A ft* ®Iwologrr«/ * 
 
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 PRINCETON, N. J. 
 
 Presented h^Bpfca \ W^<^*^ » 
 
 BX 7607 .N5 A4 1890 
 Society of Friends. New Yo 
 
 Yearly Meeting. 
 Discipline of the Society 
 
DISCIPLINE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SOCIETY OF FRIENDS 
 
 OF 
 
 NEW YORK YEARLY MEETING 
 
 NEW YORK 
 FRIENDS' BOOK AND TRACT 
 
 1890 
 
 COMMITTEE 
 
REVISIONS OF DISCIPLINE. 
 
 The first Meetings for Discipline in New York, of which 
 we have accounts, were held in 1671 or 1672. Rules for the 
 government of the Society in that early day, similar in many 
 respects to those now in use, are found in the Records. In 
 1762 the Discipline of Philadelphia, as revised by that Meet- 
 ing in 1719, was approved by the Yearly Meeting of New 
 York (then held at Flushing, Long Island), and recommended 
 to be used by the subordinate Meetings. In 1783 the Disci- 
 pline was revised, and again in 1800, and two hundred and 
 fifty copies ordered to be printed — the Meetings previously 
 having been furnished with written copies, one to each Meet- 
 ing. In 1810, and in 1859, the Yearly Meeting revised it 
 again. Since then paragraphs have been altered from time 
 to time, and during the present year, 1877, the whole work 
 lhas undergone a revision. 
 
A BKIEF VIEW OF THE DOCTRINES 
 OF CHRISTIANITY, 
 
 AS SET FORTH IN HOLY SCRIPTURE, AM) HELD 
 BY THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 
 
 We believe in God, the Father 1 Almighty, Maker 
 of Heaven and earth, 2 and of all things visible and 
 invisible; and in Jesns Christ, His only Son, 3 our 
 Lord, by whom He created all things; 1 and in the 
 Holy Ghost, who proceedeth from the Father and the 
 Son; 5 and that these three, the Father and the Son, 
 and the Holy Ghost, are one in the Eternal Godhead. 6 
 
 We believe that Jesns of Nazareth was conceived 
 of the Holy Ghost, 7 and born of the Yirgin Mary, 8 
 and that He is the beloved and only begotten Son of 
 God, in whom the Father is well pleased. 9 We 
 
 OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 
 
 1 1 Cor. viii. 6. 
 2 Gen. i. 1. 
 
 Acts v. 3. 4. 
 'Luke i. 35. 
 
 1 John v. 7; John x. 30; 
 
 3 John iii. 16. 
 
 4 Heb. i. 2. 
 
 8 Matt. i. 18, 25. 
 
 9 Matt. xvii. 5. 
 
 5 John xv. 26. 
 
4 
 
 believe that the eternal Word, who was with God, 
 and was God, was made flesh and dwelt among men 
 in the person of Him, our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ. 1 "In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the 
 Godhead bodily." 2 Pie is the one perfect man, 
 who hath fulfilled all righteousness, and who was 
 in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 3 
 We believe that He died for our sins, 4 that He was 
 buried, and rose again the third day," that He as- 
 cended into Heaven, 6 and is on the right hand of 
 God, angels and authorities and powers being made 
 subject unto Him. 7 He is the one Mediator between 
 God and man/ our Advocate with the Father, 9 our 
 High-Priest forever, 10 who is able to save them to the 
 uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He 
 ever liveth to make intercession for them. 1 1 He bap- 
 tizes with the Holy Ghost. 1 2 He is the Shepherd and 
 Bishop of souls,' 3 the Head over all things to the 
 Church," the King who reigns in righteousness, the 
 Prince of Peace. 1 ' By Him the world shall be judged 
 in righteousness, for the Father judge th no man, 
 but hath committed all judgment unto the Son, 
 that all men should honor the Son, even as they 
 honor the Father. We believe in the Deity and 
 
 1 John i. 14. 9 1 John Li. 1, 
 
 2 Colos. ii. 9. 10 Heb. vi. 20. 
 3 Heb. iv. 15. 11 Heb. vii. 25. 
 4 lCor. xv. 3. 12 Matt. iii. 11. 
 5 lCor. xv. 4. 13 1 Peter ii. 25. 
 6 Luke xxiv. 51. 14 Ephes. i. 22. 
 
 7 1 Peter iii. 22. 15 Isaiah ix. 6, 7. 
 
 8 1 Tim. ii. 5. 16 John v. 22, 23, 
 
5 
 
 manhood of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 and that His 
 willing sacrifice 2 upon the Cross was the one propitia- 
 tion and atonement for the sins of the whole world, 
 wherein God hath declared His righteousness, that 
 He might be just, and the justifier of Him that believ- 
 eth in Jesus. 3 He is the Lamb of God, without 
 blemish and without spot, with whose precious blood 
 we are redeemed. 4 The remission of sins which any 
 partake of is only in and by virtue of that most 
 satisfactory sacrifice, and no otherwise. 5 
 
 We reverently confess and believe that divine 
 honor and worship are due to the Son of God, 6 and 
 that He is in true faith to be prayed unto, and the 
 name of the Lord Jesus Christ called upon, as the 
 primitive Christians did, 7 and that we cannot accept- 
 ably offer up prayers or praises to God, nor receive 
 a gracious answer or blessing from Him, but in and 
 through His dear Son. 8 
 
 THE HOLY SPIRIT. 
 
 We believe that the Holy Ghost is, in the unity of 
 the Eternal Godhead, one with the Father and the 
 Son ; 9 that He is the promise of the Father, 10 whom 
 Christ declared He would send in His name; 11 that 
 He is come and convicts the world of sin; that He 
 
 'Heb. i. 8; ii. 16, 17. 
 
 2 John x. 17, 18. 
 
 3 Rom. iii. 24, 25, 26. 
 4 1 Peter i. 18, 19. 
 
 5 Acts iv. 12; Heb. ix. 22. 
 
 6 John v. 23; Phil. ii. 9-11. 
 
 "' Luke xxiv. 52; Acts vii. 
 59; 1 Cor. i. 2. 
 
 8 John xiv. 6. 
 
 9 Acts v. 3, 4. 
 
 10 Acts i. 4, 5. 
 
 11 John xiv. 26. 
 
6 
 
 leads to repentance towards God/ and as the Gospel 
 is known, to faith in the Lord Jesns Christ. Com- 
 ing in the name 2 and in the authority of the risen 
 and ascended Saviour, the Holy Spirit is the most 
 precious pledge of His continued love and care. He 
 glorifies the Saviour and takes of the things of Christ 
 and gives them as a realized possession to the believ- 
 ing soul. He dwells in the hearts of believers ac- 
 cording to the promise of the Saviour, " I will pray 
 the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, 3 
 that He may abide with you forever." He opens to 
 them the truths of the Gospel as set forth in Holy 
 Scripture, and as they exercise faith, guides, sancti- 
 fies, comforts and supports them. 4 
 
 His light must ever be distinguished, both from 
 the conscience which He illumines, and from the 
 natural faculty of reason, which, when unsubjected 
 to His holy influences, is, in the things of God, very 
 foolishness. 5 
 
 We believe that the qualification for the Lord's 
 service in the enduement of power for His work is 
 bestowed on His children through the reception and 
 baptism of the Holy Ghost. 6 
 
 The Holy Spirit is the seal of reconciliation to the 
 humble believer in Jesus, the earnest and the fore- 
 taste of the full communion and perfect joy which 
 are reserved for them that endure unto the end. 7 
 
 'Rom. ii. 4. 4 John xvi. 7-15. 
 
 2 John xiv. 26. 5 1 Cor. ii. 14. 
 
 3 John xiv. 16, 17. 6 Acts ii. 16-18. 
 
 'Ephes. i. 13, 14. 
 
7 
 
 HOLT SCRIPTURES. 
 
 It has ever been, and still is, the belief of the 
 Society of Friends that the Holy Scriptures of the 
 Old and Xew Testament were given by inspiration 
 of God; 1 that, therefore, the declarations contained 
 in them rest on the authority of God Himself, and 
 that there can be no appeal from them to any other 
 authority whatsoever ; that they are able to make 
 wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ 
 Jesus. " These are written that ye might believe that 
 Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that be- 
 lieving ye might have life through His name." 2 
 The Scriptures are the only divinely authorized 
 record of the doctrines which we are bound as Chris- 
 tians to accept, and of the moral principles which 
 are to regulate our actions. ~No one can be required 
 to believe as an article of faith any doctrine which 
 is not contained in them; 3 and whatsoever any one 
 says or does contrary to the Scriptures, though 
 under profession of the immediate guidance of the 
 Holy Spirit, must be reckoned and accounted a 
 delusion of the Devil. 4 
 
 MAX'S CREATION AND FALL. 
 
 It pleased God, in His wisdom and goodness, to 
 create man out of the dust of. the earth, and to 
 breathe into his nostrils the breath of life, so that 
 
 1 2 Tim. iii. 15-17. 3 Isaiah viii. 20. 
 
 2 John xx. 31. 4 Rev. xxii. 18, 19; Gal. i. 8-12. 
 
8 
 
 man became a " living soul," 1 formed after the image 
 and likeness of God, capable of fulfilling the divine 
 law, and of holding communion with his Maker. 
 Being free to obey or to disobey, under the temp- 
 tation of Satan, through unbelief, he fell into trans- 
 gression, 2 and thereby lost that spiritual life of right- 
 eousness in which he was created; and so death 
 passed upon him as the inevitable consequence of 
 his sin. 3 As the children of fallen Adam, all man- 
 kind bear his image, 4 and partake of his nature; and 
 until created anew in Christ Jesus by the regenerat- 
 ing power of the Holy Spirit they are fallen, de- 
 generated, and dead to the divine life. 5 
 
 But while we hold these views of the lost condi- 
 tion of man in the fall, we rejoice to believe that sin 
 is not imputed to any until they transgress the divine 
 law after sufficient capacity has been given to un- 
 derstand it, and that infants, though inheriting this 
 fallen nature, are saved, in the infinite mercy of God, 
 through the redemption, which is in Christ Jesus. 6 
 
 JUSTIFICATION A2TD SANCTIFICATION. 
 
 " God so loved the world that He gave His only 
 begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him 
 should not perish, but have everlasting life." 7 
 
 We believe that justification is of God's free grace 8 
 through which, upon repentance and faith, He par- 
 
 1 Gen. ii. 7, 5 1 Cor. xv. 21, 22. 
 
 2 Gen. iii. 6. 6 Mark x. 14. 
 
 3 Rom. v. 12. 7 John iii. 16. 
 
 4 Gen. v. 3. 8 Rom. iii. 24, 25. 
 
9 
 
 dons our sins and accepts ns as righteous in His sight 
 for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ; 1 that it is 
 received, not because of our works, but of our accept- 
 ance of God's mercy in Christ Jesus; 2 that through 
 faith in Him and His atoning blood, the guilt of 
 sin is taken away, and we stand reconciled to God. 3 
 We believe that in connection with Justification 
 is Regeneration; that being reconciled to God by 
 the death of His Son, we are saved by His life, 4 
 a new heart is given and new desires, old things are 
 passed away, and we become children of God through 
 faith in Christ J esus. 5 Sanctification, or being made 
 holy, is experienced in connection with justification 
 in so far that every pardoned sinner, on account of 
 faith in Christ, is clothed with a measure of His 
 righteousness and receives the promised Holy 
 Spirit. 5 
 
 The provisions of God's grace are sufficient to 
 deliver from the power of evil 7 as well as from the 
 guilt of sin, and to enable His believing children al- 
 ways to triumph in Christ. 5 This is to be experi- 
 enced by faith: "according to your faith be it unto 
 you.'' 3 ^Whoever submits himself wholly to God, be- 
 lieving His promises, and exercises faith in Christ 
 Jesus, will have his heart continually cleansed from all 
 sin by His precious blood, 10 and through the renew- 
 
 1 Rom. v. 1. s l Car.vi.lt 
 
 'Titusiii. 5. 7 John xvii. 15. 
 
 3 Colos. i. 19, 20. 8 2 Cor. ii. 14. 
 
 4 Rom. v. 10. 9 Matt. ix. 29. 
 
 5 Ezek. xxxvi. 2.5-27. 10 1 John i. 7. 
 
 1* 
 
10 
 
 ing, refining power of the Holy Spirit be brought into 
 perfect conformity to the will of God, 1 love Him with 
 all his heart, mind, soul and strength, and be able 
 to say with the Apostle Paul : " The law of the 
 spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from 
 the law of sin and death." 2 " This is the will of God, 
 even your sanctification," and if any fall short of 
 this experience, it is "because they frustrate the grace 
 of God. 3 
 
 THE RESURRECTION" AND A FINAL JUDGMENT. 
 
 We believe according to the Scriptures, that there 
 shall be a Resurrection of the dead, both of the just 
 and of the unjust, and that God hath appointed a 
 day in which He will judge the world in righteous- 
 ness by Jesus Christ, whom he hath ordained. For, 
 as saith the apostle, " we must all appear before the 
 judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive 
 the things done in his body according to that he 
 hath done, whether it be good or bad." 4 
 
 We believe that the punishment of the wicked, and 
 the blessedness of the righteous, shall be alike ever- 
 lasting; according to the declaration of our adorable 
 Redeemer, to whom the judgment is committed, 
 " These shall go away into everlasting punishment, 
 but the righteous into life eternal." 5 
 
 1 Rom. xii. 2. 3 Ephes. v. 25-27. 
 
 2 Rom. viii. 2. 4 2 Cor. v. 10. 
 
 6 Matt. xxv. 46. 
 
11 
 
 BAPTISM. 
 
 "One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism." 1 
 
 " John answered, saying nnto them all, I indeed 
 baptize you with water ; bnt one mightier than I 
 cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy 
 to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy 
 Ghost, and with fire." 2 
 
 We believe the one baptism of the Gospel dis- 
 pensation is that of Christ, who baptizes his people 
 with the Holy Ghost. The ordinances instituted 
 by God under the law were typical. When Christ 
 the great Antitype came and fulfilled the law, He 
 took away the handwriting of ordinances, "nail- 
 ing it to His cross " 3 and since He opened the new 
 and living way which He hath consecrated for us 
 through the Yail, that is to say His flesh, we have 
 access by faith, and enter into the holiest by the 
 blood of Jesus, without the intervention of priest or 
 ordinance, or any mediation, but that of Him, the 
 one Mediator. 4 
 
 We believe that He established no new rite or 
 ordinance, and that the " one baptism," which now 
 saveth, and which is essential to living mem- 
 bership in His Church, is that which He himself 
 administers as the glorious Minister of the sanc- 
 tuary, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as saith the 
 apostle, "by one spirit are ye all baptized into one 
 
 1 Ephes. iv. 5. 3 Col. ii. 14. 
 
 2 Luke iii. 16. 4 Heb. x. 19, 22. 
 
L2 
 
 body." 1 It is only under this baptism that any can 
 be truly made members of the one family of the 
 redeemed, or be taught to understand the new rela- 
 tion to which God has called them by His grace 
 under this, the new and everlasting covenant. 
 
 THE SUPPER OP THE LORD. 
 
 "We believe that the true supper of the Lord is 
 the Communion which His believing children are 
 enabled to hold with Him, through the realization of 
 the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in their hearts, 
 who hath cleansed them from all sin, through the 
 offering of His body, and the shedding of His 
 blood upon the cross. This communion is described 
 by Him in the words : " 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. " 2 
 
 We believe this experience to be essential to the 
 life of the Christian. It is only in the strength of 
 this Communion that he can pursue his heavenward 
 journey, or bring forth fruit unto holiness ; for, 
 saith our blessed Lord, " except ye eat the flesh of 
 the son of man and drink His blood, ye have no life 
 in you." 3 
 
 PUBLIC WORSHIP. 
 
 " God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must 
 worship Him in spirit and in truth." 4 
 
 1 1 Cor. xii. 13. 3 John vi. 53, 63. 
 
 2 Rev. iii. 20. 4 John iv. 24. 
 
13 
 
 Worship is the adoring response of the heart and 
 mind to the influence of the Spirit of God. 
 
 Having become His children through faith in 
 the Lord Jesus Christ, it is our privilege to meet 
 together and unite in the worship of Almighty God ; 
 to wait upon Him for the renewal of our strength, 1 
 for communion one with another, for the edification 
 of believers in the exercise of spiritual gifts, and for 
 the declaration of the glad tidings of salvation to 
 the unconverted who may gather with us. 2 By the 
 immediate operations of the Holy Spirit, the Head 
 of the Church alone selects and qualifies those who 
 are to present His messages, or engage in other ser- 
 vice for Him, and hence we cannot admit of a for- 
 mal arrangement of exercises, or commit them to any 
 individual. 3 
 
 We believe that the worship of any heart or 
 assembly most glorifies God which most perfectly 
 responds to the promptings of His Spirit, whether 
 it be in vocal service or in silent adoration. 
 
 THE MDTCSTRY. 
 
 We believe the preaching of the Gospel is one of 
 the means divinely appointed for the spreading of 
 the glad tidings of life and salvation through our 
 crucified Redeemer, for the awakening and conver- 
 sion of sinners, and for the comfort and edification 
 of believers. 1 
 
 1 Isaiah xl. 31. 3 1 Cor. xii. 3-6. 
 
 2 1 Cor. xiv. 26. 4 Matt, xxviii. 19, 20; 
 
 Acts xxvi. 16-18. 
 
14 
 
 As it is the prerogative of the great Head of the 
 Church alone, to select and call the ministers of His 
 Gospel, so we believe both the gift and the qualifica- 
 tion to exercise it must be derived immediately from 
 Him ; and that, as in the primitive church, so now 
 also, He confers them on women as well as men, 
 agreeably to the prophecy recited by the Apostle 
 Peter: "It shall come to pass in the last days, saith 
 God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh ; 
 and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy ; " 1 
 respecting which the apostle declares, " The promise 
 is unto you and to your children, and to all that are 
 afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall 
 call." As this gift is freely received, so it is to be 
 freely exercised, in simple obedience to the will of 
 God. 
 
 The Apostle Paul in speaking of his ministry de- 
 clares, " I neither received it of man, neither was I 
 taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ ; " 2 
 that the exercise of it was not in the words which 
 man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost 
 teacheth; and that his speech and his preaching was 
 not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in de- 
 monstration of the Spirit and of power; that the 
 faith of his hearers might not stand in the wisdom 
 of men, but in the power of God. Nothing but 
 power from on high, renewedly furnished, can en- 
 able men to preach the Gospel. 
 
 While the Church cannot confer spiritual gifts, it 
 
 1 Acts ii. 16-18. 2 Gal. i. 12. 
 
 3 1 Cor. ii. 4, 5. 
 
15 
 
 is its duty to recognize and foster them, and to pro- 
 mote their efficiency by all the means in its power. 
 And while on the one hand, the Gospel should never 
 be preached for money, 1 on the other it is the duty 
 of the Church to make such provision that it shall 
 never be hindered for want of it. 2 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 Prayer is the result of a feeling of need and de- 
 pendence upon God. The condition of heart and 
 mind which cries, in substance, " God be merciful 
 to me a sinner," 3 must precede pardon and remission 
 of sins. At every stage, prayer is essential to Chris- 
 tian life. 4 
 
 We believe that prayer and praise are indispen- 
 sable to a growth in Grace, and for a qualification 
 for those duties which devolve upon every Christian ; 
 that without these, any religious experience which 
 may have been gained, will finally be lost. 
 
 Without prayer there can be no acceptable wor- 
 ship. It is therefore incumbent upon all Chris- 
 tians, in their meetings especially, to seek after Di- 
 vine help to offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to 
 God, by Jesus Christ. 5 Yocal prayer uttered in re- 
 sponse to the promptings of the Holy Spirit is an 
 important part of public worship ; and whenever 
 God's people meet together in His name, they should 
 reverently seek unto Him in united prayer. 6 
 
 1 Matt. x. 8. 4 Phil. iv. 6. 
 
 2 1 Cor. ix. 13, 14. 5 1 Peter ii. 5. 
 
 3 Luke xviii. 13. 6 1 Tim. ii. 1-3. 
 
16 
 
 We would encourage parents and heads of families 
 to be faithful in the exercise of this privilege be- 
 fore their children or households. The qualification 
 for such services may differ in degree from that 
 which should be looked for on more public occa- 
 sions. The sense of need, of parental responsibility, 
 of the priceless value of the souls entrusted to our 
 care, not only warrants but requires such acts of 
 dedication, whilst our countless blessings claim the 
 tribute of praise from thankful ^hearts. 
 
 We believe the spirit of prayer and thanksgiving 
 will certainly be bestowed upon us if we duly ask 
 for it ; and thus to ask is a prayer which may safely 
 be regarded as always in accordance with the Divine 
 will. " If ye, then, being evil, know how to give 
 good gifts unto your children, how much more shall 
 your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them 
 that ask Him." 1 
 
 u I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lift- 
 ing up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." 2 
 
 TESTIMONIES CONCERNING WAR AND OATHS. 
 
 War. 
 
 " From whence come wars and fightings among 
 you ? Come they not hence even of your lusts that 
 war in your members ? " 3 
 
 War conflicts with, and is a violation of the prin- 
 ciples, precepts and injunctions of the Gospel, which 
 
 1 Luke xi. 13. 2 1 Tim. ii. 8. 
 
 :! James iv. 1. 
 
17 
 
 breathe peace on earth and good-will towards men. 
 It is entirely incompatible with the commands of our 
 holy Redeemer, " I say unto you that ye resist not 
 evil " — " Love your enemies, bless them that curse 
 you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for 
 them which despitef ully use you and persecute you ; 
 that ye may be the children of your Father which is 
 in heaven : for He maketh His sun to rise on the 
 evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just 
 and on the unjust." 1 . 
 
 We believe that the emphatic prayer of our Lord, 
 " Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," 2 
 and His declaration, " If we forgive not men then- 
 trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your 
 trespasses," 3 continue of binding force. And we 
 believe that no divine injunction or command that 
 is binding upon individuals, under the Christian 
 dispensation, can be rendered void by any number 
 of individuals in a collective capacity as nations or 
 otherwise. The prophecy which foretold the coming 
 of the Messiah declared him to be the Prince or 
 Peace ; 4 and his birth was announced by the Heav- 
 enly anthem, " Glory to God in the highest, and on 
 earth peace, good-will toward men." 5 
 
 Oaths. 
 
 With regard to Oaths we believe that our Lord 
 evidently forbade a kind of swearing which had 
 
 1 Matt. v. 39, 44, 45. 3 Matt. vi. 15. 
 
 2 Matt. vi. 12. 4 Isaiah ix. G. 
 
 5 Luke ii. 14. 
 
L8 
 
 been allowed before : " Ye have heard that it hath 
 been said by them of old time, thou shalt not 
 forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord 
 thine oaths ; but I say unto you, swear not at all, 
 neither by Heaven, for it is God's throne, nor by the 
 earth, for it is His footstool, neither by Jerusalem, 
 for it is the city of the Great King ; neither shalt 
 thou swear by the head, because thou canst not make 
 one hair white nor black; but let your communica- 
 tion be yea, yea, nay, nay : for whatsoever is more 
 than these cometh of evil." 1 And the Apostle James 
 declared, " 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." a 
 
 We therefore consider the prohibition to include 
 judicial oaths, and refuse, for conscience sake, either 
 to administer or take an oath. In courts of law and 
 in the authentication of documents, instead of taking 
 an oath we make affirmation to the truth of that 
 which we assert. 
 
 1 Matt. v. 33-37. 3 James v. 12. 
 
19 
 
 Declaration of Faith as stated in the Epistle of 
 George Fox to the Governor of Barbadoes, 1671. 
 
 For the Governer of Barbadoes, with his Council 
 and Assembly, and all others in power, both civil 
 and military, in this island, from the people called 
 Quakers. 
 
 Whereas, many scandalous lies and slanders have 
 been cast upon us to render us odious ; as that we 
 deny God, Christ Jesus and the Scriptures of truth, 
 etc. : This is to inform you that all our books and 
 declarations, which for these many years have been 
 published to the world, clearly testify the contrary, 
 yet for your satisfaction, we now plainly and sincerely 
 declare that we own and believe in the only wise, 
 omnipotent and everlasting God, the Creator of 
 all things, in heaven and in earth, and the Pre- 
 server of all that He hath made ; who is God 
 over all, blessed forever ; to whom be all honor, 
 glory, dominion, praise and thanksgiving, both now 
 and for evermore ! And we own and believe in 
 Jesus Christ, His beloved and only begotten Son, 
 in whom He is well pleased ; who was conceived by 
 the Holy Gost and born* of the Virgin Mary ; in 
 whom we have redemption through His blood, even 
 the forgiveness of sins; who is the image of the 
 invisible God, the first-born of every creature, by 
 whom were all things created that are in heaven and 
 in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be 
 thrones, dominions, principalities or powers ; all 
 
20 
 
 things were created by Him. And we own and 
 believe that He was made a sacrifice for sin, who 
 knew no sin, neither was guile f onnd in His mouth ; 
 that He was crucified for us in the flesh without the 
 gates of J erusalem ; and that He was buried, and 
 rose again the third day by the power of His Father 
 for our justification ; and 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 believe there is no other foundation to be 
 laid but that which is laid, even Christ Jesus ; who 
 tasted death for every man, shed His blood for 
 all men, 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 which 
 taketh away the sin of the world," John i. 29. We 
 believe that He alone is our Redeemer and Saviour, 
 the Captain of our salvation (who saves us from 
 sin, as well as from hell and the wrath to come, 
 and destroys the devil and his works) ; He is the 
 seed of the woman that bruiseth the serpent's head, 
 to wit, Christ Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, the 
 First and the Last ; He is*(as the Scriptures of truth 
 say of Him) our wisdom, righteousness, sanctifica- 
 tion and redemption ; neither is there salvation 
 in any other, for there is no other name under 
 heaven given among men, whereby we must be 
 saved. He alone is the Shepherd and Bishop of our 
 souls ; He is our Prophet whom Moses long since 
 
21 
 
 testified of, saying, " A Prophet shall the Lord jour 
 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 which will not hear that Prophet 
 shall be destroyed from among the people," Acts ii. 
 22, 23. He it is that is now come, "and hath 
 given us an understanding, that we know Him that 
 is true/' He rules in our hearts by His law of 
 love and of life, and makes us free from the law 
 of sin and death. We have no life but by Him, 
 for He is the quickening Spirit, the second Adam, 
 the Lord from heaven, by whose blood we are 
 cleansed, and our consciences sprinkled from dead 
 works to serve the living God. 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. 
 This Lord Jesus Christ, the heavenly man, the 
 Emmanuel, God with us, we all own and believe in ; 
 He whom the high-priest raged against, and said 
 He had spoken blasphemy; whom the priests and 
 elders of the Jews took counsel together against, 
 and put to death ; the same whom Judas betrayed 
 for thirty pieces of silver, which the priest 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. " After He was 
 risen from the dead, the history of the Acts of 
 
22 
 
 the Apostles sets forth how the chief priests and elders 
 persecuted the disciples of this Jesus, for preaching 
 Christ and His resurrecttion. This, we say, is that 
 Lord Jesus Christ, whom we own to be our life and 
 salvation. 
 
 Concerning the Holy Scriptures, we believe that 
 they were given forth by the Holy Spirit of God, 
 through the holy men of God, who (as the Scrip- 
 ture itself declares, 2 Pet. 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, for instruction 
 in righteousness, that the man of God may be per- 
 fect, thorougly furnished unto all good works, " 2 
 Tim. iii. 16, 17 ; and are able to make wise unto 
 salvation, "through faith which is in Christ Jesus. " 
 
 We believe the Holy Scriptures are the words of 
 God, for it is said in Exodus xx. 1 : " God spake all 
 these words, saying," etc., meaning the ten command- 
 ments given forth upon Mount Sinai; and in Revela- 
 tion xxii. 18, 19, saith John, "I testify unto every 
 man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this 
 book. If any man shall add unto these things." 
 " And if any man shall take away from the words of 
 the book of this prophecy " (not the word). So in 
 Luke i. 20 : " Because thou believest not my words ; " 
 and in John v. 47 ; xv. 7 ; xiv. 23 ; xii. 47. So that 
 we call the Holy Scriptures, as Christ, the Apostles, 
 and holy men of God called them — the words of 
 God. 
 
23 
 
 We declare that we esteem it a duty incumbent 
 on us to pray with and for, to teach, instinct and 
 admonish those in and belonging to our families- 
 This being a command of the Lord, disobedience 
 thereunto will provoke His displeasure, as mav be 
 seen in Jeremiah x. 25 : " Pour out Thy fury upon 
 the heathen that know Thee not, and upon the f ain- 
 ilies that call not upon Thy name.'' Xow, Xegroes, 
 Tawnies, 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 judge 
 "both quick and dead, at the great day of judg- 
 ment, when every one shall be rewarded accord- 
 ing to the deeds done in the bodv, whether they 
 be good or whether they be evil — at that day. we 
 say, of the resurrection both of the good and of 
 the bad, of the just and the unjust, u when the Lord 
 Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with His mighty 
 angels in naming fire, taking vengeance on them 
 that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ ; who shall be punished with ever- 
 lasting 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 to be admired in 
 all them that believe in that day ? n 2 Thess. i. 7, 10. 
 See also 2 Peter iii. 3, 7. 
 
24 
 
 INTEODUCTIOK 
 
 It appears by the Holy Scriptures, that, in the 
 morning of the Gospel dispensation, the apostles 
 and believers in Christ met together for the pur- 
 pose of divine worship, and for the promotion of 
 the cause of righteousness; manifesting a godly 
 care for the preservation one of another, that all 
 might walk by the same rule, and mind the same 
 thing, answerable to that precept of our Lord, " One 
 is your Master, even Christ ; and all ye are brethren." 
 
 Agreeably to the practice of the primitive Chris- 
 tians, we believe it to be our duty not only to meet 
 together for the worship of God, but also for the 
 exercise of a Christian care over one another for the 
 preservation of all in unity of faith and practice. 
 For this important end, and as an exterior hedge of 
 preservation against the temptations and dangers to 
 which we are exposed, the following Rules of Dis- 
 cipline are adopted for the government of our mem- 
 bers and Meetings, with the view that, in the exer- 
 cise thereof, the unfaithful, and the immoral, and 
 the lifeless professor may be seasonably reminded 
 
25 
 
 of his danger and of his duty ; and be labored with, 
 in gospel love, for his help and recovery. When 
 any, by their inconsistent or disorderly conduct, have 
 openly manifested their disunity with the Society, it 
 is just and requisite that, after endeavoring without 
 effect to restore them, the Body should testify its 
 disunity with them ; at the same time earnestly de- 
 siring that they may be convinced of the error of 
 their ways, and that, through repentance and a con- 
 sistent orderly conduct in the future, they may be 
 reunited to us. This.being the utmost extent of our 
 discipline respecting offenders, it is very evident 
 that from the right exercise thereof no degree of 
 persecution or imposition can be justly inferred ; 
 for the imposition would rest entirely on the part of 
 those who might insist on being retained as members 
 whilst at open variance with the Body, either in 
 principle or practice. 
 
 For the more regular and effectual support of the 
 order of the Society, besides the usual Meetings for 
 Worship, others for the exercise of our Discipline 
 are instituted, first, Preparative Meetings, which 
 commonly consist of the members of a Meeting for 
 Worship; secondly, Monthly Meetings, which gen- 
 erally consist of two or more Preparative Meetings ; 
 thirdly, Quarterly Meetings, consisting of two or 
 more Monthly Meetings; and fourthly, the Yearly 
 Meeting, consisting of all the Quarterly Meetings. 
 
 These Meetings have distinct allotments of ser- 
 vice ; and experience has abundantly shown that, 
 when they are attended in humility and the fear of 
 2 
 
26 
 
 the Lord, with an eye single to His honor and the 
 benefit and edification one of another, they do not 
 require men to preside in them ; being favored with 
 spiritual aid and direction from the Holy Head, by 
 whom alone they can be preserved in harmony and 
 Christian condescension. 
 
 The Acting Officers of all these Meetings are 
 Clerks, whose duty it is to present the business in 
 proper order to the Meeting, ascertain the judgment 
 of the Meeting thereon, and keep an accurate record 
 of the same. Although it is not the practice of 
 Friends to determine questions by simple numerical 
 majorities, yet, after deliberate and full considera- 
 tion, the prevailing opinion or judgment, expressed 
 or assented to by the members present, is to be 
 recorded by the Clerk as the judgment of the 
 Meeting. 
 
 Upon the introduction of new and unusual propo- 
 sitions, however, though approved by the most of the 
 Meeting, the request of a few members, for further 
 time for consideration, is generally granted. 
 
27 
 
 MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 
 
 Fklexds are affectionately and earnestly advised 
 duly to attend all onr meetings, held for the solemn 
 purpose of divine worship ; and carefully to avoid 
 permitting any slight excuse or engagement in their 
 temporal concerns to occasion their absence, or that 
 of their children, or of those placed under their 
 care. 
 
 Inasmuch as we believe in the spirituality of wor- 
 ship, the headship of Christ, and the common priest- 
 hood of believers, if we would worship God accepta- 
 bly, we must seek and realize the aid of His spirit. 
 The words of our Saviour addressed to such as meet 
 in His name have a real meaning, " There am I in 
 the midst of them." 1 
 
 Worship must be, as our Lord declared, " in spirit 
 and in truth." 2 When assembled there should be, on 
 the part of the worshippers, a prostration of spirit 
 before the Lord, wiih prayer for His blessing upon 
 all, that His life-giving presence and power may be 
 felt, strengthening and refreshing His children, and 
 that those who are not converted may know that 
 God is among us, and be brought through the blessed 
 
 1 Matt, xviii. 20. - John iv. 24. 
 
28 
 
 operation of His Holy Spirit, directly or instrumen- 
 tally, to the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and 
 reconciliation with God. 
 
 Experience teaches that faithfulness, in the attend- 
 ance of religious Meetings, tends to qualify us to 
 fulfil the duties we owe to God, our f amilies, and to 
 mankind. 
 
 Those who frequently neglect, or do not seasona- 
 bly attend, our religious Meetings, or who conduct 
 themselves improperly therein, should be cautioned 
 and admonished ; and parents and heads of families 
 are exhorted to have a care, in these respects, over 
 their children and those who are under their tuition. 
 
 As the occasion of our religious Meetings is solemn, 
 a care should be maintained to guard against every- 
 thing tending to disorder or interruption ; none are 
 to oppose, in them, a Friend when publicly speak- 
 ing, whether he be an acknowledged Minister or 
 not, whilst in unity as a member; nor, in time 
 of prayer, show any disapprobation. Should any 
 Friend have objections to what is delivered, he is 
 to speak to the individual privately ; previous to 
 which, it is advised that the dissatisfaction be com- 
 municated to one or more of the Elders, for advice 
 and assistance. 
 
29 
 
 MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 
 
 Early after the establishment of Meetings for 
 Worship, those for Discipline were instituted ; and 
 as the right maintenance of these is indispensa- 
 ble to the welfare of the Society, Friends are ad- 
 vised to be diligent in the attendance of them, and 
 to encourage the attendance of our younger members. 
 
 Meetings for Discipline are subordinate and ac- 
 countable in the following manner : — Preparative 
 Meetings to the Monthly Meeting ; Monthly Meet- 
 ings to the Quarterly Meeting ; and Quarterly Meet- 
 ings to the Yearly Meeting. 
 
 No Quarterly Meeting is to be set up or discon- 
 tinued but by the Yearly Meeting; no Monthly 
 Meeting, but by the Quarterly Meeting ; no Pre- 
 parative Meeting, or Meeting for "Worship, but by 
 the Monthly Meeting, with the approbation of the 
 Quarterly Meeting ; and if, at any time, the Yearly 
 Meeting be dissatisfied with the proceedings of any 
 of the said Meetings, or a Quarter] y Meeting with 
 the proceedings of any of its Monthly Meetings, or 
 a Monthly Meeting with the proceedings of any of 
 its Preparative Meetings, they are to render a full 
 and clear account when required. 
 
30 
 
 Whenever it shall appear to the Superior Meeting 
 that assistance is necessary, such Meeting shall ap- 
 point a Committee to meet and act with the Subor- 
 dinate Meeting as a component part thereof. 
 
 Every Meeting for Discipline shall appoint a Clerk 
 and keep a record of its proceedings, which shall, in 
 all cases, contain a clear and explicit narrative. 
 
 Eepresentatives are to present to the Meetings they 
 are appointed to attend, such business as shall be 
 given them in charge, which shall be in writing. 
 They are also to convey to subordinate Meetings 
 business which may be directed to them. 
 
 If any Quarterly Meeting request the records of 
 another Quarterly Meeting ; or any Monthly Meet- 
 ing those of another Monthly Meeting, it is directed 
 that authenticated copies of such records be furnished 
 accordingly. 
 
 The rights and privileges of membership are to 
 be in no way affected because of sex. 
 
 When men and women are organized in separate 
 Meetings they are to be governed by the same gen- 
 eral rules, and neither of them is to determine mat- 
 ters affecting the rights of individuals or the wel- 
 fare of the Society, without the concurrence of the 
 other. 
 
 When it appears desirable, Friends are advised to 
 hold their business meetings in joint session of men 
 and women. In this case, one person should be ap- 
 pointed Clerk, and one Assistant Clerk for the Meet- 
 ing, without reference to sex. 
 
31 
 
 The travelling expenses of Committees, in the per- 
 formance of services on behalf of the Society, are 
 to be paid by the Meeting appointing them, when 
 application is made therefor. 
 
 In all these Meetings the business should have 
 prompt and earnest attention ; agreeably to the ad- 
 vice of George Fox, " Let all be careful to speak 
 shortly and pertinently to matters, in a Christian 
 spirit, and dispatch business quickly." 
 
32 
 
 PEE PAR ATT VE MEETINGS. 
 
 Every established Meeting for Worship shall be 
 a Preparative Meeting, except in cases where the 
 Quarterly Meeting shall judge it inexpedient ; and 
 the Preparative Meeting should hold a session pre- 
 ceding the Monthly Meeting to which it belongs. 
 
 Business from persons who are not members of 
 our Society, and complaints against members, should 
 be brought to the Preparative Meeting by the Over- 
 seers, in writing ; and such business as may require 
 the care of the Monthly Meeting should be for- 
 warded to that Meeting without unnecessary delay. 
 
 "When the Overseers believe it right to carry a 
 complaint against a member to the Preparative 
 Meeting, due notice should be given him of that 
 conclusion. 
 
 It is advised that, in general, two Representatives 
 be appointed by each Preparative Meeting to attend 
 the Monthly Meeting. 
 
33 
 
 MONTHLY MEETINGS. 
 
 A Mo-Nthly Meeting should consist of one or more 
 Preparative Meeting, and should hold its sessions 
 monthly. When there is but one Preparative Meet- 
 ing, that may be discontinued, with the consent of 
 the Quarterly Meeting. 
 
 As the health and growth of the Church depend 
 very much on the measure of Christian love that 
 exists among us, and on the interest and participation 
 of every member in the work of the Lord, Monthly 
 Meetings are to appoint Committees annually, who 
 shall be selected with special reference to their quali- 
 fication for pastoral labor. Their duty shall be to 
 visit, in a social, religious way, the members and 
 attenders of the Meeting, especially those who have 
 been recently received, and strangers ; endeavor to 
 acquaint themselves with their spiritual condition, 
 and enter into sympathy with them, and thus be 
 made instrumental in both gathering to and strength- 
 ening the flock. 
 
 If Monthly Meetings consider it expedient, they 
 may delegate this duty to the Preparative Meetings, 
 but a report should be made annually to the Monthly 
 Meeting; 
 
34 
 
 Monthly Meetings should appoint two or more 
 Overseers for each Preparative Meeting. 
 
 Monthly Meetings are to appoint annually a judi- 
 cious Committee of Friends for each Preparative 
 Meeting, to perform the service indicated in the ar- 
 ticle in reference to those who may need assistance. 
 See page 106. 
 
 Each Monthly Meeting should appoint a Treasurer 
 who is to keep a regular account of all moneys 
 received and paid on behalf of the Meeting ; also a 
 Correspondent to authenticate documents issued by 
 it to other Meetings. Information of appointments 
 of Correspondents is to be forwarded to the Yearly 
 Meeting. 
 
 Monthly Meetings should carefully endeavor to 
 conclude such business as may come before them 
 without unnecessary delay; and in accordance with 
 the tenor and spirit of the Discipline. 
 
 Treating with those who request to become mem- 
 bers, dealing with offenders, and disuniting those 
 whose conduct renders it proper that they should be 
 separated from the Society, are subjects which be- 
 long to Monthly Meetings. 
 
 Should a Monthly Meeting find a subject too im- 
 portant or difficult to decide upon, it may be removed 
 to the Quarterly Meeting, and, in like manner, after 
 due care, the Quarterly Meeting may remove it to the 
 Yearly Meeting ; except in the case where the privi- 
 leges of an individual member are concerned, so as 
 to affect his right of appeal : in such an instance, 
 provided a Monthly Meeting cannot decide, it may 
 
35 
 
 inform the Quarterly Meeting that a subject is before 
 it, in which it desires assistance ; and the Quarterly 
 Meeting should appoint a committee to sit with and 
 assist the Monthly Meeting, and report their attend- 
 ance : the merits of the case are not to be adverted to, 
 either in their report, or in the application of the 
 Monthly Meeting. 
 
 Monthly Meetings should take care that Friends 
 to whom certificates or minutes to travel in the min- 
 istry have been granted, return them seasonably ; and 
 should ministers receive extracts from the Minutes 
 of Meetings which they attend, they are to forward 
 them promptly to their Monthly Meetings by mail. 
 
 When any of the members travel in places where 
 they are not known, it is recommended that they 
 take with them a minute from their Monthly Meeting 
 stating their standing in the Society. 
 
 Committees should enter seasonably on the business 
 of their appointment, and agree on a report, to be 
 made verbally by one of their number, or in writing, 
 if the case require it; and when they report the 
 business unaccomplished, they* should offer reasons 
 therefor, that the Meeting may be satisfied there 
 has been no unnecessary delay. 
 
 "When Friends appointed to services are prevented 
 from attending to them (and it is expected that noth- 
 ing but sickness, or other extraordinary cause, will 
 prevent them), they should render an account thereof 
 to the Meeting appointing them ; and, if they are 
 Representatives, they are also to render an account 
 to the Meeting which they were appointed to attend. 
 
36 
 
 Friends are advised not to withdraw from their 
 Meetings unnecessarily until the business be fin- 
 ished. 
 
 Monthly Meetings shall appoint committees an- 
 nually who shall unite with a Committee of the 
 Quarterly Meeting to take into consideration the 
 condition of the Meeting, and as way may open, 
 propose to the Monthly Meeting the names of Friends 
 for appointment as Elders, to serve for a period of 
 three years. When the name of any person is under 
 consideration for appointment as an Elder, the Com- 
 mittee shall ascertain his or her doctrinal views, and 
 no one shall be appointed to this office whose belief 
 is not clearly in accordance with the affirmative of 
 the question on pages 48, 49 and 50. Information 
 of the appointment of Elders should be forwarded to 
 the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders 
 through its Preparative Meeting. 
 
 When Elders remove from one Monthly Meeting 
 to another beyond the limits of their own Quarterly 
 Meeting, they are not to be recommended as Elders 
 to the Monthly Meettng to which they remove. 
 
 The Friend whose acknowledgment as Minister or 
 appointment as Elder may be under consideration 
 in any Meeting, should retire while the Meeting is 
 so engaged. 
 
 In making appointments, Friends should be care- 
 ful not to be influenced by any personal considera- 
 tions, but to exercise an enlightened judgment, so 
 that suitable Friends may be named for the work of 
 the Church; also so to divide the appointments that 
 
37 
 
 none need be overtaxed, while all that are qualified 
 may be called into service. 
 
 In order that documents may duly reach the greet- 
 ings addresssed, they should be sent to the Corre- 
 spondent of said Meeting. 
 
 Business from Preparative to Monthly Meetings, 
 and from Monthly to Quarterly Meetings, should, in 
 general, be read at the opening of the respective 
 Meetings to which it is forwarded ; together with 
 the Minutes of the preceding Monthly or Quarterly 
 Meeting. 
 
 Each Monthly Meeting is to appoint two or more 
 Representatives to attend the Quarterly Meeting. 
 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE RELATIVE TO 
 THE APPOINTMENT OP ELDERS. 
 
 The Quarterly and Monthly Meetings Committees 
 are to organize together by the appointment of a 
 Clerk, and meet from time to time during the year, 
 as may be necessary. 
 
 The Clerks of Monthly Meetings should inform 
 their Committees when the time of the appointment 
 of an Elder is near expiration. 
 
 In proposing names for consideration, the Mem- 
 bers of the Monthly Meetings Committees should 
 confine themselves to their own Meetings, but Mem- 
 bers of the Quarterly Meetings Committees may pro- 
 pose names from the Meeting at large. 
 
 When names for proposal to the Monthly Meet- 
 ings have been approved in the Joint Committee, 
 
38 
 
 they should be left in the hands of the Committee 
 of the Monthly Meetings, of which the Friends are 
 Members, who shall personally enquire of each one 
 whether he or she has recently read, and is familiar 
 with the questions in the Discipline, on pages 48, 49, 
 and 50, and whether his or her doctrinal views are 
 clearly in accordance with the affirmative of these 
 questions, and, if there is no obstruction, report them 
 to the Monthly Meeting. 
 
 QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 
 
 A Quarterly Meeting shall consist of two or 
 more Monthly Meetings, and should extend a kind 
 and tender Christian care over its subordinate Meet- 
 ings. 
 
 In order that our Christian Discipline may be 
 supported agreeably to the design of its institution, 
 it is important that Quarterly Meetings should seek, 
 under the influence of the Holy Spirit, to adminis- 
 ter such advice and assistance to Monthly Meetings, 
 as circumstances shall require. Each Quarterly 
 Meeting should appoint annually Committees to 
 co-operate with the Committees of its Monthly Meet- 
 ings in relation to the nomination of Elders, as 
 directed on page 36, and should appoint two or 
 more Representatives to attend the Yearly Meeting. 
 
 Quarterly Meetings should see that the Represen- 
 tatives appointed by them are not prevented from 
 attending to their appointments by the want of pe- 
 cuniary means. 
 
39 
 
 YEARLY MEETING. 
 
 The Society of Friends (Orthodox) is one body, 
 and is composed of Yearly Meetings, with their sub- 
 ordinate branches in England, Ireland, the United 
 States and Canada; and these embrace within their 
 limits members variously situated in other parts of 
 the world. 
 
 The bond of union is officially maintained by 
 annual correspondence between them; also by issuing 
 and receiving the credentials of travelling ministers, 
 by granting and receiving certificates of membership 
 in cases of removal, to which all are entitled through- 
 out the Society, and by joint participation in religious 
 and* benevolent enterprises. 
 
 Each Yearly Meeting is independent in the trans- 
 action of its business, and in enacting and executing 
 its disciplinary regulations. 
 
 New York Yearly Meeting was ?et off from the 
 Yearly Meeting of New England in 1695, and was 
 held at Flushing, on Long Island; in 1777 it was 
 removed to Westbury, and in 1791 to New York 
 City. 
 
 It originally consisted of all the Quarterly Meet- 
 ings in the States of New York, Yermont, Michigan, 
 and those in Canada. 
 
40 
 
 In 1866 the Quarterly Meetings in Canada were 
 set off as as a separate Yearly Meeting ; and in 1869, 
 that in Michigan was attached to the Yearly Meet- 
 ing of Ohio. 
 
 Kew York Yearly Meeting is now composed of 
 nine Quarterly Meetings, viz.: Westbury, Purchase, 
 Nine Partners, Ferrisburg, Farmington, Butternuts, 
 Glens Falls, Cornwall and Scipio. Its sessions com - 
 mence on the last Sixth day in Fifth month, at 10 
 o'clock A.M. 
 
 The Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders is 
 held on Fifth day preceding, at 10 o'clock a.m. 
 
 Meetings for Public "Worship are held on First 
 day, at 10J- o'clock a.m. and 4 o'clock p.m., and on 
 Fourth day, at 10^ o'clock a.m. 
 
 The Representatives to the Yearly Meeting should 
 confer together at the close of the first session, or as 
 soon after as practicable, to decide upon the names 
 of Friends to be proposed for Clerks. 
 
 Two Correspondents are to be appointed by the 
 Yearly Meeting, one of whom is to sign and forward 
 all documents addressed to Meetings in foreign 
 countries. 
 
41 
 
 REPRESENTATIVE MEETING. 
 
 The Representative Meeting (formerly called 
 Meeting for Sufferings, from the nature of its origi- 
 nal object) was established in the year 1758. It is 
 a standing committee of the Yearly Meeting, consist- 
 ing of forty members appointed for three years, in 
 such a manner that each Quarterly Meeting shall be 
 represented. 
 
 The services confided to it are : 
 
 1st. To represent the Yearly Meeting in the inte- 
 rim, to attend to such business as may be confided 
 to it by the Yearly Meeting, and to act on its behalf 
 in all cases where the interest or reputation of our 
 Society may render it necessary. 
 
 2d. To have the oversight and inspection of all 
 manuscripts proposed to be printed, relating to our 
 religious principles or testimonies, and to promote 
 or discourage the publication of them at its dis- 
 cretion; to reprint and distribute any writings 
 already published, which it may judge would be 
 useful ; and when expenses are incurred in the ex- 
 ecution of these duties, it is to draw on the Trea- 
 surer of the Yearly Meeting for the amount. 
 
42 
 
 3d. To inspect and ascertain titles to land or other 
 estates belonging to any of our Meetings when ne- 
 cessary ; and to attend to the appropriation of chari- 
 table legacies and donations, where circumstances 
 may require. 
 
 4th. To receive from the Quarterly Meetings such 
 memorials concerning deceased Friends as shall be 
 forwarded ; that, after the necessary inspection and 
 correction, they may be laid before the Yearly Meet- 
 ing, unless the Eepresentative Meeting shall judge 
 it inexpedient. 
 
 5th. To extend such advice and assistance to per- 
 sons under suffering for our testimonies, as their 
 cases may require ; and to apply to the Government 
 or persons in authority, on these and all other occa- 
 sions, as it may judge necessery. 
 
 6th. To correspond, as the occasion may require, 
 with any of the Meetings for Discipline within our 
 own Yearly Meeting, and with other Representative 
 Meetings or Meetings for Sufferings. 
 
 In order that Friends best qualified for this ser- 
 vice, irrespective of pecuniary means, may be ap- 
 pointed, the travelling expenses of those who apply 
 are to be paid by the Treasurer of the Yearly Meet- 
 ing. 
 
 The Meetings are to be held on the first Third day 
 in the Twelfth Month, at 10 o'clock a.m., and on 
 Fifth day preceding the Yearly Meeting, at 7 
 o'clock P.M. 
 
 The following directions are to be observed by 
 the Eepresentative Meeting. 
 
43 
 
 1st. It shall keep minutes of its proceedings, and 
 lay them annually before the Yearly Meeting. 
 
 2d. Twelve members shall constitute a meeting 
 capable of transacting business. 
 ■ 3d. Seven members may call a special meeting 
 when they shall judge it necessary. The call for 
 such meeting shall specify the subjects which are to 
 claim its attention. 
 
 4th. When members are prevented from attend- 
 ing the meeting, they are to forward reasons there- 
 for. 
 
 Approved Ministers and members of other Eep- 
 resentative Meetings are at liberty to attend the 
 sessions. 
 
44 
 
 MINISTEES AND ELDERS, AND 
 THEIR MEETINGS. 
 
 Much depends on the conduct and example of 
 Ministers and Elders and their faithful performance 
 of the duties devolving upon them. Meetings have 
 therefore been established among them for the pur- 
 pose of extending a proper care over their members 
 in regard to soundness in doctrine and consistency in 
 their walk in life, for the careful consideration of the 
 condition of the Meetings within their limits, and the 
 promotion of the work of the Lord generally. Those 
 Meetings wherein no Minister resides should be 
 especially considered by them, and all necessary 
 arrangements made for the attendance of Ministers 
 from other Meetings as frequently as circumstances 
 will permit. 
 
 The duties which particularly devolve upon Elders 
 are, the co-operation with, and encouragement and 
 strengthening of Ministers, the facilitating of their 
 labors and general usefulness, the oversight of the 
 public ministrations of the Gospel, and the exten- 
 sion of such advice and counsel as circumstances 
 may render necessary ; also, in connection with Min- 
 isters, the encouragement of other religious work. 
 
45 
 
 Ministers should give careful consideration to the 
 counsels of those who are thus acting by the author- 
 ity of the Church. Should there be any doubt in 
 the mind of the Minister of the propriety of the ad- • 
 vice extended, he may require the united opinion 
 of the Ministers and Elders of his Meeting. Should 
 the propriety or correctness of the counsel still re- 
 main questionable, the subject may be laid before 
 the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders. 
 
 The Meetings of Ministers and Elders are consti- 
 tuted and held in the following manner, namely : 
 
 The Ministers and Elders of each Monthly Meet- 
 ing are to meet once in three months, and compose 
 a Preparative Meeting of 2\Iinisters and Elders — un- 
 less the Quarterly Meeting for discipline, from some 
 peculiar circumstances, should judge it most advis- 
 able that it be constituted of the Ministers and 
 Elders of more than one Monthly Meeting — and 
 after some time spent in consideration of their 
 solemn responsibility before the Lord, they are to 
 read the following Queries, and prepare answers 
 suitable to their state. 
 
 QUERIES FOE MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 
 
 1. — Are all the members of your body sound in doc- 
 
 trine, and are you laboring harmoniously for 
 the extension of the kingdom of Christ ? 
 
 2. — Are you engaged frequently in searching the 
 
46 
 
 Holy Scriptures, prayerfully seeking a right 
 understanding of their contents under the en- 
 lightening influence of the Holy Spirit ; and 
 are you careful not to misquote or misapply 
 them ? 
 
 3. — Do you cherish an active interest and sympathy 
 with all who engage in the ministry or other 
 Christian work, especially with the young 
 and inexperienced ; and are Elders faithful 
 in extending encouragement or advice, as cir- 
 cumstances require, in whatever will promote 
 efficiency in gathering to Christ ? 
 
 After the above Queries have been read and an- 
 swered, the following are to be read and deliberately 
 considered, but not answered : 
 
 QUERIES TO BE READ, BUT NOT ANSWERED. 
 
 1. — Do you keep yourself presented in full dedica- 
 
 tion to the Lord for His service, querying, 
 " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ? " 
 
 2. — Do you prayerfully seek to be so filled with the 
 
 Holy Spirit, that you may be effective in- 
 struments in the Lord's hands in gathering to 
 Christ and in feeding the flock of God ? 
 
 3. — Are you examples " of the believers, in word, in 
 
 conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in 
 purity ? " 
 
47 
 
 4. — Are 'you careful to be enlightened yourselves in 
 
 that which in the love of Christ you feel con- 
 strained to impart to others, that your testi- 
 monies may be clear and convincing ? 
 
 5. — Do you give careful consideration to the Ad- 
 
 vices to Ministers and Elders, as applicable to 
 you individually, and addressed by the Church 
 to you for your encouragement, caution and 
 instruction ? 
 
 Preparative Meetings of Ministers and Elders are 
 desired to have a watchful care over the members 
 of their Meetings; and should any of them, by negli. 
 gence, unfaithfulness or otherwise, lose their useful- 
 ness, so as to render it advisable that they should be 
 released from their stations, the said Meetings, if 
 their Christian care toward them do not produce 
 the desired effect, should inform the Quarterly 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders in order that the 
 cases may be laid before the Monthly Meeting. 
 
 Each Preparative Meeting is to appoint a suitable 
 number of Representatives to attend the Quarterly 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders, and to lay before 
 it the answers to the queries, and such other busi- 
 ness as the Preparative Meeting may direct. 
 
 The Quarterly Meeting is composed of all the 
 Preparative Meetings of Ministers and Elders, with- 
 in the limits of the Quarterly Meeting for Disci- 
 pline ; and the queries, with the answers from the 
 Preparative Meeting, are to be read in that Meet- 
 ing, and the substance of the answers entered on its 
 
48 
 
 minutes. The summary of those received at the 
 Quarterly Meeting preceding the Yearly Meeting, is 
 to be sent by the Representatives to the Yearly 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders; in order that an 
 opportunity may be furnished for the extension of 
 such advice and care as may appear necessary. 
 
 When at a Preparative Meeting of Ministers and 
 Elders the name of any person is under considera- 
 tion for acknowledgment as a Minister, a committee 
 shall be appointed to ascertion his or her doctrinal 
 views, and no one shall be acknowledged as a Minister 
 whose belief is not clearly in accordance with the 
 affirmative of the following question : 
 
 The Questions are to be read once a year in the 
 Yearly, Quarterly and Preparative Meetings of 
 Ministers and Elders.* 
 
 QUESTIONS. 
 
 1. — Dost thou believe in one only wise, omnipotent 
 
 and eternal Gk>d, the Creator and Upholder 
 of all things ? 
 
 2. — Dost thou believe in the fall of man through 
 
 disobedience to God, by yielding to the temp, 
 tation of Satan ; in the depravity of the 
 human heart resulting therefrom ; and that, 
 in consequence, all men have sinned and 
 come under condemnation ? 
 
 3. — Dost thou believe in the Deity and Manhood of 
 
 * See Appendix. 
 
49 
 
 the Lord Jesus Christ; that His willing sacri- 
 fice on the cross at Calvary was a satisfactory 
 offering to God for the sins of the whole 
 world; that He arose from the dead and 
 ascended into heaven, and now sitteth at the 
 right hand of the Father, our Mediator, Advo- 
 cate and Intercessor ; that man, having been 
 led to repentance, is justified and made accept- 
 able to God through faith in the atoning 
 blood and the mediation of the Lord J esus 
 Christ; that this salvation is the free gift of 
 God; that it is offered to all, and that all have 
 power to accept or reject it ? 
 
 4. — Dost thou believe in the Holy Spirit, the promise 
 
 of the Father, whom Christ declared He 
 would send in His name ; that He is come, 
 and convicts the world of sin; that He leads 
 to repentance towards God, and as the Gospel 
 is known, to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ ; 
 that He glorifies Christ, by taking of His and 
 showing it to believers ; opens to them the 
 truths of the Gospel as set forth in Holy 
 Scripture, and, as they exercise faith, guides, 
 sanctifies, comforts, and supports them ; that 
 it is by Him the Lord Jesus Christ performs 
 the work of grace in the hearts of men ? 
 
 5. — Dost thou believe that the Holy Scriptures were 
 
 given by inspiration of God ; that they are to 
 be believed and accepted in their entirety • 
 
50 
 
 and that whatever doctrine or practice is con- 
 trary to them is to be rejected as false and 
 erroneous ? 
 
 6. — Dost thou believe in the spirituality of worship ; 
 
 that the one Baptism of the Gospel dispensa- 
 tion is that of Christ, who baptizes His people 
 with the Holy Ghost ; and that the true com- 
 munion is a spiritual partaking of the body 
 and blood of Christ by faith ? 
 
 7. — Dost thou believe in the resurrection of the just 
 
 and of the unjust ; in a day of Judgment ; 
 and that the wicked shall go away into ever- 
 lasting punishment, but the righteous into 
 life eternal ? 
 
 8. — Dost thou believe thou hast been born again 
 
 and thus become a child of God ? 
 
 9. — Dost thou believe the Lord Jesus Christ is Head 
 
 over all things to the Church; that He calls 
 to and qualifies for the service of the Gospel, 
 and that the gift and the qualification to judge 
 of it are from Him, to be exercised under the 
 guidance of the Holy Spirit ? 
 
 When a Preparative Meeting of Ministers and 
 Elders is united in proposing to the Monthly Meet- 
 ing for Discipline the consideration of acknowledg- 
 ing a Friend as a Minister, it is to inform the 
 
51 
 
 Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders. If that 
 Meeting concur with the proposal, it is to return in- 
 formation to the Preparative Meeting, with liberty 
 to propose it to the Monthly Meeting. If the Monthly 
 Meeting, after due and serious deliberation, concludes 
 to proceed therein, it should appoint a committee to 
 take charge of the subject, to consider any objections 
 that may arise, and report. Should the Monthly 
 Meeting unite in acknowledging the ministry of the 
 Friend, he then becomes a member of the Meeting 
 of Ministers and Elders ; information of which is to 
 be forwarded to the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers 
 and Elders through its Preparative Meeting. 
 
 For appointment of Elders, see page 36. 
 
 No Friend should travel abroad as a Minister, or 
 appoint Meetings, unless previously acknowledged 
 by the Monthly Meeting. 
 
 When a Minister feels called to Gospel service 
 within the limits of another Quarterly Meeting, or 
 to attend one or two Yearly Meetings, a certificate 
 expressing the approbation of the Monthly Meeting 
 should be obtained. The proposition may be laid 
 before a joint Meeting or before the Meetings sepa- 
 rately, as the Minister may elect. 
 
 Should a Minister be drawn to more extended 
 labor in his own or another Yearly Meeting, the 
 endorsement of the Quarterly Meeting becomes 
 necessary. When the concern only relates to the 
 appointment of a few Meetings within the limits of 
 his own Quarterly Meeting, the approbation of the 
 Minister and Elders collectively will be sufficient. 
 
52 
 
 "When a Minister is called to make a religious 
 visit to Europe or other foreign countries or a general 
 visit to the Meetings of more than two Yearly Meet- 
 ings besides our own, the proposition, together with 
 the certificate of the Monthly and endorsement of the 
 Quarterly Meetings, is to be laid before the Yearly 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders for its approbation ; 
 and, if that be obtained, the certificate is to be en- 
 dorsed by the clerk under the direction and on behalf 
 of the Meeting. 
 
 Ministers who would make a general religious 
 visit to families, even in the Monthly Meeting to 
 which they belong, should have the approval of their 
 Meeting ; and if the proposed visit extend to the 
 families in another Monthly Meeting, a minute of 
 the concurrence of their own Monthly Meeting 
 should be obtained. 
 
 Should a Minister, when remote from home on 
 appointments of the Yearly Meeting or Representa- 
 tive Meeting, wish to appoint a few Meetings, he is 
 at liberty to proceed therein after obtaining the ap- 
 probation of the committee in his company, together 
 with such other Friends as can be conveniently con- 
 sulted. 
 
 All certificates for Gospel labor should clearly 
 define the service which has been brought before 
 and approved by the Monthly Meeting, and when 
 any Minister travelling under such certificate shall 
 feel called to additional service in the viciniey not 
 contemplated in his certificate, it shall be his duty to 
 obtain the approbation of the Meeting or of the 
 
53 
 
 Ministers and Elders resident in the neighborhood 
 in which snch service may be contemplated. 
 
 The Yearly Meeting furnishes, at its discretion, re- 
 turning minutes to Ministers attending its sessions. 
 "When issued by subordinate Meetings, returning 
 minutes should be forwarded by the Clerk directly 
 to the Meeting to which the Minister belongs. 
 
 Believing that it is the duty of the Church to en- 
 courage and promote the spread of the Gospel, and 
 of all the members thereof to contribute to this 
 blessed purpose according to their ability, it is 
 directed that when a Monthly Meeting liberates a 
 Friend for religious service in the ministry, that 
 Meeting shall see that he is provided with suitable 
 company, if necessary, and with the means to accom- 
 plish the service. 
 
 That the Gospel be not hindered nor the ser- 
 vice marred, should a Monthly Meeting feel unable 
 to furnish the means needed, it is to apply to its 
 Quarterly Meeting for aid ; and in no case to send 
 forth a Minister without the means necessary to ac- 
 complish the service for which he is liberated, and 
 also for the proper care of his family, if circum- 
 stances require it* Should a Quarterly Meeting feel 
 unable to furnish the necessary means, it may apply 
 to the Representative Meeting, which is empowered 
 to act in such cases according to its best judgment. 
 
 When Ministers from other Yearly Meetings come 
 duly accredited for the performance of Gospel ser- 
 vice among us, Monthly Meetings are to see that they 
 have all the assistance necessary for the proper 
 
54 
 
 accomplishment of that service while in their re- 
 spective limits, and to further them on their course. 
 
 For the purposes mentioned in the three preceding 
 paragraphs, each Monthly Meeting shall appoint a 
 Committee, which is to report annually upon the 
 subject. 
 
 When the visit is so extensive that the approbation 
 of the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders is 
 required, if approved by that Meeting, the Repre- 
 sentative Meeting shall furnish the means necessary 
 for the service. 
 
 Our disciplinary regulations in reference to the 
 expenses of Ministers liberated, for service beyond 
 the limits of their own Meetings, shall be observed 
 in the cases of Ministers liberated for service in 
 foreign lands. Meetings should be very careful in 
 liberating Ministers for such service, and should do 
 so under the weight of the responsibility involved. 
 When the field of contemplated service lies within 
 the limits of the organization of any Yearly Meet- 
 ing, the regulations of such Meeting in reference to 
 such service should be carefully observed. When 
 the field is not within such limits, the Minute of the 
 liberating Meeting should cover the service. 
 
 In order to guard against impositions, Friends are 
 advised, when strangers come amongst them in the 
 capacity of Ministers, to see that they are furnished 
 with certificates. 
 
 When Meetings are disturbed by improper com- 
 munications, it should be the care of the Ministers 
 and Elders to take suitable opportunities with the 
 
55 
 
 person who has given offence, and extend advice 
 and counsel as may appear necessary. If he con- 
 tinue to disturb our Meetings he should be fur- 
 ther admonished ; and, if the desired effect be not 
 produced, the case should be laid before the Pre- 
 parative Meeting of Ministers and Elders, that fur- 
 ther care may be extended ; but, should the Friend 
 still persist therein, this Meeting ought to lay it 
 before the Monthly Meeting for Discipline, which 
 should proceed to treat with and disown him if it 
 appear to be necessary. Persons not in membership 
 may be permitted occasionally to speak in our Meet- 
 ings as a matter of courtesy, but not of right. The 
 Meetings of Ministers and Elders are not -to interfere 
 with any part of the exercise of the Discipline of the 
 Church, appertaining to Meetings for Discipline. 
 
 ADVICES TO MINISTERS AND ELDERS, RECOMMENDED TO 
 BE READ FREQUENTLY IN THEIR MEETINGS. 
 
 Ministers and Elders cannot properly discharge 
 the important duties which devolve upon them with- 
 out the aid of that wisdom which is from above. 
 They should therefore be of quick, spiritual discern- 
 ment, and watch over one another and the flock as 
 they that must give account. There should be such 
 a prevalence of love and affection that the Ministers 
 may feel that they have a kind and sympathizing 
 friend in every Elder. When this mutual love and 
 confidence are maintained, they are not only a 
 strength to each other, but are encouraging examples 
 to the whole flock. 
 
56 
 
 Ministers and Elders should give heed to the gift 
 bestowed upon them, as good stewards of the mani- 
 fold grace of God. They should seek to be clothed 
 upon by the spirit of the Master, that they may 
 often be engaged in prayer, not only in retirement, 
 but also in the presence of the people, reverently 
 acknowledging their entire dependence upon Him 
 from whom cometh every good and perfect gift. 
 Prayer should be presented in faith, with brevity, 
 simplicity and directness, avoiding all unnecessary 
 repetitions and the too frequent use of the Holy 
 Name. All thanksgiving and praise should be the 
 utterance of a heart filled with a sense of the love 
 of God and of His willingness to supply all our needs. 
 
 Those who speak should be prompt in obeying 
 the Divine intimation while the exercise is fresh in 
 their minds, being careful to commence, proceed 
 and conclude in the life and power which the Holy 
 Spirit alone can confer. They should speak in a 
 natural voice, so as to be distinctly heard, avoid 
 improper tones and gestures, and give due regard to 
 brevity and directness of expression. 
 
 They should avoid laying stress upon the author- 
 ity of their communications, the baptizing power of 
 the Holy Ghost accompanying the testimony being 
 the true evidence. 
 
 Ministers and Elders should at all times be care- 
 ful of each other's reputation, having a tender re- 
 gard one for the other, and especially for the cause 
 of Christ, and should guard against injuring the 
 service of any, either in or out of meetings. 
 
57 
 
 QUERIES.* 
 
 In order that Friends may be led to an individual 
 examination whether their practice is consistent 
 with their profession, and that they may be incited 
 to discharge their duties faithfully, the following 
 Queries have been adopted and are to be distinctly 
 read and deliberately considered in the Preparative, 
 Monthly, and Quarterly Meetings twice in the year, 
 but not answered : 
 
 Once in a year — namely, at the Meetings which 
 precede the Yearly Meeting — the Preparative Meet- 
 ings shall send to the Monthly Meetings concise and 
 explicit reports of the State of Society within the 
 general scope of the Queries, reporting their condi- 
 tion to the Superior Meeting as definitely and cor- 
 rectly as possible. A summary of these reports is 
 to be forwarded to the Quarterly Meetings, and 
 thence to the Yearly Meeting as usual. 
 
 * See Appendix. 
 
58 
 
 The reading of the Queries may be omitted in 
 the Quarterly Meeting following the Yearly Meet- 
 ing, and in the Preparative and Monthly Meetings 
 which report to it. 
 
 QUERIES TO BE ANSWERED THREE TIMES A TEAR. 
 
 1. — Are you careful to attend all your Meetings for 
 
 worship, and is the hour observed ? 
 
 2. — Are you preserved in love one toward another % 
 
 If differences arise, is due care taken speedily 
 to end them ? 
 
 QUERIES TO BE ANSWERED ONCE A YEAR. 
 
 3. — Are your meetings for transacting the affairs of 
 
 the Church, regularly held ? Is the discipline 
 seasonably and impartially administered, and 
 in the spirit of restoring love ? 
 
 4. — Are you in the practice of reading the Holy 
 
 Scriptures daily in your families, collectively, 
 with time for reverent waiting upon the Lord 
 with thanksgiving and prayer ? 
 
59 
 
 5. — Are your members clear of the manufacture, 
 
 sale or use of any intoxicating liquors, except 
 for purposes strictly medicinal I * 
 
 6. — Are your members just in their dealings, and 
 
 punctual in fulfilling their engagements ? 
 
 7. — Are there any trust funds belonging to your 
 
 Meeting ? If so, have they been reported to 
 the Representative Meeting ; are they prop- 
 erly invested according to law, and are the 
 trustees faithful in applying them strictly in 
 accordance with the directions of the donors i 
 Are titles to all property belonging to the 
 Society duly perfected, recorded and kept 
 valid ? 
 
 In addition to the above, the following Queries 
 are to be deliberately read and separately considered 
 three times a year, after the other Queries ; but are 
 not to be answered. 
 
 QCEPJES TO BE READ THREE TIMES A YEAR BUT XOT 
 AXSWEPwED. 
 
 1. — Have you, by the convicting power of the Holy 
 Spirit, been led, through repentance towards 
 God, to realize the remission of your sins by 
 faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, " whom God 
 
 *It is not intended by this Query to prohibit the use of 
 Alcohol in the arts, or for manufacturing purposes. 
 
60 
 
 hath set forth to be a propitiation, through 
 faith in His blood 1 and are yon walking in 
 newness of life through power received from 
 Him? 
 
 2. — Is there a growth in grace among you, and does 
 the life, interest and increase of your Meet- 
 ings evince the blessing of the Lord on your 
 instrumentality as a Church of Christ ? 
 
 8. — Do you endeavor in your daily life to exemplify 
 the doctrines of the Grospel ; is there a living 
 and active effort to gather others to Christ, 
 and are such cordially invited to unite in 
 fellowship with us ? 
 
 4. — Are you careful of the reputation of others, 
 
 watching over them for good and not for 
 evil? Do you discourage conversation on 
 their faults, and is there a watchful care 
 against anything that would tend to interrupt 
 the prevalence of Christian love among you ? 
 
 5. — Are you exemplary in true Christian simplicity, 
 
 giving heed to the exhortation, " Be not con- 
 formed to this world;" 2 Do you avoid ex- 
 tending your business improperly, and are 
 you careful to guard against being absorbed 
 by your temporal affairs to the hindrance of 
 your growth in grace ? 
 
 1 Rom. iii. 25. 
 
 2 Rom. xii. 2. 
 
61 
 
 6. — Are you prayerfully seeking the guidance and 
 
 blessing of the Lord on your efforts to train 
 for Him the children intrusted to your care ? 
 Is it your endeavor to instill into their minds 
 in very early years a love for the Saviour and 
 a desire to be guided by the Holy Spirit in 
 their daily walk through life ? Are you 
 careful not to cherish in them, or in your- 
 selves, the seeds of vanity by improperly 
 decorating their persons ? 
 
 7. — Do you avoid participating in or countenancing 
 
 theatrical exhibitions or other amusements, 
 which, in their character or associations, have 
 an injurious or demoralizing tendency ? 
 
 8. — Do you visit the poor and the afflicted, assist them 
 
 in their need, and seek to impart to them the 
 consolations of the Gospel ? 
 
 The following Advices are to be read and care- 
 fully attended to, in the Preparative, Monthly and 
 Quarterly Meetings, after the consideration of the 
 Queries. 
 
 ADVICES. 
 
 Guard against the introduction of improper books 
 and periodicals into your families. 
 
 Be diligent in the daily reading of the Holy Scrip- 
 tures, which are able to make wise unto salvation, 
 through faith which is in Christ Jesus, and retire 
 frequently for meditation and prayer. 
 
62 
 
 Do not violate our testimony against war in any 
 respect. When any are brought into suffering on 
 this account, let them manifest a disposition com_ 
 porting with our Christian profession. 
 
 Live in love as Christian brethren. Follow peace 
 with all men, desiring the true happiness of all. 
 
 Observe strict integrity in all your business trans- 
 actions, remembering that you will have to account 
 for the mode of acquiring and for the manner of 
 using your possessions. In all your dealings and 
 intercourse with all men, maintain a truly Christian 
 character, bearing in mind the injunction, u Let your 
 light so shine before men that they may see your 
 good works, and glorify your Father which is in 
 Heaven." 1 
 
 Avoid all contention and personal reflections in 
 your Meetings, that they may be conducted in the 
 peaceable spirit and wisdom of Jesus Christ. 
 
 Examine our Book of Discipline frequently, that 
 you may become familiar with our Doctrines, Tes- 
 timonies and Kegulations, and the grounds upon 
 which they are based. 
 
 All our members are affectionately advised to ab- 
 stain from the use of tobacco and to avoid the use 
 of opium in any of its preparations, except in cases 
 of medical necessity. 
 
 Be careful to use those portions of time on First 
 days, which are not occupied by our Meetings for 
 worship, in accordance with the purpose of the 
 
 1 Matt. v. 16. 
 
6a 
 
 day, and avoid physical exhaustion before week-day 
 Meetings. In all your Meetings be earnestly con- 
 cerned reverently to present yourselves before the 
 Lord, and seek, by His help, to worship Him in 
 spirit and in truth. In time of vocal prayer all 
 should assume a reverential posture. 
 
 Be ready, at all times, to extend the hand of 
 kindness and recognition one to another, and let the 
 stranger at your Meetings feel that you greet him 
 in a Saviour's love. Add to godliness, brotherly 
 kindness ; and to brotherly kindness, charity. 
 
64: 
 
 OVERSEERS. 
 
 Two or more faithful and judicious Friends shall 
 be appointed by the Monthly Meeting, to be Over- 
 seers for each Preparative Meeting, who ought to 
 exercise a tender and vigilant care over their fellow- 
 members. They should be familiar with the state of 
 the Meeting, and if anything contrary to the harmony 
 and good order of our religious Society appear, it 
 should receive seasonable attention. 
 
 If circumstances require it, Overseers may act in 
 another Preparative Meeting belonging to the same 
 Monthly Meeting. 
 
 As great care and deliberation are necessary in 
 appointing Overseers, it is directed that Monthly 
 Meetings appoint a committee to take the subject 
 into consideration ; and, at the succeeding Meeting, 
 to propose such Friends as they may agree upon, 
 to fill the station in each Preparative Meeting ; and 
 the names should be proposed and considered sepa- 
 rately. 
 
 Although it is the duty of every faithful member 
 of our Society to advise and admonish those who are 
 guilty of disorderly conduct ; yet, that it may not 
 be overlooked or neglected, it should be more parti- 
 
*5 
 
 cularly the business of Overseers ; who, it is desired, 
 may treat with them in the spirit of meekness and 
 restoring love, patiently endeavoring to instruct and 
 advise them; but should their labor prove ineffec- 
 tual, the Preparative Meeting should, without im- 
 proper delay, be informed of the cases, that, if 
 necessary, they may be laid before the Monthly 
 Meeting. 
 
66 
 
 TREATING WITH OFFENDERS. 
 
 Offenders should be treated with in tenderness 
 and love, agreeably to the Apostolic advice, " Breth- 
 ren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye, which are 
 spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meek- 
 ness ; considering thyself , lest thou also be tempted." 1 
 
 We should patiently and meekly instruct and ad- 
 vise those who transgress, even though they manifest 
 a spirit of opposition: by so doing we shall be 
 more likely to affect their hearts, and make them 
 sensible that we have performed a Christian duty, 
 and an office of brotherly love towards them. If 
 any reject this tender labor, the Overseers are to 
 acquaint the Preparative Meeting thereof, in order, 
 if necessary, that the case may be forwarded to the 
 Monthly Meeting, and further care be taken ac- 
 cording to our established rules. Timely notice 
 should be given to the party, when it can reason- 
 ably be done, previously to its being laid before the 
 Preparative Meeting. 
 
 When an offender desires to make a statement of 
 his defense before the Meeting having his case under 
 
 1 Gal. vi. 1. 
 
67 
 
 consideration, an opportunity should be given him 
 to do so, after which he should retire, that the Meet- 
 ing may come to its decision. 
 
 In all cases introduced from the Preparative to 
 the Monthly Meeting, and claiming its attention, a 
 Committee should be appointed to treat with the 
 offender, in order to convince him of his error and 
 transgression of the Discipline of the Society. The 
 Committee should report to the Monthly Meeting 
 the effect of its labor, and if there is reason to be- 
 lieve that the extension of further care would ba 
 beneficial, the case should be continued. WTien 
 the Monthly Meeting, after deliberate and serious 
 consideration, is satisfied that further labor and care 
 would be unavailing, and the Meeting has come 
 to a judgment, a Committee is to be appointed to 
 prepare a minute of disownment, and produce it at 
 the next Monthly Meeting for its approbation. A 
 Committee should be appointed to inform the indi- 
 vidual of his disownment, to show him, and, if re- 
 quired, to furnish him with, a copy of the minute 
 of disownment, and to inform him of his right 
 of appeal. 
 
 All minutes of disownment should be entered on 
 the Records of the Monthly Meeting. 
 
 If any so far deviate from Gospel truth as to deny 
 the deity and the atonement of our Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ, the immediate teaching of the Holy 
 Spirit, or the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures, as 
 it will be thereby manifest that they are not one in 
 faith with us, after earnest Christian labor, without 
 
68 
 
 effect, for their reclamation, they should be dis- 
 owned. 
 
 The Doctrine held by New York Yearly Meeting 
 respecting the " Ordinances " is clearly set forth in 
 the Articles of Faith contained in the Discipline. 
 
 These Articles are part of the Discipline of New 
 York Yearly Meeting, and are legally binding on all 
 our members. If any of our members violate any of 
 them, Monthly Meetings have hereby full authority 
 to proceed against such the same as against other 
 violators of Discipline. Monthly Meetings are, 
 however, advised to be tender and forbearing to- 
 wards those who are offenders as to belief, but who 
 do not teach or spread views contrary to our stand- 
 ard. 
 
 If any in the stations of Ministers or Elders, 
 which official standing makes them representative 
 persons and public teachers in the Church, shall so 
 violate our Discipline as to teach, in public or in 
 private, doctrines in favor of the so-called Ordi- 
 nances, or be baptized with water, or partake of the 
 outward communion of bread and wine, and shall 
 teach such observances, they thereby forfeit their 
 position as Ministers or Elders, and their names 
 shall be removed from the Eecord of the Meetings 
 of Ministers and Elders. 
 
 When any so manifest their want of unity with 
 us as to continue negligent in the attendance of our 
 religious Meetings, and disregard the repeated advice 
 of Friends, Monthly Meetings, after having faith- 
 fully discharged their duty towards them, and found 
 
69 
 
 their endeavors to reclaim them ineffectual, may 
 erase their names from the record of membership, 
 giving them notice accordingly, if practicable. 
 
 If a member should violate our testimony against 
 war, or be guilty of notorious crimes, or of any act 
 causing public scandal, and deprive Friends of the 
 opportunity of extending the necessary care, the 
 Monthly Meeting is at liberty to disown him. 
 
 If any member of our Society should so far dis- 
 regard our testimony against oaths, as, in any case, 
 to take or administer an oath, he should be labored 
 with, to convince him of his error. 
 
 "When a person commits an offence and removes 
 within the limits of another Monthly Meeting be- 
 fore the necessary care is taken ; or if he remove 
 within the limits of another Monthly Meeting and 
 commit an offence there, before a certificate of re- 
 moval has been accepted, the Monthly Meeting to 
 which he belongs may treat with him, or forward 
 the complaint against him to the Monthly Meeting 
 where he resides ; in which case it shall be the duty 
 of the latter Meeting to treat with him, and report 
 the result of its labor to the Meeting of which he is 
 a member. 
 
70 
 
 KESIGNATION OF MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 In case of resignation of membership, the Month- 
 ly Meeting should appoint a Committee to visit the 
 person offering it, for the purpose of removing, if 
 practicable, the cause of such resignation, and of 
 restoring him to fellowship with the Society. If 
 this labor prove unavailing, the Meeting is to re- 
 lease him from membership and appoint a Commit- 
 tee to inform him thereof. 
 
71 
 
 APPEALS. 
 
 If any person be dissatisfied with the judgment or 
 action of a Monthly Meeting, or with an award of 
 arbitration made in his case under the provisions 
 of our Discipline, he may, after receiving a copy 
 of the minute of disownment or award, notify the 
 first or second Meeting thereafter, but no other, of 
 his intention to appeal to the next ensuing Superior 
 Meeting ; and shall, with this notification, furnish a 
 statement of the facts on which he relies in support 
 of his appeal. This notification and statement the 
 Monthly Meeting shall enter on its minutes, and 
 the Meeting may grant a further hearing and take 
 such action therein as shall be just and according to 
 the Discipline, or appoint three Friends to attend 
 the Quarterly Meeting with copies of the minutes 
 relative to the case, and give such explanations as 
 may be necessary. 
 
 The Quarterly Meeting is to refer the subject to a 
 committee — omitting the members of the Meeting 
 appealed from — who are carefully and deliberately 
 to examine the whole proceedings in the case from 
 its commencement, giving the appellant and the 
 Monthly Meeting's committee a full hearing ; and 
 
Y2 
 
 if they find the offence a disownable one, and the 
 charge substantiated, and that the whole proceedings 
 have been strictly in accordance with our Discipline, 
 they are to report it so to the Quarterly Meeting ; 
 and that Meeting shall confirm the judgment of the 
 Monthly Meeting, and inform the appellant of the 
 result. 
 
 But if it should appear that the offence is not a 
 disownable one, or that the charge is not sufficiently 
 substantiated, or that any irregularity in the pro- 
 ceedings has infringed the rights of the appellant, 
 the committee are to report in accordance therewith 
 to the Quarterly Meeting ; and the judgment of the 
 Monthly Meeting shall be set aside. 
 
 In all cases where the judgment of a Meeting is 
 set aside, the ground of such decision should be 
 stated ; and if that ground be irregularity of pro- 
 ceeding only, the Meeting shall be at liberty to take 
 up the case again, and correct its error. 
 
 Should the appellant be dissatisfied with the judg- 
 ment of the Quarterly Meeting, and notify the next 
 Quarterly Meeting, or the one succeeding it, but 
 none later, of his intention to apply to the Yearly 
 Meeting for a further hearing, the Quarterly Meet- 
 ing should record the notification, and appoint four 
 or more Friends to attend the Yearly Meeting, with 
 copies of the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings' 
 minutes in the case. 
 
 Appellants have a right to be present during the 
 appointment of the committee in their cases ; and 
 objections which they may then make to persons 
 
73 
 
 Dominated on the committee are to be attended to, 
 and judged of, by the Meeting. 
 
 Appeals made to the Yearly Meeting should be 
 presented on the first or second day of the sitting of 
 that body : of which the appellant should be in- 
 formed by the Committee appointed in his case by 
 the Quarterly Meeting. 
 
 The Committees appointed by the Yearly Meeting 
 in cases of appeal from the Quarterly Meeting shall 
 judge of the nature of the offence whether it be dis- 
 ownable according to Discipline or not. They shall 
 consider the statement of the appellant and the re- 
 spondents, and the minutes of the Monthly and Quar- 
 terly Meetings in the case, and report to the Yearly 
 Meeting. The decision of the Yearly Meeting shall 
 be final. 
 
74 
 
 REQUESTS TO BE RECEIVED INTO, 
 OR TO BE RESTORED TO 
 MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 Requests to be received into membership should 
 be forwarded to the Monthly Meeting without un- 
 necessary delay, either from the Overseers through 
 the Preparative Meeting, or from the Committee on 
 Pastoral Work. 
 
 The Monthly Meetings should appoint suitable 
 Friends to ascertain the motives of the applicant, 
 whether he makes profession of faith in Christ 
 as his Saviour, accepts our views of the Gospel, and 
 whether his present conduct manifests the sincerity 
 of his profession, and report accordingly. 
 
 If the Meeting concludes to receive the person 
 into membership, a minute to that import is to be 
 made, and two or more Friends are to be appointed 
 to inform him of his reception. 
 
 "When those who have been disowned, or who may 
 have resigned their right of membership, become 
 desirous of being reunited to the Society, they may 
 be restored in the manner prescribed for persons 
 requesting to be received into membership. 
 4 
 
75 
 
 REMOVALS AND CERTIFICATES. 
 
 When any of our members have a prospect of re- 
 moving, they should be careful not to suffer wrong 
 motives to influence their conclusions ; and before 
 such steps are taken as may close the way for receiv- 
 ing advice, they are recommended to take the coun- 
 sel of some experienced Friends, on the propriety 
 of the proposed step, particularly when they intend 
 to remove entirely away from our Meetings. 
 
 When any remove, they should, within six months, 
 have a certificate from the Monthly Meeting of 
 which they are members, unless the Meeting con- 
 sider it inexpedient. It should recommend them to 
 the -Monthly Meeting where they are going to reside, 
 and express only their right of membership and 
 settlement of temporal affairs, as the case may 
 require ; to be founded on inquiry made by a com- 
 mittee appointed in each case for that purpose. 
 The committee are not to confine their inquiries to 
 the Monthly Meeting where the person resides, if 
 there be reason to believe that his affairs are not 
 settled in other places. 
 
 If the certificate be for an acknowledged Minister, 
 it should so state. 
 
76 
 
 When a certificate of removal is produced at the 
 Meeting to which it is directed, it shall be the duty 
 of that meeting to accept it, unless there be some 
 manifest obstruction*. 
 
 When a Meeting accepts a certificate, it is to in- 
 form the Meeting which issued it, of such accept- 
 ance. 
 
 Certificates of removal are to be preserved, by 
 record or otherwise, by the Monthly Meeting accept- 
 ing them ; and each Meeting should keep records of 
 all certificates which it issues. 
 
 When a Friend removes beyond the limits of any 
 Monthly Meeting of our Society, he should be encour- 
 aged to correspond from time to time with the Meet- 
 ing ; and should he fail to keep it informed of his 
 residence and condition for three years, the Monthly 
 Meeting may erase his name from its Record of 
 Membership. When a Friend who has not thus re- 
 moved absents himself entirely from our Meetings, 
 and disregards proper care in his case for that period 
 of time, he shall be considered to have relinquished 
 his right of membership. A minute shall be made 
 to this effect and information forwarded to him. 
 
 Monthly Meetings are authorized to receive Let- 
 ters of Membership from other denominations. In 
 each case the Meeting shall appoint a committee to 
 ascertain the motives of the applicant, and whether 
 he or she accepts our views of the Gospel, and re- 
 port accordingly. 
 
 Letters may be issued on application of those of 
 our Society who desire to change their membership 
 
77 
 
 to other Evangelical denominations. When infor- 
 mation of the reception of such persons , by the 
 Churches to whom they were recommended is re- 
 ceived by the Meeting, their names shall be re- 
 moved from the Record. 
 
 MARRIAGE. 
 
 Marriage being a Divine ordinance, and a solemn 
 engagement for life, is not to be entered into unad- 
 visedly or lightly ; but discreetly, soberly and in the 
 fear of the Lord, duly considering the relative duties 
 of husband and wife. 
 
 Marriage implies union, as well in spiritual as in 
 temporal concerns. If the parties differ in religious 
 belief, they stand disunited in the main point, even 
 in that which should increase and confirm their mu- 
 tual happiness, and render them blessings to each 
 other. 
 
 Those who contemplate any procedure with a view 
 to marriage, should seek for Divine guidance, and 
 such as have parents or guardians should early ac- 
 quaint them with their intentions and seek their 
 counsel. 
 
 In order to prevent marriages between persons of 
 too near a kin, no marriages between first cousins 
 or persons of equally near relationship, shall be per- 
 mitted amongst us. 
 
 Monthly Meetings are not to permit proposals of 
 marriage to be made in them sooner than a year 
 after the decease of a former husband or wife. 
 
78 
 
 No charge of misconduct should be brought for- 
 ward against any person at the time of proposing 
 his marriage, or during its progress in the Meet- 
 ing. 
 
 Proposals of marriage are to be presented in writ- 
 ing to the Monthly Meeting of which the woman 
 is a member, signed by the parties, in substance as 
 follows : 
 
 To the Monthly Meeting of 
 
 We, the subscribers, A. B., son of C. andD. B., and F. G., 
 daughter of H. and I. G. , propose taking each other in mar- 
 riage; which we hereby offer for the approbation of Friends. 
 (Signed) 
 
 A. B. 
 F. G. 
 
 If no reasons appear to prevent it, their said inten- 
 tion, with the consent of parents and guardians, 
 should be recorded. The consent (unless the Meet- 
 ing should judge it to be unnecessary) should be either 
 personally expressed, or sent to the Monthly Meet- 
 ing in writing; and it is advised that it be presented 
 to the Monthly Meeting in which the proposal of 
 marriage is first introduced. Should the parties 
 be members of one Monthly Meeting, two Friends are 
 to be appointed to inquire into the man's clearness 
 for proceeding in marriage ; and a similar care 
 should be taken on behalf of the woman. If there 
 be children by a former marriage, two or more 
 Friends should be appointed to see that their rights 
 are legally secured. 
 
79 
 
 Should the parties be members of different Month- 
 ly Meetings, the man, either at the first or second 
 Monthly Meeting, is to produce a certificate from the 
 Monthly Meeting to which he belongs, expressive of 
 his clearness from other like engagements. If there 
 appears to be no obstruction to their proceedings, 
 the Meeting is to leave them at liberty to accomplish 
 their marriage according to the order of our Society ; 
 but it is not to be done on the first day of the week. 
 
 Marriages may be accomplished at the usual week- 
 day Meeting of which the woman is a member, or at 
 a Meeting for the purpose appointed by the Monthly 
 Meeting, to be held at a suitable place, under the 
 care of a Committee. 
 
 Marriages should be accomplished with the solem- 
 nity befitting the occasion, and the parties and all 
 concerned are to exercise due care that all conduct 
 themselves as becomes our religious profession. 
 
 The Committee, consisting of two men and two 
 women Friends, should attend the marriage, and re- 
 port at the next Monthly Meeeting whether it has 
 been properly conducted, and the certificate delivered 
 to the Recorder. 
 
 Friends are advised to avoid making expensive 
 entertainments, and inviting large companies. 
 
80 
 
 FORM OF MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE. 
 
 "Whereas A. B. of , town of ■ — 
 
 county of and State of , son of C. B. 
 
 and E. his wife, and F. G. daughter of H. G. and I. his 
 
 wife of , town of , county of , 
 
 and State of , having laid their intentions 
 
 of marriage with each other before two Monthly 
 Meetings of the religious Society of Friends held 
 
 at , in the State of , they having 
 
 consent of* , and nothing appearing to ob- 
 struct, their proposal of marriage was allowed by 
 the Meeting. These are to certify, that for the ac- 
 complishment of their intentions, this day 
 
 of the month, in the year of our Lord 
 
 , they, the said A. B. and F. G., appeared 
 
 in a Meeting of said Society, held at , and 
 
 the said A. B., taking the said F. G. by the hand, 
 did on this solemn occasion declare, that he took her 
 to be his wife; promising, through Divine assistance, 
 to be unto her a faithful and loving husband until sep- 
 arated by death : — or words to that effect. Then, the 
 said F. G. did in like manner declare, that she took 
 the said A. B. to be her husband ; promising, through 
 Divine assistance, to be unto him a faithful and lov- 
 ing wife until separated by death : — or words to that 
 import. And they, the said A. B. and F. G., as a 
 farther confirmation thereof, (she according to the 
 
 * If there be parents and guardians, insert both; if only pa- 
 rents, or only guardians, left it be so expressed. 
 
81 
 
 custom of marriage, adopting the name of her hus- 
 band,) did, then and there, to these presents set their 
 hands. 
 
 A. B. 
 F. B. 
 
 And we being present, have 
 subscribed our names as 
 witnesses thereof. 
 
 Should persons who are both members of our 
 Society accomplish their marriage with each other 
 in any manner contrary to our established order, 
 they are to be visited and to give satisfaction to the 
 Monthly Meeting. 
 
 Should persons, one of whom is a member, be about 
 to enter into marriage, they should be encouraged 
 to accomplish it according to the order prescribed in 
 our Discipline. 
 
82 
 
 RECORDS OF MEMBERSHIP, BIRTHS, 
 DEATHS, AND BURIALS. 
 
 Each Monthly Meeting is to appoint annually a 
 Recorder, who shall keep, in a hook provided by 
 the Yearly Meeting for the purpose, an accurate list 
 of its members, and a record of births, marriages, 
 and deaths, and such other statistical information as 
 may be prescribed by the Yearly Meeting. 
 
 Monthly Meetings are to appoint Committees 
 annually, composed of one or more members of 
 each of its Preparative Meetings, who shall assist 
 the Recorder in collecting these statistics. 
 
 Such abstracts of these statistics as may be called 
 for by the Yearly Meeting are to be annually for- 
 warded by the Monthly Meeting to the Quarterly 
 Meeting next preceding the Yearly Meeting, and 
 then forwarded by the Quarterly Meeting to the 
 Yearly Meeting. 
 
 That burials may be accomplished in an orderly 
 manner, Monthly Meetings are directed to appoint a 
 committee to attend those of our Society ; and when 
 
S3 
 
 those not in membership with us are to be interred 
 in our grounds, permission for the interment of the 
 latter is to be obtained from this committee. All 
 funerals are to be conducted with that gravity which 
 becomes these solemn occasions. This committee is 
 also to take care that our burial-grounds are proper- 
 ly enclosed and kept in good order. 
 
 Friends are advised to avoid the customs of wear- 
 ing or giving mom-ning habits, and all extravagant 
 expenses about the interment of the dead, or in the 
 erection of ostentatious tombstones. 
 
84 
 
 PARENTS AND CHILDREN, AND 
 THE RELATION OF THE LAT- 
 TER TO THE CHURCH. 
 
 The proper consideration of the subject of par- 
 ents and children, and the relation of the latter to 
 the Church, rest upon the teaching of Holy Script- 
 ure of the sanctity of the family relation, in which 
 the children of believing parents are brought into 
 such nearness to God that they early receive the 
 visitations of His grace, which, unless rebelliously 
 resisted, lead their hearts to an easy surrender to 
 His will and the acceptance of their Saviour's love. 
 
 The children of Friends are acknowledged mem- 
 bers of the Society. 
 
 Since the believing husband or wife may conse- 
 crate the family so that it becomes the special ob- 
 ject of God's grace, where but one parent is a mem- 
 ber the children should be considered members, and 
 be recorded as such, if it is their custom to attend 
 our meetings for worship and they manifest an in- 
 terest in our Religious Society. 
 
 Our recognition of this membership is based 
 
85 
 
 upon the promises to believers and their households 
 which are contained in Holy Scripture, and upon 
 the conviction that true Christians will so make 
 their children the objects of living prayer, and will 
 so instruct them in the Gospel and go with them to 
 the Throne of Grace, that they will surrender their 
 hearts to God in the earliest years of their intelli- 
 gence. Parents who fail to do this incur a fearful 
 responsibility and frustrate the gracious purposes of 
 God. 
 
 It is earnestly recommended that parents and 
 those who have the charge of educating youth in- 
 struct them early in the doctrines of the Gospel as 
 professed by us. 
 
 Although we recognize the children of members 
 as objects of our care and partakers of the outward 
 privileges of Christian fellowship, we would ear- 
 nestly remind all that such recognition cannot con- 
 stitute them members of the Spiritual Church of 
 Christ. Xothing can do this but the power of the 
 Holy Spirit working repentance towards God and 
 faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ ; therefore let 
 the words of our Divine Master have due place 
 with us all, " Ye must be born again.'' May all 
 our members become such on the grounds of true 
 conversion, and be prepared in their several places 
 to bring forth fruit unto God. 
 
 In connection with Church membership should 
 be considered the importance of a public profession 
 of faith in Christ. Without it the full development 
 of a Christian life is impossible, for God is pleased 
 
so 
 
 to regard such service with His favor, and growth 
 and strength are experienced when we give to 
 Christ the witness that belongs to Him, and to the 
 world the testimonies it always needs. Both young 
 and old should make such a profession as soon as 
 they become conscious of their Saviour's love. 
 
SCHOOLS. 
 
 As it is important that suitable Schools for the 
 right education of our youth should be established, 
 all are advised to cherish a liberal disposition, 
 and to make such provision as may encourage well- 
 qualified persons to engage in this responsible em- 
 ployment. For want of teachers of this description 
 there is reason to apprehend that children have 
 sometimes been committed to the care of persons, 
 whose example and influence have betrayed them 
 into principles and habits which have had an inju- 
 rious effect on them in more advanced life. 
 
 Friends should endeavor to procure teachers of 
 our own religious profession, who are not only quali- 
 fied to instruct the children in school-learning, but 
 to co-operate with the Society in its endeavors to 
 excite in them a love of virtue, and to afford them 
 the good example of a conduct consistent with our 
 principles. 
 
 Much care should be exercised in the choice of 
 suitable school-books, and the selection of such as are 
 calculated to direct the susceptible and tender minds 
 of youth in the pursuit of piety and virtue : and it 
 
88 
 
 is earnestly advised that the Holy Scriptures be fre- 
 quently read in our schools. 
 
 It is also advised that Bible Schools for Scriptural 
 instruction be established in each Meeting. As we 
 are never too old to study the Scriptures it is earn- 
 estly recommended that all our members should 
 connect themselves with these schools either as 
 pupils, members of Bible Classes or as teachers. 
 
S9 
 
 BOOKS. 
 
 Agreeably to the directions given to the Repre- 
 sentative Meeting to take the oversight of all writ- 
 ings proposed to be printed, which profess to repre- 
 sent the doctrines of onr Society, Friends who may 
 have such publications in view, are to lay them 
 before that Meeting for its advice and concurrence. 
 
 Should any of our members, against the advice of 
 the Representative Meeting, publish or circulate any 
 writing which tends to excite disunity and discord 
 amongst us, they should be treated with ; and if 
 they cannot be convinced of the impropriety of 
 their conduct, and condemn the same to the satisfac- 
 tion of the Monthly Meeting, they should be dis 
 owned. 
 
 It is incumbent on parents and heads of families 
 to prevent, as much as possible, all those under theii 
 direction from perusing publications which may 
 tend to weaken their confidence in the Christian 
 religion, or which may excite doubts concerning the 
 authenticity of the Scriptures, and the truths de- 
 clared in them ; lest their minds should be poisoned 
 thereby, and a foundation be laid for the greatest 
 evils. 
 
90 
 
 It is also enjoined on all members of our religious 
 Society, to discourage and endeavor to prevent the 
 reading of any books and periodicals that have a 
 tendency to awaken and invigorate those evil pro- 
 pensities " which war against the soul," and which 
 it is the duty of every Christian mind to keep in 
 subjection. 
 
 Printers and booksellers in membership with us, 
 are advised against printing, selling or lending such 
 books. 
 
 As it is of great importance that members of our 
 Society, and others, should be invited to a perusal of 
 the approved writings of Friends, it is recommended 
 that suitable measures be taken for the establish- 
 ment of libraries within the respective Monthly or 
 Preparative Meetings; and that the catalogues of 
 the libraries be revised once a year, with the view 
 of making suitable additions thereto. Meetings are 
 advised to adopt the proper means of giving pub- 
 licity to the collection, promoting the circulation of 
 the books, and affording ready access to them for all 
 who may wish to peruse them, whether members of 
 our religious Society or not. 
 
 In collecting books for libraries in Bible Schools, 
 great care should be exercised not to introduce those 
 which excite a love for fictitious reading, or which 
 encourage a warlike spirit. 
 
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 
 
 The Holy Scriptures are the only Divinely author- 
 ized record of the way of Salvation through our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, and are God's appointed means 
 of making known to us the doctrines of Christianity. 
 AVe consequently urge upon all the necessity of dili- 
 gently reading and studying them, with earnest 
 prayer for the enlightening influence of the Holy 
 Spirit to unfold them to their understandings, and 
 to impress them upon their hearts. 
 
 Especially is it the duty of heads of families to 
 seek for that wisdom which is promised to all who 
 ask for it in faith and humility, that they may be 
 qualified to instruct their children and families in 
 the doctrines and precepts of the Christian Religion 
 as contained in the precious record. 
 
 Monthly Meetings are recommended to make a 
 periodical inspection to ascertain whether each family 
 within its limits has a suitable copy of the Bible ; 
 and if any be found without such, the Meetings are 
 to see that they are properly provided. 
 
92 
 
 THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. 
 
 The observance of a day for worship and rest is 
 traced back to the time of the Creation, when it is 
 said, " And on the seventh day God ended his work 
 which He had made ; and He rested on the seventh 
 day from all his work which He had made. And 
 God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it." 1 
 
 In accordance with the example of the Apostles 
 and early Church, Christians, by common consent, 
 have set apart, for religious services, the day of the 
 week on which our Saviour rose from the dead. 
 Our members are therefore advised to lay aside, as 
 far as possible, all avocations of a temporal character 
 and devote the time to the important duties of the 
 day, and in accordance with its sacred associations. 
 
 This observance is of so much importance to the 
 preservation of piety and virtue, and the neglect of 
 it so evidently marked with irreligion, and frequently 
 with immorality, that every reasonable consideration 
 conspires to press the practice closely upon us, as 
 affording an opportunity which many could not 
 otherwise obtain, of receiving religious instruction 
 and improvement, and of publicly worshipping 
 • Gen. ii. 2, 3. 
 
93 
 
 " Him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, 
 and the fountains of waters." 
 
 We therefore advise all to be guarded against 
 unprofitably passing their time on First days, believ- 
 ing that good impressions have been lost by indulging 
 in company on this day, when, if proper attention 
 had been given to meditation and to reading the Holy 
 Scriptures and other books tending to religious edi- 
 fication and improvement, a real advancement would 
 have been experienced. 
 
94 
 
 CHRISTIAN SIMPLICITY. 
 
 Ageeeably to Apostolic instruction, " Let your 
 moderation be known unto all men," 1 and in accord- 
 ance with Gospel teaching, Friends should bear a 
 faithful testimony against all extravagance, as it is 
 the result of and fosters pride. Sowing to the flesh 
 is incompatible with the health of the Christian or 
 his growth in grace. 
 
 Bondage to the changing customs of the world in 
 regard to dress is none the less burthensome because 
 it is self-imposed. Let comfort, convenience and 
 utility be considered rather than the useless and 
 expensive fashions of the time. 
 
 We earnestly advise all to consider the simplicity 
 that the Gospel enjoins, and to manifest in their 
 dress, furniture of their houses, manner of living 
 and general deportment, that their affections are not 
 set on things of earth, but that they are following 
 Him who is " holy, harmless, undefiled and separate 
 from sinners." 
 
 A due regard to Christian simplicity should influ- 
 ence us in our intercourse with all men ; we should 
 be examples of the believers in word, and in conver- 
 sation, " Let your speech be always with grace." 
 1 Phil. iv. 5. 
 
95 
 
 TALE BEARING AND DETRACTION. 
 
 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer 
 among thy people. Lev. xix. 16. 
 
 The words of a talebearer are as wounds. Prow 
 xviii. 8. 
 
 Where no wood is the fire goeth out : so where 
 there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Prov. 
 xxvi. 20. 
 
 Talebearing and Detraction violate the com- 
 mands of our Saviour, and are inconsistent with the 
 Christian Profession. 
 
 As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also 
 to them likewise. Luke vi. 31. 
 
 If any man among you seem to be religious, and 
 bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, 
 this man's religion is vain. James i. 26. 
 
 The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity : so is the 
 tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole 
 body. James iii. 6. 
 
 I admonish them [Friends], says George Fox, to 
 take care that nothing be spoken out of their Meet- 
 ings to the blemishing or defaming one of another. 
 (G. Fox, 1671.) 
 
 This caution is alike applicable respecting Meet- 
 ings for worship and discipline. When in the latter 
 
06 
 
 there is any necessity to speak upon subjects which 
 concern those who are absent, any report of re- 
 marks which seem to bear favorably or unfavora- 
 bly upon such persons are unjust to all concerned 
 They tend to stir np ill feeling or party spirit, and 
 unless repressed may lead to discord. All should 
 therefore carefully scrutinize the motives which in- 
 duce comment upon the acts and words of others. 
 Before allowing ourselves to make or to hear such 
 reports, we should ask ourselves whether we would 
 like so to be made the subject of remark, and whether 
 it will tend to that harmony and love by which all 
 men shall know that we are the disciples of Christ. 
 
 Talebearing and Detraction consist in the unneces- 
 sary repetition of anything which will injure another, 
 and it is the duty of Monthly Meetings to repress 
 such practices. 
 
97 
 
 TEMPERANCE. 
 
 In consideration of the corrupting and ruinous 
 effects occasioned by the importation, distillation, 
 fermentation and sale of alcoholic spirits, which 
 produce intemperance, and lead to the impoverish- 
 ment of many, the injury of the constitution and 
 minds of many more, and the increase of vice and 
 dissoluteness in the land ; it is earnestly desired that 
 none of our members contribute to this great evil, 
 by being concerned in importing, distilling, selling 
 alcoholic or fermented liquors, or using them, except 
 for purposes strictly medicinal, or selling their grain 
 or other produce for the purpose of distillation or 
 fermentation. 
 
 If any shall so far disregard the concern of the 
 Society and the labor of their friends, as to continue 
 in any of these practices, or give way to habits of 
 intemperance from any cause whatever, and cannot 
 be brought to such a sense of their misconduct as to 
 desist from it, they should receive the care of the 
 Overseers. 
 
 As wine, cider and other fermented liquors possess 
 intoxicating qualities, their use has more or less ten- 
 dency to the same evils as the stronger liquors. 
 
 5 
 
98. 
 
 Friends should, therefore, avoid and discourage their 
 use, manufacture or sale. 
 
 We would affectionately advise and entreat all of 
 our Members to be careful in the use of intoxicating 
 liquors, even for medicinal purposes, lest the appe- 
 tite grow upon them and they be ruined thereby, or, 
 should they escape themselves, their example lead to 
 the ruin of others. 
 
 Friends are advised to abstain from the -use of 
 Tobacco. It is deleterious in its effects, often laying 
 the foundations of serious diseases. It is an expen- 
 sive habit, generally offensive to those not accustomed 
 to it, and frequently leads to other evil practices. 
 
 Note. — This article is not intended to apply to the use of 
 such liquors in the arts, or for manufacturing purposes. 
 
99 
 
 SECRET SOCIETIES. 
 
 *^Te would affectionately and earnestly advise all 
 our members against connecting themselves with 
 Freemasons or other secret societies. Although 
 these may appear to be for the promotion of good 
 objects, yet we believe that their general tendency 
 is injurious, and that they are calculated to lead 
 from a dependence upon Christ. 
 
 If any of our members should so far depart from 
 our Christian views and principles as to take a secret 
 oath, or participate in the vain and ostentatious 
 shows and public processions of such societies, they 
 should receive the care of the church. 
 
 GAMING AND DIVERSIONS. 
 
 Fkeends are not to attend theatrical exhibitions, 
 horse races or balls. They are not to be con- 
 cerned in Lotteries, or to practise any kind of Gam- 
 bling, or participate in anything which, in its char- 
 acter or associations, has an injurious or demoraliz- 
 ing tendency. 
 
 Should any indulge in any of these practices, they 
 should receive the tender care and admonition of the 
 Overseers. 
 
100 
 
 WAR. 
 
 Consonant with the precepts and doctrines of the 
 Gospel, which breathes peace on earth and good-will 
 towards men, we have found it to be our indispen- 
 sable duty to bear a faithful testimony against war. 
 It is, therefore, affectionately enjoined on the mem- 
 bers of our Society, to demean themselves on all 
 occasions in a Christian and peaceable manner; 
 demonstrating to the world that they are uniform in 
 profession and practice. Friends are earnestly ad- 
 vised not to unite with any, directly or indirectly, in 
 a way calculated to promote the spirit of war, or 
 which may encourage or strengthen them therein ; 
 to avoid engaging in any business tending to promote 
 war, or to receive any profits derived from the sale of 
 military or naval supplies, underwriting on armed 
 vessels, or being concerned in any company where 
 such insurance is made, or in shipping, or ordering 
 goods shipped, in armed vessels. 
 
 But, should members of our Society be so unmind- 
 ful of our Christian testimony against war as to 
 bear arms either publicly or privately, or actively 
 comply with military requisitions ; should they be 
 concerned in warlike preparations, offensive or de- 
 fensive, by sea or land ; pay a line, penalty or tax, 
 
101 
 
 in lieu of personal service ; deal in prize goods, 
 directly or indirectly ; or be concerned in promoting 
 the publication of writings which tend to excite the 
 spirit of war ; they should be tenderly treated with 
 in order to convince them of their error in depart- 
 ing from this distinguishing principle of the Gospel 
 dispensation. If, notwithstanding this Christian 
 care, they continue to disregard our well-known tes- 
 timony against all war, they should be disowned. 
 
102 
 
 SLAVERY. 
 
 It lias been, and continues to be, the earnest aim 
 of our Society to testify its opposition to the practice 
 of enslaving mankind, and Friends should avoid any 
 act by which the right of Slavery is in any way 
 acknowledged. 
 
 SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE' 
 SAKE. 
 
 As Friends are sometimes brought into suffering, 
 in support of our Christian testimonies, they are 
 tenderly advised and exhorted, when requisitions 
 repugnant to our principles are made, that they do 
 not, by any indirect means, attempt to evade them ; 
 but in the spirit of meekness, patiently and cheer- 
 fully submit ; for by such a temper only, can we 
 show that we suffer for conscience' sake. 
 
103 
 
 MEMORIALS. 
 
 The example of those who have been saved 
 through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, and 
 who have lived by faitli in the Son of God, may 
 prove an encouragement to the living to trust is 
 Him who was their life and salvation. Should a 
 Monthly Meeting prepare a Memorial concerning 
 a deceased member, it may be sent to the Quar- 
 terly Meeting ; and should the Quarterly Meeting, 
 after careful attention, approve of it, it is to be 
 forwarded to the Representative Meeting for inspec- 
 tion and correction, and then be laid before the 
 Yearly Meeting ; unlesss the Representative Meeting 
 should deem it expedient. 
 
 In preparing Memorials of persons, who, on the 
 near approach of death, refer to their early life as 
 furnishing cause for regret and uneasiness, care 
 should be taken that the circumstances referred to 
 should not be so entirely kept out of view as to 
 cause discouragement on the part of those who are 
 conscious of errors and transgressions, from which the 
 persons to whom the Memorials allude, would seem 
 to have been exempt. 
 
104 
 
 FINANCES. 
 
 To meet the expenses of the Yearly Meeting, and 
 to pay such appropriations for religious purposes as 
 it may decide to make, it has been found necessary 
 to have pecuniary means at its disposal. It is 
 therefore directed that an adequate sum be annually 
 raised by a collection from each Quarterly Meeting, 
 in the proportions which may from time to time be 
 agreed upon, to be placed in the hands of a 
 Treasurer appointed by the Yearly Meeting for the 
 purpose, and to be subject to it§ direction, or that 
 of the Representative Meeting, as occasion may 
 require. 
 
 It is recommended that each Quarterly and 
 Monthly Meeting raise a sum of money for its own 
 use in defraying expenses necessarily incurred by 
 it ; and as the promulgation of the Gospel of Christ 
 should be a general as well as an individual work, 
 it is desired that subordinate Meetings be liberal in 
 defraying the necessary expenses of carrying for- 
 ward the work of the Church. 
 
 For the purpose of raising in the Preparative or 
 Monthly Meetings their proportions of the sums 
 required for the use of the Yearly, Quarterly and 
 
105 
 
 Monthly Meetings, an equitable apportionment should 
 be made among the members according to their 
 means, and the amount to be raised should be 
 divided among them according to that apportion- 
 ment. Each member shall consider himself reli- 
 giously bound to contribute his share as a small 
 acknowledgment of the Divine blessing upon him. 
 To refuse or neglect to do so would be a manifesta- 
 tion of insubordination unbecoming a member of 
 the Church. 
 
 5* 
 
 # 
 
106 
 
 THE POOR. 
 
 In conformity with Scripture injunctions, and 
 agreeably to the practice of Friends, the poor among 
 us claim, and ought to receive, our particular and 
 tender care. A suitable number of judicious men 
 and women should be appointed by each Monthly 
 Meeting to inquire into the necessities of the poor, 
 and if they find any among us who in their judg- 
 ment should receive assistance, they should open sub- 
 scriptions in the Monthly Meeting for their relief, 
 avoiding any unnecessary disclosure of their names 
 or the assistance rendered them. They should ex- 
 tend advice, and as far as practicable assist them in 
 such business as they are capable of ; and they 
 should pay particular attention that the children of 
 Friends in limited circumstances be furnished with 
 an opportunity for being properly educated for the 
 duties of life. It is earnestly desired that Friends 
 show a liberality proportionate to their means in 
 contributing to this benevolent purpose, remember- 
 ing the words of our Lord, " Inasmuch as ye have 
 done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 
 ye have done it unto me." It is also advised that a 
 fund be kept on hand for emergencies. 
 
lor 
 
 TRUST FUNDS AND TITLES OF 
 LANDS.* 
 
 It is recommended to Quarterly, Monthly and 
 Preparative Meetings to make timely and careful 
 inspection into the titles of Meeting-houses, Burial- 
 Grounds and other estates, which have been vested 
 in trustees for the use and benefit of the Society, or 
 of any of its Meetings; that in case the death of any 
 of the trustees or other circumstances should render 
 it necessary, seasonable care may be taken to appoint 
 others to the trust; that future difficulties, and the 
 risk of being deprived of such estates, may be 
 avoided. 
 
 Quarterly and Monthly Meetings are to keep cor- 
 rect records of all such trusts and conveyances ; and, 
 when necessary, to have them recorded in the Records 
 of the County in which said estates may be situated. 
 They are also to keep a clear and regular account of 
 the place where, and the persons with whom the 
 papers, minutes and records, belonging to our relig- 
 ious Society, are deposited. 
 
 Meetings holding Trusts shall appoint judicious 
 Committees as often as once in three years, who 
 
 * See Appendix. 
 
108 
 
 shall make a thorough investigation, and report the 
 nature of the Trust, the original and present amount 
 of the principal, the amount of the income, the 
 manner of investment and present value of the se- 
 curities, the names of the present Trustees, and sug- 
 gest any change they may think desirable. 
 
 All trusts held by any of our Meetings are to be 
 reported to the Representative Meeting. 
 
 When Friends accept the office of trustee or as- 
 signee, they should be active in collecting the effects 
 of the estate, and make prompt distribution. They 
 should invest all moneys according to law, and none 
 should use Trust Funds in their business or subject 
 them to any unnecessary hazard. 
 
109 
 
 WILLS AND DONATIONS. 
 
 It is advised that Friends be provided with Wills, 
 and be careful to renew them as often as occasion 
 may require, and to dispose of their property accord- 
 ing to justice ; that it may tend to their satisfaction 
 and peace, and to the promotion of harmony in 
 their f amihes. They are advised, on such occasions, 
 as a prudent measure, to consult some of their judi- 
 cious friends with respect to the disposition of their 
 estates. 
 
 The making of suitable Wills in time of health 
 may prevent the subject from claiming attention on 
 a sick-bed, when the mind should be relieved from 
 all worldly concerns. 
 
 Persons employed to draf t Wills should be of good 
 repute and have a competent knowledge of the sub- 
 ject. It is advised that Wills contain a clause em_ 
 powering executors to compromise, or submit to ref. 
 erence, all disputed matters relative to the estate ; 
 and executors and administrators are to have a full, 
 clear and perfect inventory of the estate made out, 
 as soon as it can be conveniently accomplished. 
 
 As much may depend on the confidential trust of 
 executorship, both with respect to a due care of the 
 
110 
 
 property, as well as the education and welfare of 
 children in their minority, Friends should be careful 
 in whom they place that important charge ; and 
 obtain the assent of those whom they appoint as 
 Executors or Trustees, whenever it is practicable. 
 
 All concerned in Wills and settlements of Estates 
 are advised to a prompt and faithful discharge of 
 their respective trusts, according to the intent of the 
 donors or testators. 
 
 Meetings concerned in any charitable gifts, lega- 
 cies or bequests, for the use of the poor or other 
 purposes of the Society, should take special care 
 that they be not appropriated to any other use than 
 such as the donors or testators have directed or 
 enjoined, by legal settlement, will or testament. 
 
 Friends are advised, in disposing of their estates 
 by will, to consider the propriety of applying a 
 portion thereof to the use of the poor, for establish- 
 ing and sustaining schools or for other benevolent 
 or useful purposes ; and of placing their bequests 
 under the immediate care of the Society. To aid 
 them therein, the following form of a bequest is 
 inserted : 
 
 FORM OF BEQUESTS. 
 
 I give and bequeath (or, if it be land, I give and 
 devise) unto A. B., Clerk, and C. D., Treasurer for 
 the time being, of the Monthly Meeting of the Relig- 
 ious Society of Friends, of , and their 
 
 successors in office, in trust (if for the poor, say, " for 
 the relief of poor Friends, and the assistance of those 
 
Ill 
 
 in limited circumstances," — if for Schools, say, " to 
 be applied for the use and support of Schools " 
 — or if for any other benevolent or useful object, 
 state clearly for what purpose), within the limits of 
 said Meeting, to be applied by said Clerk and Treas- 
 urer, and their successors, under the direction of said 
 Monthly Meeting, for the purpose aforesaid; and 
 if the said Monthly Meeting should be discontinued, 
 the said bequest (or devise) is to go to the Quarterly 
 Meeting to which the said Monthly Meeting be- 
 longed, for the same purpose. 
 
112 
 
 TRADE. 
 
 The manifestations of the Holy Spirit when duly 
 regarded, preserve from bondage to the spirit of the 
 world ; but the love and pursuit of worldly riches 
 often lead into many dangers, and obstruct the work 
 of religion in the heart. Many and interesting were 
 the occasions of which the disciples of our Lord were 
 warned against these dangers : " Beware of covetous- 
 ness," said he ; " for a man's life consisteth not in the 
 abundance of things that he possesseth." 1 Again, 
 in the parable of the sower, he urged upon them this 
 striking simile : " He also that received seed among 
 the thornes, is he that heareth the word ; and the care 
 of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke 
 the word, and it becometh unfruitful." 2 
 
 The apostle Paul, who urged upon Christians the 
 importance of providing for the wants of their own 
 households, was also careful to guard them against 
 the dangers of worldly wealth. " They that will be 
 rich fall into temptation 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 
 
 1 Luke xii. 15. 2 Malt, xiii. 22. . 
 
113 
 
 after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced 
 themselves through with many sorrows." 1 
 
 How often have these evils been realized ! And 
 how often when riches have been amassed by parents, 
 have they proved a snare to their children, exciting 
 in them pride and vanity, and carrying them into 
 excesses and liberties inconsistent with the Gospel ! 
 Friends are therefore affectionately advised to be 
 watchful in all their engagements, and not suffer 
 their minds to be captivated by a desire for wealth. 
 
 We are reminded that " of the abundance of the N 
 heart his mouth speaketk." 2 If our minds are en- 
 grossed with the pursuit of wealth, and our hearts 
 filled with the love of earthly things, our conversation 
 with men will not have the " savor of life unto life." 
 " For to be carnally-minded is death ; but to be spirit- 
 ually-minded is life and peace." 3 It is chiefly in our 
 business intercourse that we are known to the world ; 
 and if we appear before others as keen, and per- 
 haps avaricious men of business, instead of humble 
 followers of Christ, of what avail will be a good pro- 
 fession ? Our practice and daily walk in these re- 
 spects will mark our character, and exert a good or 
 evil influence upon observers. 
 
 Friends are advised to be very cautious in contract- 
 ing debts, or in undertaking pecuniary obligations. 
 Strict integrity, frankness and truth, are inseparable 
 from a Christian course. Any attempt to obtain 
 credit by withholding the truth, or by conveying to 
 
 1 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10. 2 Luke vi. 45. 
 3 Rom. viii. 6. 
 
114 
 
 the mind of another a more favorable account of onr 
 circumstances than they deserve, is incompatible 
 with the precept, " "Whatsoever ye would that men 
 should do to you, do ye even so to them." 
 
 In order that the service of our religious Society 
 may not be lessened, nor its reputation dishonored, 
 by the imprudence of its members in their worldly 
 engagements, they should be careful to avoid engag_ 
 ing in hazardous enterprises or in business they do 
 not understand, or extending their concerns beyond 
 their ability to manage, and at the risk of others ; 
 and should endeavor, on all occasions, strictly to per- 
 form their promises, and fulfil their contracts. 
 
 Let all content themselves with a plain and mode- 
 rate way of living, consistent with our religious pro- 
 fession. When any among us err, or are in danger 
 of erring, in these respects, they should be seasonably 
 and faithfully admonished by Overseers and other 
 Friends. 
 
 It is urged as an important duty that Friends 
 annually inspect the state of their affairs ; and keep 
 their accounts so clear and accurate, that they may, 
 at any time, easily ascertain whether they live within 
 the bounds of their circumstances. 
 
 When any find that there is danger of their not 
 having sufficient property to discharge their just 
 debts, they should immediately consult with some 
 judicious Friends, and, if they advise it, without 
 loss of time make their circumstances known to their 
 creditors. When it is apprehended to be necessary 
 that the effects of a debtor be surrendered to his 
 
115 
 
 creditors, care should be taken that a just and equi- 
 table distribution thereof be made. 
 
 Friends are advised against receiving preferences 
 as creditors. 
 
 When any persons, by hving beyond their means, 
 or from any other cause, give Overseers or others 
 reason to fear that they are declining in their cir- 
 cumstances and likely to fail, it is advised that care 
 should be extended seasonably; and if it appear 
 requisite, they should be counselled to call their 
 creditors together without delay. 
 
 Cases of failure in business should be brought to 
 the Monthly Meeting, unless they are attended with 
 such circumstances as shall induce the Overseers, and 
 other Friends whom they are to consult, to be united 
 in judgment that it is unnecessary. 
 
 When failures occur, and the cases are under the 
 care of Monthly Meetings, committees appointed to 
 visit the parties are to make due inquiry in what 
 manner their accounts have been kept, and how their 
 deficiences have happened, and make a full and par- 
 ticular report, so as to enable the Meeting to form a 
 correct judgment in the case. 
 
 When Monthly Meetings discover conduct which 
 brings reproach on our religious Society, the offend- 
 ers, after the extension of suitable labor, should be 
 disowned, unless they condemn their misconduct in 
 a satisfactory manner. 
 
 Friends are not to receive bequests for benevolent 
 purposes, from persons who have fallen short of the 
 payment of their just debts, although they may be 
 
116 
 
 legally discharged by their creditors ; for, until such 
 persons have paid their debts, their possessions can- 
 not, in equity, be called their own. When failures 
 of this kind occur, and the debtors decline making 
 further payments towards the remaining balances of 
 their just debts, when able to do it, the Overseers, 
 after extending the necessary care, should inform 
 the Monthly Meeting thereof, which ought to inquire 
 the cause. If, after tender and brotherly examina- 
 tion, it should appear that their circumstances are 
 such as to render it clearly advisable that a farther 
 payment be offered to the creditors, or that the state 
 of the debtor's affairs should be laid before the 
 creditors, and the question submitted to them whether 
 a payment should be made at that time, or deferred 
 to a futnre day, let advice be given to them accord- 
 ingly ; and, on their refusal, after the continued ex- 
 tension of tender care, the Monthly Meeting is at 
 liberty to disunite them. 
 
 When any in profession with us are about enter- 
 ing into partnerships in business, they should keep 
 in view the propriety and safety of connecting them, 
 selves with members of our Society ; but should any 
 Friend become a partner with a person not in mem- 
 bership with us, and a failure in the performance of 
 engagements, or neglect of the seasonable payment 
 of just debts on the part of the said partnership, 
 should give reasonable occasion for a procedure at 
 law ; in such a case, a creditor, who may be a mem- 
 ber of our Society, shall be at liberty to proceed ac- 
 cordingly — it appearing very improper that the usual 
 
117 
 
 course of justice should be obstructed by any of our 
 members connecting themselves with those who are 
 not in profession with us. 
 
 All should consider well the ground on which they 
 become endorsers, or joint sureties ; lest, for want of 
 due consideration, they involve themselves and fami- 
 lies in ruinous circumstances, and risk their own 
 peace of mind. 
 
118 
 
 DIFFERENCES AND ARBITRATIONS 
 
 According to Gospel order, enjoined in Scripture, 
 "brother ought not to go to law with brother, except 
 from apparent and urgent necessity, as is hereafter 
 expressed and limited. Therefore, should differences 
 arise between any members of our Society about 
 their temporal concerns, the party thinking that he 
 has reason for complaint against any, is to speak to 
 the pereon by whom he thinks himself injured or in 
 danger of suffering in his just right, in a calm and 
 friendly manner, or, if he live at a distance too great 
 to do it in person, he should write, endeavoring by 
 gentle means, in a brotherly way, to obtain it. If 
 this orderly proceeding prove ineffectual, either him- 
 self, or, if he live at a distance, some friend to whom 
 he may write and empower on his behalf, should 
 take one or more of the Overseers or other judicious 
 Friends, and, in like manner, make the claim ; and 
 the Friends accompanying the complainant are to 
 use their endeavors to have the matter justly and ex- 
 peditiously settled between the parties. 
 
 Should the case appear to be a plain one,, or a 
 debt against which no reasonable objection is made 
 by the debtof, they are to advise the party com- 
 
119 
 
 plained of to make satisfaction, without carrying it 
 either to arbitrators or to the Meeting. But, should 
 there appear to be either unsettled differences in ac- 
 counts, or cause for dispute, and they cannot effect 
 a settlement between the parties themselves, they 
 are to advise them to submit it to arbitration. 
 
 When a case is submitted to arbitration, the par- 
 ties should enter into written engagements, or bonds 
 in the usual form, to abide by the award of the arbi- 
 trators, or a majoricy of them, to be made in a lim- 
 ited time. If either party refuse to do this, such re- 
 fusal ought to be represented to the Preparative 
 Meeting by the Overseers, or by the other party, if 
 neglected by them ; previous notice of which is to 
 be given to the person complained of ; and, pro- 
 vided the parties cannot, by the Meeting's care, be 
 brought to an agreement, or to refer the subject to 
 arbitration, the complaint should be carried from 
 the Preparative to the Monthly Meeting, previously 
 notifying the party complained of. 
 
 The first proceeding of the Monthly Meeting 
 should be, to inquire whether the before-mentioned 
 Gospel order lias been duly observed ; and, if it has 
 not, the complaint is to be referred back to the Pre- 
 parative Meeting, and no notice of the subject taken 
 on minute. But, should it appeal* that the necessary 
 care has bsen previously taken, the Monthly Meet- 
 ing is to appoint a committee to have a conference 
 with the parties, and to ascertain whether the case 
 be attended with such circumstances as will justify 
 the Monthly Meeting in advising it to be left to ar- 
 
120 
 
 bitration. Should this appear by the report of the 
 committee to be the case, the parties are to be again 
 advised to submit the subject to arbitration ; and, if 
 either of them refuse to comply, the Monthly Meet- 
 ing, after the necessary labor with the person refus- 
 ing, should proceed to disown him. 
 
 When the parties shall be members of different 
 Monthly Meetings the Overseers of each Meeting are 
 to act jointly in the case, and joint committees are to 
 be appointed when necessary, and full reports of the 
 proceedings shall be made to each Monthly Meeting ? 
 so that each shall take such action therein as shall 
 accord with the spirit and intent of the Discipline. 
 
 When a case of difference shall have been sub- 
 mitted to arbitration, the award shall be final, unless 
 it appears evident that the arbitrators have materially 
 erred in their judgment or proceedings, or have not 
 given sufficient opportunity for producing the neces- 
 sary evidence in the case. When this appears 
 evident to the Monthly Meeting, and there is cause 
 for dissatisfaction, the award shall be set aside and 
 a rehearing be granted by the same or other arbi- 
 trators, and their award shall be final, if the pro- 
 ceedings have been according to Discipline. 
 
 When a Monthly Meeting shall have a case before 
 it in which it desires assistance, information thereof 
 should be given to the Quarterly Meeting, which is 
 thereupon to appoint a committee to sit with and 
 assist the Monthly Meeting. 
 
 When arbitrators are chosen in any case, they 
 ought, as speedily as may be, to appoint time and 
 
121 
 
 place, and attend duly to the subject, giving the 
 parties and their witnesses a full and fair hearing in 
 the presence of each other, and keep full record of 
 all the evidence offered and of all their proceedings 
 therein. They should avoid unnecessary delay, and 
 make the award within the time appointed. 
 
 As there may be circumstances which would ren- 
 der it unreasonable to require a compliance with the 
 before-mentioned procedure, such as, first, the party 
 absconding, or leaving the country with the design 
 of defrauding his creditors ; or, secondly, when the 
 time it would take to go through the Meeting 
 might be a manifest damage to the creditor or claim- 
 ant, as in cases of apparent danger of bankruptcy, 
 and the party being largely in debt, and other 
 creditors generally commencing suits or otherwise 
 securing their demands ; or, thirdly, when, by the 
 statute of limitation, a claim may be barred in law ; 
 or, fourthly, where a Friend becomes a partner with 
 one not in membership, and there is a failure in the 
 performance of engagements, or neglect of the sea- 
 sonable payment of just debts on the part of said 
 partnership ; or fifthly, when there be may danger 
 of future damage to those who may submit thereto, 
 as in the case of executors, administrators, trustees, 
 or Friends who stand as security for those who are 
 not in membership with us ; it may therefore be 
 necessary, and it is advised, that Monthly Meetings 
 hold excused such as shall appear to them to be 
 thus necessitated to proceed at law : and the parties 
 are cautioned to conduct themselves towards each 
 6 
 
122 
 
 other with decency and moderation, without anger 
 or animosity ; which will be a becoming testimony 
 even in courts, and show that nothing but the nature 
 of the case, and our common station with our neigh- 
 bors, under the laws of the land, will bring any of us 
 there. 
 
 If any persen in membership with us, shall arrest, 
 or sue at law, another member, without proceeding 
 in the manner prescribed, he shall be treated with 
 for it ; and, unless he make satisfaction, he is to be 
 disowned. 
 
 It is advised that persons differing about temporal 
 concerns, do, as seldom may be, choose Ministers for 
 arbitrators. 
 
 And, as it is our duty to seek peace with all men, 
 and avoid giving provocation or just offence to any, 
 it is advised that Friends do not go to law with 
 others not of our profession without due considera- 
 tion, and having sufficient cause for it ; manifesting, 
 in contested cases, a decided preference for a settle- 
 ment by arbitration. 
 
 Friends ought to give no just cause for others to 
 go to law with them ; but should carefully comply 
 with their promises and contracts , and when they 
 have reasons for objecting to a demand, they should 
 show a readiness to settle it between themselves, or 
 to submit it to reference. 
 
123 
 
 AN ACT 
 
 In relation to Trusts for the henefit of the Meetings, 
 of the, Religious Society of Friends. 
 
 Passed, April 17th, 1839. 
 
 The People of the State of Xew York, represented 
 in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows : 
 
 § 1. All deeds or declarations of trusts of real 
 or personal estate, heretofore executed and delivered 
 to any person or persons, in trust, for the use and 
 benefit of any Meeting of the Religious Society of 
 Friends, and the. trusts thereby created or declared, 
 shall be valid ; and the legal estates may be trans- 
 mitted, and the trusts so created or declared may be 
 continued and pursued, so long as may be required 
 for the purposes of the trusts, by conveyances from 
 the trustees named in such deeds, to other trustees 
 appointed by such Meeting, and by conveyances 
 from them to others, appointed in like manner or 
 otherwise, according to the directions of such Meet- 
 ing. 
 
 § 2. Trusts of real or personal estate for the 
 benefit of any Meeting of the Religious Society of 
 Friends, may be hereafter created for the use of such 
 Meeting, according to the regulations and rules of 
 discipline of said Society; and the legal estate of 
 
124: 
 
 any property, so held in trust, shall be vested in the 
 trustees and in those to whom such property may be 
 conveyed in trust, by the appointment of any such 
 Meeting, so long as may be required for the objects 
 and purposes of such trusts ; but nothing contained 
 in this act shall be so construed as to impair or 
 diminish the rights of any person, Meeting, or asso- 
 ciation of persons, claiming to be a Meeting of the 
 Religious Society of Friends, which such person, or 
 Meeting, or association of persons, claiming to be a 
 Meeting as aforesaid, had either in law or equity, 
 to or in any real or personal estate held in trust 
 for the use and benefit of any Meeting of the said 
 Religious Society, prior to the division wmich took 
 place in said Religious Society, at the Yearly Meeting 
 held in the City of New York in the month of May 
 in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hun- 
 dred and Twenty-Eight ; and nothing in this act 
 contained shall authorize any real or personal estate 
 to be held in trust for any Meeting of such Society, 
 the annual value or income of which shall exceed 
 five thousand dollars. 
 
125 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 DECISIONS OF NEW YORK YEARLY 
 MEETING. 
 
 Doctrinal Views of Ministers. 
 
 Commencing with the year 1887, our Monthly 
 Meetings shall appoint Committees once every three 
 years to ascertain the doctrinal views of the Minis- 
 ters belonging to this Meeting, and no one shall be 
 acknowledged or continued as a Minister whose be- 
 lief is not clearly in accordance with the affirmative 
 of the Nine Questions contained on pages 48, 49, 
 and 50, of our printed Discipline. Ministers coming 
 among us with removal Certificates from other 
 Yearly Meetings shall be subject in all respects to 
 the provisions above mentioned. 
 
 In the case of any Minister among us entertain- 
 ing views contrary to those thus defined in our Dis- 
 cipline, his or her name shall be removed from the 
 record of acknowledged membership in the Meet- 
 ing of Ministers and Elders, the same care being 
 exercised in the removal that is now directed to be 
 observed in the acknowledgment of a Minister. — 
 JVew York Yearly Meeting Minutes, 1887, 2 }a 9 e 52. 
 
126 
 
 Queries. 
 
 The Preparative and Quarterly Meetings of the 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders, and the Prepara- 
 tive, Monthly and Quarterly Meetings for Disci- 
 pline, shall, at the usual time for answering the 
 Queries for the Yearly Meeting and after prayer- 
 ful consideration, report their condition to the Su- 
 perior Meeting as definitely and correctly as possi- 
 ble. 
 
 The Queries themselves are to be read and sepa- 
 rately considered, but without recording specific 
 Answers to them. 
 
 The Clerks of Subordinate Meetings are directed 
 to forward their reports to the Clerks of the Supe- 
 rior Meetings in ample time for the preparation of 
 the needful summaries. — New York Yearly Meet- 
 ing Minutes \ 1888, page 92. 
 
 Trusts. 
 
 The Representative Meeting, acting for and un- 
 der the authority of the Yearly Meeting, has author- 
 ity to exercise care over all Trusts committed to our 
 Subordinate Meetings and the Meeting Houses and 
 other property belonging to them. 
 
 When Meetings become extinct, the Representa- 
 tive Meeting may assume the administration of 
 such Trusts, in accordance with the provisions and 
 purposes of the donors ; and the care and disposi- 
 tion of such property. 
 
127 
 
 It is the duty of Subordinate Meetings, at the 
 request of the Representative Meeting, to give in- 
 formation in regard to their Trusts, and the ap- 
 plication of the Income ; and to regard as authori- 
 tative all directions of that Meeting respecting their 
 legal administration and the security of their in- 
 vestments. — JYeiv York Yearly Meeting Minutes, 
 1886, page 41. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Administrators and Executors, see Wills 109 
 
 Advices — General G 1 
 
 To Ministers and Elders 55 
 
 Appeals, notice of, to be sent to first or second Monthly 
 
 Meeting 71 
 
 Respondents to attend Quarterly Meeting with 
 
 minutes of proceedings 71 
 
 Decision of Monthly Meeting to be confirmed, if 
 
 proceedings have been correct 72 
 
 Subordinate Meetings may resume consideration of 
 
 cases in which proceedings have been irregular. . 72 
 Right to appeal to Yearly Meeting — notice to be 
 given to next Quarterly Meeting, or the one fol- 
 lowing it ... 72 
 
 Respondents to attend Yearly Meeting, with minutes 
 
 of Monthly and Quarterly Meetings. 72 
 
 Appeals to Yearly Meeting to be presented first or 
 
 second day 73 
 
 Appellant has right to be present during appoint- 
 ment of Committees 72 
 
 Duties of Committees 73 
 
 Decision of Yearly Meeting final 73 
 
 Arbitrations — parties differing to submit case to Arbi- 
 trators . . 118 
 
 Bond to be given to abide award 119 
 
 Award to be final unless error in judgment or pro- 
 ceedings 120 
 
 Parties refusing to submit to arbitration to be re- 
 ported to Preparative Meeting ... 119 
 
 Procedure in Monthly Meeting 119 
 
 Between members of different Monthly Meetings . 120 
 
 Assistance from Quarterly Meetings 120 
 
 Party refusing to comply with Advice of Meeting.. 119 
 
 Arbitrators to act promptly 120 
 
 Cases in which resort to law is admissible 121 
 
 Ministers should not be chosen as Arbitrators 122 
 
 6* 
 
130 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Armed Vessels, insuring, shipping in, etc., to be 
 avoided 100 
 
 Assignees, to be prompt in discharge of duties 108 
 
 Assignments of insolvent persons to be without reserva- 
 tion 114 
 
 Atonement 5, 19 
 
 Bankruptcy, a cause for proceeding at law 121 
 
 Collections or bequests for benevolent purposes not 
 
 to be taken from bankrupts 115 
 
 Persons becoming fully solvent to discharge former 
 
 debts 116 
 
 See Trade. 
 
 Baptism 11, 50, 69 
 
 Belief in God, and in Jesus Christ 3, 19, 48 
 
 In the Holy Scriptures 7, 21, 49, 91 
 
 Bequests and Donations to be strictly applied 110 
 
 Births, Deaths, and Burials 82 
 
 Records of, to be made annually 82 
 
 Committees to attend Funerals, and grant permis- 
 sion for interment of those not members 82 
 
 Mourning habits to be avoided 83 
 
 Grave-stones, directions respecting 83 
 
 Books — Writings relative to our religious principles to 
 
 be submitted to Representative Meeting 42, 89 
 
 Printing or publishing contrary to advice 89 
 
 Parents to guard their children against w r orks tend- 
 ing to lay waste the doctrines of Christianity 89 
 
 Printers and Booksellers cautioned against printing, 
 
 selling, or lending them 90 
 
 Preparative and Monthly Meetings to establish Li- 
 braries, and make additions annually 90 
 
 Meetings advised to promote the use of them 90 
 
 Business— Friends not to engage in that they do not un- 
 derstand, or extend beyond ability to manage. ... 114 
 
 Promotive of war to be avoided 100 
 
 See Trade. 
 
 Certificates, relating to Marriage, see Marriage. 
 
 For Members travelling 35 
 
 For Friends travelling as Ministers 52 
 
 Of removal, instructions for 75 
 
 To be applied for, or sent after persons removing ... 75 
 
 To be accepted, unless manifest obstruction 76 
 
 Information of acceptance to be forwarded 76 
 
 Records of Certificates issued and received to be 
 
 kept 76 
 
 Children, to be early and piously instructed 84 
 
 To be instructed in the Bible 84 
 
131 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Children, 
 
 Their relation to the Church 84 
 
 Acknowledged as members 84 
 
 Should make public profession of faith 84 
 
 Exhortation to 84 
 
 See Parents and Children. 
 
 Clerks— All meetings for Discipline to appoint 26, 30 
 
 Of Yearly Meeting to be nominated by the Repre- 
 sentatives 40 
 
 Committees should attend promptly to their appoint- 
 ments 35 
 
 Correspondents, appointed by Monthly Meeting 34 
 
 " by Yearly Meeting 40 
 
 Creation and Fall of Man 7 
 
 Creditors — Cases in which they may sue at law. . .116, 121 
 
 To be consulted in assignments 115 
 
 Advised not to accept of preferences. 115 
 
 See Trade. 
 
 Christ Jesus, our belief in ... .3, 19, 48 50, 
 
 Christian Simplicity 91 
 
 Deaths— See Births, Deaths, and Burials 82 
 
 Debts, care to be observed in contracting 113 
 
 No distinction to be made in payment of 114 
 
 Refusal to pay former debts, when of ability, dis- 
 
 ovvnable 116 
 
 See Trade. 
 
 Declaration of Faith 3 
 
 Defamation and Detraction, to be avoided 95 
 
 Differences, advice as to settlement of 118 
 
 If cause for dispute, to submit to arbitration 118 
 
 See Arbitration. 
 Discipline, our Christian— Origin and establishment of 
 
 — Introduction 24 
 
 See Meetings for Discipline . . 29 
 
 Disowned Persons applying for reinstatement 74 
 
 Disownment, Minutes of, to be entered on records 67 
 
 To be shown to party disowned, and given if re- 
 quired 67 
 
 Disunity, manifested by neglect of Divine Worship, dis- 
 
 ownable 68, 76 
 
 Diversion, places of, to be avoided 99 
 
 Divinity of Jesus Christ 3, 19, 48 
 
 Doctrines of Christianity, Brief View of 3 
 
 George Fox's Letter to the Governor of Barbadoes. 19 
 Documents should be sent to Correspondents 37 
 
 Addressed to Europe to be signed by correspondent 
 of Yearly Meeting. , e 40 
 
132 
 
 PAG3 
 
 Donations, Bequests, etc., to be strictly applied to the 
 
 purposes intended 110 
 
 Not to be received from persons who have fallen 
 short in payment of just debts 115 
 
 Education, see Parents and Children — Poor— Schools. 
 
 Elders, appointment of 36 
 
 Should be sound in doctrine 36, 45 
 
 Persons proposed for appointment as Elders should 
 retire from Meeting during the consideration 
 
 thereof 36 
 
 Duties of 44 
 
 To be watchful over the flock 44 
 
 To be helpful to those engaged in the Ministry 44 
 
 To be released if they lose their usefulness 47 
 
 Removing to another Monthly Meeting, not to be 
 
 recommended as Elders 38 
 
 See Meetings of Ministers and Elders 
 
 Executors, care in selecting to be exercised 109 
 
 To be faithful and punctual to trusts 110 
 
 Expenses of Ministers to be provided for when needful 53 
 Domestic — Friends advised to moderation in 99, 114 
 
 Failures— see Trade 112 
 
 Fall of Man 7, 48 
 
 Family Visits— concern to be approved where the Friend 
 
 belongs 52 
 
 Finances —Method of collecting Money 104 
 
 Each member bound to contribute 105 
 
 First-Day, to be devoted to religious worship and re- 
 tirement 92 
 
 Unnecessary visiting to be avoided 93 
 
 Reading Bible and other religious books recom- 
 mended 93 
 
 Fox, George, Letter to Governor of Barbadoes 19 
 
 Funerals— See Births, Deaths, and Burials 82 
 
 Gaming and Diversions 99 
 
 Grave-stones, directions respecting 83 
 
 Holy Scriptures 7, 21, 49, 91 
 
 Children to be restrained from reading books creat- 
 ing doubts in them 89 
 
 Diligence in reading and studying 91 
 
 Daily reading in family collectively 58, 61 
 
 Reading on First-days especially recommended , . , 93 
 
 To be read in Schools 88 
 
 Ministers and Elders advised to be frequent in read- 
 ing and not to misquote them 45 
 
133 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Holy Scriptures, 
 
 Annual inspection to be made to see that each 
 
 family is furnished with 91 
 
 Holy Spirit 5, 49 
 
 Holy Scriptures written by his inspiration 7, 21, 49 
 
 Infidelity, a cause for disownment 68 
 
 Books promoting, to be guarded against 89 
 
 Insolvency, see Trade 113 
 
 Intemperance 97 
 
 Introduction . . 24 
 
 Inventory of Estates, to be full and clear, and made 
 
 out 'early 109 
 
 Justice, strict, to be adhered to in all our dealings 62 
 
 Justification from the imputation of sins past by 
 
 propitiatory sacrifice, etc 8 
 
 Law, resort to. contrary to discipline, disownable. ... 122 
 
 Cases in which it may be admissible 121 
 
 Parties going to law to conduct circumspectly in 
 
 court 121 
 
 Legal proceedings against persons not members ad- 
 vised against 122 
 
 Friends should not give cause for resort to law 122 
 
 Legacies, to be rightly appropriated 110 
 
 Libraries of approved Writings of Friends, establish- 
 ment of recommended . . 90 
 
 Additions annually, advised £» 90 
 
 Lotteries, dealings in, disownable 99 
 
 Manuscripts relating to our principles to be submitted 
 
 to Representative Meeting « 41, 89 
 
 Marriage a Divine Ordinance 77 
 
 Implies union in spiritual as well as temporal con- 
 cerns , 77 
 
 Parents and Guardians to be early informed 77 
 
 Consent of Parents or Guardians to be obtained 78 
 
 Committee to inquire respecting clearness from 
 
 other engagements 78 
 
 To be solemuly and gravely accomplished 79 
 
 Committee to attend at accomplishment 79 
 
 When parties belong to different Meetings 79 
 
 Not allowed earlier than one year after death of 
 
 husband or wife 77 
 
 Rights of children to be secured 7^ 
 
 Near relatives not to join in marriage 77 
 
 No charge for misconduct to be presented 78 
 
134 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Marriage, 
 
 Expensive entertainments and large companies ad- 
 vised against 79 
 
 Proposals, form of 78 
 
 Certificate, form of 80 
 
 Between members when accomplished contrary to 
 
 our order 
 
 When either party is a member encouraged to 
 
 adopt our order 81 
 
 Mediation of Jesus Christ 4, 21, 49 
 
 Meeting Houses, Burial, Grounds, etc. 
 
 Titles to be inspected, and trusts renewed when 
 
 necessary 59, 107 
 
 Committees appointed for this purpose 107 
 
 Records of trusts and conveyances to be kept and 
 
 recorded 107 
 
 Meetings, Order and Subordination of 25, 29 
 
 For Worship, set up or discontinued by Monthly 
 
 Meeting with consent of Quarterly Meeting 29 
 
 Diligent attendance of 27 
 
 Care towards those who are negligent 28 
 
 Friends should not withdraw unnecessarily 36 
 
 Should not be disturbed by opposition to Ministers. 28 
 
 Disunity manifested by neglect in attendance 68, 70 
 
 Meetings for Discipline 25, 29 
 
 To appoint Clerks, and keep records of proceedings, 26, 30 
 
 Order of business 37 
 
 Concurrence of men and women, necessary 80 
 
 Joint Sessions 30 
 
 Preparative, establishing or discontinuing 32 
 
 Business of 32 
 
 To appoint Representatives to Monthly Meeting. ... 32 
 
 Motice of Complaint to be given 32 
 
 Monthly, how constituted 33 
 
 Pastoral Committee to be appointed 33 
 
 Receiving and Disowning Members pertains exclu- 
 sively to them 84 
 
 To appoint two or more Overseers for each Prepar- 
 ative Meeting . , 31 
 
 To appoint Committee to have care of Poor 34, 92 
 
 To appoint Treasurer and Correspondent 34 
 
 To apply to Quarterly Meeting for aid in difficult 
 
 cases 34 
 
 To seek for right direction in making appointments. 36 
 To furnish copies of Minutes when requested .... 30 
 To appoint Representatives to Quarterly Meeting. . . 37 
 Quarterly, how constituted 38 
 
135 
 
 page- 
 
 Meetings — Quarterly, 
 
 Qualification to administer aid to Subordinate Meet- 
 ings to be sought for 38 
 
 To furnish copies of Minutes to other Quarterly Meet- 
 ings wh en requested 33 
 
 To appoint Representatives to Yearly Meeting. ... 38 
 To see that Representatives are not prevented from 
 
 discharge of duty by want of means 38 
 
 Yearly 39 
 
 Relations with other Yearly Meetings . . 39 
 
 How constituted 33 
 
 Time of holding « 40 
 
 Representatives to propose Clerks 40 
 
 To appoint Correspondents to sign Documents ad- 
 dressed to Meetings in foreign countries 40 
 
 Ministers and Elders 44 
 
 Preparative Meetings, how composed 45 
 
 To meet once in three months 4") 
 
 Queries 45 
 
 Questions 48 
 
 To be careful of each other's reputation 5-3 
 
 To extend care over their members, and propose 
 
 their release, when proper, to Quarterly Meetings 47 
 
 To appoint Representatives 47 
 
 Quarterly Meetings 47 
 
 Quarterly Meetings, to read Queries and Answers 
 from Preparative Meetings, and forward sum- 
 mary to Yearly Meeting 47 
 
 Care in regard to improper communications 54 
 
 Not to interfere with business pertaining to Meet- 
 ings for Discipline 55 
 
 Advices to 55 
 
 Yearly Meetings, when held 40 
 
 See Elders — Ministers. 
 
 Representative, Origin and Duties of 41 
 
 Appointment 41 
 
 When held 43 
 
 Travelling expenses of Members to be paid 42 
 
 To Represent Yearly Meeting when not in session.. 42 
 To inspect manuscripts relating to our principles 
 
 prior to publication 42 
 
 To exercise care respecting titles to land, charitable 
 
 legacies, etc 42 
 
 To examine Memorials 42 
 
 To render aid in cases of suffering — to apply to Gov- 
 ernment, etc 42 
 
 To correspond with Meetings for Discipline 42 
 
136 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Meetings— Representative, 
 
 Rules for its government 43 
 
 Members from other like Meetings, and Ministers, 
 
 may attend 43 
 
 Membership, Requests for 74 
 
 Rights and privilege not affected by sex 30 
 
 Restoration to, how accomplished 74 
 
 Travelling Certificates to be furnished 35 
 
 Letters of, may be received , 76 
 
 Memorials prepared by Monthly Meetings, forwarded 
 
 to Quarterly and Representative Meetings 42, 103 
 
 Faithful narrative to be given 103 
 
 Military Requisitions, compliance with 1G0 
 
 See War. 
 
 Ministers, Mode of acknowledging 48, 50 
 
 Should retire from Meeting when proposition to ac- 
 knowledge is under consideration 36 
 
 Should be sound in doctrine - 45, 48, 125 
 
 Should give careful attention to counsel 45 
 
 To speak promptly and naturally 56 
 
 Should be careful not to misquote or misapply the 
 
 Scriptures 46 
 
 Friends not to travel as Ministers unless acknowl- 
 edged 51 
 
 Concerns of, to travel, concurrence of Monthly Meet- 
 ing requisite 51 
 
 If visit is extensive, or in another Yearly Meeting, 
 
 certificate also from Quarterly Meeting 51 
 
 If to foreign countries, certificate also from Yearly 
 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders 52, 54 
 
 Travelling under appointment of Yearly or Repre- 
 sentative Meeting 52 
 
 Family visits, concern to be approved where the 
 
 Friend belongs , 52 
 
 Care requisite to ascertain if strangers travelling as 
 
 Ministers are furnished with certificates 54 
 
 To be provided with suitable company, and means 
 
 if necessary 53 
 
 Committee appointed for this purpose 54 
 
 Representative Meeting to furnish means 54 
 
 To return certificates seasonably 35 
 
 Removal certificates for 75 
 
 Should not be chosen as Arbitrators 122 
 
 Public opposition to — not allowed 28 
 
 See Meetings op Ministers and Elders. 
 
 Ministry 13 
 
 Minutes for Travelling Friends, to be returned season- 
 ably « 35 
 
 Returning minutes to be forwarded by mail 53 
 
137 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Mourning Habits, advised against 83 
 
 Oaths 17, 69 
 
 Swearing forbidden by the Gospel 18 
 
 None to be taken or administered 18 
 
 Offenders, treating with 66 
 
 Notice to be given them when their cases are re- 
 ported to Meeting .32, 66 
 
 Committees to endeavor to reclaim 66 
 
 Should have opportunity to state their case 66 
 
 Minute of disownment entered upon record 67 
 
 Minute of disownment to be shown, and if required, 
 
 given 67 
 
 Infidelity disowned 67 
 
 Guilty of reproachful conduct, and removing to 
 
 other parts out of the way of Friends 69 
 
 Removing into limits of other Meetings 69 
 
 When on behalf of another Meeting, result of labor 
 
 to be communicated to said Meeting 69 
 
 Overseers, two or more to be appointed for each Prepa- 
 rative Meeting 64 
 
 Services not limited to their own Preparative Meet- 
 ing 64 
 
 Committee to nominate 64 
 
 To treat offenders with meekness 64 
 
 Of the poor, how appointed, and duties 34, 106 
 
 Ordinances 68 
 
 The observance of them a disownable offence 68 
 
 Parents and Children 84 
 
 Exhortation to Parents 85 
 
 Children to be early and piously instructed 85 
 
 Qualification to be sought by prayer 85 
 
 Daily reading of Bible in families collectively 84 
 
 Parents to discharge duty faithfully 85 
 
 Exhortation to Youth 86 
 
 Pastoral Committee to be appointed 33 
 
 Foor to be relieved 106 
 
 Collections to be made for them 106 
 
 Committee to be appointed 106 
 
 Liberality in contributing to their relief advised. . . 106 
 
 Appropriation of fund 106 
 
 Their children to be educated 106 
 
 Prayer 15, 55 
 
 Recommended to Parents on behalf of their Chil- 
 dren.... 16 
 
 Prlnting or publishing books subversive of Christian 
 
 principles 89 
 
 Public Worship . . 12 
 
 7 
 
138 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Queries, directions as to answers , 57, 126 
 
 Unanswered .... 59 
 
 For Meetings of Ministers and Elders ... 45 
 
 Questions for Ministers and Elders 48 
 
 Records of Births and Deaths to be kept 82 
 
 Of Certificates granted or received 76 
 
 Of Marriage Certificates 79 
 
 Of Trusts and Conveyances 107 
 
 Copies of Minutes to be furnished at request of 
 
 other Monthly or Quarterly Meetings. . ., 30 
 
 Removals, to be made with caution 75 
 
 Require certificates 75 
 
 Friends encouraged to correspond with their Meet- 
 ings 76 
 
 Reports, from Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, to be 
 
 in writing 30 
 
 Representatives, their appointment and duties. ...... 30 
 
 To be furnished with pecuniary means, if needed . . 30 
 
 To propose Clerks for Yearly Meeting 40 
 
 Requests, to be received in membership 74 
 
 Committee to be appointed 74 
 
 Restoration, how accomplished 74 
 
 Resignation of membership 70 
 
 Resurrection ' 10, 50 
 
 Revision of Discipline 2 
 
 Sanctificatton 8 
 
 Scandal, any act causing public scandal, disownable . . 69 
 
 Schools, liberality in promoting, recommended 87 
 
 Teachers of our own persuasion to be preferred 87 
 
 Instruction in principles of Christian religion en- 
 joined 87 
 
 Care in selecting books advised . 87 
 
 Holy Scriptures to be used 88 
 
 Bible Schools recommended 88 
 
 Secret oaths prohibited 99 
 
 Secret Societies 99 
 
 Simplicity 94 
 
 Slavery 102 
 
 Spirituous Liquors • . 97 
 
 Distilling, trading in, or selling produce for distil- 
 ling 97 
 
 Medicinal use _ ... 98 
 
 Wine and fermented liquors advised against 97 
 
 Sufferings for our Testimonies should be faithfully 
 
 and patiently borne for conscience' sake 102 
 
 Account of, to be forwarded to Yearly Meeting 102 
 
 Supper 12 
 
 Tablebearing and Detraction to be suppressed 95 
 
 See Defamation. 
 
139 
 
 PAGH 
 
 Titles to land to be inspected, and Trusts timely re- 
 newed 59, 107 
 
 Records of Trust and Conveyances to be kept, and 
 
 where deposited 107 
 
 Law of the State of New York 123 
 
 Tobacco, use of, advised against 62, 93 
 
 Trade — Counsel against inordinate pursuit of wealth . . 112 
 
 Care to be observed in contracting debts 113 
 
 Strict integrity in all business transactions to be ob- 
 served 62, 113 
 
 Hazardous enterprises to be avoided 114 
 
 Moderation in living recommended 114 
 
 Frequent inspection of affairs — clear accounts to be 
 
 kept 114 
 
 Persons in danger of failing, to convene their credi- 
 tors 114 
 
 Partial payments, and preference as creditors, to be 
 
 avoided , 115 
 
 Cases of failure to be carried to Monthly Meeting. . 115 
 Committees to make full and particular reports. . . . 115 
 
 Reproachful conduct disownable 115' 
 
 Collections or bequests for benevolent purposes not 
 to be received from those who have not paid their 
 
 just debts 115 
 
 Refusing to pay former debts, when of ability to do 
 
 it, disownable 116 
 
 Partnership, advised to be with members 116 
 
 Legal proceedings may be instituted when members 
 
 in partnership with others give occasion therefor 116 
 Accommodation paper and joint sureties disapproved 117 
 
 Business promotive of war to be avoided 100 
 
 Treasurer, Meetings to appoint 34 
 
 Trust Funds 59, 107, 126 
 
 Committees to examine 107 
 
 To be reported to Representative Meeting 59, 108 
 
 Trustees, to be prompt in making collection and distri- 
 bution 108 
 
 To invest all money according to law 108 
 
 To be faithful in the application of trusts 59 
 
 War.... 16, 68, 100 
 
 Friends exhorted to maintain a testimony against it 100 
 Trade and business promotive of war, prize goods, 
 
 etc. to be avoided 100 
 
 Bearing arms, publicly or privately, or compliance 
 with military requisitions in any way, disown- 
 able 100 
 
 Wills and Donations 109 
 
 Wills to be made, disposing of property, according 
 
 to justice in time of health 109 
 
 Competent persons to be employed to write wills . . l'J 
 
140 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Wills and Donations. 
 
 Care in Detection of executors to be exercised 109 
 
 Executors to act faithfully 110 
 
 Meetings concerned in legacies to have them right- 
 ly appropriated 110 
 
 Friends advised to leave portions of their estates 
 
 for benevolent purposes 110 
 
 Form of bequests for such purpose 110 
 
 Worship 12, 27, 50 
 
 Meetings for— see Meetings 27 
 
Date Due 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 f