetings for Discipline, passages from this volume, and 
 from the printed " Extracts from the Proceedings of the 
 Yearly Meeting." 
 
 We feel an earnest desire that our Women's Meetings 
 may be maintained with life and efficiency, as we believe that 
 they have exercised a very important influence on the female 
 character within our own body, and, indirectly, beyond our 
 borders. 1865. 
 
CHAPTEE VL 
 
 GENERAL COUNSEL IN RELATION TO 
 MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 
 
 1. It is our judgment and testimony that the rise and 
 practice, setting up and establishment of Men's Rightly es- 
 and Women's Meetings in the Church of Christ in ^^^i^ii^^d. 
 this our generation is according to the mind and counsel of 
 God, and done in the ordering and leading of his eternal 
 Spirit ; and that it is the duty of all Friends and brethren 
 in the power of God, in all parts, to be diligent therein, and 
 to encourage and further each other in that blessed work. 
 1675. 
 
 2. Let all your affairs be managed in your Meetings in the 
 peaceable wisdom and spirit of our Lord Jesus ^j^^ 
 Christ ; not striving, but bearing one with and for i" which 
 
 . the bvisiness 
 
 another ; that the power of Christ may rest upon should be 
 you, and rule in all your assemblies. 1696. P. E. conducted. 
 
 3. We earnestly desire, that Friends concerned in Meetings 
 for Discipline do labour to know their own spirits subjected by 
 the Si)irit of Truth ; that, thereby being baptized into one 
 body, they may be truly one in the foundation of their love 
 and unity, and that therein they may all labour to find a 
 nearness to each other in spirit ; this being the true way to a 
 
220 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. VI. 
 
 thorough reconciliation wherever there is, or may have been, 
 any difference of apprehension. Hereby Friends will be 
 preserved in that sweetness of spirit that is, and will be, 
 the bond of true peace throughout the Churches of Christ. 
 1717. P. E. 
 
 4. Advised, that Friends in Meetings for Discipline watch 
 over their own spirits ; that no indecent warmth get in, 
 whereby the understanding may be hurried and hindered 
 from a regular judgment on the aff'airs before the Meeting. 
 1724. P. E. 
 
 5. The true nature and spirit of Christian discipline are 
 thus instructively unfolded by the apostle Paul : " Brethren, 
 if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, 
 restore such an one in the spirit of meekness ; considering 
 thyself, lest thou also be tempted." From this passage we 
 may learn that the first object of our discipline ought to be 
 to restore offenders ; and that it should ever be conducted 
 in the spirit of humility, meekness, and love. 
 
 While it is our steadfast endeavour, in the government 
 of the Church, to maintain our integrity in the Truth, 
 a due sense of our own frailty will discourage all harsh 
 judgment of our brethren ; and the love of Christ, who 
 came to seek and to save that which was lost, will lead his 
 servants into earnest and patient endeavours to gather again 
 those who are gone astray. Nor ought this Christian care 
 to cease when disownment has taken place. It is the earnest 
 desire of this Meeting that such individuals may not be 
 overlooked in any part of the Society, but that they may 
 be the objects of the tender and watchful care of Friends, in 
 order to their restoration. 1833. 
 
 6. And it is also our advice, in the love of God, that, after 
 any Friend's repentance and restoration, he abiding faithful 
 
CHAP. VI.] COUKSEL AS TO MEETINGS FOR DISCII'LINE. 221 
 
 in the Truth that condemns the evil, none among you so 
 remember his transgression, as to cast it at him, or upbraid 
 him with it ; for that is not according to the mercies of God. 
 1675. 
 
 7. We affectionately invite our Friends upon whom the 
 labours of our Meetings for Discipline may largely rest to 
 seek for ability to improve these occasions, by the expression 
 of counsel or encouragement, or by the introduction of such 
 subjects as may be profitably brought before their fellow- 
 members and made the means of illustrating our religious 
 principles. 1861. 
 
 8. Advised, that notliino; be done throuoh strife and con- 
 tention, or vain glory, murmuring or disputing ; Mutual 
 but in the spirit of meekness, love and humility, -subjection, 
 carry yourselves towards one another. And, ye younger 
 brethren, endeavour to know your places, as living mem- 
 bers of one body ; and preserve a due regard to your elders 
 in Christ Jesus. 1718. P. E. 
 
 9. We recommend that such Friends as are concerned in 
 the affairs of the Church, in Quarterly, Monthly, ^jj^j^^ig 
 
 or Particular Meetings, be careful to act therein in encourage- 
 the wisdom of God, whereby they will be exem- younger 
 plary to the young. And, as such young persons membeif,. 
 are found to be qualified with a real sense of Truth upon 
 their spirits and subjection thereunto, and thereby made 
 capable to come up to a service in their respective Meetings, 
 Friends are desired to encourage and bring them forward 
 therein ; whereby they may be helpful to the ancients, and 
 brought up in a life of righteousness, to walk and act to 
 the praise of God's holy name ; and, standing in their lot, 
 may supply the place of the elders in such Meetings, through 
 the same Spirit, when they are gone. 1? 22. P. E. 
 
222 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMEKT. 
 
 [chap. VI. 
 
 10. As the promotion of piety and charity is the end and 
 
 intent of our Meetin<Ts for the DiscipUne of the 
 
 Diligent _ ° ' 
 
 attendance Chnrch, a weighty concern rests upon us, that 
 Friends be careful diligently to attend those 
 Meetings ; and, when there, to act in the wisdom given them 
 of God. with a real and living sense of Truth upon their 
 spirits ; that so the affairs of the Church may be carried on 
 in brotherly love, and in that sweet, calm and Christian 
 disposition of mind which tends to the mutual comfort and 
 edification one of another, and of the Church in general. 
 1733. P. E. 
 
 11. In order to unite us the more nearly one to another, as 
 
 members of the same body, and to strengthen our 
 
 Visits to „ , . . 
 
 neighbouring hands to promote the general catise of truth, it is 
 Meetings. recommended to Friends to stand open to the 
 leadings of the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord : 
 and when they feel drawings in their minds to sit with any of 
 their neighbouring Monthly or Quarterly Meetings, that they 
 attend thereto ; and that such Monthly or Quarterly Meetings 
 as are visited receive such as they know to be well approved 
 at home, in the love of God, and not look upon them as 
 intruders : so shall mutual help be given and received 
 amongst us, and we truly be a people led by one and the 
 same Spirit. 1759. 
 
 12. This Meeting is impressed with a sense of the impor- 
 
 tant duties which devolve upon Quarterly and 
 ings to be Monthly Meetings, and, under this impression, 
 ^^^^ ' feels that small Meetings for Worship and small 
 Preparative Meetings ought peculiarly to claim their attention. 
 We desire that Quarterly or Monthly Meetings may, from 
 time to time, consider whether these Meetings are held in 
 such a manner, under such regulations, and at such times, 
 as are best adapted to answer the end designed; and 
 
CHAP. VI.] COUNSEL AS TO MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 223 
 
 whether there may not bo a propriety in appointing 
 suitable committees occasionally to visit them. 1815. 1821. 
 1822. 
 
 13. We recommend that, in making appointments, care be 
 taken to judge of the respective qualifications of 
 
 (^tXr6 111 
 
 those who are employed in the service of the making ap- 
 Church, and not to introduce Friends to matters P'^'™'''"'^'^*^- 
 which may be beyond their religious strength. 1821. 
 
 14. We would encourage representatives, in reporting 
 their attendance to the duties of their appointment, 
 
 . . Represen- 
 
 to embrace in their report information, even if tativesto 
 but brief, of such parts of the proceedings of the leport. 
 Meeting to which they were deputed as may conduce to the 
 interest and profit of their friends. 1861. 
 
 15. Quarterly, Monthly, and Preparative Meetings are 
 recommended to consider whether, in addition to Subjects 
 the subjects now usually introduced in joint which may 
 
 be considered 
 
 meetings of men and women Friends, advantage in joint 
 might not arise from entering upon some other meetings, 
 matters of general interest in their joint meetings, such as 
 the reading and considering of the Queries, the Advices, and 
 any documents issued by the Yearly Meeting, or the Meeting 
 for Sufferings ; the reports of committees appointed to visit 
 Subordinate Meetings, and the consideration of any other 
 subjects which may appear equally to affect the religious 
 interests of men and women Friends. But no measure of the 
 kind suggested should in any manner exclude our women 
 Friends from deliberation on the same subjects in their 
 separate Meetings, or from the full exercise of the functions 
 of such separate Meetings in all other matters which come 
 especially under their cognizance. 1865. 
 
224 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. VI. 
 
 1*1. Meetings may, acting according to their discretion 
 
 and judgment, allow those not in membership, 
 Non-members i i • i 
 
 may be who are habitual attenders of our Meetings for 
 admitted. Worship, to be present at all or parts of such 
 Joint Conferences ; regard being had, in granting such 
 permission, to the nature of the business to be taken into 
 consideration. 1883. 
 
 17. It is desirable that, by the appointment of committees 
 Financial Otherwise, the details of accounts and other 
 and routine routine business be excluded, as much as may 
 
 business. 
 
 be, from the proceedings of our Meetings for 
 Discipline. 1865. 
 
 18. In order that no pecuniary obstacle should prevent 
 
 . Friends in humble circumstances from attending 
 Fund to assist _ _ , _ 
 
 Friends in their Meetings for Discipline, or fulfilling appoint- 
 
 attendmg. jj^g^^g connected therewith, arrangements should 
 
 be made for maintaining a fund, under the care of the Over- 
 
 ieers, or other Friends, for the express purpose of rendering 
 
 aid in cases of this description. 1865. 
 
CHAPTER YII. 
 GENERAL ADVICES. 
 
 1. In order to bring the following important Advices 
 before all the members of our religious Society, Directions 
 and before those not in membership who attend for reading 
 our Meetings for Worship, it is concluded that 
 
 they be read after the close of a First-day morning Meeting 
 for Worship, once in the year. They are also to be read in 
 the Winter Quarterly Meetings for Discipline; and in Monthly 
 Meetings either consecutively, or in such portions as well as 
 at such times, as may be deemed most desirable. They are 
 to be read in the Women's as well as in the Men's Meetings 
 for Discipline. 1861. 1875. 
 
 2. ADVICES ADDRESSED TO OUR MEMBERS, AND TO ALL 
 
 WHO MEET WITH US IN PUBLIC WORSHIP. 
 
 Take heed, dear Friends, we entreat you, to the convic- 
 tions of the Holy Spirit, who leads, through unfeigned 
 repentance, and living faith in the Son of God, to 
 reconciliation with our Heavenly Father ; and to the 
 blessed hope of eternal life, purchased for us by the one 
 ofFerinor of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 Be earnestly concerned in religious meetings reverently 
 to present yourselves before the Lord ; and seek, by the 
 help of the Holy Spirit, to worship God through Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 15 
 
226 
 
 CHURCH GOVERJTJIENT. 
 
 [chap. VII. 
 
 Prize the privilege of access by Him unto the Father. 
 
 Continue instant in prayer, and watch in the same 
 
 with thanksgiving. 
 Be in the frequent practice of waiting upon the Lord in 
 
 private retirement ; honestly examining yourselves as to 
 
 your groAvth in grace, and your preparation for the life 
 
 to come. 
 
 Be diligent in the private perusal of the Holy Scriptures ; 
 and let the daily reading of them in your families be 
 devoutly conducted. 
 
 Be careful to make a profitable and religious use of those 
 portions of time on the first day of the week, which 
 are not occupied by our Meetings for Worship. 
 
 Live in love as Christian brethren, ready to be helpful 
 one to another, and sympathizing with each other in 
 the trials and afilictions of life. Watch over one another 
 for good, manifesting an earnest desire that each may 
 possess a well-grounded hope in Christ. 
 
 Follow peace with all men, desiring the true happiness 
 of all : be kind and liberal to the poor, and endeavour 
 to promote the temporal, moral, and religious well-being 
 of your fellow-men. • 
 
 With a tender conscience, in accordance with the precepts 
 of the Gospel, take heed to the limitations of the Spirit 
 of Truth in the pursuit of the things of this life. 
 
 Maintain strict integrity in your transactions in trade, 
 and in all your outward concerns. Guard against the 
 spirit of speculation, and the snare of accumulating 
 wealth. Remember that we must account for the mode 
 of acquiring, as well as for the manner of using, and 
 finally disposing of our possessions. 
 
 Observe simplicity and moderation in your deportment 
 and attire, in the furniture of your houses, and in your 
 stvle and manner of living. Carefully maintain in your 
 own conduct, and encourage in your families, truthful- 
 
 I 
 
CHAP. VII.] 
 
 GENERAL ADVICES. 
 
 227 
 
 ness and sincerity ; and avoid worldliness in all its 
 forms. 
 
 Guard watchfully against the introduction into your 
 households of publications of a hurtful tendency ; and 
 against siich companionships, indulgences and recrea- 
 tions, whether for yourselves or your children, as may 
 in any wise interfere with a growth in grace. 
 
 Let the poor of this world remember that it is our 
 Heavenly Father's will that all his children should 
 be rich in faith. Let your lights shine in lives of 
 honest industry and patient love. Do your utmost to 
 maintain yourselves and your families in an honour- 
 able independence, and, by prudent care in time 
 of health, to provide for sickness and old age, holding 
 fast by the promise, " I will never leave thee nor 
 forsake thee." 
 
 Whatever be your position in life, avoid such sports and 
 places of diversion as are frivolous or demoralizing ; all 
 kinds of gaming; the needless frequenting of taverns 
 and other public-houses, and the unnecessary use of 
 intoxicating liquors. 
 
 Lq contemplating the engagement of marriage, look prin- 
 cipally to that which will help you on your heavenward 
 journey. Pay filial regard to the judgment of your 
 parents. Bear in mind the vast importance, in such 
 a union, of an accordance in religious principles and 
 practice. Ask counsel of God ; desiring, above all 
 temporal considerations, that your union may be owned 
 and blessed of Him. 
 
 Watch with Christian tenderness over the opening minds 
 of your children : inure them to habits of self-restraint 
 and filial obedience ; carefully instruct them in the 
 knowledge of the Holy Scriptures ; and seek for ability 
 to imbue their hearts with the love of their Heavenly 
 Father, their Redeemer, and their Sanctifier. 
 
228 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. [CHAP, VII. 
 
 Finally, dear Friends, let your whole conduct and con- 
 versation be such as become the Gospel. Exercise 
 yourselves to have always a conscience void of oflFence 
 toward God and toward men. Be steadfast and faithful 
 in your allegiance and service to your Lord; continue 
 in his love ; endeavouring to keep the unity of the 
 Spirit in the bond of Peace. 1791. 1801. 1833. 
 1860. 1861. 1875. 1883. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 1. The following Queries are to be read and seriously 
 considered, at least once in the year, by Monthly Queries 
 and Preparative Meetings, in such order and dis- and 'in part 
 tribution throughout the year, and otherwise in answered, 
 such manner, as may seem to each Meeting most suitable ; 
 and Quarterly Meetings are to make such arrangements for 
 the periodical reading of them as may appear to them best. 
 Meetings may, at their discretion, have these Queries or any 
 of them read after their Meetings for Worship, whenever it 
 may be thought profitable to do so. 
 
 Preparative Meetings are to answer the part of the 2nd 
 Query which is printed in italics to their Monthly Meetings 
 in the Spring. 
 
 Monthly Meetings are to answer the parts of the 2nd and 
 10th Queries which are printed in italics to their Quarterly 
 Meetings in the Spring. 
 
 Quarterly Meetings are to answer to the Yearly Meeting 
 the first parts (jf the 2nd and 10th Queries, in the Spring. 
 
 They are to be used in the Women's as well as in the 
 Men's Meetings for Discipline. 
 
 With regard to those Queries to which no answer is 
 required. Monthly Meetings are encouraged to report to 
 their Quarterly Meetings, from time to time, on such of 
 the subjects comprised in them, as they may think desirable. 
 
230 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. VIII. 
 
 Quarterly Meetings are recommended to transmit such 
 reports, or a summary of them, to the Yearly Meeting. 
 1875. 1883.* 
 
 2. This Meeting feels a lively concern to remind our 
 Object of members, that the intention of directing sundry 
 the Quenes. Qygj-igg relative to the conduct of individuals in 
 the several branches of our Christian profession to be read 
 and seriously considered or answered, is not only to be 
 informed of the state of our Meetings, but also to impress 
 on the minds of Friends a profitable examination of them- 
 selves, how far they act consistently with their religious 
 principles. We would therefore earnestly recommend to 
 every one of our members, when the Queries are read, to 
 examine whether he himself is coming up in that life of self- 
 denial and devotedness unto God, which so highly becomes 
 all who make profession of the name of Christ. 1731. 
 1833. 1883. 
 
 3. QUERIES. 
 
 1st. What is the religious state of your Meeting? 
 Are you individually giving evidence of true conversion 
 of heart, and of loving devotedness to Christ ? 
 
 2nd. Are your Meetings for Wai'ship regularly held : and 
 how are they attended ? Axe they occasions of religious 
 solemnity and edification, in which, through Christ, our 
 ever-hving High Priest and Intercessor, the Father is 
 worshipped in spirit and in truth ? 
 
 Srd. Do you " walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us " ? 
 Do you cherish a forgiving spirit ? Are you careful of 
 the reputation of others : and do you avoid and dis- 
 courage tale-bearint; and detraction ? 
 
 4th. Are you individually frequent in reading, and diligent 
 in meditating upon, the Holy Scriptures ? And are 
 
 * See further regulations, Chapter II., par. 6, p. 190. 
 
CHAP. VIII.] 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 231 
 
 parents and heads of households in the practice of 
 reading them in their families in a devotional spirit, 
 encouraging any right utterance of prayer or praise? 
 
 btli. Are you in the practice of private retirement and 
 waiting upon the Lord ; in everything by prayer and 
 supplication, vnih thanksgiving, making your requests 
 known unto Him ? And do you live in habitual depend- 
 ence upon the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit ? 
 
 Qth. Do you maintain a religious life and conversation as 
 becometh the Grospel ? Are you watchful against con- 
 formity to the world ; against the love of ease and self- 
 indulgence; or being unduly absorbed by your outward 
 concerns to the hindrance of your religious progress 
 and your service for Christ? And do those who have 
 children or others under their care endeavour, by 
 example and precept, to train them up as self-denying 
 followers of the Lord Jesus ? 
 
 Itli. Do you maintain a faithful allegiance to the authority 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ as the one Head of the 
 Church, and the Shepherd and Bishop of souls, from 
 whom alone must come the true call and qualification 
 for the ministry of the word? And are you faithful 
 in your testimony to the freeness and spirituality of 
 the Grospel dispensation ? 
 
 8i/i. Are you faithful in maintaining our Christian testi- 
 mony against all War, as inconsistent with the precepts 
 and spirit of the Gospel ? 
 
 9i/j. Do you maintain strict integrity in all your trans- 
 actions in trade, and in your other outward concerns? 
 and are you careful not to defraud the public revenue ? 
 
 \Otli. Are your Meetings for Church affairs regularly held : 
 and hoio are they attended ? Are these Meetings vigilant 
 in the discharge of their duties towards their subordinate 
 Meetings, and in watching over the flock in the love 
 of Christ? When delinquencies occur, are they treated 
 
i32 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. VUl. 
 
 timely, impartially, and in a Christian spirit ? And do 
 you individually take your right share in the attendance 
 and service of these Meetinors ? 
 
 llth. Do you, as a Church, exercise a loving and watchful 
 care over your younger members; promoting their 
 instruction in fundamental Christian Truth, and in the 
 Scriptural grounds of our religious principles ; and 
 manifesting an earnest desire that, through the power 
 of Divine grace, they may all become established in 
 the faith and hope of the Gospel? 
 
 12tk. Do you fulfil your part as a Church, and as indi- 
 viduals, in promoting the cause of truth and righteous- 
 ness, and the spread of the Redeemer's Kingdom, at 
 home and abroad ? 1875. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 OVERSIGHT. 
 
 1. If any weakness, shortness, failure, or unfaithfulness 
 appear in any professing the same Truth with us, p^jg^^^^ 
 we hope faithful Friends and brethren will con- yised to help, 
 
 1 •/-<!• • I'll- • instruct, and 
 
 tinue their Christian care for their help, instruction admonisli 
 
 11 • • j.'L 1 1 r j.r, each other. 
 
 and admonition, m the love and power oi the 
 Lord, as in his wisdom they shall see cause, still aiming at 
 their good, their inward peace of conscience, and salvation in 
 Christ Jesus. 1701. P. E. 
 
 2. Beware of that wisdom which descendeth not from 
 above, but is earthly, sensual, and pufFeth up the 
 
 ' / ' J r f Sincere en- 
 
 mind ; but be ye, like our great pattern the Lord quirers to be 
 Jesus, meek and lowly in heart, not seeking your ^^'^'^o"' "'^sed- 
 own glory, but the honour of Him that hath called you. Be 
 ready to every good office of love, even to the least of Christ's 
 disciples, and He will esteem it as done to Himself : delight 
 to encourage those who are honest and sincere in heart, and 
 to strengthen the feeble-minded under their trials and con- 
 flicts; so shall ye become as nursing-fathers and nursing- 
 mothers in the Church of God, and be qualified with wisdom 
 from above to administer suitably to the conditions of others, 
 to the comforting of their souls, that they may have cause to 
 bless the Lord on your behalf. 1743. P. E. 
 
234 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 3. We esteem it very necessary that convinced persons 
 The convinced be early visited, in the love of God, bv faithful 
 
 to be early . , ' 
 
 visited. Friends, for their encouragement, help and 
 furtherance in the Truth. 1710. P. E. 1883. 
 
 4. We believe it right earnestly to impress on the attention 
 Care f o Friends, in our several Quarterly and Monthly 
 
 men seeking Meetings, the very great peril which young men 
 cannot fail to incur, who come to this great Metro- 
 polis, or other large places, without any definite prospect of 
 protection or employment. We believe that much may be 
 effected by the kind endeavours of Friends in procuring 
 situations for our young men ; and if these endeavours were 
 diligently used immediately on the return of lads from 
 school, it would often be the means of preventing future 
 difficulties. It is also of great importance to forward certifi- 
 cates on behalf of such young persons as early as possible 
 after their removal ; and to place them, even before the 
 sending of their certificates, under the kind notice of Friends. 
 1821. 
 
 5. This Meeting earnestly recommends to all Friends who 
 Care over Concerned for the prosperity of the Truth, to 
 
 young exercise a tender care over the younger members 
 
 members. p o, • i • • i i i • 
 
 of our bociety, bearmg m mmd the exposed situa- 
 tion of many of them, and their critical period of life. We 
 would encourage Friends to cultivate an acquaintance with 
 such, to call upon them at their places of abode, and to 
 manifest, by the general tenor of their conduct towards them, 
 a kind interest in their welfare and preservation from harm, 
 and a solicitude that they may be established on the right 
 foundation, in the faith and hope of the Gospel. We believe 
 this feeling of regard, if cherished, will induce Friends, when 
 any are not diligent in attending our religious meetings, 
 to press upon them the advantage and importance of this 
 
CHAP. IX.] 
 
 OVERSIGHT. 
 
 235 
 
 primary duty. It will lead them also to encourage our young 
 people to read the Holy Scriptures daily, with desires that 
 the Lord may bless these invaluable writings to their spiritual 
 instruction. And we entreat Friends to promote, especially 
 among the younger part of our body, an acquaintance with 
 the writings of our approved authors ; in which are set forth 
 the grounds of our religious testimonies, the persecutions 
 suffered by our ftuthful predecessors in the support of them, 
 and many instances of the visitations of Divine love, so often 
 mercifully granted in early life. 1833. 
 
 6. Religious education is not confined to the nurture 
 of early childhood, nor to the training of youth jj^g^^j^^^j^ 
 during the period generally passed at school, struction of 
 
 _ . youngpersons 
 
 The circumstances of young people from the time after leaving 
 of their leaving school, and as they pass onwards school, 
 to early manhood, have awakened our tender solicitude. 
 Their inexperience, their temptations, and the disadvantages 
 under which some of them are placed, give them a strong 
 claim upon the kind consideration and watchful care of 
 Friends : those especially in whose families they are placed, 
 whether as apprentices or otherwise, have the opportunity 
 of contributing largely to the comfort and help of those in 
 their employ by protecting them from harm, and strength- 
 ening their best resolutions. 1844. P. E. 
 
 7. This Meeting has been again introduced into a feeling 
 of religious interest on behalf of those children Care of chil- 
 who, though not members of our Society, are' nectedwith 
 connected with it in a greater degree than with Society, 
 any other religious community. It is grateful to find that 
 the attention of Friends in various parts has been increas- 
 ingly turned to the right education of this class, and to 
 the provision of schools for this purpose ; and we desire to 
 encourage the Friends who have formed such establishments, 
 
236 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 and who have the charge of them, as well as those who 
 have the care of our public schools in which children 
 not members are admitted, to take measures by which the 
 children of this description may, on their quitting these 
 schools, be introduced to the kind notice of some well- 
 concerned Friend or Friends in the places where they may 
 be settled, as apprentices or otherwise; so that the religious 
 care which has been bestowed upon them in their education 
 may not be lost for want of the exercise of a friendly over- 
 sight in the succeeding and often dangerous steps of their 
 youth. 1841. 
 
 8. This Meeting has been brought under concern in 
 . , . reference to a practice into which some members 
 
 Advice ^ 
 
 against fre- of our religious Society have been drawn, of 
 other places frequently attending public worship conducted in a 
 of worship, i^ianner at variance with our Christian profession, 
 and where modes and forms are made use of from which 
 we are religiously restrained. We are therefore engaged 
 to recommend Overseers and other concerned Friends in 
 their respective Meetings, where such cases may occur, in 
 tenderness and love, faithfully to labour for the removal of 
 this cause of uneasiness. 1840. 1883. 
 
 9. You that are Elders and Overseers in the Church, and 
 Caution to concerned in the maintenance of good order and 
 Elders and the jjreservation of the discipline, keep your own 
 
 Overseers fis 
 
 to their hands clean, and garments unspotted; that you 
 own lues, j^ay rebuke with authority, and, being clothed 
 with the meekness and gentleness of the Lamb, may stead- 
 fastly persevere in the discharge of the duty committed to 
 you ; that when the great Shepherd shall appear, you may 
 receive the reward of "Well done, good and faithful servant; 
 enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 1753. 
 
CHAP. IX.] 
 
 OVERSIGHT. 
 
 237 
 
 10. We especially entreat those appointed as Elders and 
 Overseers to be diligent in the discharge of their Elders and 
 important duties : that the ignorant may be b^^dUigenUn 
 informed, the weak strengthened, the tender their duties, 
 encouraged, the scattered sought out, the unwary cautioned 
 the unruly warned. If private labour be faithfully and early 
 administered when necessary, the hands of those concerned 
 in the further exercise of the discipline will not be 
 weakened by a consciousness of their having themselves 
 departed from the true order of the Gospel. 1780. 1801. 
 1833. 1861. 
 
 11. The offices of Elder and Overseer amongst us are of 
 great importance, and, when rightly filled, of Counsel to 
 great value. We feel much for our Friends who Elders and 
 
 ° _ _ Overseers 
 
 are appointed to these stations. In the right as regards 
 
 „ P ,1 • • i_ 1. •! • , • tlieir duties 
 
 periormance or their service much numuiation towards 
 may prevail; but, whilst it is well that they young, 
 should be sensible of their own infirmity, this consideration 
 ought not to be allowed to interfere with the right discharge 
 of their duty. We encourage them to cherish an interest in 
 the spiritual welfare of all their fellow-members, to exercise 
 a watchful care and affectionate oversight, and more especially 
 to manifest their sympathy with their younger Friends, in 
 the peculiar circumstances in which some of them may be 
 placed. We invite them to be diligent in warning and 
 counselling the young, in privacy, faithfulness and love ; 
 endeavouring to attract them to the paths of virtue and 
 self-denial, and to a living experimental faith in Christ, as 
 their Shepherd, their Saviour and their King. Nor would 
 we limit the performance of these duties to those who occupy 
 such stations : we are all to watch over one another for 
 good, and to be mutually interested one for another, being 
 united together as lively stones in the spiritual building, of 
 
238 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. IX. 
 
 which the Lord Jesus Christ is the chief corner-stone. 1851. 
 P. E. 
 
 12. To seek for true discernment in respect to offerings 
 The duties ministry, and to be loving and faithful in 
 of Elders. exercise of that discernment, to be frequent 
 in spiritual travail and prayer for those on whom the ministry 
 of the word devolves, to sympathise with them in seasons 
 of conflict and discouragement, by no means comprise all 
 the duties of the Christian Elder. Their duties extend also 
 to the whole flock. Not less important, therefore, is it that 
 Elders yield their minds to earnest and prayerful solicitude 
 on behalf of all their brethren and sisters, not restraining 
 the expression of it in our Meetings for Worship on account 
 of the office they hold. Such service is often, we believe, 
 peculiarly appropriate and helpful. The impressive injunction 
 of the apostle is applicable alike to Elders and to Ministers, 
 " Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the 
 which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the 
 Church of God, which He hath purchased with his own 
 blood." 1868. 
 
 13. Let not Friends in the station of Overseer take a 
 The duties of limited view of their duties. To them is committed 
 Overseers. ^^le oversight of the flock, in the love of Christ. 
 Let them give themselves to this blessed duty in faith and 
 prayer, seeking, in the wisdom of God, to encourage all in 
 the right way of the Lord ; to bind up that which is broken; 
 to bring home the wanderers ; to visit the sick and the 
 afflicted ; and to extend a loving nurturing care over the 
 young and inexperienced. Desirable as it is that some 
 should be specially entrusted with these duties, an earnest 
 concern has prevailed that all may take their right share in 
 the privilege of watching over one another for good. 1871. 
 P. E. 
 
CHAPTEE X. 
 MEETINGS ON MINISTRY AND OVERSIGHT. 
 
 1. The Meetings which, in the early history of the Society, 
 went by the name of " Meetings of Ministers " or Meetings on 
 " Public Friends," and which, about the year 1727, ^^'^^^^eY^J^jft 
 were altered in their character, and had from that constituted, 
 time been known as " Meetings of Ministers and Elders," 
 were, in 1876, reconstituted as hereafter mentioned, under 
 the designation of " Meetings on Ministry and Oversight." 
 1876. 1883. 
 
 2. The recorded Ministers and the Elders and Overseers 
 in each Monthly Meeting shall be members of its Cojjgtitution 
 
 Monthly Meetinor on Ministry and Oversiorht. of Monthly 
 >^ J o Meetings on 
 
 Monthly Meetings are also left at liberty to Ministry and 
 appoint, as members of these Meetings, other '^'^ersight. 
 suitable Friends, who may, in their judgment, be likely to 
 prove helpful to such Meetings, and to be themselves helped 
 by association therewith. 1876. 1883. 
 
 3. Monthly Meetings on Ministry and Oversight should, 
 so far as can suitably be done, meet at least once ^ 
 
 ' Then- tunes 
 
 in three months for mutual conference and edifi- of meeting 
 cation, and for the purpose of attending to the duties, 
 subjects which are especially commended to their care. The 
 Queries and Advices addressed to these Meetings are also to 
 
240 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 be read therein. Such Monthly Meetings are to appoint 
 representatives to attend the Quarterly Meeting on Ministry 
 and Oversight of which they form part. The members of these 
 Meetings belonoine to each Particular Meetinof areencourao-ed 
 to meet for conference at shorter intervals, as way may open. 
 1876. 1883. 
 
 4. The members of all the Monthly Meetings on 
 Quarterly Ministry and Oversight in a Quarterly Meeting 
 Mini^strj^and Constitute a Quarterly Meeting on Ministry and 
 Oversight. Oversight, which should assemble at some con- 
 venient time before the meeting of the Quarterly Meeting, 
 for the purpose of attending to the duties specially com- 
 mitted to it, of reading the Queries and Advices addressed 
 to Meetings on Ministry and Oversight, and of appointing 
 representatives to the Yearly Meeting on Ministry and 
 Oversight. A list of the names of all the members of the 
 several Monthly Meetings on Ministry and Oversight within 
 its limits is to be kept by each Quarterly Meeting on Ministry 
 and Oversight. 1876. 1883. 
 
 5. The Yearly Meeting on Ministry and Oversight 
 Yearly Meet- consists of the representatives appointed by the 
 try and^'"'*' Quarterly Meetings on Ministry and Oversight, 
 Oversight. and by the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and 
 Elders in Ireland, and of such other members of Meetings 
 on Ministry and Oversight as may be in London. It is to 
 meet in London immediately before the Yearly Meeting, and 
 is to be continued by adjournments, so that such adjourn- 
 ments do not interfere with the sittings of the Yearly 
 Meeting. Such Meeting shall not in anywise take upon 
 itself to interfere with any part of the discipline of the 
 Church.* 1876. 1883. 
 
 * As to the duty of the Yearly Meeting on Ministry and Oversight with 
 regard to Ministers travelling abroad, see p. 209. 
 
CHAP. X.] MEETINGS ON MINISTRY AND OVERSIGHT, 
 
 241 
 
 6. The Yearly Meeting on Ministry and Oversight is 
 to desire the Elders then in London to meet at ]yjggy„gg 
 the close of the different Meetings for Worship Elders in 
 
 . London 
 in the city and its vicinity, which they may during Yearly 
 
 attend during the time of holding the Yearly Meeting. 
 
 Meeting. It is considered the proper duty of the Friends 
 
 thus met to communicate such advice, and in such manner, 
 
 as they, in the wisdom of Truth, may find needful, and 
 
 to make a general report to some adjournment of the Yearly 
 
 Meeting on Ministry and Oversight. 187(5. 1883. 
 
 7. Each Monthly Meeting on Ministry and Oversight 
 shall, in the Spring, report in writing, to the Meetings on 
 Monthly Meeting at large, its regular holding Ministry and 
 
 ° _ ^ I , ^ _ ^ Oversight to 
 
 and attendance, with a notice of its proceedings,report periodi- 
 and of any subject in connection therewith tnat '^'^^^s^uperior 
 may appear desirable. A copy of such report is Meetings, 
 to be sent to the Quarterly Meeting on Ministry and Over- 
 sight,* which, in like manner, shall report to the Yearly 
 Meeting on Ministry and Oversight. This latter body shall, 
 in its discretion, report to the Yearly Meeting on any subjects 
 referred to in the reports received from its Quarterly Meet- 
 ings, which last-mentioned reports, if called for, shall also 
 be produced to the Yearly Meeting. 1876. 
 
 8. The subjects specified in the following paragraphs 
 are especially commended to the care of Meetings Subjects es- 
 on Ministry and Oversight, with any others which 'mended^'to 
 belong to the teaching and shepherdins: of the Meetings on 
 
 _ X » ^Ministry and 
 
 flock, t viz. : — Oversight. 
 
 1st. The religious condition of the particular congregations 
 
 * These reports, as well as that sent to the Yearly Meeting on Ministry and 
 Oversight, shall, if called for, be produced to the Quarterly Meeting at large, 
 to which body the names of the representatives from the Quarterly Meeting 
 on Ministry and Oversight to its Yearly Meeting shall be regularly reported. 
 
 f It is recommended that these paragraphs be read over at least once in 
 the year in each Monthly and Quarterly Meeting on Ministry and Oversight. 
 
 16 
 
242 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 within their Hmits, and whether the Meetings for 
 Worship are held to edification and to the honour 
 of God. 
 
 2nd. The counsel, encouragement, and help of those en- 
 gaged in the work of the ministry, especially of the 
 younger and more inexperienced. 
 
 Srd. The making of arrangements for attending, from time 
 to time, the Particular Meetings within the limits of 
 the Monthly Meeting, especially those in which little 
 or no ministry is exercised. 
 
 4:th. The visiting of the infirm, the sick, and the afflicted. 
 
 5th. The religious care of the children and young people 
 who attend our meetings, and the promotion of their 
 religious and scriptural instruction. 
 
 6th. The propagation of the Gospel in the district, as way 
 may open. 1876. 
 
 QUERIES. 
 
 9. The following Queries, addressed to members of 
 Meetings on Ministry and Oversight, are to be 
 Queries. j-esid and considered, at least once in the year, in 
 Monthly and Quarterly Meetings on Ministry and Oversight, 
 in such order and distribution throughout the year, as 
 may seem to each Meeting most suitable. Report is to be 
 made annually to the superior Meeting that this has been 
 attended to. 
 
 1st. Are you engaged to watch unto prayer; that you 
 may yourselves be preserved in humble dependence 
 upon Christ, and in earnest religious exercise for the 
 conversion of sinners, and for the edifying of the body 
 in the faith and hope of the Gospel ? 
 
 2nd. Do you occupy the spiritual gifts entrusted to you, 
 faithfully, and to the honour of God ? 
 
 Srd. Do you overcharge yourselves with trade or other 
 outward engagements, to the hindrance of your service ? 
 
CHAP. X.] MEETINGS ON MINISTRY AND OVERSIGHT. 243 
 
 4</i. Are you careful to rule your own houses well ? And 
 do you endeavour; by example and precept, to train up 
 your families in a religious life and conversation con- 
 sistent with our Christian profession ? 
 
 ADVICES. 
 
 10. The following advices to members of Meetings on 
 Ministry and Oversight are to be read and con- 
 
 . 1 , . . Advices. 
 
 sidered, at least once in the year, in Monthly and 
 Quarterly Meetings on Ministry and Oversight. Report is 
 to be made annually to the superior Meeting that this has 
 been attended to. 
 
 Be constant in your endeavours, through the power of the 
 Holy Spirit, to live under the government of Christ. 
 
 Be frequent in reading, and diligent in meditating upon, 
 the Holy Scriptures, and be careful not to misquote or 
 misapply them. In preaching, writing or conversing 
 about the things of God, keep to the use of sound words 
 or Scripture terms. 
 
 Be careful to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in 
 all things ; keep yourselves unspotted from the world, 
 and be examples of meekness, temperance, patience and 
 charity. 
 
 Be watchful not to become entangled with the cares of 
 this world ; and guard against the snare of accumulating 
 wealth ; manifesting Christian moderation and content- 
 ment in all things. 
 
 Cherish a deep religious interest on behalf of those who 
 speak in the ministry ; watching over the young and 
 inexperienced with tender Christian concern, encouraging 
 all in the right way of the Lord. 
 
 In the exercise of the ministry wait for the renewed 
 putting forth of the Holy Spirit : be careful not to 
 exceed the measure of your gift, but proceed and 
 conclude in the life and authority of the Gospel. 
 
244 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 Preach not yourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord ; reve- 
 rently asking wisdom of God, that you may be enabled 
 rightly to divide the Word of Truth. Let nothing be 
 done or offered with a view to popularity, but all in 
 humility and in the fear of the Lord. 
 
 Bearing in mind that the treasure is in earthen vessels, 
 beware of laying stress on the authority of your 
 ministry ; the baptizing power of the Spirit of Truth 
 accompanying the words being the true evidence. 
 
 Be tender at all times of each other's reputation, and 
 watchful lest you hurt each other's service. As ser- 
 vants of the same Lord, with diversities of gifts, but the 
 same Spirit, maintain a lively exercise harmoniously to 
 labour for the spreading and advancement of the 
 Truth. 
 
 Let Ministers endeavour to express themselves audibly and 
 distinctly, and guard against all tones and gestures in- 
 consistent with Christian simplicity. Let them beware 
 of using unnecessary preambles, and of making additions 
 towards the conclusion of a Meeting, when it was left 
 well before. 
 
 When travelling in the service of Christ, be careful to 
 move under his guidance. Let your visits be neither 
 short and hurried, nor burdensome or unnecessarily 
 expensive ; giving no offence in anything, that the 
 ministry be not blamed. 
 
 Prayer and thanksgiving are important parts of worship. 
 May they be offered in spirit and in truth, with a right 
 understanding seasoned with grace. When engaged 
 herein avoid many words and repetitions ; and be 
 cautious of too often repeating the high and holy 
 name of God ; neither let prayer be in a formal and 
 customary way, nor without a reverent sense of Divine 
 influence. 
 
 Finally, dear Friends, take heed to yourselves, and to all 
 
CHAP. X.] MEETINGS ON MINISTRY AND OVERSIGHT. 245 
 
 the flock amongst whom you have been called to labour. 
 Be faithful ; be patient ; be in earnest to fulfil your 
 appointed service, that when the Chief Shepherd shall 
 appear, ye may receive the crown of glory that fadeth 
 not away. 1775. 1792. 1833. 18fil. 1876. 
 
 11. The circumstances of Friends who come from America 
 
 to this country in the work of the ministry have ... ^ 
 
 Advice to 
 
 engaged our brotherly consideration. Whilst Ministers 
 
 ... visiting this 
 
 feeling the importance of m nowise mterfering country from 
 with the blessed guidance of the Spirit of Truth in America, 
 their religious movements, this Meeting is of the judgment 
 that advantage would arise from such Friends proceeding 
 to London as soon as may be after their arrival in this coun- 
 try, whenever they can conveniently do so, and feel it not 
 incompatible with the pointings of duty. This course is 
 recommended in order that, in accordance with the regulations 
 of this Meeting, their certificates may be verified by the 
 Meeting for Sufferings, and an opportunity be at the same 
 time afforded them for attending the Morning Meeting, and 
 thus early partaking of the sympathy and aid of the members 
 of that Meeting. But, in offering this suggestion, we desire 
 that our brethren and sisters from a distant land, travelling 
 amongst us in the service ot the Gospel, may continue to 
 receive from Friends everywhere, a large measure of kind 
 assistance and Christian sympathy. 1855. 
 
 12. Every Meeting on Ministry and Oversight may, as it 
 shall seem meet in the wisdom of truth, advise. Meetings on 
 
 . . Ministry and 
 
 exhort, and rebuke, in Christian tenderness and Oversight to 
 
 p .,, f. , P 1 1 counsel their 
 
 laithiulness, any ot its members, or any who may Members and 
 be travelling in the work of the ministry within Minsters tra- 
 
 ° velhng in their 
 
 the compass of such Meeting. But if the Monthly Meetings. 
 Meeting to which such Ministers belong shall take the 
 
 1 
 
246 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. X. 
 
 case under its own care, then, on notice being given of 
 the same, the proceedings of the Meeting on Ministry and 
 Oversight shall cease. 1735. 1833. 1861. 1876. 
 
 13. This Meeting, feeling the importance of extending care 
 Elders to be and Counsel, as well as manifesting due sympathy, 
 
 towards those who are liberated to travel in the 
 
 rtiiy uu 111 pdiiiy 
 
 Ministers. work of the ministry, wishes to encourage Friends 
 under the appointment of Elder, to be willing, as way may 
 open, to accompany Ministers when thus travelling ; believing 
 that their cordial union in such service may be a strength 
 to the Minister. And it is the judgment of this Meeting, 
 that, when such companions, or other Friends who may 
 travel in a similar character, are likely to go far from home, 
 or to be absent for a length of time, they be furnished with 
 a minute of the approbation of the Monthly Meeting to 
 which they belong, when the same can suitably be obtained. 
 1833. 
 
 14. Let the Elders, when they see occasion, advise Ministers 
 Counsel to very prudent in their conduct, not as busy- 
 Ministers bodies, nor meddling with family or personal 
 
 and Elders. ^ . . i • i , i , ^ 
 
 aiiairs m which they are not concerned, or re- 
 quired to be assisting ; and to be very tender of one 
 another's reputation, and of that of Friends among whom 
 they travel ; neither giving ear to, nor spreading, reports 
 tending to raise in the minds of others a lessening or disesteem 
 of any of the brotherhood ; and, as soon as their service in 
 the ministry is over, to return to their habitations, and there 
 take a reasonable and prudent care of their own business, 
 household and family. And we advise Ministers to have it 
 much at heart to maintain a perfect harmony and good 
 understanding with the Monthly Meetings to which they 
 belong, and that they show themselves ready to hear and 
 receive advice, as well as to teach and instruct. 1731. 
 
CHAP. X.] MEETINGS OK MINISTRY AND OVERSIGHT. 247 
 
 MORNING MEETING. 
 
 15. The Meeting: which is held in London under the 
 denomination of the Morninof Meetino- first estab- ,., ,. 
 
 » Constitution, 
 
 lished in the year 1672, is now constituted of and times of 
 the members of the Meetings on Ministry and 
 Oversight of the Quarterly Meetings of London and Middle- 
 sex, Bedfordshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, Essex and 
 Suffolk, Sussex, Surrey and Hants, and Kent. Members 
 of all other Meetings on Ministry and Oversight in Great 
 Britain, are at liberty to attend the sittings and take part 
 in the proceedings of the Meeting. It is to meet in the 
 1st, 7th and 10th months, subject to being convened, in the 
 intervals, at the call of any three of its members. 1833. 
 1.861. 1871. 1876. 
 
 16. This Meeting considers that, agreeably to the estab- 
 lished usage of the Society, it is the duty of the its 
 Morning Meeting to exercise a tender Christian duties, 
 care over those Ministers from foreign parts who may from 
 time to time visit the city of London and its vicinity. 
 
 It is also the office of that Meeting to judge of the religious 
 concerns of such Ministers as may have been liberated by 
 their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, to travel in the service 
 of the Gospel in foreign parts, when great inconvenience 
 would ensue from their waiting for the occurrence of the 
 Yearly Meeting on Ministry and Oversight. The said Meeting 
 is also left at liberty to grant certificates to ministering 
 Friends returning to America under similar circumstances. 
 On all such occasions the Morning Meeting is to inform the 
 Yearly Meeting on Ministry and Oversight of its proceedings. 
 1833. 1861. 1876. 
 
CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS. 
 
 1. The Meeting for Sufferings (so called from the nature 
 
 of its oricrinal object) is a standing representative 
 
 Name and _ ° J ^ tor 
 
 general committee of the Yearly Meeting, and is entrusted 
 with a general care of whatever may arise during 
 the intervals of the Yearly Meeting affecting our religious 
 Society. 1833. 1883. 
 
 2. Agreed, that certain Friends of this City be nominated 
 Ori-^inil ^'^ keep a constant Meeting about Sufferings four 
 establish- times in a year, with the day and time of each 
 
 meeting here fixed and settled. That at least 
 one Friend of each county be appointed by the Quarterly 
 Meeting thereof to be in readiness to repair to any of the 
 said meetings at this city, at such times as their urgent 
 occasions or sufferings shall require. 1675. 
 
 3. It is agreed to be sufficient that the Meeting for Suffei-- 
 Time of ^e held in course on the first Sixth-day in 
 meeting. Q^^ch month ; subject nevertheless, on any emer- 
 gency, to the call of any five of the appointed members 
 thereof. 1794. 1798. 
 
 4. Upon consideration of sufferings in general, it is advised 
 Cases of ^^'^i^' ^^^^^ difficulty, and where Friends who 
 suffering. j^j.g gufterers stand in need of advice in any par- 
 ticular case, they send up their respective cases to the Meeting 
 for Sufferings in London. 1682. P. E. 
 
CHAP. XI.] 
 
 MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS. 
 
 249 
 
 5. The Meetino: for SufFerings consists of men Friends 
 appointed in accordance with the following regu- 
 
 , n w\ ft - p- Constitution. 
 
 lations (6, 7, o and 9) ; or those m loreign jmrts 
 appointed by Meetings corresponding with this Meeting ; 
 and likewise of men Friends in the station of Minister, or 
 who are appointed members of Meetings on Ministry and 
 Oversight. 1702. 1717. 1770. 1833. 1861. 1883. 
 
 6. London and Middlesex Quarterly Meeting is from time 
 to time, as there may be occasion, to nominate as members 
 any number of Friends, so that there be not less than thirty 
 nor more than fifty for the time being appointed under 
 this rule. 1883. 
 
 7. Each of the five Quarterly Meetings adjoining that of 
 London and Middlesex — namely, Bedfordshire, Berkshire and 
 Oxfordshire, Essex and Suffolk, Sussex, Surrey and Hants, 
 and Kent — is from time to time, as there may be occasion, to 
 nominate as members Friends so circumstanced as to be 
 able to perform with regularity the duties of the Meeting for 
 Sufferings, and the other Quarterly Meetings are encouraged 
 to make similar nominations. In no Quarterly Meeting 
 are there to be more than ten Friends for the time beino- 
 appointed under this rule. 1861. 1883. 
 
 8. The names of Friends to be nominated under the 
 two preceding rules are to be proposed to the Quarterly 
 Meeting by committees appointed, either by the Quarterly 
 Meeting itself or by the Monthly Meetings composing it, 
 as the Quarterly Meeting thinks best. If approved by the 
 Quarterly Meeting they are then to be nominated to the 
 Yearly Meeting. 1861. 1883. 
 
 9. The names of Friends nominated under paragraphs 6, 7 
 and 8, are to be submitted to the Yearly Meeting, and if 
 approved by it they are to be appointed and recorded as 
 
250 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XI, 
 
 members of the Meeting for Sufferings. 1702. 1717. 1770, 
 1833. 1883. 
 
 10. In every Quarterly Meeting the list of its members 
 List to appointed on the Meeting for Sufferings is to be 
 be read. ^^^^ annually. 1861. 1883. 
 
 11. For the office of Correspondent for Ireland, for the 
 Correspon colonies, for foreign parts, and for the Yearly 
 dents for Meetings in North America, names are to be 
 
 Ireland, &c. i tit • 
 
 proposed by the Meeting for Sufferings from 
 among its own members, for confirmation by the Yearly 
 Meeting. 1861. 1883. 
 
 12. The Meeting for Sufferings is, at its discretion, to 
 T , report to the Yearly Meeting the names of such 
 
 Irregular ^ Jo 
 
 attendance, members, appointed under the preceding rules, as 
 do not attend it six times in the year, in order to their being 
 discharged by the Yearly Meeting, unless sufficient reason 
 be rendered for their absence. 1725. 1737. 1801. 1833. 
 1883. 
 
 13. Friends are to be appointed by each Monthly Meeting, 
 Distribution to take charge of the distribution of any papers 
 of papers. jgg^^^ Yearly Meeting or the Meeting for 
 Sufferings, such names to be reported to the Recording 
 Clerk. 1880. 1883. 
 
 14. This Meeting, having considered the nature and im- 
 Wbo should portance of the affairs transacted by the Meeting 
 be appointed, f^^. Sufferings, is impressed with the necessity 
 of their being managed by men who are of clean hands, and 
 who adorn the doctrine they profess, in their lives and con- 
 versation. And it is the earnest desire of this Meeting, 
 that Friends be particularly careful in their choice of such 
 as are to act as members of that Meeting, informing them- 
 
CHAP. XI.] 
 
 MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS. 
 
 251 
 
 selves, as much as may be, of the qualifications of those who 
 are intended for such service ; and that such only may be 
 nominated as are faithful in the several branches of our 
 Christian testimonies and exemplary in their conduct and 
 conversation amongst men. 1747. 1759. 1861. 
 
 15. This Meeting is of the judgment that the Yearly Meeting 
 on Ministry and Oversight, or the Morning Meet- Care of 
 ing, when it sees right to liberate a Friend to travelHug 
 travel in the work of the ministry in foreign parts, abroad, 
 out of the acknowledged limits of any Monthly Meeting, 
 should inform the Meeting for SufFerings of such conclusion. 
 The last-mentioned Meeting is desired to extend such Chris- 
 tian care as it may deem necessary in aiding Friends thus 
 liberated in the prosecution of their concern, and also from 
 time to time during the said engagement, particularly as it 
 relates to their being suitably accompanied. And it is further 
 left to the said Meeting to exercise its discretion in regard to 
 the companions of such travelling Friends; care being taken 
 that, when convenient, a minute of the approbation of the 
 Monthly Meeting of which any such companion is a member 
 has been obtained. 
 
 In the case of any Friend from America or elsewhere, 
 liberated to travel on similar service, the foregoing provision 
 is also to apply, after such Friend shall have laid his concern 
 before our Yearly Meeting on Ministry and Oversight, when 
 this can conveniently be done ; or otherwise before the Morning 
 Meeting. In either case the Meeting for Sufferings is to be 
 informed of the circumstance. 1827. 1833. 1876. 
 
 16. It is the judgment of this Meeting that when any Friend 
 from America arrives within the compass of this Certificates 
 Meeting on religious service, he should produce Mini^ers°to 
 his certificates to the Friends of the Meeting verified, 
 within the compass of which he may land ; and that the said 
 
252 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XI. 
 
 certificates, or copies of them, be forwarded to the Meeting 
 for Sufferings in London ; which Meeting is without delay 
 to proceed to an examination of them, and inform the Friend, 
 by a minute duly attested by the signature of its Clerk, of 
 the result of such examination. And it is further the judg- 
 ment of this Meeting, that the said Friend do abstain from 
 travelling on religious service until such minute shall have 
 been received by him. Our Correspondents in America are 
 requested to inform their Correspondents in London as soon 
 as any Friend has obtained certificates for religious service 
 in this country. 1829. 
 
 17. Ministers liberated by meetings in America for 
 American religious service in Australasia, and proceeding 
 travelling in thither direct, without visiting this country, are 
 Australasia, j^q^ required to obtain from any Meeting in this 
 country a certificate, or any endorsement of a certificate, 
 before entering upon the engagement; but duplicates of their 
 certificates are to be sent to the Meeting- for Sufferings in 
 this country for verification. The certificates of Friends so 
 liberated should be also duly authenticated by the signature 
 of one or more of the Correspondents for this Yearly Meeting 
 of the Yearly Meetings from which they come ; and the 
 names of such Correspondents are from time to time to be 
 transmitted by the Meeting for Sufferings to our Meetings in 
 Australasia, to assist them in the verification of such certificates. 
 Our Correspondents in any Yearly Meeting in America, any 
 member of which is finally liberated for service in Australasia 
 under the circumstances above mentioned, are invited as early 
 as practicable to communicate the fact of such liberation to the 
 Meeting for Sufferings in this country, but without thereby 
 rendering Friends in this . country responsible either as 
 regards the companionship or the travelling expenses of 
 Ministers so liberated. 1878. 
 
CHAP. XI.] 
 
 MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS. 
 
 253 
 
 18. It is agreed that the Meeting for Sufferings be at liberty 
 to print or purchase, and distribute in such manner p,^jj(.;,^g .^j^^^ 
 as it may deem proper, such works as that Meet- iiistiiimting 
 ing may think desirable ; it being distinctly under- 
 stood that the Society of Friends is not thereby committed 
 to everything contained in such books. 1732. 1833. ISijl. 
 
 19. The Meeting for Sufferings having recently, through 
 
 a committee, given considerable attention to the 
 
 ' * . n , Care of MSS. 
 
 arrangement and proper preservation of the manu- 
 scripts and documents in its possession, is desirous of directing 
 the attention of Friends generally throughout the country to 
 this subject ; and believing that there is an additional value 
 in these documents when gathered together, is prepared ; — 
 
 To accept and take charge of any original documents, 
 letters or papers, illustrative of the early circumsf^inces 
 or history of our Society, which their present owners 
 may incline to give up to it. 
 
 In cases where their present owners may prefer to retain 
 possession of the originals, the Meeting for Sufferings 
 would gratefully accept certified copies of them ; or 
 
 When the making of such copies by the parties them- 
 selves would be inconvenient, the Meeting for Sufferings 
 would undertake to have them made, if the papers were 
 entrusted to its care, and would return them so soon 
 as the transcripts were completed. 1871. 
 
CHAPTEE XII. 
 
 NATIONAL STOCK. 
 
 1. Agreed, that a collection be occasionally made in the 
 Collection to several counties and places for defraying the 
 be made. expenses of the Society, as printing and dis- 
 tributing books for the service of Truth, the passage of 
 Ministering Friends who are called into the service of the 
 Lord beyond sea, the salary of a Clerk, and house-rent for 
 keeping records, with other incidental charges ; to be sent 
 up to the Correspondents of the several counties and places, 
 and paid to the cashiers. 1672. 1676. 
 
 2. Disbursements out of the National Stock to be such 
 Payments. Only as shall be agreed to, and directed by, the 
 
 Meeting for Sufferings in London. 1679. 
 
 3. It is agreed that in future the cash of this Meetinof be 
 
 kept at the bankers' in the names of six Friends, 
 
 TrustGGS 
 
 under the denomination of Trustees, to be appointed 
 by the Meeting for Sufferings, and renewed from time to 
 time, whenever by death, a desire to be excused, or any 
 other reasonable cause, the Trustees shall be reduced to three; 
 for which purpose the names of the Trustees shall be called 
 over in the Meeting for Sufferings previous to the Yearly 
 Meeting ; and that the drafts be in future signed in the 
 meeting by thi-ee of the member's present, and afterwards 
 countersigned bv one or more of the Trustees. 1793. 
 
CHAP. XII.] 
 
 NATIONAL STOCK. 
 
 255 
 
 4. The original objects of the National Stock appear to have 
 been, the defraying of the necessary expenses of General 
 Friends called to labour in the Gospel in foreign objects, 
 parts, and the charge for purchasing and distributing books 
 on our religious principles, in our own or in foreign languages. 
 
 The printing of epistles and other papers issued on behalf 
 of the Society, as well as the providing of birth and burial 
 notes, have long formed part of the expenditure. 
 
 A considerable charge is necessarilj- incurred in keeping 
 in repair the meeting-houses in London, which are the pro- 
 perty of the Society, and the various offices connected with 
 them. 
 
 The salaries of the Recording Clerk in London and his 
 assistants are in part paid out of the National Stock. 
 
 In addition to the before-mentioned objects, numerous 
 incidental expenses are frequently incurred, as well as some 
 other charges, which the Meeting for SufFerinffs has been 
 authorized by this Meeting to pay. 1833. 1861. 1883. 
 
 5. This Meeting agrees that the National Stock may be 
 employed in defrayinor the expenses of ministering - 
 
 ^ •/ J o 1 o Expenses of 
 
 Friends from other countries, who may be return- foieign 
 
 „ . . n r-i -r> • • Ministers and 
 
 ing trom visits to any part oi Great Britain, of Ministers 
 
 although such visits mav not have been g-eneral : abroad. 
 
 such expenses having been examined and allowed by the 
 
 Quarterly Meeting in which the same shall have been 
 
 incurred. The said fund may also be expended in defraying 
 
 the charges of Ministers who may be called to travel in any 
 
 foreign country in which there are not any Friends, or none 
 
 suitable to bear such charcres. 1793. 
 
 6. The expenses of Friends from America, engaged in this 
 
 country in the work of the ministry, whilst travel- 
 
 _ . Expenses of 
 
 ling within the compass of a Quarterly Meeting, American 
 
 and also when passing from any Quarterly Meet- ^i'^'^*'^''*- 
 ing to any adjoining one, are to be defrayed as heretofore ; 
 
256 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. xn. 
 
 but when those Friends shall pass from one Quarterly Meeting 
 to another which is not adjoining, and without having any 
 public religious service or engagement within the compass of 
 an intermediate Quarterly Meeting, the Quarterly Meeting 
 from which they may have passed shall be at liberty to apply 
 to the Meeting for Sufferings ; which Meeting may, in its 
 discretion, reimburse the whole or any part thereof out of 
 the National Stock. 1846. 
 
 7. This Meeting agrees that the expenses of ministering 
 . Friends, and of such companions as may be need- 
 
 Mimsters .... . 
 
 travelling in ful, in visiting any of the islands adjacent to Great 
 ueinbey,etc. g^j^^j^^ including those of Guernsey and Jersey, 
 also such parts of Scotland and Wales as are out of the 
 acknowledged limits of any Monthly Meeting, may, at the 
 discretion of the Meeting for Sufferings, be jDaid out of the 
 National Stock. 1799. 1800. 1833. 1861. 
 
 8. This Meeting further agrees that any expenses incurred 
 
 by the Quarterly Meeting of Sussex, Surrey, and 
 Expenses in ; . . - ' ' . 
 
 Guernsey and Hants, in its carc of the members of our Society 
 
 Jejsey. ^j^^ islands of Guernsey and Jersey, may be 
 
 applied for by that Quarterly Meeting, and paid at the 
 discretion of the Meeting for Sufferings. 1817. 1833. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 CARE OF THE POOR. 
 
 1. Advised that, where Friends want ability in the world, 
 their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings assist them; Po„r to be 
 that the children of the poor may have due help '^"^ehiklreH 
 of education^ instruction, and necessary learning ; educated, 
 and that the children both of the rich and the poor may be 
 early provided with useful employments, that they may not 
 grow up in idleness, looseness and vice, but that being 
 seasoned with the Truth, taught our holy self-denying way, 
 and sanctified of God, they niay become a reputation to our 
 holy profession, the comfort of their honest parents, and 
 instrumental to the glory of God and to the good of the 
 succeeding (fenerations. 1709. P. E. 
 
 2. With respect to the poor among us, it ought to be 
 considered that the poor, both parents and children, are of 
 our family; and although some may think the poor a burden, 
 yet be it remembered, when our poor are well provided for, 
 and walk orderly, they are an ornament to our Soeiety ; and 
 the rich should consider, " It is more blessed to give than to 
 receive." " He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the 
 Lord ; and that which he hath given will He pay him again." 
 1718, P. E. 1833. 18G1. 
 
 3. As mercy, compassion and charity are eminently 
 required in this new covenant dispensation which we are 
 
 17 
 
258 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XIII. 
 
 under, so, respecting the poor and indigent among us, it is 
 the advice of this Meeting that all })Oor Friends be taken 
 due care of, and that nothing be wanting for their necessary 
 supply, according to our ancient practice and testimony. 
 1720. P. E. 1861. 
 
 4. We have ever esteemed the duty of ministering to the 
 wants of the poor as one of primary obligation. This duty 
 ought to be exercised cheerfully and without grudging ; and 
 in assisting our poorer brethren, care should be taken not to 
 wound their feelings. It highly becomes a people professing 
 to be united in the faith and hope of the Gospel, to provide 
 for the relief of their own poor. The care of the poor was 
 one of the earliest evidences which Christianity aflforded to 
 the Gentiles of the superiority and Divine character of its 
 principles ; and a similar provision for those who are united 
 with us in religious fellowship appears to have been one of 
 the earliest occasions of our Meetings for Discipline. 
 
 The provision made for its poor by our Society is, however, 
 it should be remembered, entirely a voluntary one ; and its 
 only ground is Christian charity. Whilst enjoining the duty 
 of charity on those who are of ability to extend it, we would 
 remind our poor Friends, that it is their duty, by frugality 
 and industry, to use their strenuous endeavours to maintain 
 themselves and their families, and, by small savings in time 
 of health, to provide for sickness and old age, so as not to 
 be dependent on others. 
 
 We would also observe, that the provision of the Society 
 Avas never designed to contract the duty of charity between 
 individual Friends ; or to lessen the claims which near rela- 
 tions, in times of necessity, have upon each other. In an 
 especial manner, we esteem it the privilege and the duty of 
 the children of persons who are destitute, to minister to the 
 wants and comforts of their parents with an ati'ectionate cheer- 
 fulness, and not to throw the care of them on others. l83o. 
 
CHAPTEE XIY. 
 MARRIAGE REGULATIONS. 
 
 1. Marriage being an ordinance of God, a{)[Jointed for 
 
 man's heli) and blessing, ouoht to be entered upon 
 
 ^ o I Counsel in 
 
 in the fear of the Lord, and with a reverent atten- relation to 
 tion to his counsel and guidance. That love in 
 which our Heavenly Father would unite those who rightly 
 enter into this solemn engagement, is a love chastened and 
 sanctified by love to Him, and fitted to endure the test of the 
 multiplied trials and vicissitudes of life. 1872. 
 
 2. We accept the recent Act of Parliament in relation to 
 
 marriaoe according to our usages, as a fresh mark 
 
 f , , T . , 1 -35 Vict. c. 10. 
 
 of confidence on the part or our Legislature ; and 
 
 we feel that it is an additional c;-dl to maintain, in the cele- 
 bration of marriage, that publicity, order and simplicity, 
 which this Meeting has ever enjoined upon its members. 
 1872. P. E. 
 
 3. Such Friends as have, with serious advice, due delibera- 
 tion, and free and mutual consent, absolutely Marriage 
 agreed, espoused, or contracted upon the account engagements, 
 of marriage, should not be allowed or owned amongst us, in 
 any unfaithfulness or injustice one to another, to break or 
 violate any sucli contract or engagement. 1G75. 1833. 
 
260 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [CHAr. XIV. 
 
 4. This Meeting, having dehberately considered the great 
 Marriage by exercise brought upon our Society by divers in 
 tho priest. profession with us, who, contrary to our known 
 principles, and the wholesome discipline established among 
 us, are joined in marriage by the priest with persons cither 
 of our own or other j)ersuasions, doth earnestly advise, that 
 all Friends use their utmost endeavours to prevent such 
 marriages, when the parties' inclinations may come to their 
 knowledge. 
 
 And it is the sense and judgment of this Meeting, that, when 
 any marry by the priest, or in any other manner contrary to 
 the established rules of the Society, they shall be dealt with 
 by the Monthly Meeting, in the spirit of Christian love and 
 tenderness. 1744. 1768. 1783. 1833. 
 
 5. This Meeting is of the judgment that, as compliance 
 Marriages with the laws of the land, in cases wherein 
 liivv a'lone^to^ conscience is not violated, is an acknowledged 
 be passed. principle of Friends, the Society cannot, consist- 
 ently with this principle, allow, in our Meetings, the passing of 
 marriages which are not authorized by the law on this subject, 
 and which are included in the degrees of consanguinity or 
 affinity prohibited thereby. 1811. 
 
 ()Str also Counsel as to Marriayu; pj). 75 — 79.) 
 
 ORDER OF I'KOCEDURE WHERE THE PARTIES ARE MEMBERS 
 OF THE SAME MONTHLY MEETING. 
 
 6. The Clerks of our Monthly Meetings will be furnished 
 Marriage with the printed "Marriage Forms" set forth in 
 tonus. paragraph 8, which will be delivered, on appli- 
 cation, to members desiring to be united in marriage. 
 
 When delivering the " Marriage Forms," the Clerk is to 
 exercise due care in advising the applicant as to the necessary 
 
CHAP. XIV.] 
 
 MARRIAGE REGULATIONS. 
 
 261 
 
 notice being given to the Superintendent Regis- Members of 
 tnu- of the district, since, unless the regulations Monthly 
 required by law be complied with, the parties Meeting, 
 cannot be liberated for the solemnization of the marriage. 
 
 7. Notice of the intended marriage (in the form prescribed 
 by the Marriage Act* and accomi;)anied by a fee of . 
 
 , , . . Notice to 
 
 one shilling) must be given to the Superintendent Superintend- 
 Registrar of the district, or districts, within which ^^^^'^Si^tiai. 
 the parties may respectively have resided for not less 
 than seven days previously. After the expiration of twenty- 
 one days the Superintendent Registrar will, on application, 
 dehver his certificate of the notice required by law having 
 been duly complied with ; for which he will require 
 another fee of one shilling. The said certificate [or cer- 
 tificates, as the case may be] must be produced with 
 the other papers to the Monthly Meeting of which the 
 parties are members, Avithout which it cannot liberate the 
 parties for marriage. 
 
 8. The following are the Marriage Forms : — 
 
 Form No. 1.— Declaration of Intention. 
 
 To Monthly Meeting of Friends. 
 
 We, A. B.,of ,sonqfE.B and of F, Ms 
 
 roifp, and C. D., of , dangliter of Gr. D 
 
 and of H. Iris wife, lierehy inform yon that it is oiir intention 
 
 * 0 & 7 Wm. IV. c. 85. For other information as regards the .arrange- 
 ments needful to be attended to previously to marriage and consequent 
 thereujion, and also as to the granting of licenses in certain cases, see the 
 heading " Arrangements consequent on the Marriage and Registration 
 Acts," p. 280. 
 
!^62 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. [CHAP. XIV. 
 
 Members of fo tale each Other in marriage, if the Lord j^ermit, 
 
 MonthTy '""^ '^"^'^ ""^ "''^ clear of any other marriage engage- 
 
 Meeting. mott. Witness our hands, thix dat/ of 
 
 Signed, 
 
 A. B., 
 
 A mend>er of ^fonthlg Meeting. 
 
 C. D., 
 
 A member of ^fonthh| Meeting. 
 
 Witnessen to the Ktgnature o/'A.B., 
 
 of 
 
 , of 
 
 Witiic-'n^es to the .signature of Q. D., 
 
 , of 
 
 ,of 
 
 Form No. 2.— Consent of Parents or Guardians. 
 
 It is icith our [or niif^ consent tlicd tlie above-named parti-'s 
 proceed to the solemnization of their intended marriage. 
 Signed this da// of ono., 18 
 
 I The Man's 
 s Parents or 
 I Guardians. 
 
 1 The Woman's 
 K Parents or 
 I Guurdians. 
 
 ]]'itness to the signcdure of the parents or guardians of A. B., 
 
 , of 
 
 Witness to the signature of the jxtrents or guardians of C. 1)., 
 
 ,of 
 
CHAP. XIV.] 
 
 MARIUAGK REGULATIONS. 
 
 203 
 
 Form No. 3.— Certificate of Publication of Intention. 
 
 / hcvehy certify Unit jui/tlir notice of the ahoce- Members of 
 , . ■ ! . . , ,/ the samj 
 
 mentioned intention 0/ marriage was given at the Monthly 
 
 close of the usual First-day morning Meeting for Meeting. 
 
 Worship in Meeting -house, on the (/<"/ of the 
 
 month, 18 , and in Jfeefing-house, on the 
 
 day of the month, 18 , aiid that 1 have not 
 
 received notice of any objection to the soJemnization of the 
 
 intended marriage. 
 
 Signed, 
 
 ) 
 
 Clerk of Monthly 2reeting. 
 
 Dated of month, 18 
 
 Note.— Should the Clerk receive notice of objection (which, by Eegula- 
 tion 10, must be in writin":), the certificate may conclude in the following 
 words : " and that I have received the annexed notice of objection." 
 
 9. The person.s intending marriage must sign tlie form 
 No. 1, after it has been filled np ; each signature Forms to be 
 to be attested bj two adult witnesses. The form signed. 
 No. 2 is to be signed by the parents or parent, if any, of l)oth 
 parties, or if they or either of them have no parent living, and 
 be under the age of twenty-one years, then by the guardians 
 or guardian, if any, of such persons or person; and each 
 signature is to be attested by one adult witness. Under 
 special circumstances the Monthly Meeting authorized to 
 liberate the parties for marriage may, at its discretion, 
 dispense with the consent of parents, in the case of adults. 
 
 10. The foi'ms so signed are then to be transmitted to the 
 Clerk of the Monthly Meeting of which the parties 
 
 J C5 1 T-» 1 T i • 
 
 Fulihc notice. 
 
 are members, and such Clerk is to take care that 
 
 public notice of the intended marriage is given, as early as 
 
204 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMKNT. 
 
 [CHAr. XIY. 
 
 Members of possible, at the close of the First-day mornint^ 
 MonthTy ]Meetin(>- or Meetings which the parties respec- 
 Meeting. tively usually attend, or v.'ithin the limits of which 
 they reside. Such notice is to be in the form or to the 
 effect following : — 
 
 Friends, there is on intention of marriage hetiveen A. B., 
 
 of , and CD., of // 0711/ jyerson liave 
 
 antjthiiKi to object, let timehj information he given. 
 
 All objections must be in writing, under the hand of the 
 party objecting, and be forwarded to the Clerk 
 
 Objectious. r. i -st i i u/r • i • • /< 
 
 01 the Monthly Meeting, who is at once to inform 
 the parties thereof. 
 
 11. After the expiration of fourteen days from such public 
 notice (or the last of such public notices, if more 
 
 Libei'iitiun by 
 
 Mc.nthly ' than one), the Clerk is forthwith to till up and sign 
 Meeting. form No. 3. The forms are to be presented to 
 
 the Monthly Meeting of which the parties are members, at 
 its next or a future meeting, together with the needful 
 certificate or certificates, or license (as the case may be), of 
 the Superintendent Registrar or Superintendent Registrars, 
 or other duly authorized public officer (see pp. 280 to 283) ; 
 and such Monthly Meeting, on being satisfied that the fore- 
 going ])i'oceedings have been regularly taken, and that no 
 sufficient objection has arisen, may at once direct its Clerk 
 to record a minute in the following form, liberating the 
 parties to solemnize their intended marriage, viz. : — 
 
 A. B.,of , son of E. B and of F. his wife, 
 
 and C. D., of , daughter of G.D and of H. his wife, 
 
 being desirous of taking each other in marriage, and haimig 
 comjdied with the regtdations of our religious Soeiety in relation 
 thereto, the needful documents, including the cei'tifcates [or 
 certifcate, or license^ of the Superintendent Registrars [or 
 
CHAP. XIV.] 
 
 MARRIAGE REGULATIONS. 
 
 265 
 
 Stiperintetideut Registrar, or other duly autho- Members of 
 rized public officer], harlnr/ been produced to I Iris MonThly 
 Meeting/ and examined, and the neressnrij jridilie Meeting. 
 notice liavlng been abo given, tlie parties are left at liberf i/ to 
 solemnize their intended marriage in the Friends'' Meeting-house 
 
 at 
 
 A copy of such minute is to be signed by the Clerk on behalf 
 of the Meeting ; and the marriage forms, together with such 
 copy of minute, are to be sent in for perusal to the Monthly 
 Meeting of Women Friends. 
 
 12. A copy of the minute, together with the certificates 
 or certificate or license of the Superintendent Authority to 
 Registrars or Superintendent Registrar, or other 
 duly authorized public officer, is to be delivered, Officer, 
 previously to the day pi'oposed for the marriage, to the 
 Registering Officer of the Monthly Meeting within which the 
 marriage is to be solemnized, as his authority to register 
 the marriage ; and he is to report to the liberating Monthly 
 Meeting the date and accomplishment, as well as the legal 
 registration, of the marriage ; the reception of which report 
 is to be recorded on the minutes of the liberating Monthly 
 Meeting. 
 
 1.3. Marriages are to be solemnized at a Meeting for 
 Worship, held at some seasonable hour in the fore- 'Yima nnd 
 noon ; being either the iisual Week-day Meeting, place, 
 or a Meeting duly appointed on some convejiient Week-day, 
 of which public notice shall have been given at the close of 
 the Meeting for Worship in the same house on the previous 
 First-day morning.* They are to be solemnized in the 
 
 * In the case of a Meeting-house in which a Meeting for Worship is 
 regularly held on First-day afternoon or evening and not in the morning, 
 such notice given at such afternoon or evening Meeting shall be sufficient. 
 
266 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XIY. 
 
 Members of meeting-house which the woman usually attends 
 Monthly neighbourhood of which she resides, or 
 
 Meeting. jj^ some other meeting-house, with the previous 
 consent of Friends of such other IMeetino- : but no mar- 
 riage is to take place in a meeting-house in which a 
 Meeting for Worship is not regularly held. 
 
 14. After a seasonable time, the parties are to stand up, 
 
 emonj'. 
 
 and, taking each other by the hand, to declare, in 
 
 an audible and solemn manner, to the following 
 effect : the man first, viz. : — Friends, I take this viy friend^ 
 C. D., to he mi/ icife, proiiiisincf,' tlirour/li Divine assistance, to 
 he iijito Jier a loving and faitlifid hnshand, tintil it shall please 
 the Lord hi/ death to separat ns. And thn the woman, in 
 like manner : — Friends, I take tJiis my friend, A.B., to he m>/ 
 hvshand, promising, tlirovgh Divine assistance, to he nnto him 
 a loving and faithful ?infe, until it shall please the Lord hg 
 death to separate lis. 
 
 15. A certificate to the following efi^ect * is then to be 
 Marriage signed by the parties : the man first ; the woman 
 certificate, next, with her maiden or widow name ; and after 
 it has been signed by a few of those present as witnesses, it 
 is to be audibly read by some jiroper person. Such other 
 persons present at the marriage as think proper may sign 
 after the conclusion of the meetins- 
 
 Form of Marriage Certificate. 
 
 A. B., of , in the of , son of E. B., of , 
 
 171 the of , and of F. his ivife, and C. D., 
 
 dunghter of G. D., of , iri the of , 
 
 * This certificate should be jjrepareil bj- the parties. Forms can be 
 obtained from S. Hariis it Co., at the price of one shilling on paper, three 
 shillings on parchment, and six shillings and sixpence on vellum. 
 
CHAP. XIV.] MARRIAGK REGI LATIONS. 267 
 
 mid of H. Ids ivife, liaving (hdij made known their Members of 
 intention of taking each oilier in marriage, and *Mont^y 
 public notice of their said intention having been Meeting. 
 given, and the neidjul conseid oj jiarents [or gnai'diajis, as the 
 case uiay be] Juicing been signified, the proceedings of the 
 
 said A. B. and C. D. were allowed hy Monthly 
 
 Meeting of the religious Society of Friends held at , in 
 
 the <)/' Now these are to certify, that for 
 
 the solemnization of their said maniage, this day of 
 
 the month, in the year one thousand eight hundred and 
 
 , they, the said A. B. and C. D., appeared at a public 
 
 Meeting for Worship of the aforesaid Society, in their Meeting- 
 house in [or at, as the case may be] ; and the 
 
 said A. B., taking the said C. D. by the hand, declared as 
 J'olloweth : — 
 
 And the said C. D. did then and there, in the said assembly, 
 declare as followeth : — 
 
 And the Said A. B. and C. D., as a further confirnration 
 thereof, and in testimony thereunto, did then and there to these 
 presents set their hands. 
 
 A. B. 
 C. D, 
 
 We harinr/ heen prtfent at the (ihore-saul mavr'iage, 
 tiace also subscribed our names as witnesses 
 thereunto, the day and year abore written. 
 
 16. All powers and duties liereb}' given to or imposed 
 upon the Clerk of a Monthly Meeting are, in case 
 
 p 1 • 1 • • -11 Piuvision 
 
 or his absence or incapacity, to be exercised by when Clerk 
 the Assistant Cleyk of the same Meeting, or by a 'I'^^'ent. 
 
268 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XIV. 
 
 Members of Friend appointed by the Monthly Meeting to act as 
 Monthly Clerk in the absence of both Clerk and Assistant. 
 Meeting. rpj^^ expression " Monthly Meeting," in these 
 
 regulations, is to be applicable to Meetings for Discipline 
 exercising the functions of a Monthly Meeting, though held 
 less frequently than once a month. 
 
 ORDER OP PROCEDURE WHEN THE PARTIES ARE MEMBERS OF 
 DIFFERENT MONTHLY MEETINGS. 
 
 17. The Clerks of onr Monthly Meetings will be furnished 
 Marriage with the printed " Marriage Forms " set forth 
 Foimb. paragraph 19, which will be delivered, on 
 application, to members desiring to be united in marriage. 
 
 When delivering the " Marriage Forms," the Clerk is to 
 exercise due care in advising the applicant as to the necessary 
 notice being given to the Superintendent Registrar of the 
 district, since, unless the regulations required by law be 
 complied with, the parties cannot be liberated for the solem- 
 nization of the marriage. 
 
 18. Notice of the intended marriage (in the form prescribed 
 Notice to by the Marriage Act* and accompanied by a fee of 
 ten^dent shilling) must be given to the Superintendent 
 Registrar. Registrar of the district, or districts, within which 
 the parties may respectively have resided for not less than 
 seven days previously. After the expiration of tv/enty-one 
 days the Superintendent Registrar will, on application, deliver 
 
 * 6 & 7 Wm. IV. c. 85. For other information as regards the arrange- 
 ments needful to be attended to previously to marriage and consequent 
 thereupon, and also as to the granting of licenses in certain eases, see the 
 heading, " Arrangements consequent on the Marriage and Registration 
 Acts," p. 280. 
 
 J 
 
CHAP. XIV.] 
 
 MARRIAGE REGULATIONS. 
 
 26y 
 
 his certificate of the notice required by law havin<)' Members of 
 been duly complied with ; for which he will require Mo^nthly 
 another fee of one shillin<r. The said certifi- Meetings, 
 cate [or certificates, as the case may be] must be produced 
 with the other jjapers to the Monthly Meeting to Avhicli the 
 woman belongs (which is hereinafter called " the liberating 
 Monthly Meeting"), without which it cannot liberate the 
 parties for marriage. 
 
 19. The following are the Marriage Forms : — 
 
 Form No. 1.— Declaration of Intention. 
 
 To * Mo7ithlii Meeting of Friemh. 
 
 We, A.B., of 5 aon of E. B and of F. his 
 
 if'/e, and C. D., of , daughter of G. D and of 
 
 H. Ills wife, herehij inform gou that it in our intention to take 
 each other in marriage, if the Lord pennit, a)id that we are 
 dear of ang other marriage engagement. Witness our hands 
 
 this dag of nw., 18 
 
 Signed, 
 
 A. B., 
 
 A member of Monthlg Meeting. 
 
 C. D., 
 
 A member of Monthly Meeting. 
 
 Witnesses to the signature of A. B., 
 
 , of 
 
 , of 
 
 Witnesses to the signature ofC D., 
 
 , of' 
 
 , of 
 
 * One should be atldrcKsed to each of tlic Montldy Meetings to which the 
 parties belong. 
 
270 
 
 CHUKCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. xrv. 
 
 Form No. 2.— Consent of Parents or Guardians. 
 
 Members of It is with oar [or my] consent that the aliove- 
 MontUy named jmrtie^ proceed to the solenmization of their 
 Meetings. intended marricuje. 
 
 Signed this duj/ of mo., 18 
 
 T/tc Man's 
 Parents or 
 Guardians. 
 
 Tlic Woman's 
 , Parents or 
 I Guardians. 
 
 Witness to the shjnatnre of the parents or guardians of A. B., 
 
 , of 
 
 Witness to the signature of the parents or guardians of CD., 
 
 , of 
 
 Form No. 3.— Certificate of Publication of Intention. 
 
 I hereby certify that public notice of the above-mentioned 
 intention of marnage was gii^en at the close of the usual First- 
 day morning Meeting for Worshijj in Meeting-house, 
 
 Q,i tlte day of month, 18 , and in 
 
 Meeting-house, on the day of month, 18 , 
 
 and that I have not received notice of any objection to the 
 solemnization of the intended marriage. 
 Signed, 
 
 J 
 
 Clerk of Monthly Meeting. 
 
 Dated of month, 18 
 
 J^OXK.— should the Clerk receive notice of objection (wliieli, by Itegula- 
 tion 21 must be in writing), the certificate may conclude in the following- 
 words : ■■ and that I have received the annexed notice of objection." 
 
 J 
 
CHAl'. XIV.] 
 
 MARRIAGE REOULATIUNS. 
 
 271 
 
 20. The })er.son.s intending marriage must .-^ign Members of 
 in duplicate the form No. 1, after it has been filled MontMy 
 np; each signature to be attested by two adult Meetings, 
 witnesses. The form No. 2 is to be signed in duplicate by the 
 parents or parent, if any, of both ])arties, or if they or either 
 of them have no parent living, and be under the Forms to be 
 age of twenty-one years, then by the guai'dians S'ig"«fl. 
 or guardian, if any, of such persons or person, and each sig- 
 nature is to be attested by one adult witness. Under special 
 circumstances the liberating Monthly Meeting may, at its 
 discretion, dispense with the consent of parents, in the case 
 of adults. 
 
 21. One of the duplicate forms so signed is then to be 
 
 transmitted to the Clerk of each of the Monthly 
 
 . f 1 • 1 1 • Puljlio Notice. 
 
 Meetings oi which the parties are I'espectively 
 
 members; and such Clerks are to take care that public notice 
 
 of the intended marriage is given, as early as possible, at the 
 
 close of the First-day morning Meetings which the parties 
 
 respectively usually attend, or within the limits of which 
 
 they reside. Such notice is to be in the form or to the effect 
 
 following : — 
 
 Friends, there is an intention of marriage between A. B., 
 
 of , and C. D., of If any i^erson have anijtlun<j 
 
 to ohject, let timely information he given. 
 
 All objections must be in writing, under the hand of the 
 
 partv objecting, and be forwarded to the Clerk of 
 
 , , , . T»T ,11 Ti/r • 1 . Objections, 
 
 each ot the respective Monthly Meetings, who is 
 
 at once to inform the parties thereof. 
 
 22. After the expiration of fourteen days from each of such 
 public notices, the respective Clerks are forthwith 
 
 Liberation 
 
 to fill up and sign the form No. 3, and the Clerk by Monthly 
 of the non-liberating Monthly Meeting (without Meeting, 
 previously presenting it to his own Monthly Meeting) is then 
 
272 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [CHA1>. XIV. 
 
 Members of io forward his copy, so signed, to the Clerk of the 
 BlfntWy hberating Monthly Meeting. The duplicate forms 
 Meetings. .^i^q Iq presented to the liberating Monthly 
 Meeting at its next or a future meeting, together with the 
 needful certificate or certificates, or license (as the case may 
 be), of the Superintendent Registrar or Superintendent 
 Registrars, or other duly authori;;ed public officer (see pp. 280 
 to 283) ; and such Monthly Meeting, on being satisfied that 
 the foregoing proceedings have been regularl}' taken, and that 
 no sufficient objection has arisen, may at once direct its 
 Clerk to record a minute in the following form, liberating 
 the parties to solemnize their intended marriage, viz. : — 
 
 A. B., of , son of E, B and of ¥. his wife, 
 
 (U/d C. D., of , daughter of Gr.D and of H. his 
 
 ■wife, heing desirous of taking each other in marriage, and 
 liaciuq complied with the regulations of oar religious Societg in 
 relation thereto, the needful documents, including the certifcates 
 [or certificate or license'] of the Superintendent Registrars [or 
 Superintendent Registrar, or other duly authorized public ofiicer], 
 having been produced to this Meeting and examined, and the 
 necessary pxdAic notice having heen cdso given, the parties are 
 left at lihertg to solemnize their intended marriage in the 
 Friends' Meeting-house at 
 
 A copy of such minute is to be signed by the Clerk on behalf 
 of the Meeting ; and the marriage forms, together with such 
 copy of minute, are to be sent in for perusal to the Monthly 
 Meeting of Women Friends. 
 
 23. A copy of the minute, together Avith the certificates 
 Authority to or certificate, or license, of the Superintendent 
 aud report of Xiesistrars or Superintendent Registrar, or other 
 
 Kegisteriug ° .... 
 
 Officer. duly authorized public officer, is to be delivered, 
 previously to the day pro})Osed for the marriage, lo the 
 
CHAP. XIV.] 
 
 MARRIAGE REGULATIONS. 
 
 273 
 
 Registering Officer of the Monthly Meeting within Members of 
 which the marriage is to be solemnized, as his MontWy 
 authority to register the marriage ; and he is to Meetings, 
 report to the liberating Monthly Meeting the date and accom- 
 plishment, as well as the legal registration, of the marriage ; 
 the reception of which report is to be recorded on the minutes 
 of the liberating Monthly Meeting. 
 
 24. Marriages are to be solemnized at a Meeting for 
 Worship, held at some seasonable hour in the fore- Time and 
 noon ; being either the usual Week-day Meeting, or P'^°®' 
 a Meeting duly appointed on some convenient Week-day, of 
 which public notice shall have been given at the close of the 
 Meeting for Worship in the same house on the previous First- 
 day morning.* They are to be solemnized in the meeting- 
 house which the woman usually attends or in the neighbour- 
 hood of which she resides, or in some other meeting-bouse, 
 with the previous consent of Friends of such other Meeting ; 
 but no marriage is to take place in a meeting-house in which 
 a Meeting for Worsip is not regularly held. 
 
 25. After a seasonable time, the parties are to stand up, 
 and taking each other by the hand, to declare in an 
 
 " *^ _ ^ Ceremony. 
 
 audible and solemn manner to the following effect : 
 the man first, viz. : — Friends, I take tliis my friend, C. D., to 
 he my ivife, j^romising , through Divine assistance, to be unto her 
 a loving and faithful husband, until it shall please the Lord by 
 death to separate us. And then the woman in like maimer : 
 — Friends, I take this my friend, A. B., to he my husband, 
 promising, through FHvine assistance, to be unto him a loving 
 and faithful wife, until it shall please the Lord by death to 
 separate us. 
 
 * In the case of a meeting-house in which a Meeting for Worship is 
 regularly held on. First-day afternoon or evening, and not in the morning, 
 such notice given at such afternoon or evening meeting shall be sufficient. 
 
 18 
 
274 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XIV. 
 
 Members of 26. A certificate to the following effect* is then 
 Mo^nthly signed by the parties : the man first ; the 
 
 Meetings. woman next, with her maiden or widow name ; and 
 after it has been signed by a few of those present as witnesses, 
 Marriage be audibly read by some proper person, 
 
 certificate. guch other persons present at the marriage as 
 think proper may sign after the conclusion of the meeting. 
 
 Form of Marriage Certificate. 
 
 A. B., of , in the of son of E. B., 
 
 of , in the of , and of F. his wife, 
 
 and C. D. , daughter of G. D., of , in the 
 
 of , and of H. Jiis tcife, having duly made hnoivn 
 
 their intention of taking each other in marriage, and j^uhlic 
 notice of their said intention having been given, and the 
 needful consent of parents [or guardians, as the case may be] 
 having been signified, the jjroceedings of the said A. B. and 
 
 C. D. ivere alloived by Monthly Meeting of the religious 
 
 Society of Friends held at , in the of 
 
 Now these are to certify that, for the solemniza- 
 tion of their said marriage this day of the 
 
 month, in the year one thousand eight hundred and , 
 
 tliey, the said A. B. and C D., aj^peared a' a public Meeting 
 for Worship of the aforesaid Society, in their Meeting-house in 
 
 [or at, as the case may be] ; ovifZ the said A. B., 
 
 taking the said C. D. by the hand, declared as followeth: — 
 ***** 
 
 And the said C. D. did then and there, in the said assembly, 
 declare as followeth : — 
 
 And the said A. B. and C. D., as a further confirmation 
 
 * This certificate should be prspared bj' the parties. Forms can be 
 obtained from S. Harris ifc Co., at the price of one shilling on paper, three 
 shillings on parchment, and six shillings and sixpence on vellum. 
 
CHAP. XIV.] 
 
 MARRIAGE REGULATfONS. 
 
 275 
 
 thereof, and in testinioni/ thereunto, did then and Members of 
 there to these presents set their hands. MooatMy 
 
 A. B. Meetings. 
 
 C. D. 
 
 We, having heen present at the ahovesaid marriage, 
 have nho subscribed our names as witnesses 
 Ihereiin/o, the da// and i/ear nbare irritten. 
 
 27. The set of the marriage form';, signed by the Clerk 
 of the Monthly Meeting of which the man is a Report to 
 member, and also a copy of the mmate of libera- Monthly 
 tion, with a statement of the day and place of the Meeting, 
 solemnization of the mai'riage, signed by the Clerk of the 
 Monthly Meeting of which the woman is a member, are, after 
 the marriage, to be furnished to the Clerk of the Monthly 
 Meeting of which the man is a member ; and the woman is 
 then to be recorded as a member of her husband's Monthly 
 Meeting, except, of course, in the case of non-membership. 
 
 In case the woman be in the station of a Minister, infor- 
 mation of her being in that station is to be connnunicated 
 minute ; and the same course is to be pursued in the case of 
 an Elder who, by her marriage, becomes a member of another 
 Monthly Meeting within the limits of the same Quarterly 
 Meeting. 
 
 28. All powers and duties hereby given to or imposed upon 
 the Clerk of a Monthly Meeting are, in case of . . 
 
 o 7 l^rovi.'sion 
 
 his absence or incapacity, to be exercised by the when Clerk 
 Assistant Clerk of the same Meeting, or by a 
 Friend appointed by the Monthly Meeting to act as Clerk in 
 the absence of both Clerk and Assistant. 
 
 The expression " Monthly Meeting," in these regulations, 
 is to be applicable to Meetings for Discipline exercising the 
 functions of a Monthly Meeting, though held less frequently 
 than once a month. 
 
276 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XIV. 
 
 ORDER OF PROCEDURE WHEN EITHER OR BOTH OF THE 
 PARTIES IS OR ARE NOT IN MEMBERSHIf. 
 
 Either or 29. The legislature having (by the Acts 23 and 
 not^n^'^^'^* 24 Vict. c. 18, and 35 Vict. c. 10) legalized mar- 
 membership j.jjjgg^ according to our usages, between parties, 
 one or both of whom may not be in membership with 
 the Society of Friends, the following regulations 
 
 23&24Vict. , , , . p , 
 
 c. IS. and 35 are to be observed in reierence to such mar- 
 Met, c. 10. 
 
 riages. 
 
 30. In all cases of intended marriage, where one or both 
 of the parties shall not be in membership, but shall 
 
 Non- members 
 
 must obtain desire to be married in accordance with our usages, 
 pel mission, g^^jj^ person, or each such person, shall, in the first 
 place, sign a declaration, attested by two adult members of 
 the Society of Friends in the form following, viz. : — 
 
 Form of Declaration. 
 
 To Alonthly Meeting of Friends, or the 
 
 Registering Officer thereof. 
 
 I herehy declare that I am desirous of heing married according 
 to the usages of the Society of Friends, and, if permission so to 
 do he granted, I undertake to comply in all respects loith the 
 regulations of the Society in relation to marriage. 
 
 Signed this day of month, 18 
 
 A. B. 
 
 We, the undersigned, witnesses to the foregoing signature, 
 are of opinion that permission to he married accoi'ding to our 
 usages may suitably be granted to A. B. hy the Monthly Meeting. 
 
 E. F., o/" 
 
 G. H., of 
 
 And such declaration, or each such declaration (as the case 
 may be), is then to be presented to the Registering Officer 
 
CHAP. XIV.] BIARUIAliK UKGUI-ATIONS. 
 
 of the Monthly Meetin^r within tlie limits of which Eith?r or 
 the party making the declaration nvsidcs, who ^nofin 
 may either accede thereto or refer the appHcation membership, 
 to the Monthly Meeting, which may accept or i-cfnsc the 
 application at its discretion. Upon acceding to such an 
 application, the Registering Officer is at once to give notice 
 to the Clerk of the Monthly Meeting. 
 
 31. On the application being acceded to, the Registering 
 Officer shall issue a certificate* in the form or Certificate of 
 to the effect following, for the applicant to produce Permission, 
 to the Superintendent Registrar whe,n giving him tlv.i notice 
 required by law. 
 
 Form of Certificate. 
 
 I lierebij certifij tlutt A. B. is a person dnli/ anl/iorhcd, luu/cr 
 the General Rules of t/te Societal/ oj' Friends, to proceed to the 
 
 accomplishment of marriage according to the usages of th: 
 
 said Society. As ivitness mij hand this dag of 
 
 month, 18 
 
 I. J., 
 
 Registering Officer of Monthlg Meeting. 
 
 32. Subject to the production of such declaration or decla- 
 rations (as the case may be), and the consent of Subsetiueut 
 the Registering Officer or Officers, or of the procedure. 
 Monthly Meeting or Monthly Meetings (as the case may be) 
 whose consent is required by paragraph 30, the proceedings, 
 in relation to all marriages coming within the pre.-cnt 
 regulations, shall be conducted throughout, according to the 
 foregoing regulations, in the same manner as if the person 
 
 * The certificate is required by the provisions of the Statute 35 Vict. c. M), 
 except in cases where the party giving such notice shall declare either ver- 
 bally, or in writing if required, that both parties arc " in )irofessiou vviMi, or 
 of the persuasion" of the Society of Friends. It is however desirable that 
 this certificate should, as a general rule, be obtained in the case of all 
 non-members. 
 
278 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT, 
 
 [chap. XIV. 
 
 Either or Or persons SO desiring to be married in accord- 
 both parties i i 
 not in ance witn our usages were a member or members 
 
 membership, of the Monthly Meeting, or Monthly Meetings, 
 within which he, she, or they shall respectively reside : and 
 the declaration or declarations produced under the preceding 
 regulations should, when the parties have been liberated for 
 marriage, be sent in for perusal, with the other docviments, 
 to the Monthly Meeting of Women Friends. (See para- 
 graphs 11 and 22.) 
 
 Membership 33. Marriages, under these circumstances, are 
 by^iiarties or "'^^ Confer ou the contracting parties, or on 
 fhildreii. their children, any rights of membership. 
 
 34. A woman who is a member, marrying a man not in 
 . membership, who resides within the limits of another 
 membershi]) Monthly Meeting, is not to become a member of 
 
 not changed. i i n/r i i tit • 
 
 sucli other Monthly Meetmg without the usual 
 Certificate of Removal. 
 
 REGULATIONS AS TO MARRIAGES TAKING PLACE ABROAD. 
 
 35. In any case where it is intended to solemnize a marriage 
 Within a between one of our members and a member of a 
 Meeth!^'^*^ Meeting recognized by this Yearly Meeting on 
 abroad. the American Continent, or in the Southern 
 Hemisphere, or elsewhere abroad, within the limits of any 
 such Meeting, our member is left at liberty to conform, in 
 all respects, to the usages of the said Meeting. The Monthly 
 Meeting within whose limits such marriage shall take place 
 is desired to give early information thereof to the Monthly 
 Meeting in this country to which our member belongs ; upon 
 Ihe receipt of which the Monthly Meeting in this country is to 
 forward such Certificate of Removal, or record such transfer 
 of membership, as the circumstances of the case shall require. 
 
CHAP. XIV.] 
 
 MAUKIAGE REGULATIONS. 
 
 279 
 
 The f'oiTo;oin<f rcoulations are to extend, as far as applicable, 
 to marriages, under like eireunistances, according" to our 
 usages, between members and nun-members. 
 
 36. When any of our members resident in foreign parts 
 intend to solemnize their marriage abroad, and BeyDud the 
 beyond the limits of any Meeting recognized by '""etoguiled 
 this Yearly Meeting, they are recommended to Meeting, 
 conform, as closely as the laws of the country and of our own 
 legislature* will permit, to the usages of our Society in respect 
 to marriage ; and to report their course of procedure, a:id 
 to furnish evidence of such marriage, to the Monthly Meeting 
 in this country to which he, she, or they may respectively 
 belong; which Monthly Meeting is to make such record or 
 transfer of membership, or to take such other proceedings as, 
 in its judgment, the circumstances of the case require. 
 
 37. Marriages according to Friends' usages in Scotland 
 have for some time been valid as irregular " mar- scotch 
 riages. Under the Marriage Notice (Scotland) iMmages. 
 Act, I878,t a marriage contracted and solemnized according 
 to the usages of the Society of Friends is declared a " regular " 
 marriage, provided that both the parties be members, and 
 that notice of their intention be given to the Registrar or 
 Registrars of Marriages of the district or districts in which 
 the parties reside, and his or their certificate or certificates 
 shall have issued in manner provided by the Act. 
 
 * Sec Statutes 4 Geo. IV. c. !)1 ; 12 13 Vict. c. 68; under whicli 
 man-iages in countries out of the limits of Clu'istian civilization may bo 
 solemnized, after certain notices, in the i)rescnce of the British Consul for the 
 district. Further particulars may be obtained of sucli Consul, or from the 
 Uecording Clerk of the Society. For marriages in India see also 11 15 
 Vict. c. 40. 
 
 t 41 i; 12 Vict. c. 43. 
 
280 
 
 CHUIICH GOVEKNMENT. 
 
 [CllAr. XIV. 
 
 arrangements consequent on the marriage and 
 r3g; tration acts. 
 
 38. The Miirriatre Act * ((5 & 7 Win. IV. c. 85) expressly 
 6 & 7 Wm. |>i'ovides — that the Society of Friends, connnonly 
 IV. c. 8.5. called Quakers, may continue to contract and 
 solemnize marriacre according to the usaees of the said 
 Society ; and every such marriage is thereby declared and 
 confirmed good in law,t provided that the parties to such 
 marriage be both of the said Society; J provided also that 
 notice to the Superintendent Registrar shall have been given, 
 and his certificate shall have issued in manner provided by 
 the Act. 
 
 39. " One of the parties " is to " give notice " of the 
 Notice to intended marriage, " under his or her hand," — 
 teiident' " Superintendent Registrar § of the district 
 Registrar. within whicli the parties shall have dwelt for not 
 less than seven days then next preceding ; or, if the parties 
 dwell in the districts of different Superintendent Registrars, 
 shall give the like notice to the Superintendent Registrar of eaclt 
 district." It will be proper that the notice or notices should 
 
 * This Act applies only to marriages in England. The corresponding Act 
 tor Ireland is the 7 & 8 Vict. c. 81. 
 
 f By the Act (10 & 11 Vict. c. 58) the marriages of Friends, solemnized 
 according to their usages in England before the Act of 6 cS: 7 Wm. IV., 
 are declared to have been and to be valid. 
 
 X By the Acts (23 & 21 Vict. c. 18, and 35 Vict. c. 10) this proviso is 
 repealed. But by the last -mentioned Act any person, not a member, must 
 on giving notice of his intention to the Superintendent Registrar, produce a 
 certificate from some Registering Officer of the Society of Friends that he 
 is authorized to solemnize the marriage according to our usages ; unless 
 he be in profession with or of the persuasion of the Society. See p. 277. 
 
 § In districts under the Registration Act (6 & 7 Wra. IV. c. 80) there 
 are sometimes appointed Deputy Registrars, as well as Registrars and a 
 Superintendent Registrar ; care must be taken to give the notice to the 
 Superintendent Registrar or the Deputy Superintendent Registrar. 
 
CHAP. XIV.] 
 
 MAKUIAGE UEGULATIONS. 
 
 281 
 
 bo given (f< lenM twonty-two days before tlic Montlily Meeting 
 at which the parties are Ukely to be liberated tor marriage, 
 so as to allow time for the issuing of the certificate and for 
 its production at the Monthly Meeting, as hereinafter directed. 
 And every such notice must be accompanied with the pay- 
 ment of a fee of one shilling to the Superintendent liegistrar 
 for entering the same. The said notice is in a printed form 
 kept at his office. 
 
 By the Statute 3 & 4 Vict. c. 72, sec. 1, the building in 
 which the marriage is to be solemnized must be within the 
 district wherein one of the parties shall have dwelt for the 
 time required by the Marriage Act. Marriages according to 
 the usages of the Society of Friends are exempted from this 
 provision, so that the building wherein the marriage is to be 
 solemnized need not be situate within either of the districts 
 in which the parties respectively dwell. 
 
 40. After the expiration of twenty-one days after the 
 entry of the foregoing notice, the Superintendent Certificate 
 Registrar, upon being requested by or on behalf °^ ^teudeut 
 of the party by whom the notice was given, is to Registrar, 
 issue a certificate in the form provided by the Act, which 
 should certify the date of the notice given and the several 
 particulars thereof. Where the parties reside within ditt'erenfc 
 districts, a separate certificate of notice must be obtained 
 (as before stated) from each Superintendent Registrar. The 
 Superintendent Registrar is entitled to a fee of one shilling 
 for every such certificate. The said officer is required to 
 preserve all such notices, and to enter them in a book kept 
 by him ; which notice-book is to be open to inspection 
 without charge. If the marriage should not take place within 
 three calendar months after the entry of the notice or notices, 
 such notice or notices become void ; and all the proceedings 
 above described, namely, the notice or notices, entry and issue 
 of the certificate or certificates, must be gone through again. 
 
282 
 
 CHUllCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XIV. 
 
 The cortiHcate or certificates thus obtained nuistl)e deHvered, 
 |)reviously to the marriage, to the Clerk of the Monthly 
 Meeting of which the ■woman is a member, or within the 
 limits of which, if not a member, she shall reside, and which 
 is herein referred to as " the woman's Monthly Meeting." 
 
 41. In order to ensure due compliance with the foregoing 
 To be pro- legislative provisions (without the observance of 
 
 duced to the , . , i . -n i • i • i n i • 
 
 liberating which the marriage will be void in law), this 
 Meeting' and M^eeting directs that the woman's Monthly Meet- 
 delivered to j^p; be not at liberty to clear the parties for 
 
 Registeruig ° _ _ ^ ^ 
 
 Oiiicer. marriage unless the certificate of the Superinten- 
 dent Registrar, or the certificates (as the case may be), shall 
 have been produced to it: a record of their having been 
 so produced and examined is to be made. The said Meeting 
 is also to take due care that such certificate or certificates 
 be delivered, previously to the marriage, to the Registering 
 Officer* of the Monthly Meeting within the limits of which 
 it is intended to solemnize the marriage ; accompanied by 
 a notice or minute, signed by the Clerk, informing him that 
 the parties are cleared accordingly. It is recommended that 
 timely notice be given to the Registering Officer of the day 
 and place intended for the solemnization of the marriage, in 
 order that, as he is the person to register the marriage, he 
 may, if practicable, be present thereat. 
 
 42. It is not necessary that our meeting-houses should be 
 Meeting- registered for the solemnization of marriages. But, 
 ueecrnot be li^^viug regard to our position under the Act in 
 registered, ^^^ig respect, and to the tenor of our rules (see 
 especially paragrai)hs 13 and 24), this Meeting directs that 
 no mari'iage shall take place at a meeting-house in which a 
 Meeting for Worship is not regulai-ly held. 
 
 * The designation given Ijy the Act to tlie Friend who acts as Itcgistrar 
 of marriages within the Monthly Meeting. See paragraph 45. 
 
CHAP. XIV.] 
 
 MAUUIAGK REGULATIONS. 
 
 283 
 
 43. The Act (19 & 20 Vict. c. 119) authorises marriages 
 by license between members of our Society, under Marriage by 
 the restrictions specified in the Act, and slightly lit^tJ"*';- 
 modifies or explains the provisions of the former Acts, where 
 one of the parties is resident in Ireland. 
 
 With regard to the license, upon notice of the intended 
 marriage being given to the Superintendent Registrar of the 
 district where either of the parties resides, such Superintendent 
 Registrar may grant a certificate and license on the next day 
 but one after the entry in his book of the notice ; and the 
 granting of such license to one of the parties, where they 
 reside in different districts, supersedes the necessity of giving 
 notice of the marriage to the Superintendent Registrar of 
 the district where the other party resides. Where a license 
 is taken out the parties are made liable, under the Act, to 
 the observance of certain formalities, and to the payment of 
 an additional fee and stamp, as therein sjiecified.* Friends 
 adopting this mode of procedure must of course produce the 
 license to the Monthly Meeting before they can be set at 
 liberty for the accomplishment of their marriage. 
 
 44. The same Act also provides that where a marriage is 
 
 about to take place in this country without license, 
 
 ... . Marriage 
 
 and one of the parties resides in Ireland, a notice when one 
 
 in the form fhe^^e used in that behalf, and a cartifi- "^^^^^ 
 
 cate issued in mirsuance thereof, shall be as valid and effectual 
 
 for authorizing the solemnization of a marriage in this country 
 
 as the usual notice to, and certificate from, a Superintendent 
 
 Registrar in England would be. 
 
 45. In every Monthly Meeting a suitable Friend is to be 
 appointed to register all marriages that may be Registering 
 solemnized within the limits of such Meeting. The Officer, 
 importance of the duties of the office renders it necessary that 
 
 * The additional fee and stamp amount to £2, and a 2s. 6d. stamii is 
 payable on the declaration. 
 
284 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XIV. 
 
 it should be kopt constantly filled by a person fully competent 
 to act therein, according to the provisions of the law, and 
 who may not be likely to be interrupted in the performance 
 of his duties by absence from home or other causes. On 
 every fresh appointment of such Friend (who, according to 
 the Registration Act, 6 & 7 Wm. IV. c. 86, is designated a 
 Registering Officer of the Society of Friends "), Monthly 
 Meetings are to take care to report, without delay, by minute 
 signed by the Clerk, his name and address to the Recording 
 Clerk of the Society, No. 12, Bishopsgate Street Without, 
 London, E.C.; who is required by the Act to certify the same 
 in writing to the Registrar-General in London.* The requisite 
 marriage register-books, and printed forms for the Quarterly 
 Returns, are furnished from the office of the Registrar- 
 General, t 
 
 46. The Act directs that, as soon as may be after the solem- 
 nization of a marriage, the Registering Officer (of 
 
 Registration. . . i.. n ^ • ^ 
 
 the Monthly Meetmg withm the limits of which 
 it has been solemnized) " shall register, or cause to be regis- 
 tered," in duplicate books supplied to him, " the several 
 particulars relating to the marriage ; " and that " such 
 Registering Officer, whether he shall or shall not be present 
 at such marriage, shall satisfy himself that the proceedings 
 in relation thereto have been conformable to the usages of 
 the Society ; " and that " every such entry shall be signed 
 
 * Each Registering Officer acts only witliin the district or Monthly 
 ^Meeting for which he has been certified as above. An account of our several 
 ilonthly Meeting districts has been rendered to the Registrar-General. If a 
 marriage be solemnized a' a meeting-house out of the limits of the woman's 
 Monthly Meeting (see paragraphs 13 and 2-t), the mamage is to be registered 
 by the Registering Officer of the Monthly Meeting wherein the said meeting- 
 house is situated ; in which case the certificates of notice and the minute 
 of the woman's Monthly Meeting clearing the parties (see paragraph 41) 
 must be delivered to the said officer previously to the marriage. 
 
 t Printed forms for certified copies of the Register of ^Marriages may be 
 pui'chased from Shaw i: Son, Fetter Lane, E.G. 
 
OHAr. XIV.] 
 
 MARRIAGE REGULATIONS. 
 
 285 
 
 by the said Registering Officer, and by the parties married, 
 and by two witnesses." 
 
 In order to fulfil these requisitions of the Act, this Meeting 
 recommends that the register-books be filled up, signed, and 
 witnessed, at the time of the marriage, or immediately after.* 
 The Registering Officer, having received the certificates of 
 notice, as well as the minute of the woman's Monthly Meet- 
 ing, informing him that the parties are cleared for marriage 
 (as directed by paragraph 41), is, after the solemnization of 
 the marriage, to register, or cause to be registered, the several 
 particulars in his duplicate register-books according to the 
 following form : — 
 
 MARRIAGE REGISTER. 
 
 No. 
 
 When 
 Married. 
 
 Name 
 and 
 Surname. 
 
 Age. 
 
 Condition. 
 
 Riiuk or 
 
 Pro- 
 fession. 
 
 Residence at 
 
 tlie time 
 of Marriage. 
 
 Father's 
 name 
 
 and sur- 
 name. 
 
 Rank or 
 Profes- 
 sion of 
 Father. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Av. 46, 
 
 
 
 
 6th of 
 8th 
 month, 
 
 Ja m I S 
 
 Of full 
 
 Bachelor. 
 
 Car- 
 
 Hi/jh Street, 
 
 Stejmey, 
 Middle.fe.r. 
 
 John 
 
 Car- 
 
 1 
 
 Smith. 
 
 aye: 
 
 
 jH-utei: 
 
 Smith. 
 
 penter. 
 
 
 1837. 
 
 Martha 
 Green. 
 
 Minor. 
 
 Spinster. 
 
 
 Grove Farm, 
 near Maid- 
 stone, Kent. 
 
 James 
 Green. 
 
 Far- 
 mer. 
 
 Married in the Friends' Meeting-house, Maidstone, according 
 to the usages of the Society of Friends by licence or by 
 certificate. 
 
 A. B., Registering Officer. 
 
 riage was' James Smith, ( , ^ ( C. B., Miller, Maidstone. 
 solemnized I Martha Green, t y E. F., Brugcjist, Bochester. 
 
 between us ) ) ' ; 
 
 [The words and figures in italics to be filled up as the case may be.] 
 
 ♦ The arrangements necessary to accomplish the object of the due regis- 
 tration of a marriage, under the various circumstances which may occur, must 
 be left to the care and discretion of Monthly Meetings as well as other parties 
 concerned. Should the Registering Officer be unavoidably prevented from 
 being present at the solemnization of the marriage, care must be taken that 
 the entries be, notwithstanding, duly made and signed by the parties and 
 witnesses ; and the Registering Officer, having satisfied himself of the 
 regularity of the proceedings, is afterwards to add his signature. 
 
286 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XIV. 
 
 47. In filling up the registers great care must be used that 
 Correction of no error be committed.* On the discovery of any 
 errors. error in an entry, the Registering Officer is re- 
 quired by the Act, within one calendar month after such 
 discovery, in the presence of the parties married, or, in case 
 of their absence, then in the presence of the Superintendent 
 Registrar of the district, and of two other witnesses (who are 
 respectively to attest the same), to correct the error by entrv 
 in the margin, without any alteration of the original entry 
 and he is to sign the marginal entry, and add thereto the 
 date when the correction was made. (See Section 44 of the 
 Registration Act.) In general, the several particulars of a 
 marriage register should correspond with those in the 
 marriage forms. By Section 38 of the Act, certified copies 
 of entries in the Register, sealed with the seal of the Register 
 office, are to be received as evidence of the marriage " to 
 which the same relate "; and, by other sections, penalties are 
 imposed for wilful injury or loss of registers.! 
 
 48. Every Registering Officer is required to make a 
 Registering quarterly return, in the First, Fourth, Seventh 
 qiSterly "^^^^^ Months, of copics of the entries of 
 returns. marriages which have been registered by him in 
 the three calendar months preceding; or, if no marriage has 
 been registered by him in that period, a certificate that such 
 is the case.f Blank forms for these certified copies are sup- 
 plied from the civil register-office, not by the Recording Clerk 
 
 * It is recommended that the several names and particulars to be regis- 
 tered, be written down distinctly on a separate paper, previously to their 
 being entered in the registers, in order to ensure greater accuracy. 
 
 •f The Act directs that, when the duplicate register-books are filled, one of 
 them is to be delivered to the Superintendent Registrar of the district ; the 
 other is to remain under the care of Friends, and be kept vsdth their other 
 records. 
 
 I A penalty, not exceeding £10, is imposed for neglecting to make the 
 return regularly. 
 
CHAP. XIV.] 
 
 MARRIAGE RKGULATIONS. 
 
 287 
 
 of the Society. Tliis quarterly return must be delivered to 
 the Superintendent Registrar of the district within which the 
 Registering Officer resides, notwithstanding that the mar- 
 riages registered by him, or some of them, may have been 
 solemnized at meeting-houses situated out of that district, 
 but within the limits of the Monthly Meeting of which h(^ is 
 Registering Officer. 
 
 49. As soon as may be after the close of every year, 
 Monthly Meetintjs are to make a return to the 
 
 _ Monthly 
 
 Recording Clerk, No. 12, Bishopsgate Street Meeting 
 Without, London, E.G., of all marriages which 
 have taken place within their compass during the year. 
 1833. 18G1. 1872. 1879. 1883. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 REGULATIONS FOR RECORDING BIRTHS, 
 DEATHS, AND BURIALS. 
 
 1. The Registration Act having established a public civil 
 Birth aud registry of all births and deaths in England and 
 
 Bunal Notes -yy^^igg ^ mode free from objection in refer- 
 to be issued ' >' 
 
 iindpreserved-ence to our religious testimonies, which registry- 
 came into operation on the 1st of the Seventh Month, 
 1837, the registry of births and deaths amongst Friends, 
 from that time, became incorporated with, and forms part 
 37 i: 38 of, such public civil registry. Great part of 
 Vict. c. 88. ^jjjg ^jjg repealed by the Statute 37 & 38 
 Vict. c. 88, which contains the law on the Registration of 
 Births and Deaths now in force. This is the Act referred 
 to in the following paragraphs. The registers of births 
 and burials formerly in use by Monthly and Quarterly 
 Meetings have been discontinued ; but, in order that our 
 lists of members may be correctly kept, and that evidence 
 may be preserved of all interments which take place in 
 our burial-grounds, one or more suitable Friends are to be 
 appointed, in every Monthly Meeting, to issue Birth and 
 Burial Notes. The persons so appointed, on filling up such 
 notes, are to enter, in a check-margin, the requisite particulars, 
 and the name of the person to whom the notes are delivered. 
 After Birth and Burial Notes have been read in the Monthly 
 Meeting, and any necessary entries made in the list of 
 members, they are to be delivex'ed to the Friend who issued 
 
CHAP. XV.] BIRTHS, DEATHS AND BURIALS. 
 
 289 
 
 thom, and affixed to the check-margins from which they were 
 taken ;* and when such books, after having been filled up, 
 are no longer required for reference, they are to be delivered 
 up to the Monthly Meeting, to be deposited with its records. 
 184G. 18(51. 1883. 
 
 BIRTHS. 
 
 2. In the case of a birth, notice should be given thereof by 
 the ])arent or the occupier of the house in which 
 
 Registration. 
 
 it took place, within forty-two days after the birth, 
 to the Registrar of the district within which it took place ; 
 who is required, without fee, to make an entry of the name of 
 the child, and other particulars to be registered.^" Parents 
 neglecting to give notice within forty-two days are liable to 
 a fine of forty shillings, as well as the fees mentioned below. 
 The birth can be registered, without fee, within three months ; 
 after three months, and within twelve, there is a fee of five 
 shillings payable to the Registrar ; after twelve months a 
 birth cannot be registered without the leave of the Registrar 
 General, and a fee of ten shillings is payable ; such leave will 
 not be given when a child is seven years old. The informant 
 should see that the entry on the register is correctly made.J 
 
 3. In order to secure the evidence of the right of member- 
 ship in our Society to those children Avho are 
 
 \ . . Birth Notes. 
 
 entitled thereto according to its rules, and to 
 
 bring them regularly under the notice of the respective 
 
 Monthly Meetings to which they belong (in addition to 
 
 * In the ca.se of Burial Notes, the Ecgistrar's certificate should also be 
 affixed, when practicable. 
 
 t Day of birth, name, sex, name and sni'name of father, name and maiden 
 name of mother, rank or profession of father, date of registry, signature and 
 address of informant, and signature of Registrar. 
 
 J A certified copy of the entry may be had, either at the time of the 
 registration of the birth or afterwards ; foi' which a fee of two shillings and 
 sixpence and stamp of one penny are payable. This certified copy is legal 
 evidence of the birth 
 
 19 
 
 I 
 
290 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XV. 
 
 giving notice of the birth of any such child to the Registrar 
 of the district), there is to be prepared forthwith a Birth 
 Note, to be signed by the parent or some other friend of 
 the child ; and such Note is to be })roduced to the Monthly 
 Meeting in which the child is entitled to membership. Birth 
 Notes are to be in the following form : — 
 
 Form of Birth Note. 
 
 TJie Monthly Meeting of w liereby informed 
 
 that on the dwj of the month, one thous<tJtd 
 
 eight hundred and , ivus horn at , in the 
 
 of , vnto ,qf , 
 
 in the of , (a) , and 
 
 his wife, a , tvho loas named , and lohose birth 
 
 loat! registered at the public registry-office for the district of 
 , on the day of the month, 18... 
 
 (b) 
 
 (a) Here add the desc2'iption of '• Grocer," "• Merchant," etc. 
 (V)) To be signed here l>y the parent or other friend of the cliild. 
 
 Read and entered at the Monthly Meeting of the 
 
 Society of Friends, held the day of the month, 18 
 
 , Clerk. 
 
 4. On the production of a Birth Note to the Monthly 
 To be re- Meeting in which the child is entitled to member- 
 Monthly^ ship, a record is to be made thereat, noticing the 
 Meeting. production of such Note, the date of the birth, the 
 names of the parents and of the child, and the place and date 
 of public registry ; after which, the Friend who has the care 
 of the list of members is to enter the particulars thereof in 
 such list. It is recommended that Monthly Meetings exercise 
 a watchful care, either through their Overseers or by the 
 Friends appointed to issue Birth Notes, or in such other way 
 as may be judged best, to ensure the early and regular 
 production of these Notes, as above directed. 
 
CHAP. XV.] 
 
 BlUTHS, DEATHS AND BUIUALS. 
 
 291 
 
 DEATHS AND BURIALS. 
 
 5. In the case of a deatli, some person present at the death 
 or in attendance during the hist iUness, or the Registnitiou 
 occupier or some inmate of the house in which death, 
 such death occurred, should, within five days of such death, 
 i>ive information to the Kcwistrar of the district of the name 
 of the deceased, and other particulars to be registered.* 
 
 6. The Act further provides that the llegistrar, ujion 
 registering any death, shall forthwith, or as soon Cm-tifiy^ite of 
 after as he is required, give, without fee or reward, death, 
 either to the person giving information concerning tlu^ death, 
 or to the undertaker or other person having charge of the 
 funeral of the deceased, a certificate under his hand that he 
 has registered the death. This certificate is to be delivered 
 to the person who buries the body of the deceased, under 
 penalty of a fine of forty shillings ; and any person burying 
 a dead body without receiving such certificate is to inform 
 the llegistrar within seven days, under penalty of a fine 
 of £10. 
 
 In order to ensure attention to the fore(Tfoino; provisions of 
 the Act, this Meeting directs that care be taken that the 
 certificate of the liegistrar of the district within which the 
 death took place, be obtained by the person having charge of 
 the funeral, previously to any interment taking place. 
 
 7. Care is to be taken that no grave be made in any of our 
 burial-grounds without an Order for Burial from order for 
 the Friend appointed to issue Burial Notes, which BiuihI. 
 order is to be in the following form : — 
 
 * Day of death, name and surname, residence, age, rank, profession or 
 trade of the deceased, canso of death ; to wliich are also to be added the 
 signature and address of informant, the date of registry, and the signature 
 of Registrar. A certified copy of the entry, which is legal evidence of the 
 death, may be had on payment of a fee of two shillings and sixjicuce and 
 stamp of one penny. 
 
29-2 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. [CHAP. XV. 
 
 Form of Order for Burial. 
 
 To tlic Grave-Diaker (it Friends^ biir 'ml-tjroiind at , 
 
 ill the of 
 
 JTdke a gi'ave for the interment of the body of , 
 
 wiileh is (tppohited to take place on the dai/ of the 
 
 iiionth^ 18 , at o\iock in the noon. 
 
 (a) 
 
 lite day of the month, 18 
 
 (a) To be signed here by the Friend a])pointed to issue Burial Notes. 
 
 All Orders for Burial are to be preserved by the grave- 
 maker, but not to be ])rodiiced to the Monthly Meeting. 
 
 8. In every case of the burial of a member of our Society, 
 whether in one of our burial-grounds or in a public 
 
 Burial Notes. . ° . . 
 
 cemetery, and also in every case of the burial in one 
 of our burial-grounds of any person not a member, a Burial Note 
 is to be filled up and signed immediately after the interment, 
 and is to be produced without delay to the Monthly Meeting 
 within the compass of which the burial-ground or cemetery is 
 situated. Burial Notes are to be in the following form : — 
 
 Form of Burial Note. 
 
 This is to certify that the f>ody of , of , 
 
 in the of , (a) , ivho died the day of the 
 
 month, one thousand eight hundred and , aged about , 
 
 and toliose death was registered at the public registry-ofUce for 
 
 the district of , on the day oj the 
 
 inontli, 18 , loas buried in tJie (b) at 
 
 , in the of , on the 
 
 day (if the month, 18 
 
 Witness (c) 
 
 (a) Here insert description, including, in the case of a ^\^fe, widow, or 
 child, the name or names of the husband or jiarents. 
 
 (b) " Friends" burial-ground " or " cemetery," as the case may be. 
 
 (c) 'J'o be signed here by the undertaker, grave-maker, or superintendent 
 of cemetery, stating which of these capacities the person signing fills. 
 
CHAP. XV.] BIl'/l'HS, DEATHS AND lU'IilALS. 
 
 293 
 
 Read and entered at the J\ft>iif/il_i/ Meetniy of the 
 
 Society of Friends, held the of month, 18 
 
 , Clei'k. 
 
 y. If" the deceased was a ineiiiber of another Monthly 
 Meeting, a notification of the name, age, descrip- Notification 
 tion, residence, date of death, and places and 
 dates of public registry and interment, is to be 
 transmitted from the former to the latter Monthly 
 Meetino;, in the following form : — 
 
 from one 
 Monthly 
 Meeting to 
 another. 
 
 Form of Notification of Burial. 
 
 To Monildij Meeting of Friends. 
 
 We herelnj inform j/ou that , of , 
 
 in the of , aged iihout , died 
 
 the day of the month, one thousand eight 
 
 Jinndred and , and that h... deatli luas registered at the 
 
 ■public registry-oiffice for the district of , on the 
 
 day of the month, 18 The body of the aforesaid 
 
 Friend u'as lnte7'red in the .' at , in 
 
 the of , on the day of the 
 
 )nonth, 18 
 
 Signed in and on behalf of Jfonthly Meeting, held 
 
 at , the of the month, 18 
 
 , Clerk. 
 
 10. On the production of a Burial Note, or of such notifi- 
 cation as aforesaid (as the case mav be), to the 
 
 ' Record by 
 
 Monthly Meeting of which the deceased was a Monthly 
 member, a record is to be made of the name Meeting, 
 and date of death, and the place and date of public registry 
 and of interment ; after which the Friend who has the care of 
 the list of members is to enter the particulars thereof in such 
 list. The same course is to be pursued in regard to the Burial 
 Note of a member of another Monthly Meeting, or of a person 
 not a member of our Society ; except that no entry thereof is 
 
294 
 
 CHFRCH GOVERKMEXT. 
 
 [chap. XV. 
 
 to be made in the list of members, and that a record is to 
 1)8 made on the Burial Xote and in the Monthly Meeting 
 records, specifying the Monthly Meeting of which the deceased 
 was a member, or that the deceased was not a member (as the 
 case may be). 
 
 11. Notwithstanding the establishment of the public civil 
 Certificate of registry of deaths, the Bank of England and many 
 Buiul. other public bodies, by way of precaution, insist 
 on the production of a certificate of burial. The Friend in 
 whose custody, for the time being, is the book containing the 
 Burial Xote, is the person to give this certificate. With the 
 view of promoting accuracy and uniformity in these certi- 
 ficates, blank forms will be supplied by the Meeting for 
 Sufferings to the different Monthly Meetings for the purpose 
 
 12. As soon as may be after the close of every year. 
 Monthly Monthly Meetings are to make a return to the 
 Meeting Eecording Clerk, Xo. 12, Bishopsgate Street 
 returns. Without, London, E.G., of all births and deaths 
 which have taken place within their compass during the year. 
 
 lo. Burials of persons not members of our religious 
 Burial of Society may take place in our burial-grounds, pro- 
 Non-mem- vided they be in all respects conducted as the 
 
 bars. . ^"^ 
 
 burials of Friends are conducted. Friends are to 
 exercise discretion as to complying with any application that 
 may be made in such cases ; and as to appointing a Meeting 
 for Worship on the occasion. 1832. ISfil. 
 
 14. Friends are left at liberty to adopt the use of plain 
 gravestones in any of our burial-grounds ; it being 
 distinctly understood that, in all cases, they are to 
 be provided and put down under the direction of the Monthly 
 INIeeting ; so that, in each particular burial-ground, such an 
 entire uniformity may be preserved, in respect to the 
 
CHAP. XV.] BIRTHS, DEATHS AND BURIALS. 
 
 295 
 
 materials, size, and form of the stones, as well as in the 
 mode of placing them, as may effectually guard against any 
 distinction being made in that place between the rich and 
 the poor. 1>S50. IKIU. 
 
 15. By the Registration of Burials Act, 1864, it is 
 required (Sect. 1) that all burials in any burial- 27 & 28 
 ground in England, not previously by law required ^ Biulal 
 to be registered, shall be registered in books to Registers, 
 be provided, for each burial-ground, by the body or persons 
 to whom the same belongs, and to be kept according to the 
 laws then in force by which registers were previously required 
 to be kept by rectors, vicars, or curates of parishes or eccle- 
 siastical districts in England. 
 
 The Act further provides (Sect. 2) that the register-books 
 shall be so kept, for every such burial-ground, by some officer 
 or person to be appointed to that duty by the body or persons 
 to whom the same belongs. 
 
 The law then in force, applicable to the keeping of burial 
 registers for parishes or ecclesiastical districts, was for the 
 most part, if not altogether, contained in the Act of 52 
 Geo. III. cap, 146, by which it is provided (Sect. 1) that 
 registers of burials shall be made and kept by the rector, 
 vicar, curate, or officiating minister of every parish, in books 
 of parchment or of good and durable paper, whereon shall be 
 printed, upon each side of every leaf, the heads of information 
 therein required to be entered in the registers ; and that 
 every entry shall be numbered progressively from the begin- 
 ning to the end of the book, and shall be divided from the 
 next entry by a printed line, and the pages of such book 
 shall be numbered with progressive numbers (Sect. 3) ; that 
 every such rector, etc., shall, as soon as possible after the 
 solemnization of such burial, record and enter in the register- 
 book the several particulars described in the Schedule (C) 
 to the Act, and sign the same, and in no case, unless prevented 
 
296 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XV, 
 
 by sickness or other unavoidable impediment, later than within 
 seven days after the ceremony of burial shall have taken place 
 (Sect. 6) ; that at the expiration of two months after the end 
 of every year, fair copies of all the entries of the burials which 
 shall have taken place within the year preceding shall be 
 made by the rector, etc., on parchment, in the same form as 
 prescribed in the said Schedule (C),* and the contents of 
 such copies shall be verified and signed, in the form therein 
 mentioned,! by the rector, etc., of the parish to which the 
 register-book shall appertain ; which declaration shall be fairly 
 written on the said copy immediately after the last entry 
 therein, and the signature to such declaration shall be attested 
 by the churchwardens of the parish or one of them (Sect. 7) ; 
 that copies of the said register-books, verified and attested 
 as aforesaid, shall be transmitted by the post to the Registrar 
 of the Diocese within which the church shall be situated on 
 or before the 1st day of June in every year. 
 
 The Act of 1864 further provides (Sect. 3) that copies of 
 the register-books for every burial-ground shall be from time 
 to time made, verified and signed by the otficer or person 
 appointed to keep the same, and sent by him to the Registrar 
 of the Diocese wherein the burial-ground is situate. It is 
 presumed that this is intended to be done within the time 
 and (so far as may be) in the manner specified in the Act of 
 52 Geo. III. cap. 146, as above stated. An attestation of the 
 signature of the keeper of the register-book by a church- 
 warden will not of course be needful, but it should be attested 
 by a respectable witness. 
 
 By Sect. 4 of the new Act a penalty, not exceeding £5, is 
 imposed upon any company, body, or persons to whom any 
 burial-ground shall belong, or upon any officer or person 
 
 * The fonn given in paragraph 16 corresponds with the schedule, with 
 slight variations necessary to make it ajiplicable to burials conducted after 
 the manner of Friends. 
 
 ■j- See page 297 
 
CKAP. XV.] BTRTHS, DEATHS AND BURIALS. 
 
 297 
 
 appointed to keop the resistor-hook, who shall wilfully f';iil 
 tocoin])ly with any of the provisions of the Act. 
 
 By Sect. 5 it is enacted that the register-hooks kept under 
 tlie Act, or copies thereof, or extracts therefrom, shall he 
 received in all courts, as evidence of the hnrials entered 
 therein. 
 
 And hy Sect. 6, the register-books kept under the Act, as 
 to searches therein and copies thereof and extracts therefrom, 
 are made subject to the regulations of the Act ((5 & 7 
 Wm. IV. cap. 8()), which enacts that every rector, etc., Avho 
 shall liave the keeping of any register-book of burials, shall 
 at all reasonable times allow searches to be made of any 
 register-book in his keeping, and shall give a copy, certified 
 under his hand, of any entry or entries in the .same, on 
 payment of the following fees : viz. for every .search extending 
 over not more than one year, one .shilling, and sixpence addi- 
 tional for every additional year, and two shillings and sixpence 
 for every single certificate. 
 
 16; In obedience to this Act, Monthly Meetings are to 
 provide a separate register-book and to appoint a Register to 
 keeper of the same for each burial-o rcjund, although ^^^^ 
 
 i J o returns 
 
 there will be no objection to the same person being made, 
 so appointed for several burial-grounds where that may be 
 found the most convenient course. 
 
 The register-books are to contain the particulars and to be 
 in the form following, and each entry is to be signed by the 
 keeper of the register. 
 
 Name. 
 
 Abode. 
 
 When bulled. 
 
 Age. 
 
 Thomas Jones . 
 No. 1. Signed, — 
 
 High Street, Bedford . 
 William Thomas, Keeper 
 
 4 mo. 29 . 
 of the Hegi- 
 
 Aliout 80 
 ster Book. 
 
298 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XV. 
 
 The copies to be made for transmission to the Eegistrar of 
 the Diocese shall be verified by a declaration in the following 
 form, written immediately after the last entry, signed by 
 the keeper of the register-book, and attested by one witness, 
 viz. : — 
 
 7, A. B., Keeper of the Register-hooh of Buriah in fJie 
 
 Burial-c/round of the Societi/ of Friends at , 
 
 in the parish of , in the county of , 
 
 do hcrehji declare that the icritings hereto annexed^ purporting to 
 he copies of the several entries contained in the Register-hook of 
 Buricds in the Buricd-ground aforesaid, from the \st day of the 
 
 First Month to the 2>\st day of the Twelfth Month, 18 , hoth 
 
 inclusive, are true copies of all the sei'eral entries in the said 
 Register-hook for the period aforesaid, and that no other entry 
 during such period is contained in such hook, and that cdl such 
 entries are truly made according to the hest of my knowledge 
 and helief. 
 
 Witness, Signed, 
 C. D. A. B. 
 
 Monthly Meetings shonld require a report annually, from 
 the keepers of register-books of burials, that the register- 
 books have been regularly kept, and that copies of the entries 
 have been duly transmitted to the Registrar of the Diocese, 
 as required by law. 
 
 Register-books, and blank forms on parchment for making 
 the returns to the Registrar of the Diocese, can be obtained 
 from the Recording Clerk, No. 12, Bishopsgate Street 
 Without, London, E.G. 
 
CHAPTER XVr. 
 REMOVALS. 
 
 1. We feel it our concern to caution Friends to be very 
 circumspect how they remove themselves and their 
 families from the jilaces of their residence, and to <-'ount,el. 
 give close attention to the pointings of Divine wisdom, and 
 also timely to consult experienced Friends, previously to their 
 resolving to change their situation. 1784. P. E. 1833. 
 1861. 
 
 2. In choosing a place of residence, its distance from 
 one of our meeting-houses should be an important considera- 
 tion : many have greatly suffered from settling in places 
 where they have been in great measure deprived of the 
 privileges attaching to association and meeting for worship 
 with their fellow-members. 1883. 
 
 3. In view of the importance of an early intimation of 
 the removal of our members from a Monthly „ ,. . 
 
 •' Prohminary 
 
 Meeting, without the delay sometimes unavoidable Notice of 
 in the issue of a regular Certificate of Removal, it 
 is directed that information of the removal of a member from 
 the compass of any Monthly Meeting be promptly given, either 
 by the removing party or by any Friend knowing the fact, to 
 the Clerk of such Monthly Meeting, who shall immediately 
 forward to the Clerk of the Monthly Meeting into which the 
 removal has taken place, the name and new address of the 
 
300 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [char. XVI. 
 
 removing member in the form following. The issue of such 
 notice shall in each case be reported by the Clerk to his own 
 Monthl}^ Meeting at its next sitting. The regular Certificate 
 of Removal should follow with as little delay as possible. 
 
 Form of Preliminary Notice of Removal. 
 
 2o the Clerk of MontJdy Aleeting. 
 
 ,a member^ of this Meeting^ has remolded ^ 
 
 to , in the compass of yours. 
 
 The kind Christian interest of Friends in the neighbonrhood. 
 is requested. 
 
 Signed , 
 
 Clerk of Monthly Meeting. 
 
 of montli, 18 
 
 " Or attcndcr as the ease may 1)8. 
 Add, if needful, irtth Jiix ivife und funiihj. or as tlie case may be. 
 
 The Clerk of the Monthly Meeting into which the removal 
 has taken place shall, on the receipt of such Preliminary 
 Notice, at once forward the information to some suitable 
 Friend or Friends in the Particular Meeting concerned, so 
 as to bring the removing party forthwith under the kind 
 notice of the Friends of his new Meeting. 
 
 Such Preliminary Notice does not make the person remov- 
 ^ , ing a member of the Monthly Meeting into which 
 
 toim may be ^ •' o 
 
 used for non- he or she has removed. In order to bring attenders 
 of our meetings not in membership, who move from 
 one place to another, under the kind notice of Friends in the 
 neighbourhood to which they remove, notices in this form 
 may be issued in the case of such persons. 1875. 1883. 
 
 4. All Friends removing from one Monthly Meeting to 
 Certificate of ^^^lother are to have Certificates of Removal from 
 Kemoval. Monthly Meeting of which they are members, 
 
 recommending them to that into the compass of which they 
 
CHAP. XVI.] 
 
 REMOVALS. 
 
 301 
 
 are removed ; and it is con.sid(M-ed as obviously of importance 
 that such reconmiendation should take place without any un- 
 necessary delay, in order that the individuals may come under 
 the early notice and oversight of the Meeting within the dis- 
 trict in which they are residing. If, on removal, any Friend 
 does not himself apply for a Certificate of Removal, the 
 Monthly Meeting from which he is removed is to recommend 
 him without such application. In case this should be omitted 
 for the space of three months, the Monthly Meeting into which 
 such Friend is removed is at liberty to apply for a Certifi- 
 cate of Removal ; and any Monthly Meeting, to which an 
 application of this kind shall be made, is to comply therewith, 
 or assign sufiicient reasons for not doing so. 
 
 5. Before issuing a Certificate of Removal, Monthly Meet- 
 ings are, except in the case of a young person ^ ^ 
 under or about the age of sixteen years, to make 
 a suitable appointment of Friends, for the purpose of in([uiry 
 respecting the conduct of the person removing. Such int^uiry 
 is also to extend to the situation of the party with respect 
 to pecuniary circumstances, so that care may be effectually 
 taken not to proceed to a recommendation if the individual 
 removing has disreputably omitted to discharge, or to make 
 proper arrangements relative to, his just debts : after such 
 inquiry has been made, and after report thereon, the Monthly 
 Meeting shall, unless anything appear in the conduct (includ- 
 ing that which relates to pecuniary engagements) of the 
 party removing, to require its notice of him as a delinquent, 
 proceed to issue a Certificate of Removal on his behalf. 
 
 f). The Women's Monthh' Meeting is to join in Certificates 
 of removal for women Friends, when about to in case of 
 be recommended with their husbands. In such vvomeu. 
 cases (unless the matter be attended to in joint conference 
 of men and women), the Women's Monthly Meeting, on 
 notice from the Men's Meeting, is to ajjpoint one or two of 
 
302 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [char. XVI. 
 
 its members to make the necessary inquiry, and to report 
 the result thereof to the Friend or Friends appointed to 
 inquire by the Men's Meeting. But when it may appear 
 pi'oper to issue a Certificate of Removal on behalf of a 
 woman Friend other than as above, the Women's Meeting 
 (unless the matter be attended to in joint conference as 
 aforesaid) is to appoint two of its members to make the 
 needful inquiry. If no obstruction arise, the Friends so ap- 
 pointed are to prepare a Certificate of Kemoval, agreeably to 
 the rules for removals, which, after being read and approved in 
 the Women's Meeting, and signed by their Clerk, is to be sent 
 to the Men's Meeting, for its approbation, and to be recorded 
 and signed by their Clerk, by whom it is to be forwarded. 
 
 7. Certificates of Removal are to be in one or other of the 
 following forms : — 
 
 Forms of Certificate of Removal. 
 
 2o Montldij MertiiKj of Friends. 
 
 Dear Friends, 
 
 A. B., a member of this Meeting/, has removed to 
 
 (a) , in the compass of yours, and, uj)on inquirj 
 
 made relative to his conduct and respecting debts, nothing 
 appears to prevent the issuing of a certifcate on his behalf: 
 we therefore recommend him to goitr Christia7i care, and 
 remain with love. 
 
 Your Friends. 
 
 Signed in and on behalf of Monildg Meeting, held 
 
 at , the of month, 18 
 
 J. K., Clerk. 
 
 ■ (a) Here insert the resideiiee of the party removed. 
 
 If the eertilicate respects a female, add : — 
 Signi d in and on behalf of the Women s Monthly Meeting. 
 
 L. M., Clerk. 
 
 A wife is to be included in the same Certificate of Re- 
 moval with her husband : children under the age of sixteen 
 
CHAP. XVI.] 
 
 REMOVALS. 
 
 303 
 
 years (or about that age, at the (liscretion of Monthly Meet- 
 ings) are, on removal with their parents, to be also recom- 
 mended without separate Certificates of Removal. In the 
 case of a wife, and of children as thus pointed out, a Cer- 
 tificate of llemoval is to assume this ibrm : — 
 
 A. B., and C. Ids ivife, ine)nhevt< of this Meeting/, liavc 
 
 I'einoved to , in the comjjass of yours, <tnd, 
 
 upon inqub-ij made relatice to their conduct and respectimj 
 debts, nothing appears to prevent the issuhvj of a certificate 
 on their helialf : we tlierefore recommend them to your Chris- 
 tiaji care, with their childix'/i, D., E., F., etc.; and remain, etc. 
 
 For a young person under the age of sixteen years (or 
 about that age. at the discretion of Monthly Meetings), who, 
 in consequence of separately removing, or from any other 
 cause, is the sole subject of a Certificate of Removal, the 
 following form may suffice : — 
 
 A. B., a mi7ior, a member of this Meeting, has removed to 
 
 , in the comjxiss of yours, and nothing 
 
 appears to prevent the issuing of a certificate on his belialf: 
 loe therefore recommend him to your Christian care; and 
 remain, etc. 
 
 If a Friend, on whose behalf a Certificate of Removal is 
 issued, is an acknowledged Minister, information thereof is to 
 be included in the Certificate. The same course is to be pursued 
 in the case of an Elder, if the removal be into another Monthly 
 Meeting within the limits of the same Quarterly Meeting, 
 
 The signature of the Clerk or Clerks is to be considered 
 as sufficiently authenticating a Certificate of Removal. If the 
 Certificate of Removal be addressed to any ]\Ionthly Meeting 
 in America, it is to bo countersigned by one of our corres- 
 pondents in London for the Yearly Meeting of which the 
 said Monthly Meeting forms a jiart. 
 
 In all cases Certificates of Removal are to be accompanied 
 
304 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XVI. 
 
 by the address of a Friend to whom the acknowledgment of 
 its acceptance may be sent. 
 
 8. On receiving Certificates of lleinoval, Monthly Meetings 
 Picjcedure ou ^^'^ ^'^ appoint a few Friends to visit the persons 
 receipt of recommended. In the case of a woman Friend, 
 
 Certificate. 
 
 this appointment is to be made by the Women s 
 Monthly Meeting on receiving the Certificate of Removal, 
 which is to be sent to them by the Men's Meeting, unless 
 the matter be attended to in joint conference. 
 
 This visit, it should be borne in mind, will furnish occasion 
 for encouraging the appearances of good, as well as of ad- 
 vising against those of a contrary tendency ; and may be the 
 introduction to an acquaintance fruitful of future advantage ; 
 an advantage which may, in an especial manner, prove a 
 blessing to such of the younger part of our Society as are 
 placed in exposed situations, if they should thus obtain the 
 kind and watchful care and counsel of judicious Friends. 
 
 9. On accepting a Certificate of Removal, either upon 
 , , receiving the report of such a visit or previouslv. 
 
 Acceptance o i i j 7 
 
 and acknow- an acknowledgment is to be transmitted to the 
 Monthly Meeting which issued it, in the following 
 
 form : — 
 
 Form of Acknowledgment. 
 
 To the Montldy Meetimj of 
 
 We herehij iiiforui i/ou of our acceptance, this day^ of 
 
 your certificate on behalf of , dated the 
 
 of month, 18 
 
 Sii/ned in and on behalf of Monthly Meeting, 
 
 held at , the of month, 18 
 
 A. B., Clerk. 
 
 10. If the Monthly Meeting receiving a Certificate of 
 Retuiu of Removal shall find that the party recommended is 
 Certihcate. resident within its district, it may forward the 
 
CHAP. XVI.] REMOVALS. 305 
 
 Certificate of Removal to any other Monthly Meeting, within 
 the coinj)ass of which he does reside, informing the recommend- 
 ing Monthly Meeting thereof. But if this be not done, or if, 
 on any ground, the Monthly Meeting receiving a Certificate of 
 Removal shall deem the same im})roper to be accepted, it shall 
 return such Certificate of Removal to the Monthly Meeting 
 issuing it, and state the reason. Such information, or return 
 and statement, is to be sent with as little delay as possible. 
 Should delay occur, the Clerk of the issuing Monthly Meet- 
 ing is to write to the Clerk of the Monthly Meeting to which 
 the Certificate of Removal has been forwarded, drawino- atten- 
 tion to the delay, and requesting information of its acceptance, 
 or the reasons for its non-acceptance. 
 
 11. Upon the acceptance of a Certificate of Removal, a 
 Friend becomes a member of the accepting Monthly Effect of 
 
 Meeting. acceptance. 
 
 12. In the case of a Friend removing to America, on Avhose 
 behalf no acknowledgment of the acceptance of Removals to 
 his Certificate of Removal is received within six America, 
 months from the date of issue, the Clerk shall write again to the 
 Clerk of the American Meeting ; and if no reply is received 
 within a period of twelve months from the date of issue, the 
 removal is to be deemed to be completed, and the name 
 removed from the list of the recommending Monthly Meeting. 
 The Friend recommended should be informed thereof when 
 practicable. 
 
 13. The following are the arrangements in respect to 
 Certificates of Removal between Monthly Meetings „ 
 
 Kemovals to 
 
 in this country, and the Meetings for Discipline in and from 
 Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia. 
 
 a. Every Friend going from Great Britain, with the inten- 
 tion of residing within either of the three colonies above 
 
 20 
 
306 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT, 
 
 [chap. XVI. 
 
 mentioned, is to be recommended by certificate to the 
 Meeting for Discipline of such colony. The Certificate 
 of Removal is in all cases to be forwarded by the regular 
 mail, addressed to one of the correspondents. 
 h. On the acceptance of such Certificate of Removal, the 
 individual in question is to cease to be a member of the 
 recommending Monthly Meeting in Grreat Britain. 
 
 c. The Australian Meeting for Discipline, under either of 
 the following circumstances, is to be at liberty to return 
 Certificates of Removal : — first, the individual failing, 
 within a reasonable time after his arrival, to place him- 
 self in communication with the members of the Meeting ; 
 secondly, his settlement at such a distance from it as to 
 preclude the possibility of that degree of intercourse 
 without which Christian care and interest cannot be 
 availingly exercised. 
 
 d. In the event of the occurrence of the first-named con- 
 tingency, the recommending Monthly Meeting is to be at 
 liberty, in the exercise of its discretion, and after giving 
 due notice, when practicable, to the individual, to dis- 
 continue him as a member of our religious Society. 
 
 e. In the event of the second contingency, the person re- 
 moved is to remain a member of the recommending 
 Monthly Meeting in Great Britain, so long as he main- 
 tains a satisfactory correspondence with that Meeting. 
 But, in the event of his ceasing to correspond, or of his 
 communications being of an unsatisfactory character, the 
 Monthly Meeting is to be at liberty, in the exercise of 
 its judgment, and after notice being given, when prac- 
 ticable, to the individual, to discontinue him as a member 
 of our religious Society. 
 
 /. In the event of a member of any of the three Meetings 
 aforesaid removing to Great Britain, furnished with a 
 properly authenticated Certificate of Removal addressed 
 to a Monthly Meeting in this country, he is, on the 
 
CHAP. XVI.] 
 
 REMOVALS. 
 
 307 
 
 acceptance of liis CtM-tificate of Removal, to become a 
 member of such Monthly Meeting. 
 
 14. The preceding paragraph 13e also applies to the case 
 of a Friend removing to any part of the world outside the 
 limits of any Yearly Meeting or Monthly Meeting. 
 
 15. In order to diminish the time occupied by routine 
 business in the larger Monthly Meetings, it is Separate 
 desirable for such Meetings generally to adopt record^of 
 the plan of recording the removals of members removals, 
 into and out of the Meeting, in separate books ruled in 
 columns for the purpose, and in other wa^^s to abbreviate as 
 far as practicable the proceedings relative to removals. 1833. 
 18(30. 1865. 1875. 1882. 1883. 
 
CHAPTEK XVII. 
 
 ARBITRATION AND COMMITTEES ON LEGAL 
 PROCEEDINGS. 
 
 1. It is advised that, in all cases of controversy and ditFer- 
 Arbitratiou ence, the persons concerned therein either speedily 
 advised. compose the diflPerence between themselves, or 
 make choice of some faithful, unconcerned, impartial Friends 
 to determine the same ; and that all Friends take heed of 
 being parties with one or another. 1692. P. E. 1833. 
 
 2. Let Friends everywhere be careful that all diflFerences 
 about outward things be speedily composed, either between 
 themselves, or by Arbitrators : and it would be well that 
 Friends were at all times ready to submit their differences, 
 even with persons not of our religious persuasion, to arbi- 
 tration, rather than to contend at law. Hear the causes 
 between your brethren, and judge righteously between every 
 man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him." 
 1737. 1833. 
 
 3. It is the advice of this Meeting, that persons dif- 
 fering about outward things do, as little as may be, trouble 
 Ministerins Friends with being Arbitrators in such cases. 
 1697. 
 
CHAP. XVII.] ARBITRATION — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. 
 
 309 
 
 GENERAL REGULATIONS. 
 
 4. If any Friend shall refuse speedily to end a difference in 
 which he is a party concerned, or to refer it as 
 
 , , . Procedure 
 
 hetbre advised, or shall fail to appoint an Arbitrator on refusal 
 within the period of one month after notice in 
 writing so to do has been given him by the Overseers or other 
 Friends who have given advice on the subject (they being of 
 opinion that such case of difference should be referred to 
 arbitration, and having unavailingly endeavoured to effect 
 the same), the case should then be reported to the Monthly 
 Meeting to which the Friend belongs. If such Meeting is 
 also of the judgment that the case ought to be so referred, 
 and the Friend shall still refuse to refer it, or fail to appoint 
 an Arbitrator without further delay, the Monthly Meeting, 
 after the exercise of due care, and with a just regard to the 
 interest of all parties, is to express its disunity with his 
 conduct, and may proceed to disown him as a member of 
 our Society. 
 
 5. When cases of difference are referred, and judgment 
 and award are made, signed, and given thereupon, Qn refusal to 
 the parties concerned are to stand to and perform award, 
 the said award ; and, if any one shall refuse so to do, the 
 Monthly Meeting to which such person belongs, upon notice 
 thereof to them given, shall admonish him thereunto ; and 
 if, after admonition, he persist to refuse, the Meeting may 
 then proceed to disownment. 
 
 G. This Meeting concludes, with respect to the appointing 
 of Arbitrators in cases of differences between 
 
 , Non-meiu- 
 
 Friends, that a person, or persons, not of our ber.s as 
 religious Society may be chosen to the office, if "■^'"'^'^^ratois. 
 both parties unite in agreeing thereto. The concurrence of 
 the Overseers, or of the Monthly Meeting, is also to be had, 
 
310 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. [CHAP. XVII. 
 
 if the case is under their or its notice. It is, however, the 
 judgment of this Meeting, that the long-established practice 
 of confining the choice to Friends should, as much as cir- 
 cumstances will admit, be still observed. 
 
 7. Where cases arise in which it may be needful for 
 
 proceedings at law to be taken, the approval of 
 
 L-' O 111 ni 1 1 1 G 6 
 
 on law a Committee on Law Proceedings * is to be 
 proceeding!,. Qj^^g^jj^g^j before proceedings are begun. If all 
 the parties are members of the same Quarterly Meeting, 
 the Committee of that Meeting is to be the approving one ; 
 if not, the approbation is to be obtained of all the Committees 
 of the respective Quarterly Meetings of which any one indi- 
 vidual on either side is a member. Any such Committee 
 is to be summoned, in the cases under this regulation, at the 
 instance of either party, by any one of its members; and 
 not less than three are to be competent to act. 
 
 8. If, however, any members of our Society, after having 
 T, J contracted debts, or otherwise become legallv 
 
 Procedure ' ^ 
 
 in case of responsible, should prove so unworthy as to 
 
 urgency. ' . 
 
 remove themselves, or to remove or appropriate 
 property or etf'ects, or to act in any other way inconsistent 
 with justice and fair dealing, permission in writing to take 
 legal proceedings may be granted by any two members of one 
 of the before-mentioned Committees, after having together 
 heard the circumstances of the case, and being unitedly 
 satisfied that it is one which does not admit of delay. 
 
 9. It is the sense and judgment of this Meeting that, if 
 „ J anv member of our Society shall sue, or implead 
 
 Jrrocedure j ^ i 
 
 on violation at law any other member thereof (except under 
 permission granted as provided in the two pre- 
 ceding regulations), such person ought to be dealt with for 
 
 * See under Quarterly Meetings, p. 191. 
 
CHAP. XVII.] ARBITRATION — LKGAL PROCEEDINGS. 
 
 the same by the Monthly Meeting to which he belongs; 
 and, if he shall not give satisfaction to such Meeting for 
 such his disorderly proceeding, that then he may be dis- 
 owned. Or, if the party so sued, taking with him one or 
 two Friends to the person who goes to law, shall complain 
 thereof, the said person shall be required immediately to 
 stay proceedings ; and, if he does not comply with such 
 requisition, the Monthly Meeting to which he belongs may 
 disown him, if the case require it. 
 
 10. This Meeting is of the judgment, that the rules for 
 the settlement of differences about property are j^^^j^^ 
 not to be considered as binding upon trustees binding on 
 
 ,. , . , J, trustees. 
 
 or executors acting lor others, in the pertormance 
 of their duties as such ; nor upon any Friends acting on 
 behalf of, and so as to incur a legal responsibility to, persons 
 not of our religious Society. 
 
 11. Matters of defamation are not subjects to be arbitrated, 
 until the defamation is proved, as well as the fact 
 
 , . . . • 1 1 1 T p 1 • Defamation. 
 
 that some injury is sustained by the deiamed in 
 his trade or property; and in that case the damage should 
 be submitted to arbitration. 1697. 1782. 1828. 1833. 
 1860. 1883. 
 
 12. Every arbitration shall be conducted in Mode of 
 the following manner : — iiXtration' 
 
 a. Each party having chosen one or two indifferent, 
 impartial and judicious Friends, those so chosen are 
 to agree upon a third, or a fifth Friend (unless the 
 parties first agree in the nomination), whose name is to 
 be inserted with the others in the bonds of arbitration, 
 or other written agreement. 
 
 b. The Arbitrators so appointed, or the majority of them, 
 are to fix the time and place of their Meeting. 
 
312 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XVII. 
 
 r. The Arbitrators are not to consider themselves as advo- 
 cates for the party by whom they are chosen, but as 
 men whose incumbent duty it is to judge righteously, 
 fearing the Lord. Tliey are to shun all previous informa- 
 tion respecting the case, that they may not become 
 biassed in their judgments before they hear both parties 
 together. 
 
 d. The parties are to enter into written engagements, or, 
 if either of them require it, into bonds in the usual 
 form, to abide by the award of the Arbitrators, or of 
 a majority of them, to be made in a limited time. 
 
 e. Every meeting of the Arbitrators is to be made known 
 to the parties concerned, until they have been fully 
 heard ; and there are to be no separate, private meetings 
 between some of the Arbitrators, or with one party 
 separate from the other, on the business referred to them ; 
 and no representation of the case of one party, either by 
 writing or otherwise, is to be admitted, without its 
 being fully made known to the other, and, if required, 
 a copy is to be delivered to the other party. 
 
 /. The Arbitrators are to hear both parties fully, in the 
 presence of each other, whilst either hath any fresh matter 
 to offer, until a certain time to be limited by the Arbitra- 
 tors. Let no evidence or witness be withheld or rejected. 
 
 (J. If there should appear to the Arbitrators, or to one or 
 more of them, to be any doubtful point of law, the 
 majority of them are to agree upon a case, and consult 
 counsel thereupon. The Arbitrators are not required to 
 express in the aAvard the reasons for their decision. One 
 copy of the award signed by the Arbitrators is to be 
 delivf-red to each party. 
 
 Ii. Arbitrators are to propose to the parties that they 
 should give an acknowledgment in writing, before the 
 award be made, that they have been fully and fairly 
 heard. 1782. 1833. 1883. 
 
 j 
 
CHAPTEE XVIII. 
 APPEALS. 
 
 1. Dear Friends, in the spirit of the Gospel, which is 
 peace on earth and good-will to all men, labour Appeals 
 to maintain the discipline of" the church ; wherein '^i'^^o^^S'^d. 
 you will be favoured with wisdom, prudently to determine 
 the affairs that may come before you, and be instrumental 
 to prevent appeals from coming to this Meeting ; which tend 
 to prolong it, and give uneasiness to Friends. 1736. 
 
 APPEALS TO QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 
 
 2. If any person shall, after a final decision in his case 
 by any Monthly Meeting, (which final decision, 
 where disownment takes place, is the issuing of ligMuIt 
 a minute or testimony against him), think himself ^f'^^"?*^'^ 
 
 f Meetings: 
 
 injured or aggrieved by its proceedings in the t™*^ f*^'' 
 
 appealing. 
 
 case, he may appeal to the Quarterly Meeting of 
 which such Monthly Meeting forms a part. Notice of such 
 intended appeal is to be given, in writing, to the IMontlily 
 Meeting, within three months after such decision is com- 
 municated by or on behalf of such Meeting to the party 
 concerned ; or if, because the ])arty could not be found, or 
 by reason of his having left the kingdom, the decision has 
 not been so communicated, then within two years, at the 
 furthest, after the issuing of it. 
 
314 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XVIII. 
 
 3. Tlie appeal is to be brought to the first or second 
 Time for Quarterly Meeting which occurs after the Monthly 
 bringing Meeting immediatelv succeeding that at which the 
 
 appeal Id . ° / _ 
 
 Quarterly notice above mentioned has been given. In the 
 '''-tiug. notice, the appellant shall specify to which of the 
 two he means to present his appeal. If he has made choice 
 of the first, and circumstances should arise to prevent him 
 from pursuing his intention, he is at liberty to bring the 
 appeal to the second Quarterly Meeting, provided that, pre- 
 viously thereto, he renew his notice to the Monthly Meeting. 
 The Monthly Meeting receiving notice of appeal, as first 
 Proceedings "^^ntioned, shall appoint respondents to act on its 
 by Monthly behalf, and shall inform the api«>llant that an 
 
 Meetings. . ^ ^ . 
 
 appointment has been made. If, in the judgment 
 of the Monthly Meeting, such notice of appeal be given before 
 a final decision in the case, the Monthly Meeting, instead of 
 appointing respondents, is to send forward to the Quarterly 
 Meeting a minute, stating that a final decision has not been 
 given in the case, and that consequently the appellant has 
 no right of appeal ; which minute the Quarterly Meeting 
 shall, without entering into the case, record as its judgment. 
 But, after the final decision of the case, the Monthly Meeting 
 shall not be at liberty to omit or delay the appointment of 
 respondents, either because it does not deem the case one 
 that admits of appeal, or on any other ground. 
 
 4. The appeal, in writing and sealed up, is to be delivered 
 Presentation the Clerk of the Quarterly Meeting for the 
 of appeal. being, soon after the representatives are 
 called over, with an endorsement simply specifying the 
 appellant, his assistant, or assistants (if any are intended), 
 the Meeting appealed against, and. that appealed to. The 
 endorsement shall be read, and also the minute of the Monthly 
 Meeting appointing respondents to act on its behalf. But, 
 if no respondents have been appointed, nor any minute 
 
CHAP. XVIII.] 
 
 APPEALS. 
 
 315 
 
 produced from the ]\Ionthly Meeting informing the Quarterly- 
 Meeting that a final decision has not been given in the case, 
 the Quarterly Meeting, without appointing any committee or 
 otherwise entering into the case, shall direct the Monthly 
 Meeting to make the necessary appointment, in order to the 
 appeal being heard at the ensuing Quarterly Meeting. If, at 
 the ensuing Quarterly Meeting, no appointment of respon- 
 dents is reported, the Quarterly Meeting, without entering 
 into the case, is at once to record a reversal of the decision 
 appealed against. 
 
 5. Unless an appeal relate to matter of faith and doctrine, and 
 unless the Quarterly Meeting is satisfied thereof, Appeal 
 and also decides that, without any previous refer- comnuttee. 
 ence, it should be heard in the Meeting itself, such Meeting 
 shall, when any appeal is so brought as above, proceed to 
 nominate a committee of twelve disinterested Friends, to 
 hear the same, and judge thereof ; the appellant, and the 
 assistant or assistants of an appellant, and the respondents, 
 having withdrawn previously to such nomination. No member 
 of a Monthly Meeting appealed against is to be at liberty to 
 take any part in nominating the committee of the Quarterly 
 Meetinnf. 
 
 6. After the nomination has taken place, the appellant 
 and respondents are to be called in, the names of Power to 
 the proposed committee are to be read in their j^emw of 
 presence, and each party is to be allowed (after committee, 
 having had the opportunity, if desired, of withdrawing a 
 short time for consultation) to object to any of the com- 
 mittee, not exceeding three. In objecting, no cause shall 
 be assigned. The places of the Friends who have been thus 
 objected to shall be supplied by a fresh nomination ; which 
 nomination shall be final. 
 
316 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XVI [I. 
 
 7. The appointment of the committee being completed, 
 Time of time and place shall be fixed for their meetintr, 
 hearing. ■which due notice is to be given to the parties 
 concerned. On the principle of the importance of promoting 
 the speedy settlement of differences, the time shall be as 
 early an one as can with convenience be chosen. 
 
 8. The committee, not less than ten of whom are to be 
 Appe il on ^ quorum, shall, when met, proceed upon the 
 faith and business referred to them, by opening and reading 
 
 doetrine may i • i p i n 
 
 be heard in the appeal in the presence of the appellant and 
 
 the Meetiner. i j. t i r i i 
 
 respondents. In case an appeal reierred to a 
 connnittee be found by them to relate to ftiith and doctrine, 
 the committee shall, without proceeding further, report 
 accordingly to the Quarterly Meeting, that the said Meeting 
 may decide whether the appeal shall be heard in the Meeting 
 itself, or be again referred to the committee. 
 
 9. In all appeals heard by a committee of a Quarterly 
 Procedure in Meeting, the appellant shall, after the appeal has 
 committee. read, be heard in support thereof, and after- 
 wards the respondents in reply, each party in the presence of 
 the other, until both have been fully and fairly heard ; after 
 which the parties are to withdraw previously to the com- 
 mittee's deliberation on the case. 
 
 lU. When, in the committee, the whole or the greater 
 part of the members present (such members pre- 
 ^ ^ sent not being less than the quorum) have agreed 
 
 in a judgment on the case, a report in writing shall be 
 prepared, which is to be signed, as the report of the com- 
 mittee, by those so uniting in judgment. If the members 
 so present as above are equally divided in judgment, the 
 committee shall report in favour of the appealing party. The 
 committee shall not be expected to assign any reasons for the 
 judgment expressed in their report ; and it is recommended 
 
CHAP, XVIII.] 
 
 APPEALS. 
 
 317 
 
 that the purport of it be simply the confirming or annulling 
 of the decision of the Monthly Meeting. 
 
 11. The committee shall give notice in writino; to both 
 parties of the time when it is intended to deliver Notice of 
 in the report, which is to be at an adjournment report, 
 of the Quarterly Meeting, or at the next Quarterly Meeting 
 in course. 
 
 12. The report of the committee shall be read in the 
 
 Quarterly Meeting in the presence of both parties, 
 
 . o' 1 f ) Decision of 
 
 if they incline to attend ; and, except when the Quarterly 
 circumstance occurs which forms the subject of Meeting, 
 the next succeeding rule, and with the exception also of such 
 appeals relating to faith and doctrine as may come to be 
 opened in the Quarterly Meeting itself, according to the 
 liberty hereafter given (see Rule 14), the judgment expressed 
 in any such report shall be recorded as the decision of the 
 Quarterly Meeting in the case. 
 
 13. If, in the case of an appeal not relating to faith and 
 doctrine brought by an individual in consequence Eight must 
 of his disownment, the report of the committee con- ■'"g^iJ^ng'a 
 firmatory of the judgment of the Monthly Meeting disownment. 
 be signed by less than eight of its number, such judgment is 
 to be reversed. 
 
 14. The report of any committee expressing a judgment 
 on the merits of an appeal relating to faith and Decision of 
 doctrine may be objected to by the party against ''"™^ith and 
 whom it is given, and such party may require doctrine may 
 the case to be heard by the Meeting itself. to. 
 
 15. Whenever an appeal relating to faith and Procedure on 
 doctrine comes to be heard in the Quarterly '^PP^al heard 
 
 ^ J m Quarterly 
 
 Meeting itself, the following regulations are to be Meeting, 
 observed : — 
 
318 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. [CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 a. The appeal is to be read in the presence of both 
 parties, and the appellant shall then be heard in support 
 of the same, and afterwards the respondents in reply, 
 each party in the presence of the other, until both have 
 been fully and fairly heard. 
 
 h. In stating and replying, no persons are to be per- 
 mitted to speak on the case but those who, as or for the 
 appellant and as respondents, are immediately concerned 
 in the appeal ; except that any Friend (not being a 
 member of a Monthly Meeting concerned in the appeal, 
 or of a committee that may have heard it and reported 
 a judgment on the merits thereof) who may apprehend 
 it proper for a question to be put to either party, shall 
 have the liberty of requesting that it may be done 
 through the Clerk. 
 
 c. The parties immediately concerned in the appeal shall 
 withdraw previously to the Meeting's deliberation on the 
 case ; and after they have so withdrawn, or during their 
 absence in consequence of any prior withdrawing, no 
 member of a Meeting concerned in the appeal, or of a 
 committee that may have heard it and reported a judg- 
 ment on the merits thereof, is to be allowed to speak on 
 the subject before the Meeting. 
 
 d. When the Meeting has come to a conclusion in the 
 case, its decision shall be entered on the minutes, and 
 then the parties are to be at liberty to come in again 
 and hear it read. 
 
 IG. In all cases, a copy of the minute of the Quarterly 
 Report to Meeting, recording its decision in the case, shall 
 parties. -^^ ^^^^ esi(^ party. 
 
 17. Should any Quarterly Meeting be unable to appoint, 
 on an appeal, a committee of disinterested Friends to the 
 number of twelve, such Quarterly Meeting shall, after making 
 
CHAP. XVIII.] 
 
 APPEALS. 
 
 319 
 
 its own appointment, aj^ply to some neighbouring Quarterly- 
 Meeting for such an addition as may be necessary Help from 
 to complete the number ; in which case notice is ""^Quarterly 
 to be given to the appellant and respondents of the Meetiug. 
 intended application, that they may have the opportunity of 
 attending such neighbouring Quarterly Meeting, and exer- 
 cising (according to Rule 6) their right of objection, if such 
 riwht has not been before exhausted. And such Meeting is 
 to be informed by the applying Quarterly Meeting whether 
 any and what right of objection remains to the respective 
 parties. 
 
 (Sec aho General Rcf/ulationit relaf/iu/ to ApjX'iiU, j). 325.) 
 APPEALS TO YEARLY MEETING. 
 
 18. If any person shall think himself injured or aggrieved 
 by the judgment of any Quarterly Meeting given Appeal 
 against him, he may appeal from such judgment Quarterly 
 to the Yearly Meeting : in which case notice in Meeting : 
 writing of his intention to appeal is to be given appealing, 
 by him not later than to the second Quarterly Meeting after 
 that at which such judgment has been recorded. 
 
 19. A Quarterly Meeting receiving such notice shall 
 appoint respondents to act on its behalf, and shall Proceeding.? 
 inform the appellant that an appointment has Quarterly 
 been made. But, if notice of appeal be given to 
 
 a Quarterly Meeting relating to a case in which the said 
 Meeting has been informed, by minute of the Monthly 
 Meeting concerned, that a final decision has not been given, 
 the Quarterly Meeting, instead of appointing respondents, is 
 to send forward to the Yearly Meeting a minute stating that 
 a final decision has not been given in the case, and that con- 
 sequently the appellant has at that time no right of appeal ; 
 which minute the Yearly Meeting shall, without entering 
 into the case, record as its judgment. But no Quarterly 
 
I 
 
 320 CHURCH GOVERNMRNT. [CHAP. XVII f. 
 
 Meeting shall be at liberty to omit the appointment of 
 respondents on any other ground. 
 
 20. If any person having given notice of his intention of 
 
 appealing is prevented from bringing his appeal to 
 the Yearly Meeting immediately succeeding such 
 notice, he may continue his appeal to the next following 
 Yearly Meeting, on renewing his notice in writing to the 
 Meeting appealed against, at any time preceding the second 
 Yearly Meeting. In this case, however, the appeal shall not 
 be received unless satisfactory reasons for the delay be stated 
 to the Yearly Meeting, or to its committee on the appeal. 
 
 21. The appeal, in writing and sealed up, is to be delivered 
 Presentation Clerk for the time being before the close of 
 of appeal. the first sitting of the Yearly Meeting, with an 
 endorsement simply specifying the appellant, his assistant or 
 assistants (if any are intended), the Meeting appealed against, 
 and that appealed to. The endorsement shall be read, and also 
 the minute of the Quarterly Meeting appointing respondents 
 to act on its behalf. 
 
 22. An appeal having been delivered in, the representatives 
 Committee meet at the close of the first sitting of the 
 on appeals. Yearly Meeting, and a committee shall be by 
 them nominated to hear and judge of the appeal, agreeably 
 to the foUowinof regulations. 
 
 23. The committee shall consist of one representative 
 
 from each Meeting in Great Britain represented 
 in the Yearly Meeting, with the exception of the 
 Meeting against which the appeal is brought, and of any 
 Meeting appealing, or to which belongs a subordinate Meeting 
 appealing ; the representatives of which excepted Meeting 
 or Meetings shall withdraw previously to the nomination. 
 
CHAP. XVIII.] 
 
 APPEALS. 
 
 321 
 
 If there be two appeals, the committee thus selected shall 
 be considered as also nominated to hear the second, with 
 similar exception as is provided with regard to the first; 
 and with the addition of a representative from the Meeting, 
 or each of the Meetings, before excepted; and so on for any 
 number of appeals. 
 
 24. After the nomination has taken place, the appellant 
 and respondents in each case of appeal are to be Power to 
 called in, the names of the proposed committee jQe^^g^g 
 are to be read in their presence, and each party is committee, 
 to be allowed (after having had the opportunity, if desired, 
 of withdrawing a short time for consultation) to object to 
 any of the committee, not exceeding six respectively, but 
 shall not assign any cause for such objection; after Avhich 
 they are to withdraw. Any of the committee so objected 
 to, shall be set aside, but only as to that particular appeal. 
 Their places are to be supplied from the other representatives 
 of the Quarterly Meetings to which they respectively belong ; 
 but in case of there being no representative left from any 
 such Quarterly Meeting, the deficiency shall be made up b;' 
 nominating one Friend out of each such Meeting in alpha- 
 betical order, that has not fewer than four representatives 
 present, beginning, at any future time, with the next Meeting 
 in rotation. And any or all of those nominated in the stead 
 of others first selected and set aside, as above mentioned, 
 shall themselves be liable to be objected to by either party ; 
 in which case a further nomination to supply their places 
 shall be made in like manner as before; but this third is 
 to be a final nomination. 
 
 25. The committee or committees thus nominated shall be 
 reported to the Yearly Meeting at its second or Election of 
 third sitting, when all appeals are to be delivered reported, 
 to the committee or committees, in order to be immediately 
 
 21 
 
322 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. [CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 proceeded on; not less than three-fourths of the number 
 appointed for a particular appeal being at any time present 
 thereon. 
 
 26. All appeals are to be opened and read in the presence 
 of the respective appellants and respondents. In 
 faith am™ case an appeal shall be found to relate to matter 
 ductrme may {aiih and doCtrine, the committee shall, without 
 
 be lieard ' 
 
 by Yearly proceeding further, report accordingly to the 
 Yearly Meeting ; that the said Meeting may 
 decide whether to proceed to hear the appeal in the Meeting 
 itself, or to refer it again to the committee. 
 
 27. In all appeals heard by a committee of the Yearly 
 Procedure in Meeting, the appellant shall, after the appeal has 
 committee. })een read, be heard in support thereof, and after- 
 wards the respondents in reply, each party in the presence 
 of the other, until both have been fully and fairly heard ; 
 after which the parties are to withdraw previously to the 
 committee's deliberation on the case. 
 
 28. When, iu the committee, the whole or the greater 
 pait of the members present (such members 
 present not being less than the quorum) have 
 agreed in a judgment on the case, a report in writing is 
 to be prepared, which is to be signed, as the report of the 
 committee, by those so uniting in judgment. If the members 
 so present as above are equally divided in judgment, the 
 committee shall report in favour of the party originally 
 appealing. The committee shall not be expected to assign 
 any reasons for the judgment expressed in their report, and 
 it is recommended that the purport of it be simply the 
 confirming or anualiing of the decision of the Quarterly 
 Meeting. 
 
CHAP. XVIII.] 
 
 APPEALS. 
 
 823 
 
 29. The committee shall o;ivc notice in writing, to both 
 parties, of the time when it is intended to deliver Notice of 
 
 report. 
 
 m their report. 
 
 30. The report of the committee sliall be read in the 
 Yearly Meeting in the presence of both parties, D^.isiou 
 if they incline to attend ; and, except when the of Yearly 
 circumstance occurs which forms the subject of 
 
 the next succeeding rule (Rule 31), and with the exception 
 also of such appeals relating to faith and doctrine as may 
 come to be opened in the Yearly Meeting itself, according 
 to the liberty hereafter given (Rule 32), the judgment 
 expressed in any such report is to be recorded as the 
 decision of the Yearly Meeting in the case. 
 
 31. If, in the case of an appeal not relating to faith and 
 doctrine, in which the disownment of an indi-'p^^.^.j.jjij.^ig 
 vidual is involved, the report of the committee, committee 
 
 ^ ' must jom m 
 
 confirmatory of the disownment, be signed by omfirming a 
 less than two-thirds of its number, the individual 
 is to be reinstated in membership. 
 
 32. The report of any committee ex])ressing a judgment 
 on the merits of an api)eal relatinir to faith and . . 
 
 '■ ^ iJecision of 
 
 doctrine may be objected to by the I'art}' against committee on 
 
 .... 1 1 J • 1 i'Mth and doc- 
 
 whom it IS given, and such party may require the trine may be 
 case to be heard by the Meeting itself. 
 
 33. Whenever an appeal relating to faith and Procedure on 
 doctrine comes to be heard in the Yearly Meeting ''^^'^-Q^^^^'Jl.iy 
 itself, the following regulations are to be observed : — Meeting. 
 
 (a) The appeal is to be read in the presence of ootn 
 parties, and the appellant shall then be heard in support 
 of the same, and afterwardy the respondents in reply, 
 
324 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XVIII. 
 
 each party in the presence of the other, until both have 
 been fully and fairly heard. 
 
 {!>) In stating and replying, no persons are to be per- 
 mitted to speak on the case, but those who, as or for the 
 appellant, and as respondents, or as original appellant, 
 are immediately concerned in the appeal ; except that 
 any Friend (not being a member of a Quarterly Meeting 
 concerned in the appeal, or of a committee that may 
 have heard it, and reported a judgment on the merits 
 thereof) who may apprehend it proper for a question to 
 be put to either party, shall have the liberty of requesting 
 that it may be done through the Clerk. 
 
 (c) The parties immediately concerned in the appeal shall 
 withdraw previously to the Meeting's deliberation on 
 the case, and, after they have so withdrawn, or during 
 their absence in consequence of any prior withdrawing, 
 no member of a Meeting concerned in the appeal, or 
 of a committee that may have heard it and reported 
 a judgment on the merits thereof, is to be allowed to 
 speak on the subject before the Meeting. 
 
 {d) When the Meeting has come to a conclusion in the 
 case, its decision shall be entered on the minutes, and 
 then the parties are to be at liberty to come in again 
 and hear it read. 
 
 34. The respondents on behalf of a Quarterly Meeting, 
 Eight of appeal from a Monthly Meeting 
 
 original appel- in which an individual is concerned as original 
 to\early^ appellant, shall be accompanied by such indi- 
 Meetmg. yidual, if he incline to attend ; who, so attending, 
 is to have an equal right with them of being heard. If, in 
 the committee of the Yearly Meeting, the decision should 
 be against such respondents, and they should be willing to 
 submit to such decision, the original appellant shall, never- 
 theless, in appeals relating to faith and doctrine, have such 
 
CHAP. XVIII.] 
 
 APPEALS. 
 
 325 
 
 right as appellants possess under Rale 32, of requiring tliat 
 the matter be opened in the Meeting itself; in which case 
 such person is to appear in the character of appellant, and 
 the Friends appointed by the Monthly Meeting in that of 
 respondents. 
 
 35. In every case, a copy of the minute of the Yearly 
 Meeting, recording its decision thereon, shall bo Report to 
 sent to each party. paitie;,. 
 
 36. No appeal that has once been determined by the 
 Yearly Meeting shall be received a second time. No second 
 
 appeal. 
 
 (_See also the fullowing General Regulations.') 
 
 GENERAL REGULATIONS AS TO APPEALS. 
 
 37. The notice to be given to any Monthly or 
 Quarterly Meeting of an intended appeal shall -porm of 
 be according to the followino; form, or in words notice of 
 
 'X ) ")t "tl 
 
 to the like effect : — 
 
 To tlie Monthly [or Quarterly] Meeting of ,tohe held 
 
 at , tlie day of month, 18 
 
 / hereby give notice that I intend to appeal to the Qnarterhj 
 
 Meeting of [or to the Yearly Meeting'], to he held, 
 
 at [or in] , the day of month, 18 
 
 against your decision in my case. 
 
 A. B. 
 
 38. In all cases of appeal, whether to a Quarterly or to the 
 Yearly Meeting, in which notice and renewed Notice of 
 notice shall be given by the appellant, such appel- postponing 
 lant shall, three weeks at least previously to the 
 time of holding the Meeting specified in the first notice, 
 
326 
 
 CHURCH UOVEKNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XVIII. 
 
 apprise the Clerk of the Monthly or Quarterly Meeting 
 appealed against, that the appeal is not about to be then 
 brought. 
 
 39. If either of the parties concerned in an appeal, when 
 Irrelevant stating or replying to the case, shall digress into 
 matter. irrelevant matter, it is recommended that the 
 committee or Meeting before which the appeal is brought, 
 do, through the medium of the Clerk, stop such proceeding, 
 and require that the subject of the ajDpeal be kept to. And 
 no member of a committee or Meeting by which any appeal 
 is heard is to express, in the presence of the parties, any 
 opinion on the subject or subjects at issue. 
 
 40. If any member of a committee on an appeal be pre- 
 
 vented attending during any part of the time in 
 
 Absence of , ° b J t 
 
 members of which the case is proceeded in by the appellant and 
 respondents, he cannot afterwards unite either in 
 the further hearing of the case, or in the deliberation upon 
 it, unless with the previous consent of the appellant and 
 respondents. 
 
 41. All committees appointed to hear and judge of an appeal 
 
 shall, after having had the case duly laid before 
 
 Acknowledg- 
 ment of fair them, require the parties to sign an acknowledg- 
 
 heaimg. nient that they have been fully and fairly heard ; 
 such acknowledgment to be brought, with the report of the 
 committee, to the Meeting appointing it. If either party 
 refuse to sion an acknowledgment of this tenor, the com- 
 mittee, in making their report, shall give in a statement that 
 the parties have been fully and fairly heard, according to 
 the judgment of at least four-fifths of the members present 
 at the decision ; which statement shall, as to any further 
 procedure in the case, have the same effect as an acknow- 
 ledgment. 
 
CHAP. XVIII.] APPEALS. 327 
 
 42. If an appellant publish his appeal, or any matter 
 relating thereto, or cause to be published, or be in Appe il 
 any way accessory to the publishing of the same, ivjt to be 
 
 • 1 1 1 r\ published. 
 
 such appeal shall not be received by the Quarterly 
 or Yearly Meeting. And if any Monthly or Quarterly Meeting 
 appealed against, or the respondents appointed on its behalf, 
 publish, or cause to be published, or be in any way acces- 
 sory to the publishing of, any matter respecting an appeal, 
 such respondents and their constituent Meeting are to be 
 precluded from being heard in defence of the judgment 
 appealed against ; the effect of which (provided the ap- 
 pellant has proceeded regularly) shall be a reversal of such 
 judgment. 
 
 43. The foregoing rules and regulations are to apply 
 to any Meeting which shall consider itself Appeal by 
 injured or atjorrieved bv the decision of any Meetmg 
 
 _ "° agamst 
 
 other Meeting. Meeting. 
 
 44. An appellant shall be allowed to avail himself, through- 
 out the course of prosecuting- his appeal, of the 
 
 '- ° . . Assistants, 
 
 aid of one or two members of our Society, in 
 
 speaking on the case on his behalf, or in otherwise assisting 
 
 him, or in conducting the appeal in his stead ; but the 
 
 appellant is not to be himself absent, umess irom some 
 
 reasonable cause, approved by the committee or Meeting 
 
 hearing the appeal. 
 
 45. Informalities in procedure, which, in the judgment of 
 at least four-fifths of the members of the com- 
 
 Mere 
 
 mittee appointed to hear and iudge of the appeal, informalities 
 
 . ° V. , disregarded. 
 
 and present on the occasion, do not atiect the 
 merits of the case, shall not necessarily operate to influence 
 the decision of the committee. 1806. 1813. 1815. 1821. 
 1822. 1833. 1861. 1883. 
 
328 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. [CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 46. By virtue of a minute passed in 17C0, Friends in 
 Irish appeals. have no longer any appeal to this Yearly 
 
 Meeting, except in matters of faith and doctrine. 
 
 1883. 
 
 47. In consequence of the local circumstances of Friends 
 Scotch in Scotland, several variations in the foregoing 
 appeals. vules have been adopted, as applicable to appeals 
 within the General Meeting for Scotland, and from thence 
 to this Meeting.* 1833. 1861. 
 
 * The rules thus varied are to be found in the 1 834 edition of this work 
 (pp. 16 to 21), except that the first sentence in Eule 12 (p. 20) is now 
 omitted, and that Rule 45 (see above) is made applicable to such appeals. 
 
CHAPTEE XIX. 
 
 TRUST PROPERTY. 
 
 1. The registration of places of religious worship in England 
 is now regulated by the Act 18 & 19 Vict. c. 81: 
 
 , Registry of 
 
 and forms of certificate for the purpose of effect- places of 
 ing the registration of our meeting-houses under worship, 
 this Act may be obtained (without payment) upon application 
 to the Superintendent Registrar of births, deaths, and mar- 
 riages for the district in which the meeting-house is situated. 
 
 Such certificate, when properly filled up, is to be delivered 
 in duplicate (accompanied by the payment of a fee of 2s. 6d.) 
 to the Superintendent Registrar, for transmission to the 
 Registrar-General, who, after recording the same, will return 
 one copy to be delivered to the certifying party. A certificate 
 of registry under the seal of the General Register Office may 
 be afterwards obtained from the Registrar- General on pay- 
 ment of a fee of 2s. 6d. And such certificate is to be received 
 in any court as evidence of the facts therein mentioned. 
 
 2. Whenever any freehold, copyhold, or leasehold property 
 is newly acquired for meeting-houses or burial- 
 
 Conveyance 
 
 grounds, or for the benefit of Quarterly, Monthly, of trust 
 Preparative, or other Meetings, or for any other property, 
 charitable purpose under the care of Friends, the trusts should 
 be declared, either in the deed or instrument of conveyance,* 
 
 * Forms of clauses applicable to the conveyance of freehold, copyhold ! 
 and leasehold property respectively, are now printed separately, and kept 
 by the Recording Clerk in London for the use of Friends. There is 
 considerable advantage in uniformity being observed in all such trusts. 
 
330 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XIX. 
 
 or in a contemporaneous separate deed or instrument ; care 
 being tiiken that the formalities prescribed by the Mortmain 
 Act and other Acts relating to the conveyance of land to 
 trustees for charitable purposes are strictly complied with.* 
 
 3. Whenever an appointment of new trustees of any real or 
 Change of personal property belonging to or under the direc- 
 trustees. ^Jon or care of a Quarterly, Monthly, Preparative 
 or other Meeting, may become desirable, either from reduction 
 of the number of the existing trustees, who are solvent 
 members of our Society and resident within the United 
 Kingdom, to two, or from other circumstances, it is recom- 
 mended that such appointment be speedily made, and the 
 trust property legally transferred accordingly. Of course 
 this recommendation is not to interfere with any special 
 provision for appointing trustees made at the original creation 
 of the trust. 
 
 In transfers to new trustees, the forms referred to in the 
 note (p. 328) may in general be used. But where there has 
 been any previous declaration of trust, especial care should 
 be taken not in any way to alter the trust. In these cases 
 the forms must only be followed so far as the circumstances 
 will properly admit. 
 
 The formalities required by the Mortmain Acts above 
 referred to are not necessary on transfers to new trustees. 
 
 4. Care is to be particularly taken that all title-deeds 
 Custody of and writings relating to meeting-houses, burial- 
 recOTds of grounds, and trust property of any kind held for 
 trusts. t}je use of any part of the Society, as well as all 
 deeds and records relative to donations and legacies, be 
 deposited in a place of security, free from damp and from 
 
 * See 9 Geo. II. c. 36 ; 24 Vict. c. 9 ; 25 Vict. c. 17 ; 26 & 27 Vict. c. 106 ; 
 27 & 28 Vict. c. 13 ; 29 & 30 Vict. c. 57 ; 31 & 32 Vict. c. 44 ; 35 & 36 Vict, 
 c. 24, s. 13 ; 36 & 37 Vict. c. 50 ; 45 & 46 Vict. c. 21. 
 
CHAP. XIX.] 
 
 TRUST PROPERTY. 
 
 331 
 
 danger by fire ; and that the custody of them be entrusted 
 to two or more Friends appointed for the purpose. It is 
 suggested that, where practicable or convenient, the title-deeds 
 of such property situate within the limits of any one Quarterly 
 Meeting be deposited (under the direction of the said Meet- 
 ing) in the most suitable and, as far as practicable, central 
 place, combined with security ; that it may be more generally 
 known where they are to be met Avith. 
 
 Monthly Meetings are to take care that a correct account 
 of the nature of all trusts, with the names of the trustees of 
 such real or personal property as they are entrusted with or 
 entitled to, be recorded in a book kept for that purpose ; in 
 which should be inserted the place of deposit of the title-deeds 
 of such property. In all cases of legacies or donations, copies 
 of the wills, or of the clauses of the wills, with the date of 
 probate and of the deeds of gift, are, as far as practicable, to 
 be procured and carefully recorded in the said book. 
 
 5. Monthly Meetings are to exercise due care that all 
 legacies and donations be properly secured and 
 
 11 1-1 1 1 1 PI Accounts. 
 
 duly applied, according to the directions of the 
 testators and donors : and, in order that the appropriation of 
 these, as well as of all other trust funds under the care of 
 Monthly Meetings, may be duly attended to, distinct accounts 
 are to be regularly kept of the receipts and expenditure 
 thereof ; which accounts are to be annually examined by 
 the Monthly Meeting, or a committee appointed by it, when 
 the list of trustees is to be read over with reference to the 
 advice given in p. 330 as to the appointment of new trustees. 
 
 6. Monthly Meetings are to furnish the Quarterly Meetings 
 of which they form parts with a brief account of 
 
 Reports to 
 
 the nature of the trusts and the names of the superior 
 trustees of the real and personal property pos- meetings, 
 sessed by them ; and also to transmit from time to time 
 
332 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XIX. 
 
 accounts of any additions thereto or alterations therein. 
 Quarterly ]Meetings are to record such accounts in a proper 
 book, with an index ; and the names of the trustees are 
 to be annually examined by or on behalf of the Quarterly 
 Meeting. 
 
 Where the trust property belongs to or is under the care 
 of Preparative or Particular Meetings, the Monthly Meeting 
 is to exercise a general superintendence over them, in con- 
 formity with the spirit of the foi'egoing provisions. 
 
 Where the trust property belongs to or is under the care 
 of Quarterly Meetings, they are to conform to the foregoing 
 regulations so far as applicable to their case. But it is 
 not expected that they should furnish to this Meeting any 
 account of the trusts, or trustees, unless specially required. 
 
 Where the trust property belongs to or is under the care 
 of any distinct body or committee of Friends, as in the case 
 of schools and other charitable foundations, it is recom- 
 mended that the spirit of the above rules should be attended 
 to, and the provisions complied with, as far as the circum- 
 stances will permit. 
 
 7. Should any Meeting be dissolved or cease to retain its 
 - , distinct character, care should be taken that a 
 
 Case of a ' 
 
 Meeting minute be previously entered on its books, for 
 
 dissolved. p • i i • 
 
 regularly transierrmg the property under its 
 direction to the superintendence of the Meeting which may 
 succeed it in authority, in all instances where the nature 
 of the trust admits of this being done. This will be the 
 case with every trust created agreeably to any of the forms 
 referred to in the note (p. 329). 
 
 8. The statute of charitable uses, 9 Geo. II. c. 36, does 
 
 not extend to Scotland ; but the foregoing re- 
 Scotland. . 1 • 1 1 1 1 
 
 commendations, which relate to the general care 
 
 and oversight of trusts by Quarterly, Monthly, and other 
 
CHAP. XIX.] 
 
 TRUST rRUPERTY, 
 
 383 
 
 Meetings, are to be considered applicable to the Greneral 
 Meeting for Scotland and its suboi-dinate Meetings. 
 
 9. All estates and property held by or under the care of 
 any of our Meetings, in trust for any charitable charitable 
 or public purpose, including property the capital '^'■"s** 
 or income of which is held as part of the general funds of 
 any Meeting, are subject to the operation of the Charitable 
 Trusts Acts,* which contain provisions to the following 
 effect, viz. : — 
 
 (1) The trustees of every charity are required, on or before 
 the 25th of Third Month, in every year, to transmit to the 
 Charity Commissioners for England and Wales, in London, 
 an account of the income and expenditure of the charity, f 
 
 (2) The Charity Commissioners are authorized, upon appli- 
 cation by the trustees of any charity, to sanction the leasing, 
 sale, or exchange of any landed property belonging to such 
 charity, upon such terms as the Commissioners may think 
 fit, although no power of leasing, sale, or exchange may be 
 vested in the trustees. 
 
 (3) The Charity Commissioners have power, on appli- 
 cation by the trustees, to make effectual orders for the 
 establishment of new schemes for the management of any 
 charity or for the appropriation of trust funds, in a manner 
 as nearly as may be in accordance with the original trusts ; 
 and Friends are advised, where such a change has become 
 
 * See Ifi & 17 Vict. cap. 137 ; 18 & 19 Vict. cap. 124 ; 2.3 & 24 Vict, 
 cap. 136 ; 32 & 33 Vict. c. 110. 
 
 f Printed forms for making out these accounts, so far as regards charities 
 under the care of any of our Meetings, may be obtained from the Recording 
 Clerk, at 12, Bishopsgate Street Without, London, E.G. And it is ad\-ised that 
 the same, when filled up, be sent to him for transmission to the Commissioners, 
 on or before the 1st of Third Month, in every year. Any Monthly or other 
 Meeting may print and employ its own forms adapted to its peculiar trusts if 
 such form be approved by. the Commissioners. A specimen form which has 
 received their approval may be obtained from the Recording Clerk. 
 
334 
 
 CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 
 
 [chap. XIX. 
 
 desirable, to endeavour to avail themselves of this means of 
 eft'ecting it, and they are encouraged, should any difficulty 
 arise, to state the facts of such case, or cases, to the Meeting 
 for Sufferings, with a view to obtaining its advice and assist- 
 ance therein. 1794. 1832. 1861. 1862. 1883. 
 
 *^* All places for religious worship duly certified, whilst they continue to 
 be used as such, are exemi^ted from the operation of the Charitable Trusts 
 Acts. Except that the Charity Commissioners may, on the application of 
 the trustees, appoint or remove trustees, or establish a new scheme for the 
 administration of the trust. See 18 & 19 Vict. c. 81, s. 9 ; 32 A; 33 Vict, 
 c. IJO. 
 
CONCLUSION. 
 
 Finally, Friends, collectively .-md individually, farewell ! 
 May all our meetings be held as in the imme- 
 
 TT T-i • 1 IT Coiiclusicni. 
 
 diate presence of the Heavenly President. May 
 the aged in Christ be encouraged to keep the word of his 
 patience, maintaining their watch, as servants in waiting ; 
 knowing Him, amidst the infirmities of their declining 
 years, to lift them above every wave of discouragement, 
 with the sweet assurance that their redemption draweth 
 nigh. May the middle-aged be stirred up to continued 
 diligence, calling often to remembrance the days of their 
 early visitations and the vows of their espousals ; and espe- 
 cially guarding against the benumbing, deadening influence 
 of the earthly mind. Now is your time, dear Friends, to 
 labour, and to prove your faithfulness to your Lord ; let 
 not the sun go down upon you before your work is done. 
 And for you, beloved younger Friends, w^ho have enjoyed 
 many privileges both in your training and in your education, 
 greatly do we desire that you may be encouraged to devote 
 yourselves with all earnestness to the service of your Lord 
 and Redeemer, and that all that you have, and all that you 
 are, may be sanctified to his use. And in the end, in the 
 Lord's unmerited mercy, may it be given to all, of every 
 age and condition, through heartfelt subjection to the 
 powerful work of redeeming love, to have their part in the 
 unspeakable blessedness of them that enter in through the 
 gates into the city of God, to go no more out for ever. 
 1729. P. E. 1857. P. E. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 PAR. PAt4E 
 
 Abstinence from Distilled Spirits 3 107 
 
 Accommodation Bills, Warning against 4 118 
 
 Accounts, Advice as to clearness and correctness of, to 
 
 be annually given 9 196 
 
 Accountability of Man to God only, in things of God 1 143 
 
 Accumulation to be kept down by wise beneficence ... 7 1-7 
 
 Admission to Membership 202 
 
 Of Minors 17, 19 200 
 
 Of New Members 24—27 202 
 
 Qualification for 25 202 
 
 Administrators. (See Executors, Wills, Oversight.) 
 
 Admonition, Private, the Duty of 2 07 
 
 Advices, General 225 
 
 Directions for Reading 1 225 
 
 Monthly Meetings to report attention to 11 197 
 
 Advices to Members of Meetings on Ministry and 
 
 Oversight 10 243 
 
 To be read and considered and reported on 10 243 
 
 Affairs, Frequent Inspection of State of 1 — 4 122 
 
 Affirm.vtion 148 
 
 Same legal Effect and Obligation as an Oath 2 148 
 
 Summary of Laws affecting 5 150 
 
 Agriculture, Sympathy for those engaged in 9 120 
 
 Alcoholic Drinks, Individual responsibility in refer- 
 ence to 0 109 
 
 Allegiance to the Authority of Clirist, 7th Query 
 
 respecting 3 231 
 
 Alphabetical List of Members to be kept by Monthly 
 
 Meetings 22 201 
 
 22 
 
338 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 . PAR. PAGE 
 
 AhTEKED Pecuniary Circumstances to be met by 
 
 altered Expenditure 2 124 
 
 American Ministers 251 
 
 Advice to, when visiting this Country 11 245 
 
 Care of, while travelling Abroad 15 251 
 
 Case of their liberation for service in Australia ... 17 252 
 Certificates of, to be verified by Meeting for Suf- 
 
 t^nngs 16 251 
 
 Travelling Expen,ses of 5^ q 255 
 
 (See also Morning Meeting.) 
 Ajilsements and Recreations, Christian Self-denial 
 
 in reference to 1 9 no 
 
 Anxious provision against remote Contingencies in Wills, 
 
 Caution respecting 3 125 
 
 Ai'i'AREL, Against Pride and Excess in 3 104 
 
 Mourning, Advised against 1,3 164 
 
 Appeals 313 
 
 Apijeals discouraged 1 313 
 
 Regulations for Proceedings in, against a Monthly 
 
 Meeting to a Quarterly Meeting 2—17 313 
 
 Regulations for Proceedings in, against a Quarterly 
 
 Meeting to the Yearly Meeting 18—36 319 
 
 General Regulations respecting 37—45 327 
 
 / 8 316 
 
 On Questions of Faith and Doctrine, may be heard j 14 317 
 
 in Meeting at large instead of by Committee... J 26 322 
 
 1 32 323 
 
 From Ireland, limited to Questions of Faith and 
 
 Doctrine 46 328 
 
 From Scotland, reference to 47 328 
 
 Appellants 327 
 
 Not to publish Appeals before they are heard 42 327 
 
 May have Assistants 44 327 
 
 Appointments, Care as to Qualification for 13 223 
 
 Apprentices. (See also Masters, Assistants, etc.)... 5,6 131 
 
 Apprenticeship, Negro, Abolition of .. 6 161 
 
 Arbitration, International, Recommended 8 156 
 
 Arbitration, Private ^ 1 — 12 308 
 
 Committees on, allowing legal Proceedings 7 310 
 
 Advised 1,2 308 
 
 . Ministers not to be required to act in 3 308 
 
 Regulations for 4 — 6 309 
 
 Mode of conducting 12 311 
 
 Procedure in case of refusing to refer 4 309 
 
INDEX. 
 
 339 
 
 i'All. PAGE 
 
 AUBITKATION (continued) : — 
 
 Procedure in case of refusing to obey Award 5 309 
 
 ,, „ of urgency 8 310 
 
 Arhitkators 308 
 
 Ministers to be chosen for, as little as may be 3 308 
 
 Non-members may, under condition, be chosen 6 309 
 
 AuDENT Spi KITS, Abstinence from 3 107 
 
 Armed Vessels, Advice respecting 5 155 
 
 Armies and Fleets, Not to place dependence on 7 156 
 
 Arms, Testimony against bearing 7 155 
 
 Arrangements, at Yearly Meeting, Committee on 10 185 
 
 Assistants in Business 131 
 
 Care for 5 131 
 
 Arrangements for their attending Worship 6 132 
 
 Attenders of Meetings (not Members), List of to be 
 
 kept and revised 11 197 
 
 Number to be reported in Tabular Statements 5 189 
 
 Attire, Against expensive 3 126 
 
 Australia, Removals to 13 305 
 
 Australian Meetings for Discipline 50 213 
 
 Authority of Christ in His Church 1 — 6 137 
 
 Claiming for Ministry, beware of 10 244 
 
 Award in Arbitration, Procedure on refusal to obey ... 5 309 
 
 Balls and the Ball Room to be avoided 9 114 
 
 Bankruptcy, Counsel in reference to 1, 2 123 
 
 Baptis.m, The true saving, under the Christian Dispen- 
 sation 25 
 
 Baptizing Power of Spirit of Truth, True evidence of 
 
 Authority of Ministry 10 244 
 
 Behaviour, Truth and Plainness in 2 104 
 
 Beneficence, A wise, keeps down Accumulation 7 127 
 
 Benevolence to be active 4 126 
 
 Bequests from Defaulting Debtors not to be accepted 31 206 
 Bible. (See Scriptures.) 
 
 Bible Classes encouraged 7 50 
 
 Bills, Advice against raising Fictitious Credit by 4 118 
 
 Births, Notice of, to be given for Registration to Dis- 
 trict Registrar 2 289 
 
 Registration of 2 289 
 
 Birth Note, to be prepared and produced to Monthly 
 
 Meeting 3 289 
 
 Form of 3 290 
 
 To be recorded 4 290 
 
 ! 
 
340 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAH. PAGE 
 
 Birth and Burial Notes to be issued and preserved 1 288 
 
 Births, Deaths, and Burials, Regulations for recording 1 — IG 288 
 Monthly Meetings to report recording of, to Quarterly 
 
 Meeting 11 197 
 
 Annual Return of, to be made by Monthly Meeting 
 
 to Recording Clerk 12 294 
 
 Proper Registration of, early care for 176 
 
 Books AND Reading 115 
 
 Christian Self-denial in reference to 1 — 4 115 
 
 Of an Infidel or Sceptical Character, Warning against 1 115 
 
 As companions, to be wisely chosen 2 115 
 
 General Advice in reference to 227 
 
 (See also Libraries.) 
 
 Brotherly Love and Unity 1 — 11 67 
 
 Burials 291 
 
 Certificate for, obtainable from the District Registrar 
 
 and not to be performed without it 6 291 
 
 Mourning Habits at, objected to 1 — 4 164 
 
 Certificate of, required by Bank of England and 
 
 other public bodies 11 294 
 
 Form of Order for 7 291 
 
 „ Burial Note 8 292 
 
 „ Notification of, from one Monthly Meeting 
 
 to another 9 293 
 
 Registration of, as required by Act of Parliament 15 295 
 Register Book of, to be kept, and copies transmitted 
 
 annually to Diocesan Registrar 16 297 
 
 Of Non-members to be conducted as those of Members 13 294 
 Burial Grounds. (See under Trust Property.) 
 Burial Notes to be filled up and produced to Monthly 
 
 Meeting 8 292 
 
 Form of Order for Grave-maker 7 291 
 
 „ Note for Monthly Meeting 8 292 
 
 „ Notification from one Monthly Meeting to 
 
 another 9 293 
 
 Business and Trade, Uprightness and Integrity in ... 1 — 12 117 
 
 Caution against Overtrading 1 117 
 
 Caution as to hasty entering into 1 122 
 
 Strict Integrity in 2 117 
 
 Cases of Failure in 30 205 
 
 Right Time to retire from, To watch for 11 121 
 
 Care for Young Men engaged as Travellers in 4 130 
 
 Capital Punishment, Awful responsibility of 6 134 
 
INDEX. 
 
 341 
 
 PAR. PAOF, 
 
 Care of the Poor 1—4 257 
 
 Care not to prevail over Faith, under struggUng circum- 
 stances 12 122 
 
 Ceremonies. (See Uites and Cekemonies.) 23 
 
 Certificates for Ministers 38 — 40 208 
 
 (See under Ministers.) 
 
 Certificates OF Marriage. (See under Marriage)... 15 2()6 
 
 Certificates or Eemoval 4—15 300 
 
 Change of Heart, Call to 1 97 
 
 Charitable Trusts Act, Provisions of 9 333 
 
 Charity, Advice to be examples of 10 243 
 
 Charity Commissioners, Powers of 9 333 
 
 Charity to the Poor G 127 
 
 Children, General Advice as to watching over 2 227 
 
 Admission to Membership of 19 200 
 
 To be trained in Self-denial, Gth Query respecting 3 231 
 In Profession, but not in Membership, to be cared 
 
 for 27 202 
 
 Membership of, may cease when Parents lose theirs 20 200 
 
 Rights of Membership of 17 200 
 
 (See also Parexts, Education, Youth, etc.) 
 Christ Jesus, Belief in, as the beloved and only begotten 
 
 Son of God ... 3 
 
 The Propitiation for the Sins of the World 4 
 
 The Word of God became perfect Man : 6 
 
 His Coming foretold in the Old Testament 10 
 
 Mediator of the New Covenant 11 
 
 His cry on the Cross, G. Fox respecting 15 
 
 Every Command of, to be obeyed 23 
 
 Allegiance to, 7th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 Humble Dependence on, 1st Query to Meetings on 
 
 Ministry and Oversight respecting 9 242 
 
 To be preached, not ourselves 10 244 
 
 Christ's Kingdom not of this World 1 144 
 
 Christian Doctrine 3 
 
 Introductory Paragraph, 1879, etc 3 
 
 Epistle by G. Fox and others, to Governor of Bar- 
 
 badoes, 1671 3 
 
 Declaration of, 1G93 
 
 From Journal of George Fox, 1G45 15 
 
 173G 10 
 
 Declaratory Minute, 1829 10 
 
 From General Epistles, 18.% to 1880 13—23 
 
 From Address of Yearly Meeting, 1841 22 
 
342 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAR. PAGE 
 
 Christian Doctrine {continued) : — 
 
 Concluding Summary and Exhortation, 1871, 187G, 
 
 1861 2G 
 
 Christian Dispensation Pure and Spiritual 1 — G 137 
 
 Christian Discipline, Origin of, among Friends 109 
 
 Christian Fellowship, Blessedness of 1 72 
 
 Christian Life in its various Manifestations 97 
 
 Walk with God 1—8 97 
 
 On Right Occupation of the First-day of the Week 1,2 1()2 
 
 Christian Self-denial in various directions 104 
 
 Uprightness and Integrity 117 
 
 On Liberality and Benevolence , 1 — 9 125 
 
 Counsel to Employers 1 — 6 130 
 
 In relation to Civil Government 1 — 6 132 
 
 Advice to Emigrants 1, 2 135 
 
 Christian Moderation, General Advice to Meetings 
 
 on Ministry and Oversight respecting 10 243 
 
 Christian Practice 31 
 
 Meetings for Public Worship 1 — 19 31 
 
 Private Retirement and Prayer 1 — 9 42 
 
 Reading the Holy Scriptures 1 — 10 47 
 
 Gifts and Stewardships in the Church 53 
 
 Love and Unity 07 
 
 Counsel as to Marriage 1 — 9 75 
 
 ,, to Parents and Heads of Families 1 — 18 80 
 
 „ to the Young 1—11 90 
 
 Christian Religion not Typical but Spiritual 23 
 
 Christian Redemption, Writings ignoring objected to 4 116 
 
 Christian Self-denial. (See Self-denial.) 104 
 
 Christian Simplicity, True Ground of 4 105 
 
 Christian's Life, An Aggressive Warfare 4 61 
 
 Christian Testimony. (See Ecclesiastical Assump- 
 tion, Oaths, War, Intemperance, Slavery, 
 
 Mourning Habits, National Fasts.) 137 
 
 Christian Woman, Influence of the 14 85 
 
 Church and State, Union of G 141 
 
 Church, Gifts and Stewardships in the 53 
 
 Church Government, Its Origin and Establishment 
 
 among Friends 169 
 
 General Counsel in reference to 1 — 18 219 
 
 Duties to the Young and to the World, 11th and 
 
 12th Queries respecting 3 232 
 
 (See also Meetings for transacting Affairs of the 
 Church.) 
 
INDEX. 343 
 PAR. p.\i:f, 
 
 CiRCUMSPRCT Walk in Christ's poacccable Spirit 1 i:i2 
 
 Civil Government, Christian Life in relation to 1 — G i;52 
 
 To be obeyed where Conscience is not infringed ... 3 1 .'!2 
 
 In reference to Capital Punishment 6 I'M 
 
 Civil Offices, Cautionary Advice as to taking 4 133 
 
 Clerks of Monthly Meetings : — 
 
 Duties of as to Special Monthly Meetings 5 1 04 
 
 „ as to Marriage. (See Chap. XIV.) 259 
 
 To take charge of and deliver Marriage Forms 17 268 
 
 Clerk of Yearly Meeting, How appointed 9 185 
 
 Clothing, Against Pride and Excess in 3 104 
 
 Collections not to be received from Defaulting Debtors 31 20G 
 
 For National Stock 1 254 
 
 Commercial Travellers, SjTupathy with 7 92 
 
 Communion with God 6 44 
 
 Company, General Advice in reference to 2 227 
 
 Conclusion, General 3.V) 
 
 Conduct AND Conversation, 6th Query respecting ... 3 231 
 (And see Christian Life and Testimony'.) 
 
 Conformity to the World, 6th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 Conscience, A Tender, General Advice as to main- 
 taining 2 226 
 
 To be cherished in the Young 11 84 
 
 Conscience, Liberty of 13 143 
 
 Consistency of Conduct 5 100 
 
 Contentment, Christian, Advice to Meetings on Ministry 
 
 and Oversight respecting 10 243 
 
 Controversy', Religious, Caution against 3 72 
 
 Conversion necessary to true Membership 18 200 
 
 1st Query respecting 3 230 
 
 Convey'ance of Trust Property 2, 3 329 
 
 Convinced Persons, As to Admission to Membership of 24 202 
 Counsel, General, in relation to Meetings for Dis- 
 cipline ; 1—18 219 
 
 Counsel to Parents and Heads of Families 1 — 18 80 
 
 To the Young 1-11 90 
 
 To Insolvents 1, 2 123 
 
 Cousins, First, Caution as to Marriage of 9 79 
 
 Covenants, New and Old, compared 24 
 
 CovETOUSNESS, To beware of 1 125 
 
 Creditors, Against Fraudulent Preference of 4 123 
 
 4 330 
 
 Customs, Duties and Excisr, 9th Query respecting ... 231 
 
344 INDEX. 
 
 PAR. PAGE 
 
 Dancing discountenanced 9 114 
 
 Days, Against Superstitious Observance of 1 146 
 
 Dealing with Delinquents 28—31 203 
 
 Death Punishment, Awful responsibility of 6 134 
 
 Deaths, Notice of, to be given to District Registrar, and 
 
 Certificate to be obtained from him 5, 6 291 
 
 Record of by Monthly Meeting 10 293 
 
 (See also Births, Deaths, and Burials.) 
 
 Debauchery and Wickedness, Places of, condemned 2 110 
 
 Debts to be punctually paid 3 118 
 
 To be paid, notwithstanding legal discharge 1 123 
 
 Debtors, Non-paying, Contributions or Bequests not to 
 
 be received from 31 206 
 
 Declaration of Christian Doctrine, 1693 6 
 
 Dedication, "VVhole-hearted 4 61 
 
 Defamation, Regulations in reference to 11 311 
 
 Delinquency, Proceedings in Cases of, under various 
 
 circumstances 28—31 203 
 
 10th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 As respects Women Friends 28h 203 
 
 Dependence on Christ, 1st Query to Meetings on 
 
 Ministry and Oversight respecting 9 242 
 
 Deportment, Truth and Plainness in 2 104 
 
 General Advice as to 2 226 
 
 Detraction and Defamation, not subjects for Arbi- 
 tration 11 311 
 
 3rd Query respecting 3 230 
 
 Differences to be avoided 1 — 3 67 
 
 Difficulties in Business, Early Disclosure advised ... 3 123 
 
 Diligence, Motives to 2 60 
 
 Discipline, Christian, Origin of, among Friends 169 
 
 Meetings foe, General Counsel in relation to 1 — 18 219 
 
 Discontinuance of Meetings, To report to Yearly Mtg. 4 189 
 Of Membership in cases of persistent Non-attendance 
 
 of Meetings 21 201 
 
 Disorders at Elections 2 132 
 
 DisowNMENTS to be reported to Women's Monthly 
 
 Meetings 28/ 205 
 
 (See also Dealing and Delinquency.) 
 
 Distilled Spirits, Abstinence from recommended 3 107 
 
 Disuniting of Children of Parents resigning or being 
 
 disowned 20 200 
 
 Disunity with a Minister, not to be publicly demon- 
 strated , 37 208 
 
INDEX. 345 
 
 PAR. PAGE 
 
 Diversion, Places of, Caution respecting T) 111 
 
 Diversions, Hunting and Shooting 3 111 
 
 General Advice as to 227 
 
 (See also Frivolous Amusements.) 
 DocTuiNE. (See Christian Doctrine.) 
 
 False, case of Friends holding 29 205 
 
 Of Ministers, Advice respecting 0 56 
 
 Of God to be adorned in all things. (Advices to 
 
 Meetings on Ministry and Oversight) 10 243 
 
 Appeals respecting Faith and. Procedure on | 
 
 Dram.vtic Entertain.ments discountenanced 2, 5 110 
 
 Drinkino Customs, Influence of Example in respect of 5 108 
 
 Individual Responsibility in reference to 6 109 
 
 Dress, Against Pride and Excess in 3 104 
 
 Duties, All to be performed as Services to Christ 3 GO 
 
 Duty not to be sacrificed to Inclination 2 91 
 
 Of Love 4 G8 
 
 Towards the Sick and the Poor 5, 6 127 
 
 Early Friends' Doctrines 1 
 
 Early Investig.\tion of Difficulties in Business, advised 3 123 
 
 Ease and Self-indulgence, Gth Query respecting ... 3 231 
 Ecclesiastical Assumption opposed to Christ's 
 
 Government 1 — G 137 
 
 True Ground of Testimony against 3 138 
 
 In the present day 4 139 
 
 Education of Children of the Poor 1 257 
 
 Of Youth, an early object of care 176 
 
 „ Gth Query respecting 3 231 
 
 (See also Parents, Schools, etc.) 
 
 Elections, Caution in reference to Disorders at 2 132 
 
 Elders, to be appointed by each Monthly Meeting 42 211 
 
 Character of 43 211 
 
 Provision in case of Removal out of Monthly 
 
 Meeting 44 211 
 
 Duties of 12 238 
 
 To be willing to accompany Ministers 13 246 
 
 Those in London to meet during Yearly Meeting... 6 241 
 
 Counsel to 14 246 
 
 (See Meetings on Ministry and Oversight.) 
 
 Elders and Overseers, Caution and Advice to 9 23G 
 
 Exhorted to diligence 10 237 
 
 Duties to the Young 11 237 
 
34G 
 
 TKDKX. 
 
 PAM. l'A(iK 
 
 Emigrants, Advice to 135 
 
 General Cautions to 1 135 
 
 Care over, by Monthly Meetings 12 198 
 
 Responsibility of, toward Uncivilized Neighbours 2 136 
 
 Emighation, Counsel in reference to 1 135 
 
 Employers, Counsel to 1 — G 130 
 
 Equity and Justice in making Wills 3 124 
 
 Eternal Judgment, Doctrine of 9 
 
 Evidence, Caution as to giving 4 150 
 
 Summary of Laws in reference to 5 150 
 
 Example in reference to Drinking Customs 5 108 
 
 Exceeding the Measure of Ministerial Gift, Advice 
 
 against 10 243 
 
 Executors not debarred from Law Proceedings 10 311 
 
 (See also Wills, Administrators, etc.) 
 
 Expenditure, Undue, deprecated 3 126 
 
 Expensive Habits Impediments to the exercise of 
 
 Charity 3, 6 12G 
 
 Failure in Business, Care as respects cases of 30 205 
 
 Faithfulness IN Stewardship, General Advice on ... 1 — 8 59 
 
 Faith in Christ, Early Declaration of 6, 7 
 
 False Doctrine, Dealing in case of Friends holding... 29 205 
 
 Families, Heads of. Counsel to 1 — 18 80 
 
 Training in religious life, etc., 4th Query to Meetings 
 
 on Ministry and Oversight respecting 9 243 
 
 Family the Cradle of the Church ' 18 88 
 
 Waiting on the Lord in the 4 81 
 
 Reading of the Scriptures, 4th Query respecting ... 3 230 
 
 Family Visits by Committees of Monthly Meetings ... G 195 
 Fasts and Rejoicings, National, General Testimony 
 
 against 1 — 3 146 
 
 Fear of God brings to the true Standard of Self- 
 denial and Simplicity 6 106 
 
 Fellowship, Christian, Blessedness of 1 72 
 
 Fictitious Paper Currency, The Perniciousness of ... 4 118 
 
 Field Sports discountenanced 3 111 
 
 Filial Obedience, General Advice as to 2 227 
 
 Financial and Routine Business to be delegated to 
 
 Committees 7 224 
 
 To be digested by Clerks or Committees 14 198 
 
 First-day of the Week, Privileges and Right Occu- 1 102 
 
 pationof 1,2 102 
 
 General Advice as to use of 226 
 
INDEX. '^47 
 
 I'AIt. I'ACF, 
 
 FiRPT-DAY School Apisociation, Annual Meeting of, 
 
 to be reported to the Yearly Meeting 13 180 
 
 Flertf! and Armies, Not to place dependence on 7 156 
 
 Foreign Mission Association, Annual Meeting of, to 
 
 be reported to the Yearly Meeting 13 ISG 
 
 Foreign Slave Trade and Slavery, Testimony 
 
 against 7 lOl 
 
 Foreign Travel, Caution in reference to 6 112 
 
 Forgiveness, The Example and Precept of Christ 11 71 
 
 The Excellence of the Spirit of 7 G9 
 
 3rd Query respecting 3 230 
 
 Fox, George, Epistle of, to Governor of Barbadoes, 1671 3 
 
 Extracts from Epistles of, on Faithfulness 1 —3 64 
 
 Fraudulent Preference of one Creditor deprecated 4 123 
 
 Freeness of Gospel Ministry 22 
 
 And Spirituality of Gospel Dispensation, 7th Query 
 
 respecting 3 231 
 
 Frivolous Amusements or Diversions deprecated... 8 113 
 
 Against attending Places of |^ 
 
 Frugality and Industry inculcated 9 120 
 
 Funds to assist Friends attending Meetings for Dis- 
 cipline, and needing such help, to be provided 18 224 
 Funerals, Deviations from Simplicity at, discouraged 3 165 
 
 Women encouraged to attend 2 164 
 
 Furniture, Simplicity and Plainness in 3 126 
 
 General Advice as to 2 226 
 
 Gaming, General Advice as to avoiding 2 227 
 
 Gaming Places to be avoided 2 110 
 
 General Advices 2 225 
 
 General Conclusion .3.35 
 
 General Meetings in Early Times 173 
 
 General Meeting of Scotland to report triennially to 
 
 Yearly Meeting 6 190 
 
 Occupies position of a Quarterly Meeting 1 189 
 
 Appeals within and from 47 328 
 
 (See also Scotland.) 
 
 Gift of God, The, to be stirred up 3 65 
 
 Gifts and Stewardships in the Church 53 
 
 Ministry of the Gospel 1—14 53 
 
 General Advice on Faithfulness 1 — 8 59 
 
 Extracts from G. Fox's Epistles on Importance of 
 
 Faithfulness 1—3 64 
 
348 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAK. PAGE 
 
 Gospel, The, a Message of Glad Tidings 16 
 
 To be preached to every creature 8 63 
 
 All to be diligent in preaching 1 64 
 
 Life and Conversation becoming, Gth Query respecting 31 '2 
 
 Life and Authority of, to limit Ministry 10 '243 
 
 Gospel Dl^pexsation, The, Spirituality of, 7th Query on 231 
 
 Gospel Ministry, The 1 — 14 55 
 
 Call and Qualification for, 7th Query respecting ... 3 231 
 Goveknmext. (See Civil Government and Church 
 
 Government.) 
 Government of Christ opposed to Ecclesiastical 
 
 Assumption 1 — G 137 
 
 Living under, Advices to Meetings on Ministrj- 
 
 and Oversight respecting 10 243 
 
 Grave not to be made without duly authorized Order 
 
 for Burial 7 201 
 
 Gravestones, if costly, objected to 4 1G5 
 
 ,, Liberty to adopt under Regulations ... 14 294 
 
 Guardians to be appointed by Will for Infants 2 124 
 
 (See also Marriage, Parents and Guardians, etc.) 
 Guernsey .\nd Jersey, as to Expenses of Ministers 
 
 labouring there 7, 8 2r)G 
 
 Habit, Truth, Plainness and Simplicity in, recommended 2 104 
 
 Hard Thoughts of others not to be indulged 10 71 
 
 Haste to be Rich, Danger of 6 119 
 
 Heads of Families, Counsel to 1 — 18 80 
 
 Headship of Christ and Diversities of Spiritual Gifts... 1 59 
 
 Heart, Change of, call to 1 97 
 
 Heathen, Responsibility of Colonists, etc., towards ... 2 136 
 Holy Scripture. (See Scripture.) 
 Holy Spirit, The. (See Spirit.) 
 Home Mission "Work, Triennial Reports on, to be for- 
 warded by Quarterly to Yearly Meeting, and 
 Committees on, to be appointed by Quarterly 
 
 and Monthly Meetings 7 191 
 
 Honour the Lord in the Family IG 87 
 
 Horse Racing discountenanced 2 110 
 
 Hotels. (See Public-Houses, Taverns, tfNS, etc.)... 2 107 
 Houses, Our own. Careful ruling of, 4th Query to 
 
 Meetings on Ministry and Oversight respecting 9 243 
 Humility. (See Christi.\n Life and Testimony, 
 
 Love and Unity, etc.) G 69 
 
 Hunting and Shooting for Diversion advised against 3 11 
 
INDEX. 849 
 
 PAR. PAGE 
 
 Illegal Prosecution or Imprisonment, Redress for... 175 
 Impartiality in treatment of Delinquencies, 10th Query 
 
 respecting 3 "231 
 
 Individual Surjection to Christ 2 72 
 
 Industry and Frugality inculcated 9 120 
 
 General Advice as to 2 227 
 
 Infidel Publications. (See Books and Reading.) 1 115 
 
 Inns, Circumspect conduct at. (See Public-Houses, etc.) 2 107 
 
 Insolvents, Counsel to 1,2 123 
 
 Exhorted to pay in full whenever able 1 123 
 
 Contributions from, not to be taken 31 206 
 
 Inspection of Aifairs to be frequent 2 122 
 
 Integrity, General Advice to maintain 2 226 
 
 9th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 Intemperance in Eating and Drinking to be avoided... 1 107 
 
 Interest, High Rates of, deprecated 7 119 
 
 International Arbitration recommended 8 156 
 
 Intoxicating Beverages, Christian Self-denial in 
 
 reference to 1 — 6 107 
 
 General Advice as to 2 227 
 
 Introductory Paragr.\ph 2 
 
 Investments of Property, Caution respecting 6, 7 119 
 
 Irel.\nd, Appeals from, only on Faith and Doctrine ... 16 328 
 
 Representatives from, a constituent part of Yearly 
 
 Meeting 5 184 
 
 Marriage Proceedings where one party resident in 44 283 
 
 Ministers visiting, to have Certificates from their 
 
 Quarterly Meetings 9 191 
 
 Island.s adjacent to Great Britain, Regulations as to 
 
 Ministers visiting 7, 8 256 
 
 Jersey. (See Guernsey and Jersey.) 7,8 256 
 
 Jesus Ciirlst. (See Christ Jesus.) 
 Jewish Ceremonies abrogated by the Christian Dispen- 
 sation 23 
 
 Joint Meetings for Discipline of Men and Women... 14 d 199 
 
 Powers of (10 ^^'^ 
 
 (16 199 
 
 Subjects for con.sideration in 15 223 
 
 Non-members may, under discretion, be admitted at 16 224 
 
 Joy in living to God and not to Self 1 no 
 
 Judgment, A Great Day of. Belief in 9 
 
 Justice in Dealing, 9th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 In makiag Wills .3 i-_*4 
 
350 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 i'AK. I'AGE 
 
 Kingdom of Christ, not of this World 1 144 
 
 Language, Truth and Pkxinness in 2 104 
 
 Law Pkoceedings, Standing Committees of Quarterly 
 
 Meetmgs to be appointed in reference to 8 191 
 
 Directions for their Procedure 7 310 
 
 As to violation of Regulations 9 310 
 
 Trustees and Executors not debarred from 10 311 
 
 Not to be resorted to for diflerences between 
 
 Friends 9 310 
 
 Leaven of the World, Against 8 120 
 
 Legacies and Donations to Meetings, Care respecting 4, 5 3b0 
 
 Lettees addressed to Yearly Meeting, Rule respecting 15 187 
 
 Liberality and Benevolence 'inculcated 1 — 9 125 
 
 To the Poor G 127 
 
 General Advice as to 2 226 
 
 Connection of, with personal Moderation 8 128 
 
 Christian Love, the true ground of 8 128 
 
 Li Active Benevolence 4 126 
 
 Christian Education of the Poor advised 1 257 
 
 Liberty of Conscience, Christian Testimony on 1 — 3 143 
 
 Not a license to do wi-ong 2 144 
 
 Contributes to Welfare of Nations 3 145 
 
 Libraries, Catalogues of, to be kept and revised, and 
 
 contents of to be examined and added to 10 197 
 
 Monthly Meetings to report as to care of 11 197 
 
 Life, from, in and for Christ 2 99 
 
 Light of Christ 7 
 
 Lists of Members and Attenders to be kept, read and 
 
 revised 22,23 201 
 
 Living to God, and not to Self, Joy in 1 110 
 
 Loans in aid of War deprecated 5 155 
 
 Love and Unity 67 
 
 Love one towards another 1 — 11 67 
 
 Paramount Duty of 4 68 
 
 Founded on love to Christ 5 68 
 
 To be sought in Humility 6 69 
 
 And forgiveness to be striven after 7 69 
 
 Grounded on love to God 9 70 
 
 In the Church 1—4 72 
 
 To God an instinct of the renewed nature 7 101 
 
 To Christ leaving no room for love of the World ... 8 102 
 counteracts love of Money and Worldly 
 
 Care 8 128 
 
INDEX. 351 
 
 I'AIl. I'AGK 
 
 Love (coidinued) : — 
 
 General Advice as to 2 220 
 
 3id Query respecting 3 230 
 
 Luxury to be avoided on setting out in life 4 77 
 
 Luxury and unoue Expenditure to be avoided 5 lOU 
 
 Magisterial Office, Counsel as to undertaking 5 134 
 
 IVIan, Accountable to God only, in things of God 1 143 
 
 JVIanuscripts Illustrative of History of Society of 
 
 Friends, Meeting for Sufferings to take charge of 19 253 
 
 Copies accepted instead of originals 19 253 
 
 Copies made by Meeting for Suiierings 19 253 
 
 Marriage, Counsel as to 1 — 9 75 
 
 General Advice as to 2 227 
 
 A Divine Ordinance 1 75 
 
 Cautions on entering on 2 76 
 
 Its influence for good or evil 2 76 
 
 Not to be unduly delayed by over carefulness 3 77 
 
 Luxury and Pride to be avoided in 4 77 
 
 To be with consent of Parents or Guardians 5 78 
 
 Against too early procedure after death of previous 
 
 husband or wife 6 78 
 
 Money not the first consideration in 7 78 
 
 A Religious Act, not a mere Civil Contract 8 78 
 
 Of First Cousins, on the 9 79 
 
 Returns of, to be sent quarterly by Registering 
 
 Officers to Superintendent Registrar of District 48 286 
 
 Early care in the Society for Registration of 176 
 
 Regulations 1 — 49 259 
 
 ,, ActsofParliamentrespectingtobeobserved 2 259 
 
 Engagements not to be violated 3 259 
 
 By a Priest advised against 4 260 
 
 Authorized by Law, alone to be allowed by Friends 5 260 
 
 Superintendent Registrar's Certificate or License { 7 261 
 
 must be produced to the Monthly Meeting < 22 272 
 
 before the parties can be cleared (40, 41 281 
 
 Order of Procedure, 1st, for Members of the same 
 
 Monthly Meeting 6—16 260 
 
 2nd, for Members of diflereut 
 
 Monthly Meetings ... 17—28 268 
 3rd, when the Parties, or 
 either of them, are 
 
 not in Membership ... 29—34 276 
 
 when taking place Abroad 35 — 37 278 
 
352 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAU. PAGE 
 
 Maeriage {continued): — 
 
 Of a Non-member gives no right of Membership ... 33 278 
 Arrangements conseciuent on Marriage and Regis- 
 tration Acts of Parliament 38—41 280 
 
 Forms, for Members of same Monthly Meeting 8—16 261 
 
 „ „ different Monthly Meetings 19—26 269 
 
 ,, for Non-members 29 — 31 276 
 
 ( 8, 9 261 
 
 Form No. 1, Declaration of Intention | j^g^ 20 269 
 
 No. 2, Consent of Parents or Guardians, 
 
 for Members of same Monthly Meeting ... 8 262 
 
 ,, different Monthly Meetings 19 270 
 No. 3, Certificate of Publication of Intention, 
 
 for Members of same Monthly Meeting ... 8, 9 263 
 
 „ different Monthly Meetings 19, 20 270 
 
 Form of Declaration by Non-members 30 276 
 
 Form of Certificate of Permission for Non-members 31 277 
 
 Notice of, to Superintendent Registrar | ^gg 
 
 Certificate of a Superintendent Registrar 39 280 
 
 Public Notice of Intention to be given | 
 
 Objections in writing to be sent to Clerk of Monthly ( 10 264 
 
 Meeting (21 271 
 
 Liberation in order for, by Monthly Meeting | 
 
 ( 12 265 
 
 Authority to and Report of Registering Officer | 272 
 
 Time and Place of solemnizing | 
 
 ( 24 273 
 
 Ceremony f 
 
 \ 25 273 
 
 15 266 
 
 26 274 
 
 Provision in case of absence of Clerk of Monthly ( 16 267 
 
 Meeting in reference to (28 275 
 
 Report to Man's Monthly Meeting 27 275 
 
 By Non-members, Regulations for 29 — 34 276 
 
 To be solemnized only in a Meeting-house in which a 
 
 Meeting for Worship is regularly held 42 282 
 
 Registering Officers for, and Registration of 45—48 283 
 
 Register, as to correction of errors in 47 280 
 
 Quarterly Returns of, or " nil returns," to be sent to 
 
 Superintendent Registrar of District 48 286 
 
 Certificate, Form of | 
 
INDEX. 
 
 353 
 
 PAR. PAGE 
 
 Marriage (continued) : — 
 
 Yearly Returns of, to be sent to Recording Clerk of 
 
 the Society 49 287 
 
 By License 43 283 
 
 In Scotland 37 279 
 
 Wlien one party is Irish 44 283 
 
 r 7 261 
 
 . 18 2G8 
 
 Fees to Superintendent District Registrar in J^jj 
 
 respect of 1 2g-, 
 
 ( 43 283 
 
 Masters and Mistresses 1 — 6 130 
 
 Accountable for Care of Servants 2 130 
 
 Should delight in the true happiness of Servants ... 3 130 
 
 Meditation on Holy Scripture, 4th Query re- 
 specting 3 230 
 
 Meekness, Advice to Members of Meetings on Ministry 
 
 and Oversight 10 243 
 
 Meeting Houses need not be Registered for solemnizing 
 
 Marriage in 42 282 
 
 Registry of, as provided by Act of Parliament 1 329 
 
 Care in reference to Lending 13 198 
 
 Meetings for Public Worship 1 — 19 31 
 
 General Testimony 1 31 
 
 Not to Forsake 2 32 
 
 To watch against an Earthly Spirit in 3 32 
 
 Though Silent, not to be neglected 4 33 
 
 Wait diligently in 5 33 
 
 Dependence on Christ alone in 6 33 
 
 Caution in judging Ministry in 6 34 
 
 Let tilings of God be first in 7 34 
 
 Preparation of heart in 8 35 
 
 Diligent Attendance of 9 35 
 
 Punctuality in attending 10 36 
 
 Ai-range for the Young to attend 11 36 
 
 Encouragement to attend one's own 12 36 
 
 Right attitude of Soul in 13 37 
 
 Pure Worship under the Gospel in 14 37 
 
 Spii-itual Offerings in 15 38 
 
 Expectant Faith in, and Danger of self-imposed 
 
 Silence in 16 38 
 
 Attend Mid-week and Small 17 39 
 
 ,, ,, ,, Further Encouragement to 18 39 
 
 Living and united Worship in 19 40 
 
 23 
 
354 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAR. PAfiK 
 
 Meetings for Public Worship (continued) : — 
 
 2nd Query respecting 3 230 
 
 Servants and Apprentices to be encouraged to 
 
 attend fi 132 
 
 Settlement, Discontinuance, or Union of, to be 
 annually reported by Quarterly Meeting to 
 
 Meeting for Sufferings 4 189 
 
 Not to be Established or Discontinued withoiit con- 
 sent of Quarterly Meeting 1 193 
 
 Small, to be visited 8 196 
 
 Advice against attending other modes of Worship... 8 23G 
 Meetings on Minlstry and Oversight. (See Ministry 
 AND Oversight.) 
 
 Meeting for Sufferings 1 — 19 248 
 
 Name, Authority, and General Duties 1 248 
 
 Original Establishment 2 248 
 
 Time of Meeting 3 248 
 
 Cases of Suffering to be reported to 4 248 
 
 Constitution of, and Appointment of Members 5 — 10 249 
 
 Qualifications for Appointment 14 250 
 
 Correspondents for Ireland, America, etc 11 250 
 
 Irregular Attendance at, to be reported to Yearly 
 
 Meeting 12 250 
 
 Care of Ministers travelling Abroad, intrusted to... 15 251 
 
 To verify Certificates of American Ministers 16 251 
 
 Superintendence of Publications by 18 253 
 
 CareofMSS.illustrativeof Early History of Friends 19 253 
 To receive Collections for National Stock, and to 
 
 make Payments therefrom 2, 3 254 
 
 To appoint Trustees of National Stock 3 254 
 
 Annually to report to the Yearly Meeting changes 
 
 of Meetings 4 189 
 
 Meetings for Transacting the Affairs of the 
 Church. (See also Yearly Meeting, Quar- 
 terly Meetings, Monthly Meetings, Pre- 
 parative Meetings, Meetings on Ministry 
 AND Oversight, Morning Meeting, Meeting 
 FOR Sufferings.) 
 
 Suggestions as to arranging Business in 14 198 
 
 10th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 General Counsel in relation to 1 — 18 219 
 
 Rightly established 1 219 
 
 Spirit in which to be conducted 2 — 6 219 
 
 Mutual Subjection in 8 221 
 
INDEX. 355 
 
 PAR. PAGE 
 
 Meetings for Transacting the Affairs of Tiin; 
 Church (continued) : — 
 
 Diligent Attendance at, recommended 10 222 
 
 Visits to Neighbouring Meetings 11 222 
 
 Small Meetings to be cared for 12 222 
 
 Care in making Appointments l.'J 223 
 
 Representatives to report attending 14 223 
 
 Subjects for Consideration in Joint Meetings 15 223 
 
 Members, Alphabetical List of, to be kejit and annually 
 
 examined by each Monthly Meeting 22 201 
 
 Resident Abroad, or away from settled Meetings, to 
 
 be cared for 12 198 
 
 Numbers of, to be reported in Tabular Statement... 5 180 
 
 Membership with the Church of the Redeemed 2 98 
 
 Membership, by Birth 17 200 
 
 Necessity of Conversion for true 18 200 
 
 Admission of Minors to 19 200 
 
 Of Children of Parents losing Membership 20 200 
 
 Discontinuance of, in case of persistent Non- 
 attendance of Meetings for Worship 21 201 
 
 Advice as to Admitting into 24 202 
 
 Qualification for Admission 25 202 
 
 Messiah, The Coming of Foretold and Fulfilled 11 
 
 Military Centres protested against 10 157 
 
 Military Stores, Against being interested in or con- 
 veying 0 155 
 
 Militia, Against hiring Substitutes in the 4 154 
 
 Ministers, Special Counsel to 3 55 
 
 To be diligent in visiting Meetings 4 55 
 
 Not publicly to judge or contradict each other 5 55 
 
 To keep to Sound Words 6 56 
 
 Young, to be watched over and advised 7 56 
 
 Not to move in their own will 8 50 
 
 To avoid censorious judgments 9 56 
 
 To duly arrange outward affairs 10 57 
 
 Short or simple Offerings of, not to be despised ... 11 57 
 
 Sympathy for, encouraged I ji 57 
 
 To study Soundness, Clearness, and Brevity 13 57 
 
 Concluding Exhortation to 14 58 
 
 Not to hide their talent 2 64 
 
 To stir up the Gift and awake to Righteousness ... 3 66 
 
 General Meeting of, held in 1672 179 
 
 Travelling in Ireland or Scotland to have Certificate 
 
 from Quarterly Meeting 9 191 
 
35G 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 TAR. PAGE 
 
 Ministers (continued) : — 
 
 Arrangements for Travelling of, to be made by 
 
 Monthly Meetings 38—40 208 
 
 Advice as to recording 32 206 
 
 Rules and Proceedings in reference to Recording... 33 — 34 207 
 
 Mode of dealing with one offending 36 208 
 
 Disunity ■with, not to be publicly shown 37 208 
 
 Travelling on Service to have Minute of Unity 
 
 from Monthly Meeting 38 208 
 
 Proceedings in reference to those having a concern 
 
 to travel 39 208 
 
 Certificates for Service Abroad to be united Avith 
 by Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, and 
 (except in certain cases) by Morning Meeting 
 or Yearly Meeting on Ministry and Over- 
 sight 40 209 
 
 Travelling Expenses of, Arrangements for 41 209 
 
 Religious Interest on behalf of, to be cherished : 
 Advice to Sleetings on Ministry and Oversight 
 
 respecting 10 243 
 
 Advised as to Careful Conduct 10 244 
 
 Advised to Christian Simplicity in Preaching 10 244 
 
 To beware of lajang stress on Authority for Ministry 10 244 
 
 From America, Advice to, on visiting this Country 11 245 
 Expenses of American, from or to Foreign Parts, to 
 
 be paid from National Stock 5, 6 255 
 
 Travelling in the Channel Islands, Expenses of 7, 8 256 
 
 Not to be chosen as Arbitrators on Outward Matters 3 308 
 
 Are Members of the Morning Meeting 5 249 
 
 Are Members of the Meeting for Sufferings 15 247 
 
 Travelling, Guides for, to be appointed when 
 
 needful 4 210 
 
 Ministers and Elders, Advices to 10 243 
 
 Counsel to 14 246 
 
 Ministry AND Oversight, Meetings ON 1—16 239 
 
 Character of those Appointed to 47 212 
 
 Appointments, how to be made 48 212 
 
 Constitution and Duties of Monthly Meetings on... 1 — 3 239 
 
 „ Quarterly ,, 4 240 
 
 Yearly „ 5, 6 240 
 
 To report periodically to their Superior Meetings... 7 241 
 
 Subjects specially commended to 8 241 
 
 Queries and Advices for 9, 10 242 
 
 To Counsel their Members and others 12 245 
 
INDEX. 357 
 
 I'AR. TAliE 
 
 Ministry and Oversight, Meetings on {continued) : — 
 
 Monthly Meetings to revise List of Members of ... 11 l'J7 
 To consult their Quarterly Meetings before 
 
 recommending the recording of a Minister 33 207 
 
 Ministry ov the Gosi'El 1 — 14 53 
 
 Appointed by and dependent on Christ alone 1 53 
 
 True Qualification for 2 54 
 
 Trials of those engaged in 3 55 
 
 Disunity with, not to be publicly demonstrated 
 
 before private counsel be given 3G, 37 208 
 
 Call and Qualification for, 7th Query respecting ... 3 231 
 
 Renewed putting forth of Holy Spirit needful in... 10 243 
 
 Minors, Admission of to Membership 19 200 
 
 Mission Work, Need of Spiritual Wisdom in 7 G3 
 
 Mission Workers, Encouragement to 6 62 
 
 Moderate Views in entering Business inculcated 2 77 
 
 Moderation 1, C 104 
 
 In pursuit of Business, Safety of 10 120 
 
 Advice to Meetings on Ministry and Oversight on... 10 243 
 
 In Dress and other Personal Expenditure 3 126 
 
 (See Simplicity and Mcjderation.) 
 
 Money, The love of, to be counteracted by love of Christ ( 8 128 
 
 and by Christian bountifulness 19 129 
 
 Monthly Meetings 193 
 
 First setting up of, in 1666 and 1667 178 
 
 Constitution of 1 193 
 
 Establishment, Discontinuance, or Division of, not 
 
 to be without consent of Quarterly Meeting ... 2, 3 193 
 
 Special, Regulatiens for summoning and holding ... 5 194 
 
 To appoint Committees to visit Families 6 195 
 
 To exercise Pastoral Care 7 195 
 
 To arrange for Attendance at Smaller Meetings ... 8 196 
 To appoint Committees to advise as to Wills, keep- 
 ing Clear Accounts, etc 9 196 
 
 To care for their Libraries 10 197 
 
 To report annually as to their fulfilment of certain 
 
 Duties n 197 
 
 To Correspond with Members Abroad 12 198 
 
 To exercise discretion as to lending Meeting-houses 
 
 toothers 13 198 
 
 Suggestions as to mode of conducting 14 198 
 
 To appoint Committees to arrange for Travelling 
 
 and other Expenses of Ministers 15 199 
 
 Joint, of Men and Women Friends, Powers of 16 199 
 
358 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Mo^iTHLY Meetings {continued): — 
 
 To have approval of Quarterly Meeting before 
 establishing or discontinuing a Meeting for 
 
 Worship or a Preparative Meeting 2 193 
 
 Insti'uctions to, in reference to Ministers, Elders, 
 and Overseers. (See under those heads.) 
 
 Appeals against Decision of. (See Appeals) 2 — 17 313 
 
 To appoint Friends to receive and distribute 
 
 Papers 13 250 
 
 Powers as to Admission of Minors to Membership . I'J 200 
 „ astoDiscontinuauceof Membership of Minors 20 200 
 „ „ persistent Non-attenders 
 
 of Meetings for Worship, etc 21 201 
 
 To keep and revise Alphabetical List of Members, 
 
 and of Attenders not in Membership 22, 23 201 
 
 Duties in reference to Marriage. (See Makkiage.) 
 Of Women Friends. (See Women's Meetings.) 
 Not to receive Contributions or Legacies from De- 
 faulting Debtors 31 206 
 
 To be careful that Ministers under concern to Travel 
 
 have Testimonial of Unity from 38 208 
 
 Proceedings of, in reference to the same 39, 41 209 
 
 To appoint Elders, Overseers, and other Members 
 
 of Meetings on Ministry and Oversight 42 — 46 211 
 
 Directions to, as to Trusts. (See Trusts) 2 329 
 
 To appoint Representatives to Quarterly Meeting... 1 193 
 
 Monuments to the Dead objected to 4 165 
 
 Morning Meeting, Its Constitution and Times of 
 
 Meeting 15 247 
 
 Its Duties 16 247 
 
 Mother, The Christian, Importance of her Influence... 14 85 
 
 Mourning Apparel advised against 1 164 
 
 Municipal Offices, Cautionary Advice in refer- 
 ence to 4 133 
 
 Music and Musical Entertainments objected to 7 112 
 
 National Fasts, etc., Ground of Testimony against ... 3 146 
 
 National Stock 254 
 
 Committee of Representatives to Yearly Meeting 
 
 to audit Account of 12 186 
 
 To be collected and annually remitted to Meeting 
 
 for Sufferings 1 254 
 
 Disbursements from, to be under control of Meet- 
 ing for SufEerings 2 254 
 
 \ 
 
INDEX. 
 
 359 
 
 PAE. PAGE 
 
 National Stock (cmdinued) : — 
 
 Trustees of, to be appointed by Meeting for 
 
 Sufferings 3 254 
 
 General Objects of 4 255 
 
 To defray Expenses of Ministers coming from or 
 
 going to Foreign Parts with Certificates 5 255 
 
 To defray Expenses of American Ministers under 
 
 some circumstances t> 255 
 
 To defray Expenses of Ministers travelling in the 
 
 Channel Islands 7, 8 256 
 
 Negko Appkenticeship, Abolition of 6 1(51 
 
 New Covenant, The, supersedes the Old 24 
 
 New Members, Caution as to hasty Admission of 24 202 
 
 Qualifications for Admission 25 202 
 
 Proceedings in case of Women Applicants 26 202 
 
 NoN-MEMBEKS may, by permission, attend Joint Meet- 
 ings for Discipline 16 242 
 
 „ , . , . . ^ 29. 34 276 
 
 Regulations as to Marriage of ^ .,gQ 
 
 Burial of, in Friends' Burial Grounds | ^ ^jj^ 
 
 Oaths 148 
 
 Christian Testimony against, founded on prohibi- 
 tion of, by Christ and His Apostles 1 148 
 
 Affirmation accepted by Legislature in lieu of 2, 3 148 
 
 Summary of Laws in reference to 5 150 
 
 Offence, Occasions of, to be avoided 1 67 
 
 Private Conference to be preferred, in case of 2 67 
 
 Offenders, Proceedings in respect to 28, 30 203 
 
 Origin of Christian Discipline of Friends 169 
 
 (See Church Government.) 
 
 Outward Aff.\irs, Committees to advise on 'J 196 
 
 Undue Ab-sorption in, 6th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 3rd Query to Meetings on Ministry and Over- 
 sight on 9 242 
 
 Outward Rites, Special Marks of the Old Cove- 
 nant 24 
 
 Overseers to be appointed by Monthly Meetings 45 211 
 
 Both Men and Women 46 212 
 
 General Duties of 13 238 
 
 And Elders to be diligent in their Duties 10 237 
 
 ,, Duties to the Young, etc 11 237 
 
 (See Meetings on Ministry and Oversight.) 
 
360 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 
 PAR. 
 
 PAGK 
 
 Oveuj^igiit 
 
 1—13 
 
 ■J33 
 
 Advice as to Mutual Instruction and Admonition... 
 
 1 
 
 233 
 
 Sincere Encjuirers to be Encouraged 
 
 •> 
 
 233 
 
 The Convinced to be early Visited 
 
 3 
 
 234 
 
 Care of our Young Men seeking Situations 
 
 4 
 
 234 
 
 „ „ Members 
 
 5 
 
 234 
 
 
 G 
 
 235 
 
 „ Children connected with the Society 
 
 7 
 
 230 
 
 Advice against frequenting other Places of Worship 
 
 8 
 
 23G 
 
 Counsel to Elders and Overseers as to their own lives 
 
 9 
 
 23G 
 
 „ „ „ to be diligent 
 
 10 
 
 237 
 
 ,, „ „ as to their Duties to 
 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 237 
 
 OvERTKADiXG, Caution against 
 
 1 
 
 117 
 
 Papers issued by Yearly jMeeting or ]\Ieeting for Suffer- 
 ings, to be distributed by appointed CommiUees 13 250 
 
 Parents' or Guaiuhaxs' Consent to Marriage needful, j 
 
 but may be waived in case of Adults J „^ 
 
 (.20 271 
 
 Parents and Heads of Families, Counsel to 1 — 18 80 
 
 To be faithful to their charge 1 80 
 
 To neglect no opportunity of instructing Children 2 80 
 
 To seek heavenly rather than earthly riches 3 80 
 
 To wait on God in the Family Circle 4 81 
 
 To guard against pernicious reading and conversation 5 81 
 
 To inculcate fear of God and knowledge of Scripture G 81 
 
 To train in the habit of attending Religious Meetings 7 82 
 
 Early to instruct in Holy Scripture . . , 8 82 
 
 Fathers and Mothers to labour together i) 83 
 
 Firmness needful and endearing 10 83 
 
 To cherish a tender conscience in Children 11 84 
 
 To lead them to Jesus 13 84 
 
 To guard against Self-indulgent Habits 13 85 
 
 To impress fear and love of God on Children 13 85 
 
 Responsible for their Children's training 15 8G 
 
 To honour the Lord in the Family IG 87 
 
 Their Influence and Responsibility 17 88 
 
 The Family the Cradle of the Church 18 89 
 
 (See also Education, Children, Young, etc.) 
 
 Pastimes, Hurtful and foolish, to be avoided 2 110 
 
 Pastoral Care to be exercised by Quarterly and 
 
 Monthly Meetings 7, 8 195 
 
 Patience, Advice to be Examples of 10 245 
 
INDEX. 361 
 
 PAR. PAKE 
 
 Peace, Faithfulness to Principles of .'5 ir54 
 
 Transcendent excellency of 7 1 fio 
 
 And Humility to be sought (> <'>!) 
 
 General Advice as to 2 22(j 
 
 Peacemakeus, The blessed office of 8 70 
 
 Pecuniakv Difficulties, Advice to those in 1 — 4 122 
 
 Should lead to reduced Expenditure 2 124 
 
 Philanthkopic Undertakings, Caution in reference to 4 111 
 
 Places OF Diversion to be avoided 2 110 
 
 Plainness and Moderation inculcated 2, 3 104 
 
 Play Houses to be shunned 
 
 (J 114 
 
 Poor, The, to be considered 6 127 
 
 Care of 1—4 257 
 
 Children of, to be educated 1 257 
 
 Should try to maintain themselves 4 258 
 
 Liberality to, General Advice as to 2 226 
 
 General Advice to 2 227 
 
 Popularity not to be a motive in Ministry 10 244 
 
 Practical Character of true Eeligion 1 110 
 
 Prayer with and for our Families, an incumbent Duty 5 
 
 The Duty and Privilege of all 3, 4 43 
 
 Private and Family G 44 
 
 And Praise 7 45 
 
 Continuance in 8 45 
 
 The heart to be opened to the Spirit of 9 46 
 
 General Advice as to 2 226 
 
 ,, to Ministers in offering 10 244 
 
 (See also Private Retirement and Prayer.) 
 Preachino, To keep to Sound Words in. Advices to 
 
 Ministers 10 243 
 
 Preliminary Notice OF Removal, Form and Object of 3 2'J9 
 
 Preparative Meetings, Their Objects and Duties 1 — 4 214 
 
 Omission in holding to be reported by Monthly 
 
 Meetings to Quarterly Meetings 5 215 
 
 Not to be Established or Discontinued by a Monthly 
 
 without consent of Quarterly Meeting 2 193 
 
 Trust Property belonging to, to be under general 
 
 superintendence of Monthly Meeting 6 332 
 
 Pride and Excess in Apparel testified against 3 104 
 
 Priest, Marriage by a, advised against 4 260 
 
 Prince of Peace, Faithfulness to the Government of the 3 154 
 Private Conference to precede Dealing in cases of 
 
 Offence 2 67 
 
362 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 I'Ali. rAGB 
 
 Pkivatk Retiuemext and Pkayer 1—9 42 
 
 Waiting on the Lord in 1 42 
 
 Family Worship 2 42 
 
 Privilege of 3 43 
 
 The Duty of all 4 43 
 
 To be frequent in 5 44 
 
 Communion with God 6 44 
 
 Private and Family 6 44 
 
 General Advice as to 2 226 
 
 5th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 Pkoceedixgs in cases of Delinquency 28 203 
 
 Pkopositions to Yearly Meeting from Quarterly Meet- 
 ings to be in Writing 14 187 
 
 Publications 1—4 115 
 
 General Advice in reference to 2 227 
 
 On Friends' Principles, under care of Meeting for 
 
 Sufferings 18 253 
 
 (See Books and Reading.) 
 
 PuiiLic-HousEs, Caution against frequenting 2 107 
 
 General Advice as to 2 227 
 
 PublicRevenue not tobedefrauded,9thQueryrespectiug 3 231 
 
 Public Schools, Friends', Children eligible for 27 202 
 
 Public Worship 31 
 
 Servants and Apprentices to be encouraged to attend 6 132 
 (See Meetings for.) 
 
 Punctuality in fulfilling Engagements necessary 3 118 
 
 Punishment of Death, Awful nature of 6 134 
 
 Quarterly Meetings 188 
 
 Establishment of 174 
 
 Constitution of 1 188 
 
 Care of Subordinate Meetings by Committees or 
 
 otherwise 2, 3 188 
 
 To appoint Representatives to the Yearly Meeting 1 188 
 To report to Yearly Meeting settlement or discon- 
 tinuance of Meetings 4 189 
 
 To forward Annual Tabular Statements to Meeting 
 
 for Sufferings 5 189 
 
 In rotation to report triennially to Yearly Meeting 
 
 as to the state of their Meetings 6 190 
 
 and as to Mission Work 7 191 
 
 To appoint Committees to allow Law Proceedings 8 191 
 To endorse Monthly Meeting Certificates for Minis- 
 ters travelling in Ireland and Scotland 9 191 
 
INDEX. 363 
 
 I'AIl. l'A(iE 
 
 Quarterly Meetings {ronthmcd) : — 
 
 Joint, of Men and Women, Powers of 10 l'J2 
 
 To appoint Committee to assist Monthly Meeting 
 
 in choice of Elders 48 212 
 
 To revise and, at discretion, forward to Yearly 
 Meeting, Testimonies concerning Deceased 
 
 Friends 49 2 13 
 
 Appeals to and against. (See Appeals.) 2 — 17 .313 
 
 To read General Advices yearly 1 225 
 
 Queries to be read and considered or answered by... 1 229 
 Propositions from, to the Yearly Meeting, Regula- 
 tions as to 14 187 
 
 To nominate Members of the Meeting for 
 
 Sufferings 6—9 249 
 
 Annually to read their List of Members of 
 
 Meeting for SufEerings 10 250 
 
 Of Ministry and Oversight to be consulted as to 
 
 recording Ministers 33 207 
 
 Quarterly' Returns of Marriages (or of no Marriage, 
 called a " nil Return") to be made by our Regis- 
 tering OflBcers to Superintendent Registrar ... 48 286 
 Queries and Advices, Monthly Meetings to report 
 
 attention to Reading and Considering 11 197 
 
 Queries 229 
 
 To be read and in part answered 1 229 
 
 Their Object 2 2;i0 
 
 Particulars of, 1 to 12 3 230 
 
 To Members of Meetings on Ministry and Oversight 9 242 
 Query' on Ecclesiastical Demands, Statement as to 
 
 Withdrawal of 6 140 
 
 Racixc;. (See Hunting and Shooting, etc.) 2 110 
 
 Reading. (See Books and Reading.) 1 — 4 115 
 
 The Holy Scriptures 1—10 47 
 
 Reconciliation to be first sought by Private Conference 2 67 
 Recording Clerk of the Society' of Friends: — 
 
 To have Names of Distributors of Papers, etc 13 250 
 
 „ „ Of Law Committees 8 191 
 
 Of Registering Officers 45 284 
 
 „ Returns of Marriages 49 287 
 
 of Births and Deaths 12 294 
 
 Salary of, to be in part paid out of National Stock 4 255 
 
 Recording Ministers, Advice as to 32 206 
 
 Regulations in reference to 33, 34 206 
 
364 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAR. PAGE 
 
 Recording of Births, Marriages, and Deaths- (See 
 under those heads.) 
 
 Records. (See Registers, Tkust Pkopektv.) 4 330 
 
 Recreation needful to be taken 4 111 
 
 Recreations, General Advice in reference to 2 227 
 
 Reformation, not Permanent, independent of Christian 
 
 Redemption 4 IIG 
 
 Registering Officer for Marriages to be appointed 
 
 in each Monthly Meeting 45 283 
 
 Names of to be reported to Recording Clerk, and 
 
 by him to Registrar-General 45 284 
 
 To Register and to report accomplishment of ( 12 265 
 
 Marriages (23 272 
 
 How to Register Marriage 46 285 
 
 How to correct Errors in Register 47 286 
 
 To make Quarterly Returns of Marriages (or of no 
 Marriafje, called a "nil Return") to Super- 
 intendent Registrar 48 286 
 
 Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. Early 
 
 Care for 176 
 
 Registry of Places of Worshii- 1 329 
 
 Rejoicings, National 1—3 146 
 
 Religious Controversy. Spirit of, deprecated 3 72 
 
 Reigious Instruction of Servants and Apprentices ... 6 132 
 Religious Life and Conversation, 6th Query 
 
 respecting 3 231 
 
 Religious State of Meetings, 1st Query respecting... 3 230 
 
 Religious SuscEPTip.iLrrY, Importance of 6 100 
 
 Removals 1-15 299 
 
 Counsel as to 1-2 299 
 
 Preliminary Notice of 3 299 
 
 Certificate of, Directions respecting issuing 4—7 300 
 
 „ Forms of, in various circumstances 7 302 
 
 „ Proceedings on receipt of, and Form of 
 
 Acceptance, etc 8 — 11 304 
 
 „ To America or AustraUa, etc 12, 13 305 
 
 Separate Books of Record of, to be kept 15 307 
 
 Monthly Meetings to report attention to Rules 
 
 respecting 11 197 
 
 Rent Ch.^rge, On 6 140 
 
 Repetitions in Prayer to be avoided 10 244 
 
 Reports to disadvantage of others not to be repeated... 3 67 
 Representatives to be appointed by Preparative to 
 
 Monthly Meetings 1 214 
 
INDEX. 365 
 
 PAH. VAdT. 
 
 Representatives {continued) : — 
 
 To be appointed by Monthly to Quarterly Meetings 1 193 
 
 To be appointed by Quarterly to Yeai'ly Meeting ... 1 188 
 
 To report as to their Attendance, etc 14 223 
 
 To be appointed by Meetings on Ministry and 
 
 Oversight to their Superior Meetings 3, 4 239 
 
 From Ireland to Yearly Meeting 184 
 
 To Y. M. to nominate Clerk and Assistants 9, 10 18.') 
 
 „ ,, a Committee to audit Ac- 
 counts of National Stock 12 18G 
 „ „ Committees on Appeals ... 22 320 
 
 Reputation of others to be cared for, 3rd Query 3 230 
 
 Advice to Meetings on Ministry and Oversight 10 244 
 
 Resentment incompatible with perfect love 7 G9 
 
 Respondents. (See Appeals.) 
 
 Responsibilities, Great, of Friends 5 26 
 
 Rest needed even by the Christian Worker 2 103 
 
 Rest of the Christian, The true 6 ]01 
 
 Resurrection of the Dead, Friends' Belief in the 8 
 
 Retirement of Mind in Private, Advice on 1 — 9 42 
 
 Retiring from Business, Advice as to 11 121 
 
 Revenue, The Public, not to be defrauded, 9th Query 
 
 respecting 3 231 
 
 Rich, Danger of making haste to be G 119 
 
 Riches, Deceitfulness of 2 12G 
 
 (See also Covetousness, Trade, etc.) 
 
 Rifle Clubs advised against 9 157 
 
 RiCxHTEOusness, Awake to 3 Go 
 
 Rites and Ceremonies, Gospel Worship not consisting 
 
 in them 21 
 
 Of the Jewish Law fulfilled by the Death of 
 
 Christ 23 
 
 On Saving Baptism and the true Spiritual Supper 
 
 of the Lord 24 
 
 The Christian Religion not Typical but Spiritual... 25 
 
 Sanctuary, Christ Jesus the, to abide in 3 99 
 
 Sceptical Writin(is, Danger of 3,4 IIG 
 
 School Masters and Mistresses, Advice and Sym- 
 pathy for 12 84 
 
 Schools, Friends' Public, available for Children in 
 
 Profession, but not in Membership 27 202 
 
 Scotland, Concerns of Ministers traveUing in 7 2aG 
 
 General Meeting of, ranks as a Quarterly Meeting C 190 
 
366 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAR. PAGE 
 
 Scotland (continued) : — 
 
 Appeals to and against General Meeting of 47 328 
 
 Marriages in 37 279 
 
 ScRiFTUREs, The Holy 1 — 10 47 
 
 Friends" Belief respecting 5, 10, 13 
 
 To be diligently searched 1 47 
 
 Reverent Esteem for and Instruction in 2 47 
 
 Frequent Reading of 3 48 
 
 Family Instruction in, to be promoted by Monthlj' 
 
 and Quarterly Meetings 4 48 
 
 To be read in a devotional spirit , 5 49 
 
 Prayer for Divine Teaching of, etc fi 49 
 
 Bible Classes encouraged 7 50 
 
 Devout Study of 8 51 
 
 Caution against Unbelief respecting i) 51 
 
 The Inspirer of, their true Interpreter 52 
 
 Advice to iSIeetings on Ministry and Oversight on . 10 243 
 
 To be devotionally read by the Young daily 3 91 
 
 General Advice as to Private and Family Reading 2 226 
 
 4th Query respecting Reading and Meditation upon 3 230 
 
 Not to be misquoted or misapplied 10 243 
 
 Securitie?!, Caution against being joined with others in 
 
 giving 5 119 
 
 Seed of the Woman, Christ's coming as the, fore- 
 told 10 
 
 Self-denial, Christla.n : — 
 
 In relation to Simplicity and Moderation 1 — G 104 
 
 „ Intoxicating Beverages 1 — 6 107 
 
 „ Amusements and Recreations 1 — 9 110 
 
 „ Books and Reading 1 — 4 115 
 
 Self Indulgexce, Against, in various forms 104 
 
 6th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 SERVA^■T^^, Religious interest on behalf of 1 1,30 
 
 Arrangements for their attending Meetings for 
 
 Public Worship 6 1.32 
 
 (See also Masters, Employers, etc.) 
 Settlement of Meetings to be reported by Quarterly to 
 
 Yearly Meeting 4 189 
 
 Settlements. (See Removals ) 1 — 15 299 
 
 Ship?* of War, Not to be engaged in or about 5 155 
 
 Shooting for Diversion 3 111 
 
 Sick, Duty of Visiting the 5 127 
 
 Silence. (See Retirement) 1 — 9 42 
 
 Simple Habits of Living inculcated 2 76 
 
INDEX. 
 
 367 
 
 PAll. PAGE 
 
 Simplicity and Moderation 1—6 104 
 
 General Advice as to 2 2'2() 
 
 Simplicity, Christian, True Ground of 4 105 
 
 And Truth in Language, Habit, and Deportment 2 104 
 
 Sincerity, General Advice as to 2 227 
 
 Singularity not aifected by Early Friends G 10(5 
 
 Slavery AND THE Slave Trade, Christian Testimony on 1 — ^10 159 
 
 Their Atrocity and Guilt 8 162 
 
 Abolition of in British Dominions, Thankfulness for 4, 5 160 
 
 in America, Thankfulness for <) 163 
 
 ,, Elsewhere, Efforts needful to obtain... 10 163 
 
 Foreign, Testimony against 7 161 
 
 Soldiers, Caution against aiding in conveying 6 155 
 
 Special Monthly Meetings, Regulations for 5 194 
 
 Speculation, The Spirit of, General Advice against ... 2 226 
 
 Speech, Plainness of ], 2 104 
 
 Spirit of the World, Danger of yielding to 1 104 
 
 Spirit, The Holy, His distinguishing Work, etc 19 
 
 General Advice in reference to 2 225 
 
 Dependence on, 5th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 Spiritual Baptism and Supper of the Lord 25 
 
 Spiritual Care of Members, an earlyObjectof Discipline 176 
 Spiritual Gifts, Liberty for Exercise of, in Public 
 
 Worship 5 140 
 
 Diversities of 1 59 
 
 Faithful Occupation of (1st Query to Meetings on 
 
 Ministry and Oversight) 9 242 
 
 Spirituous Liquors advised against 1 — 6 107 
 
 (See also Temperance.) 
 
 Sports and Diversions, General Advice as to 2 227 
 
 State of Meetings, 1st Query respecting 3 230 
 
 Stewardships in the Church 53 
 
 General Advice on Faithfulness 1 — 8 59 
 
 Motives to diligence in 2 60 
 
 Worldliness a hindrance to 3 60 
 
 Whole-hearted Dedication in fulfilling 4 61 
 
 Struggling Circumstances, Sympathy with tho.se in 12 121 
 
 SUP.JECTION to Christ, Individual 2 72 
 
 Subjection to Civil G(jvERNME.\'T,Its Duty and Limits 3 132 
 Subordinate Meetings, 10th Query respecting Duties 
 
 towards 3 231 
 
 Substitutes in Enlistment not to be hired 4 154 
 
 Sufferings, Meeting for 1 — 18 248 
 
 (See Meeting for Sufferings.) 
 
368 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 SroGESTioxs as to conducting Meetings for Discipline... 
 
 SrPERiNTEXDENT Registrak of District to have Notice 
 
 of Intention of Marriage 
 
 To have Certificate of Monthly Meetings Per- 
 mission in case of Xon-members 
 
 His Certificate needful for Marriage, and to be pro- 
 duced to Liberating Monthly Meeting 
 
 Supper of the Lord, The True Spiritual 
 
 Suretyships, Caution against 
 
 Susceptibility. (See Religious Susceptibility.) 
 Swe.\kin(;. All prohibited, and Ground of our Testi- 
 mony against 
 
 Sympathy with Agriculturists 
 
 With Struggling Tradesmen, etc 
 
 With Teachers 
 
 Tap.ular State.ment of Member?,etc.,to be sent annually 
 
 by Quarterly Meetings to Yearly Meeting 
 
 Talebearing and Detraction, 3rd Query respecting 
 Taverns and other Public-Houses, Needless frequenting 
 
 of to be avoided 
 
 General Advice as to 
 
 Teachers, Sympathy with 
 
 Temperance inculcated 
 
 Workers encouraged 
 
 Union, Annual Meeting of to be reported to the 
 
 Yearly Meeting 
 
 Advice to be Examples of, to Meetings on Ministiy 
 
 and Oversight 
 
 Christian Self-denial, the Ground of 
 
 Testaments, Old and New, Divinely inspired 
 
 Testimony to the Authority of Christ in His Church... 
 Testimonies concerning Deceased Friends, Advice as to 
 Christian. (See Ecclesiastical A.ssumption, 
 Oaths, War, Slavery, Mourning Habits, etc.) 
 
 Of Disownment 
 
 (See Disown.ment, Dealing, Delinquency, etc.) 
 Thanksgiving, Appointed Daj-s of, Testimony as to ... 
 
 Theatre and Theatrical Entertainments deprecated... 
 
 Tithes, etc.. Testimony against, not ours but as received 
 
 from Christ 
 
 Tithe Commutation Act, Judgment as to 
 
 PAR. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 14 
 
 198 
 
 ( " 
 
 2C)1 
 
 ( IS 
 
 2G8 
 
 31 
 
 277 
 
 12 
 
 2(15 
 
 23 
 
 272 
 
 39—41 
 
 280 
 
 
 25 
 
 0 
 
 119 
 
 1 
 
 148 
 
 11 
 
 120 
 
 12 
 
 121 
 
 12 
 
 84 
 
 5 
 
 189 
 
 3 
 
 230 
 
 2 
 
 107 
 
 2 
 
 227 
 
 12 
 
 84 
 
 1 
 
 107 
 
 4 
 
 108 
 
 13 
 
 18G 
 
 10 
 
 243 
 
 5 
 
 108 
 
 
 10 
 22 
 
 49 
 
 213 
 
 28—31 
 
 203 
 
 9 
 
 14G 
 
 
 114 
 
 
 110 
 
 2 
 
 137 
 
 6 
 
 140 
 
INDEX. 369 
 
 PAR. PAGK 
 
 Title Deeds, Care of 4 830 
 
 (See Trust Pkoperty) 
 
 Tract Association, Annual Meeting of, to be reported 13 186 
 
 Trade, Counsel to Integrity and Moderation in 1 — 12 117 
 
 yth Query respecting 3 231 
 
 Counsel to keep clear Accounts in 1) 196 
 
 Beyond Capital, Advice against urging 10 121 
 
 Under Difficulties, Advice respecting 12 121 
 
 General Advice in reference to 2 226 
 
 Being overcharged with, 3rd Query to Meetings on 
 
 Ministry and Oversight respecting 9 242 
 
 Travellers, Care for Young engaged as 
 
 ° ° " ( 4 130 
 
 Travelling, Cautions as to G 112 
 
 Arrangements for Expenses of Ministers and Com- 
 mittees 41 209 
 
 Triennial Reports from Quarterly Meetings in rota- 
 tion as to their State 6 190 
 
 Trustees and Executors not debarred from Law 
 
 Proceedings 10 311 
 
 Trust Property of the Society 1 —9 329 
 
 Registration of Places of Worship 1 329 
 
 Conveyance of 2 329 
 
 As to Change of Trustees for 3 330 
 
 Deeds and Records relating to. Custody of 4 330 
 
 Accounts of Receipts and Expenditure of, to be duly 
 
 kept 5 331 
 
 Reports respecting, to superior Meetings 6 331 
 
 Of a Dissolved Meeting, Case of 7 332 
 
 As to Scotland 8 332 
 
 Charitable Trusts Acts, Provisions of 9 333 
 
 Monthly Meetings to report as to care of 11 l'J7 
 
 Truth and Simplicity in Language, Habit, and Be- 
 haviour 2 104 
 
 Truthfulness, General Advice as to 2 226 
 
 Tutors. (See Schoolmasters, etc.) 12 84 
 
 Undue Expenditure, Warning against 5 106 
 
 Unforgiveness incompatible with Love 10,11 71 
 
 Union of Church and State unsupported by New 
 
 Testament 6 141 
 
 Union of Meetings to be reported by Quarterly to 
 
 Yearly Meeting 4 189 
 
 Unity among Christian Brethren precious 4 73 
 
 24 
 
370 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAR. PAGB 
 
 Uprightness and Integrity in Business and Trade... 1—12 117 
 
 Frequent Inspection of Affairs 2 122 
 
 Counsel to Insolvents 1,2 123 
 
 Vain Sports. (See Hunting, Shooting, Racing, etc.) 3 111 
 
 Vessels of War, Not to be engaged in or about h 155 
 
 Visits to Families byappointmentof Monthly Meetings 6 195 
 
 The Sick and Afflicted 5 127 
 
 Volunteer Corps, Advised against 9 157 
 
 Waiting on the Lord, Benefits of 11 42 
 
 In Families advised 4 81 
 
 5th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 Wales, Expenses of Ministers travelling in 7 256 
 
 Walk WITH God, A Manifestation of Christian Life... 1 — 8 97 
 
 War, Christian Testimony ON 1 — 11 153 
 
 Incompatible with Precepts of Christ 1 153 
 
 Christian Precept in relation to, not impracticable 2 153 
 
 Encouragement to Faithfulness in reference to 3 154 
 
 Loans in aid of, deprecated 6 155 
 
 Ships of 5 155 
 
 Spirit, The, the great promoter of War 9 156 
 
 Impossible to be waged on Christian Principles 10 157 
 
 Christian Testimony against, no cause for shame ... 11 158 
 
 7th Query respecting 3 231 
 
 Warlike Stores, Against being employed or interested in 5 155 
 Watchfulness unto Prayer (1st Query to Meetings 
 
 on Ministry and Oversight) 9 242 
 
 Over Young Ministers, Advice to Meetings on 
 
 Ministry and Oversight 10 243 
 
 (See Conduct and Conversation.) 
 
 Wealth, General Advice as to the Accumulation of ... 2 226 
 „ „ „ to Meetings on Ministry 
 
 and Oversight 10 243 
 
 Weck, First-day of the, Right Occupation of 1 — 2 102 
 
 Wills, Advice regarding 1 — 3 124 
 
 To be made when in health and sound judgment ... 1 124 
 Elaborate Provisions for Remote Contingencies to 
 
 be avoided 3 125 
 
 Monthly Meetings to appoint Committees to give 
 
 advice as to 9 196 
 
 (See also Administrators, Executors, Guardians, 
 Trustees, etc.) 
 
 Wisdom to be reverently asked of God in preaching ... 10 244 
 
INDEX. 371 
 
 PAIl. PAGE 
 
 "Woman's Influence, Importance of 14 85 
 
 Women encouraged to be present at Funerals 2 164 
 
 Admission, Delinquency, or Reinstatement of 2G, 28 202 
 
 Overseers to be appointed 'iC> 212 
 
 Women's Meetings, Establishment of 181 
 
 Nature and extent of Duties committed to 3, 4 217 
 
 Women's Yearly Meeting, Constitution and Duties of 2 216 
 Invited to offer to the Yearly Meeting opinion on 
 
 some Subjects 16 187 
 
 Women's Quarterly and Monthly Meetings, Duties 
 
 of 3 217 
 
 Women's Monthly Meetings, to be informed of Dis- 
 
 ownments 28 205 
 
 To unite with the Men's Monthly Meetings in 
 
 acknowledgment of Ministers 34 207 
 
 And in judging of their Concerns to travel 39 209 
 
 Word op God, The, the true Light 7 
 
 f 8 10'' 
 
 World, Love of the, excluded by Love to Christ ) 
 
 ^ (8 128 
 
 The Leaven of. Danger of 8 120 
 
 The Spirit of, Testimony against 4 100 
 
 Danger of yielding to 1 104 
 
 WoRLDLiNESS, A hindrance to Faithfulness 3 60 
 
 Indications of Prevalent Spirit of 9 114 
 
 General Advice against 2 227 
 
 „ „ to Meetings on Ministry and 
 
 Oversight 10 243 
 
 Worldly Cake counteracted by Love to Christ 8 128 
 
 Worldly Entanglements, Danger of 10 120 
 
 Worldly Spirit, Danger of Yielding to 1 104 
 
 Leaven, Caution against 8 120 
 
 WoRSHP, No Ritual provided by Christ for 23 
 
 Worship, Pure Gospel, consists not in Ceremonies 21 
 
 Other Places of, than Friends', Advice respecting... 8 236 
 
 Meetings for. (See Meetings.) 
 
 Writings of a Sceptical Character to be guarded against 4 116 
 
 Yearly Meeting, The 183 
 
 Establishment of 1 183 
 
 Objects of 2—3 183 
 
 Spirit in which to be conducted 4 183 
 
 Constitution of 5 184 
 
 Attendance of Foreign Members at 6 — 7 184 
 
 Times of Holding 8 185 
 
372 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAI;. PA(JE 
 
 Yearly Meeting (continned) : — 
 
 Appointment of Clerk and Assistants to 9 185- 
 
 Committee of Arrangements, etc 10 185 
 
 „ to revise Minutes of 11 186 
 
 „ to audit Accounts of National Stock ... 12 186' 
 
 ., to hear and decide Appeals 22 — 23 320 
 
 Letters addressed to, to be first read by a Committee 15 187 
 Meeting for SufEerings, a Standing Committee of the 1 248 
 Cash of, held and administered by Trustees ap- 
 pointed by Meeting for Sufferings 3 254 
 
 Appeals to. (See Appeals.) 18—36 319 
 
 On Ministry and Oversight. (See under that 
 
 head) 239 
 
 Of Women Friends 217 
 
 (See Women's Yearly Meeting.) 
 
 Young, Counsel to the 1 — 11 90 
 
 To give themselves to the Lord 1 90 
 
 Not to sacrifice Duty to Inclination 2 91 
 
 To read Scripture devotionally 3 91 
 
 To be Possessors, not Professors only of Truth 4 91 
 
 May Counsel the Young 5 92 
 
 To Respect the Aged 6 92 
 
 Sympathy with, in their Temptations 8 93 
 
 In Large Towns to be specially cared for 8 93 
 
 No Victory without Conflict 9 94 
 
 Blessedness to, of Christ's training and teaching ... 10 95 
 
 Bought with a price to win an immortal crown ... 11 95 
 Young, The, in Profession but not in Membership to be 
 
 cared for 27 202 
 
 Ministers to be tenderly watched and cared for ... 35 207 
 
 Men employed as Travellers, to be cared for 4 130 
 
 Church care for, 11th Query respecting 3 232 
 
 Printed by West, Newman auil Co. , 54, Hattou Gardea, Loudon. 
 
Date Due 
 
 0 ti 
 
 
 
 
 AP