• iLnsiaamr •

ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE

RULES OF DISCIPLINE

Yearly Meeting of Friends

PENNSYLYANIA, NEW JERSEY, DELAWARE, AND
THE EASTERN PARTS OF MARYLAND.

STEREOTYPE EDITION

PHILADELPHIA:
FOE SALE AT FEIENDS' BOOK STOEE,
No. 304 Arch Steeet.
1893.

INTRODUCTION.

As it hath pleased the Lord in these latter days,
by his spirit and power, to gather a people to Him
self; and, releasing them from the impositions and
teachings of men, to inspire them with degrees of
the same universal love and good-will by which the
dispensation of the gospel was ushered in — these
have been engaged to meet together for the worship
of God in Spirit, according to the direction of the
holy Lawgiver ; as also for the exercise of a tender
care over each other, that all may be preserved in
unity of faith and practice, answerable to the de
scription which He the ever-blessed Shepherd gave
of his flock : " By this shall all men know that ye
are my disciples, if ye have love one to. another."
John xiii: 35.
For this important end, and as an exterior hedge
of preservation to us, against the many temptations
and dangers, to which our situation in this world
exposes us, rules for the government of the Society
have been made and approved from time to time,

VI INTRODUCTION.
and the following now form our code of discipline.
In the exercise whereof it is to be observed, that if
any member be found in a conduct subversive of its
order, or repugnant to the religious principles and
testimonies which we believe we are entrusted with,
for the promotion of truth and righteousness in the
earth, it becomes our indispensable duty to treat
with such, in meekness and brotherly compassion,
without unnecessary delay or improper exposure;
according to the direction of our Lord to his church:
" If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and
tell him his fault between thee and him alone : if
he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one
or two more, that in the mouth of two or three wit
nesses every word may be established. And if he
shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church :
but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto
thee as an heathen man and a publican." Matt.
xviii : 15-17.
This is the extent of the Society's censure against
irreclaimable offenders, they are disowned as mem
bers of our religious community; which is recom
mended to be done in such a disposition of mind as
may convince them, that we sincerely desire their
recovery and restoration, considering ourselves, lest
we also be tempted. Gal. vi : 1.

INTRODUCTION. Vil
For the more regular and effectual support of this
order of the Society, beside the usual meetings for
the purpose of Divine worship, others are instituted ;
such as, First, Preparative meetings, which are sub
ordinate to the Monthly, and commonly consist of
the members of a meeting for worship : Second,
Monthly meetings, each of which commonly consists
of several Preparative meetings, all subordinate to
the Quarterly Meeting : Third, Quarterly meetings,
each of which consists of several of the Monthly
meetings ; it and its branches being under the direc
tion of the Yearly Meeting, which embracing the
whole, its decisions are obligatory upon all.
These meetings have all distinct allotments of ser
vice; and as experience shows, that when this service
is attended to in uprightness and dedication of heart,
with a single eye to the honor of our Holy Head,
and the help and edification of one another, in the
love wherewith He has loved us, our assemblies are
often favored with his aid and direction ; Friends are
affectionately desired and exhorted, to be diligent in
the attendance of them ; and when met, humbly
seek to be clothed with the spirit of wisdom and
charity : this will divest the mind of a dependence
on our own strength and abilities, endue us with
patience and condescension toward each other ; and
being preserved in fellowship agreeably to our Lord's

Vlll INTRODUCTION.
declaration, " one is your master, even Christ, and all
ye are brethren," a qualification will be experienced
in our several stations and movements, to build up
one another in that faith which works by love to
the purifying of the heart.
So may we be living members of the Church
militant on earth ; and inhabitants of that city which
hath foundations, whose maker and builder the Lord
is ; knowing indeed with exceeding joy that great is
He the Holy One of Israel in the midst of her.

Rules of Discipline.

ACKNOWLED GMENTS.

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

10 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
ceived, a certificate for such person, directed to the
said Monthly Meeting, may be forthwith sent, ac
knowledging him or her as a member of our religious
Society.— 1806.
As it may not always be necessary that papers of
acknowledgment should contain a recital of the oc
casion of disownment as specified in the testimonies
of denial, it is agreed that Monthly Meetings be left
to their discretion in this respect; and that neither
testimonies of denial nor acknowledgments be read
at the close of our public meetings for worship. —
1806.

APPEALS. 11

APPEALS.

If any persons think themselves aggrieved by the
judgment of a Monthly Meeting in his or her case,
and a copy of the minute or testimony of such judg
ment having been delivered to them, which is always
to be as soon after its issue as may be convenient,
they may then notify the first or second Monthly
Meeting immediately succeeding, but no other, of
their intention of appealing to the ensuing Quarterly
Meeting : which notification, the Monthly Meeting
should enter on its minutes, and appoint four or
more Friends to attend the Quarterly Meeting with
that, and copies of the minutes of the Monthly Meet
ing relative to the case, signed by the clerk, or if the
appellant is a female, by the clerks of both meetings;
which notification of the appeal, and the minute
appointing the committee (or respondents) is, after
the representatives have been called, then to be read.
Whereupon the Quarterly Meeting is to appoint a
solid, judicious committee, consisting of not less
than eight, nor more than twelve Friends, who are
to be taken either equally out of the Monthly Meet
ings, or in such proportion as the Quarterly Meeting
may deem most equitablej but none out of the
Monthly Meeting from which the appeal comes.
No member of a Monthly Meeting appealed against,
nor any appellant, is to be at liberty to take any part
in nominating the committee of the Quarterly Meet-

12 APPEALS.
ing. After the nomination has taken place, the
names of the proposed committee shall be read in
the presence of the appellant, and the respondents
appointed on behalf of the Monthly Meeting, and
each party shall be allowed to object to any of the
committee, not exceeding three respectively. The
places of the Friends who have been thus objected
to, shall be supplied by a fresh nomination ; which
nomination shall be final. A time and place for
their meeting shall now be fixed, of which due no
tice being given to the parties concerned, the appel
lant is to withdraw from the meeting. The com
mittee when met, shall proceed upon the business
referred to them, and the appellant shall be heard in
support of the grounds of his or her dissatisfaction,
and afterwards the respondents in reply, showing
the reasons whereon the judgment of the Monthly
Meeting was founded, until both parties have been
fully and fairly heard: all this in the presence of
each other. If either of the parties concerned in an
appeal, when stating or replying to the case, shall
digress into irrelevant matter, the committee should
stop such proceeding, and require that the subject
of the appeal be steadily kept to : and no member
of a committee by which any appeal is heard, is to
express in the presence of the parties, or either of
them, any opinion on the subject or subjects at issue.
The parties, after having been fully heard, shall
withdraw, previously to the committee entering upon
the consideration of the case. The committee then,
carefully deliberating upon the business referred to

APPEALS. 13
them, are to confirm or reverse the judgment of the
Monthly Meetings, as on an impartial, just sense
shall appear to be right ; and when they have agreed
in a judgment on the case, a report in writing shall
be prepared and signed as the report of the com
mittee, by all those so uniting in judgment.
It is recommended that the purport of the written
report of the committee, be simply the confirming
or annulling of the decision of the Monthly Meet
ing; and the judgment expressed in such report be
ing adopted by the Quarterly Meeting, a few Friends
should be appointed to give early information thereof
to the parties.
As it is possible there may be some who may
make an appeal against the judgment of a Monthly
Meeting without any just cause ; if, on an impartial
investigation of the case, it shall be manifest to the
committee of the Quarterly Meeting, that the appel
lant has really been guilty of a breach of our discip
line, for which he or she has been regularly treated
with and disowned, the said committee shall confirm
the judgment of the Monthly Meeting.
If an appellant shall believe that he or she is
aggrieved by the judgment of a Quarterly Meeting
in his or her case, he or she may appeal from such
judgment to the Yearly Meeting ; in which case
they shall give notice to the next Quarterly Meeting
immediately succeeding, but no other, of their inten
tion to apply to the ensuing Yearly Meeting for a
further hearing; the said Quarterly Meeting, after
recording such notification, is to appoint at least

14 APPEALS.
three Friends to attend the Yearly Meeting with
copies of the records of both the Monthly and Quar
terly Meetings in the case, signed by their clerks,
and to act on behalf thereof. The Yearly Meeting
having received notice of the appeal in the reports
of the Quarterly Meeting, is, upon such day as it
shall judge suitable, then to take up the subject,
whereof the appellant and the committee or respond
ents of the Quarterly Meeting, are to have due
notice to attend accordingly.
The minutes of the Quarterly Meeting concerning
the appeal, being read in the presence of both par
ties, the meeting is to appoint a committee of two
Friends, taken out of each of the Quarters, (except
the one from which the appeal is brought,) to hear
and judge of the said appeal. !STo member of a
Quarterly Meeting appealed against, nor any appel
lant, is to take any part in nominating the com
mittee of the Yearly Meeting. After the nomina
tion has been made, the names of the proposed
committee shall be read in the presence of the ap
pellant and respondents, and each party shall be
allowed to object to any of the committee, not ex
ceeding four respectively ; the places of those thus
objected to shall be supplied by a fresh nomination,
which nomination shall be final. A time and place
shall now be fixed for their meeting while the parties
are present, after which the appellant is to withdraw
from the meeting.
The committee and the parties being met, the
appellant shall be heard in support of his or her

APPEALS. 15
objections, and afterwards the respondents in reply,
in the presence of each other, until both parties have
been fully and fairly heard. If either of the parties
concerned in an appeal, when stating or replying
to the case, shall digress into irrelevant matter, the
committee should stop such proceeding, and require
that the subject of the appeal be steadily kept to :
and no member of a committee by which any appeal
is heard, is to express in the presence of the parties,
or either of them, any opinion on the subject or sub
jects at issue. The committee then, (the whole or
not less than three-fourths of their number being
present,) carefully deliberating upon the business
referred to them, are to confirm or reverse the judg
ment of the Monthly and Quarterly Meeting, as on
an impartial, just sense shall appear to be right.
And when they shall have agreed in a judgment on
the case, a report in writing shall be prepared and
signed by all those so uniting in judgment; which
report being adopted by the Yearly Meeting, the
parties are to be informed thereof by a few Friends
deputed for that purpose.
If it should ever occur that a Monthly Meeting
has real cause to believe that it is aggrieved by the
decision of its respective Quarterly Meeting, it shall
have the right of bringing through the Quarter, its
situation to the Yearly Meeting, in order to its re
consideration and conclusion, under the same regu
lations as are provided in the cases of individuals. In
this recognition of the established right of Monthly
Meetings to appeal from the judgment and determi-

16 APPEALS.
nation of Quarterly Meetings, it is fervently desired,
that the peace and harmony of religious Society, as
well as an adherence to our Christian principles,
may be carefully preserved : and that Monthly Meet
ings be exceedingly cautious and well assured of its
necessity, before they proceed so far; clearly mani
festing, that nothing short of their sincere belief of
the obligation to support the cause and testimony of
Truth, has led them to such a very serious move
ment. In all cases of appeal, whether to a Quarterly or
to the Yearly Meeting ; if the appellant does not
attend in person to prosecute the appeal agreeably
to the foregoing rules and regulations, he or she
shall lose the right of appeal ; and the judgment of
the Monthly Meeting is thereby confirmed : unless
through sickness or some unavoidable cause, he or
she is prevented from being present, of which the
Quarterly or Yearly Meeting is to be fully satisfied,
before it agrees to a postponement of the case.
When a Quarterly Meeting has become so reduced
as to consist of only two Monthly Meetings, and an
appeal is presented to its notice, it is to make a min
ute thereof, and appoint a few Friends to attend the
Yearly Meeting with the minutes and proceedings
in the case, and to give the necessary information to
such committee as may be appointed by the Yearly
Meeting, duly to consider and determine the same.
—1834, 1893.

ARBITRATIONS. 17

ARBITRATIONS.

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

18 ARBITRATIONS.
that is done, neglect to give his or her attendance
when desired, without a sufficient reason being as
signed; or not abide by their award when issued;
in either of those cases the offender should be com
plained of, through the overseers, to the Preparative
Meeting, and if needful, to the Monthly Meeting of
which he or she is a member ; and if they cannot
be brought to a due sense of their error, the said
meeting should declare its disunion with them, un
less such person make it evident, to the satisfaction
of the said meeting, or to a committee thereof, that
the award is erroneous or unjust. In which case,
the matter in dispute may be referred either to the
same, or other arbitrators, as the meeting shall
judge best; and their award shall be final. After
which, if either of the parties at variance prove so
regardless of peace and unity as not to acquiesce in
such corrected determination, the Monthly Meeting
they belong to should proceed to issue a testimony
against him or her so refusing.
Where arbitrators are at a loss for want of legal
knowledge, it may be proper for them, at the joint
expense of the parties, to take the opinion of counsel
learned in the law, in order to come at a proper
judgment in the matter referred to them. That they
may the better answer the end of their appointment,
and be helpful in conciliating the minds of the par
ties, they ought not to consider themselves as advo
cates for those by whom they are chosen, but as
men, whose duty it is to judge righteously, fearing
the Lord. They should, as much as may be, shun

ARBITRATIONS. 19
all previous information respecting the case ; or,
having heard anything on it, stand unbiassed there
by.— 1751.
They should reject no evidence nor witness pro
posed; nor receive any but in the presence of both
parties ; and in their award, they need not assign
any reason for their determinations. — 1719.
And whereas there may be some circumstances
even in disputed matters, wherein the foregoing
wholesome method of proceeding cannot be com
plied with ; such as, 1st. The party absconding, or
leaving the country with design to defraud his or
her creditors; or, 2d. That the going through the
meetings, by the time it must necessarily take up,
might be a manifest damage to the creditor or claim
ant, as in cases of apparent danger of bankruptcy,
or the party being overloaded with debts, and other
creditors generally coming on ; or, 3d. That there
may be danger of future damage to such as submit
thereto, as in the case of executors, administrators,
or trustees ; it may therefore be necessary, and it is
advised, that the Monthly Meeting where such cases
happen, do hold excused such as shall in the two
first-mentioned circumstances in this paragraph ap
pear to them to be really necessitated to proceed at
law ; and in the latter case of executors, adminis
trators, or trustees, where it shall appear to the meet
ing that our friendly way would be unsafe, such may
be permitted to have the matter tried at law, with
this caution, that the parties on both sides do behave
toward each other in brotherly love, decency, and

20 ARBITRATIONS.
moderation, without anger or animosity, which will
be a becoming testimony even in courts, and show
that nothiug but the nature of the case, and our
station in common with others, under the laws of
the land, bring any of us there. — 1719, 1893.
As it may sometimes occur that a member, either
through a misunderstanding of the business, or from
an improper influence, may present a complaint
against another member; the overseers, after fully
hearing both parties, and being decidedly of opinion
that the case does not require a reference, are to
advise a speedy settlement thereof; which being
ineffectual, and the complainant remaining dissat
isfied therewith, he may have liberty to inform the
Preparative Meeting where the other party is a mem
ber, without mentioning any name, that having a
matter in dispute with one of their members, he is
desirous of their assistance in order to a settlement
thereof. The said meeting is then to appoint a ju
dicious committee to inquire into the propriety of
the matter being left to arbitration ; if they should
judge that the complaint ought to be referred, they
are to advise that it be submitted accordingly: if
either party refuses to comply with this advice, the
Monthly Meeting of which he or she is a member,
is, through its respective Preparative Meeting, to be
iuformed thereof, to take up the case accordingly
and endeavor to bring the business to a speedy issue,
that our Christian testimony to peace and concord
may be duly maintained : but if the committee of
the Preparative Meeting, where the assistance has

ARBITRATIONS. 21
been requested, concur in judgment with the over
seers, the complaint is to be dismissed. — 1806.
It is desired that persons differing about worldly
affairs do, as little as may be, engage Friends in the
ministry as arbitrators in such cases. — 1751.

22 BIRTHS AND BURIALS.

BIRTHS AND BURIALS.

As those who attend burials may sometimes come
from far, and be in need of bodily refreshment, it is
earnestly advised that, when this is really necessary,
it may be with exemplary moderation ; and that
Friends be careful in this and all other respects, to
demean themselves with gravity and not to indulge
in unnecessary conversation ; remembering that such
seasons, especially, ought never to be perverted into
occasions for merely social intercourse. — 1719, 1893.
And it is desired that, where anything unbecom
ing appears, the offender may be tenderty admon
ished, that so everything tending to lessen the solem
nity of such occasions may be avoided.
It is recommended that one or more suitable
Friends of each particular meeting be appointed by
Monthly Meetings to attend at funerals, to see that
good order is observed ; and that the corpse be re
moved about an hour after the time set for meeting
at the house. — 1729.
Advised that Friends be careful themselves, and
discourage their children from attending the worship
of those who are not in communion with us, and
particularly at burials ; seeing that, in so doing,
there is danger either of balking their testimony for
the Truth, to the wounding of their own minds, or
giving unnecessary offence to their sober neighbors.
—1711.

BIRTHS AND BURIALS. 23
It is the sense of this meeting, that meetings
should not be appointed on account of the inter
ment in our burial grounds, of persons who are not
in membership with us. And also, that Friends be
religiously guarded in publishing invitations in our
meetings to the burials of such not in membership
with us.— 1792, 1893.
In order that meetings may not be held at the
interment of our deceased members, in a customary
or formal way, it is advised, that the proposal for
holding any such meeting be previously submitted
to the consideration of the elders and overseers, or
other solid Friends, either of the meeting in the
compass of which the deceased resided, or of that
in which the interment is to take place, that the
counsel or mind of Truth may be waited for and
followed.— 1792.
To prevent the introduction of improper inter
ments among us, it is recommended that two or
more Friends be appointed to the care of our several
burial grounds, by Preparative or Monthly Meetings,
as the case may require, and that no person who is
not in membership be buried therein, without a
permit in writing signed by one or two of those
Friends; who should also take care that our burial
grounds be properly enclosed, and kept in decent
order.— 1792.
It is further recommended, that at all interments,
time be allowed for a solemn pause, both before and
after the corpse is put into the ground.
It is the sense of this meeting, that no monuments

24 BIRTHS AND BURIALS.
either of wood or stone be affixed to graves in any of
our burial grounds; and if any yet remain therein,
that these be forthwith removed — so that no cause
of uneasiness on this account may exist, or partiality
be justly chargeable upon us. — 1706, 1733.
This caution is not understood as prohibiting the
marking of graves by simple, unornamented stones,
at the head and foot of a grave, rising not more than
six inches above the general level of the ground,
and containing only the name and age, or the date
of birth and death, of the person there interred,
inscribed upon the top of the stone. — 1893.
Friends are advised against imitating the vain
custom of wearing or giving mourning habits, and
all extravagant expenses about the interment of the
dead. As great inconvenience may arise from the want of
due attention to keeping a regular record of births
and deaths, it is earnestly enjoined on each Monthly
Meeting, that they appoint a careful Friend, whose
duty it shall be, in a book provided for the purpose
at the Yearly Meeting's expense, to keep a record of
all births and deaths of its members; and in order
to engage the attention of Monthly Meetings more
closely to this subject, it is further enjoined that an
explicit answer be annually given by Monthly to
Quarterly Meetings, and through them to the Yearly
Meeting, to the query : whether due care is taken to
keep a regular record of births and deaths? — 1757,
1806, 1884.
The parents or those next interested, shall furnish

BIRTHS AND BURIALS. 25
the proper Recorder of births and deaths with the
needful information respecting the birth of each
child, within three months. It shall be the duty of
the overseers of each Monthly Meeting to keep a
complete list of members, which they shall annually
revise and correct; and before preparing the answers
to the annual queries, they shall see that the Re
corder has the record of births and deaths complete.
When necessary, Monthly Meetings are encouraged
to appoint Committees of men and women Friends
to aid the Recorder. — 1884.
The Meeting for Sufferings is instructed to issue
an edition of books for recording births and deaths
in proper tabular form, with printed headings, suffi
cient to supply all the Monthly Meetings. — 1884.
Clerks of Monthly Meetings are directed to fur
nish Recorders at the close of each year with all in
formation contained on the minutes, that will assist
them in keeping the record complete. — 1885.
It has been cause of concern, to observe that some
of our members, not duly regarding the ancient and
approved practice of our Society, have procured
places of interment which are not under the control
of Friends, and where customs are sanctioned, which
are at variance with our well-known testimonies.
We apprehend this is opening a door to weakness,
and preparing the way for departures from those
salutary restraints, which in the wisdom of Truth
have been placed around our members, and which
have so evidently tended to preserve them in a con
formity to our religious principles and practices.

26 BIRTHS AND BURIALS.
We would therefore tenderly entreat Friends to
avoid the entangling effects consequent upon such a
course, and be willing to conform to the regulations
of Society in this respect. — 1854.
Our members are tenderly advised and cautioned
against a growing tendency in the present day to
conform to the ways and customs of the world, in
relation to the expensive coffin, habiliments and
floral decorations bestowed upon the perishable body
upon the occasion of its burial. The desire was
expressed, that in reference to the two first-named
departures from simplicity on these solemn occasions,
we may let our moderation be more fully known to
all men ; and that the other practice intended or
calculated to drown solemn thoughts of death and
the grave, may be withstood by all our members. —
1877.

BOOKS. 27

BOOKS.

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

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

BOOKS. 29
are many under the specious titles of promoting
religion and morality, which contain sentiments re
pugnant to the truth in Christ Jesus. — 1764.
In a day when pernicious publications and vain
and corrupting amusements are multiplying, and
presenting strong attractions to young and old, we
believe the rightly disciplined and exercised parent,
will feel the need of restraining the children from
access to them ; and while he directs their attention
to the convicting grace of Christ Jesus in the heart,
by which they would see the sinfulness of sin, and
be led out of it, he would also encourage them in
the frequent perusal of the Holy Scriptures, and the
approved writings of faithful men who have been
lights in the Society. — 1851.

30 CERTIFICATES.

CERTIFICATES.

It is recommended to the Quarterly and Monthly
Meeting, to take care that all certificates or minutes
which may be given to any travelling Friend, be
recorded, and upon the return of such Friend, sea
sonably delivered back to the meeting ; and that all
certificates of removal brought by any Friend in
tending to reside amongst us, shall be lodged in the
Monthly Meeting where the same is accepted ; and
also, that every meeting do keep a copy or record of
all certificates which they give out. — 1718.
All certificates of removal prepared for women
Friends, after being considered in their Monthly
Meeting, are to be sent to the men's, and if there
approved, signed by the clerks of both. If they are
directed to any place beyond the limits of the respec
tive Quarterly Meeting, they are to be signed by the
clerks and one of the correspondents. If the cer
tificate is for a man only, it is to be signed by the
clerk of the men's meeting, and one of the corre
spondents. And all other certificates or minutes
given forth for Friends, which are to go beyond the
Quarterly Meeting, are to be signed in like manner.
—1723, 1828, 1834.
Friends are advised to be very cautious in chang
ing their places of residence : it having been ob
served that the dissolving of old, and the forming
of new connections, have in many instances been

CERTIFICATES. 31
attended with effects prejudicial to a growth in the
Truth and the service thereof, both in the heads and
younger branches of families. We therefore recom
mend to all, that on these occasions a strict attention
be paid to the pointings of Divine Wisdom; and
that before any determine to change their places of
abode, they consult with their experienced fellow-
members.— 1719, 1769.
All Friends removing out of the limits of their
Monthly Meetings, whether for continuance or for
a considerable length of time, are advised to apply
to their respective meetings for certificates, directed
to those within which they propose to sojourn or
settle. But if any, not duly attentive to this advice,
shall remove without so applying, the Monthly Meet
ings of which they are members, after the usual in
quiry made, and no obstruction appearing, should
send certificates for them to the Monthly Meetings
within which they are removed, and that without
improper delay ; but if their conduct requires their
being dealt with, and the distance is such as to be
inconvenient for the meeting they have removed
from, the Monthly Meeting within which they are,
should be requested to treat with him or her there
on, and report the effect of its care. On which, if
it proves satisfactory, a certificate of recommenda
tion or removal may be ordered ; but if otherwise,
and a testimony of disunion is issued, the meeting
within which he or she resides should be furnished
with a copy thereof, to be delivered to the party,
with information of their right of appeal. — 1806.

32 CERTIFICATES.
Where apprentices or persons under age are under
a necessity of going from one place to another, their
parents or guardians, masters or mistresses, should
apply for certificates for them, recommending them
to the care and oversight of the Monthly Meetings
whereto they remove. — 1744, 1783.
If any person appearing as a Friend, come within
the compass of a Monthly Meeting, not being recom
mended by certificate, and be of disorderly conduct,
the overseers, or other concerned Friends, should
inquire whether or not he or she is a member of our
Society, and, if they prove so to be, admonish them,
or, if the occasion require it, report the case to the
Preparative, and from thence to the Monthly Meet
ing, which should thereupon inform the Monthly
Meeting of which he or she is a member, of the cir
cumstance, and take the direction of the said meeting
for dealing further with them, according to our rules
in cases of that nature.
It is recommended that Monthly Meetings, as way
may open, appoint two or more Friends to visit
such who come recommended by certificate to settle
amongst them.
Monthly Meetings are advised to take due care
that certificates of removal be seasonably forwarded
by suitable conveyances to the Monthly Meetings to
which they are directed, they being the exclusive
property of such meetings. — 1800.
When a Monthly Meeting is engaged to prepare a
certificate on account of the removal of any Friend,
to reside within the limits of another Monthly Meet-

CERTIFICATES. 33
ing, careful inquiry should be made by a committee
appointed for the purpose, respecting the settlement
of his or her affairs, and also, if single, concerning
their situation in relation to marriage engagements,
and if a satisfactory clearness is so far ascertained
that the circumstances of the party do not form any
impediment to the granting a certificate, it should
state that, on inquiry, no obstruction appeared to the
recommending him or her to the Christian care of
the meeting within whose limits they are removed. —
1818, 1834.
When a certificate of removal, addressed to a
Monthly Meeting, is produced therein, and it is
known that the person or persons recommended re
side within the limits thereof, the certificate should
be considered as accepted, and the parties members
of that meeting. But if it should appear that the
conduct of them, or any of them, requires their being
dealt with, the certificate should be returned to the
meeting which granted it.— 1816, 1834, 1893.
Monthly Meetings are at liberty to receive certifi
cates from, or send certificates to Monthly Meetings
belonging to any of the bodies under our name, whose
right to be regarded as co-ordinate branches of the
Society of Friends has not been adversely determined
by the Yearly Meeting — Provided there is no obstruc
tion on other grounds.
When any of our Monthly Meetings have reliable
information that the sanction of a Monthly Meeting
out of our limits is given to teachings and practices
seriously at variance with our profession, they are
3

34 CERTIFICATES.
instructed to consider such defection as a, sufficient
obstruction to sending or receiving certificates of re
moval to or from such meeting — until the cause of
obstruction is removed.
If, however, certificates of removal coming from
such a meeting shall recommend as members, persons
whose life and conversation appear to be consistent
with our religious profession, Monthly Meetings are
at liberty to receive such persons, if, on solid con
sideration, the defection of the meeting granting the
certificate shall appear to be the only obstruction.
In the case of persons coming among us, and de
siring to be joined to us in membership, who have
not been able to procure certificates of removal be
cause the Yearly Meeting to which they belonged
was not in correspondence with Philadelphia Yearly
Meeting, Monthly Meetings are at liberty to receive
such who may apply for admission, on the ground
of convincement of our principles ; such cases to be
treated in the same manner as of those who are not
members of the Society of Friends.
When a certificate of removal is received for a
person in the station of minister, from a meeting out
side of our Yearly Meeting, such person should be
received as a member only, and is not to be considered
a member of the Meeting of Ministers and Elders
until his or her gift has been acknowledged among
us in the manner laid down by our discipline. — 1887.

CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 35

CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

Liberty of conscience being the common right of
all men, and particularly essential to the well-being
of religious societies, we hold it to be indispensably
incumbent upon us to maintain it inviolably among
ourselves : and therefore advise and exhort all in pro
fession with us to decline the acceptance of any office
or station in civil government, the duties of which are
inconsistent with our religious principles, or in the
exercise of which they may be, or think themselves
to be, under the necessity of exacting of their brethren
any compliances against which we are conscientiously
scrupulous. And if anj1 persons in membership with
us, notwithstanding this advice, shall persist in a
conduct so reverse to our principles and religious
liberty, it is the sense of this meeting that they be
treated with as in other cases of offence, and if they
are not brought to see and acknowledge their error,
that the Monthly Meetings to which they belong
should proceed to testify our disunity with them. —
1710, 1762.
It is also the sense and judgment of this meeting,
that Friends ought not, in any wise, to be active or
accessory in electing, or promoting to be elected,
their brethren to such offices or stations in civil gov
ernment, the execution whereof tends to lay waste
our Christian testimony, or subject their brethren or

36 CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
others to sufferings on account of their conscientious
scruples. — 1762. See Oaths.
Believing that we are called to show forth to the
world, in life and practice, that the blessed reign of
the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, is begun, and, we
doubt not, will proceed till it attains its completion
in the earth, when, according to the prophecies of
Isaiah and Micah, " Nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they learn war any
more." Influenced by these principles, we cannot
consistently join with such as form combinations of
a hostile nature against any, especially in opposition
to those placed in sovereign or subordinate author
ity, nor can we unite with or encourage such as revile
or asperse them. — 1762. See Oaths.

CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 37

CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION.

Whatever exercises we may meet with on account
of a faithful testimony to the Truth, in all godliness
of life and conduct, and to the end that we may not
faint in our minds, let us consider the Captain of
our salvation, who endured the contradiction of sin
ners, bearing his cross and despising the shame, and
is now set down on the right hand of God, where He
continually maketh intercession for us, that following
Him and under his banner, fighting the good fight of
faith, we may finally obtain the crown of righteous
ness which fadeth not away. — 1694.
It is directed that if there should be any in mem
bership with us who are guilty of lying, swearing,
cursing, men and women unlawfully or in an un
seemly manner keeping company with each other, or
any other scandalous practice, that they be speedily
dealt with ; and where any are guilty of any gross
or notorious crime, or such other disorderly or inde
cent practices as shall occasion public scandal, they
should also, if practicable, be dealt with without de
lay by the overseers or other concerned Friends, and
if they are brought to a sense thereof, such offenders
ought, without improper delay, to remove the scan
dal, and, as much as in them lies, clear our holy pro
fession therefrom, by acknowledging the offence and
condemning the same in writing under their hand,
to the satisfaction of the Monthly Meeting whereto

38 CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION.
they belong. And where any such offender does not
so acknowledge and condemn the fault, or has gone
off to parts so remote or unknown as to render it
very difficult or impracticable for the overseers to
treat with him or her, the case should be early rep
resented to the Monthly Meeting, that diligent care
and exertion may be used to manifest our entire dis
approbation of all such disgraceful conduct, and when
ever it shall appear seasonable, that a testimony be
issued for the clearing our religious Society from the
reproach thereof— 1719, 1834.
If any in membership with us do countenance or
promote any noisy gatherings or tumults, they should
be speedily dealt with as disorderly persons, and if
they are not brought to a due sense of their error,
disowned. — 1726. See Spirituous Liquors.
If any belonging to our Society shall blaspheme or
speak profanely of Almighty God, Christ Jesus, or
the Holy Spirit, or shall deny the divinity, mediation
or atonement of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
the immediate revelation of the Holy Spirit, or the
authenticity and divine inspiration of the Holy Scrip
tures, or print, publish or spread any work tending
to lay waste a belief in these important Christian
principles, as it is manifest they are not one in faith
with us, the Monthly Meeting where the party be
longs should extend due care for the convincement
of his or her understanding and right restoration, but
if this be without effect, it should issue a testimony
against them.— 1806, 1834.
By the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ without us,
He hath reconciled us to God, even while we are

CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 39
enemies ; that is, He offers reconciliation unto us and
puts us into a capacity of being reconciled ; and we,
truly repenting and believing, are, through the mercy
of God, justified from the imputation of sins and
transgressions that are past, as though they had never
been committed, and, by the mighty work of Christ
within us, the power, nature and habits of sin are de
stroyed ; that, as sin once reigned unto death, even
so now grace reigneth through righteousness unto
eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord. — 1834.
It is the earnest concern of this meeting, that, in
all our dealings and transactions among men strict
justice may be observed, and that no motives of pecu
niary interest may induce any of our members to
impose on each other, or on others; and it is desired
that Monthly Meetings may be careful to extend
suitable admonition against aepirit of covetousness,
and where there is any deviation from strict justice
in any of our members, that they be dealt with as for
any other breach of our Discipline. — 1778, 1834.
Frequent waiting in stillness on the Lord for the
renewal of strength, keeps the mind at home in its
proper place and duty, and out of all unprofitable
association and converse, whether amongst those of
our own or other professions. Much hurt may accrue
to the religious mind by long and frequent conversa
tion on temporal matters, especially by interesting
ourselves unnecessarily in them, for there is a leaven
in that propensity, which, being suffered to prevail,
indisposes and benumbs the soul, and prevents its
frequent ascendings in living aspirations towards the
Fountain of eternal life. — 1796.

40 CONVINCED PERSONS.

CONVINCED PERSONS.

It is concluded that the following order be ob
served respecting persons who apply for admittance
into membership and request to come under the care
of Friends. — That they apply to the overseers or
elders, who, when they are easy so to do, are to lay
it before the Preparative Meeting, and after that
meeting is fully satisfied, by paying a solid visit or
otherwise, they are to lay the case before the Monthly
Meeting ; which meeting shall appoint some suitable
Friends to inquire into the person's life and conduct,
and also to take a solid opportunity of conference
with the party, in order the better to understand
whether his or her motives for such request be sin
cere, and on the ground of true convincement of our
religious principles, doctrines and testimonies ; and
make report of their sense of the person's state of
mind; on which, if the meeting is satisfied of his or
her fitness for membership, a minute should be made
signifying the acceptance of such into membership,
and appointing a Friend or two to acquaint the per
son thereof, requesting his or her attendance at the
next Monthly Meeting.— 1796, 1834.
In the cases of persons who have never been mem
bers of our religious Society, but who have been
convinced of our principles and are desirous of being
received into membership, but whose residence is
remote from the meetings of Friends, the Monthly

CONVINCED PERSONS. 41
Meeting to which such application shall be made
shall be authorized to act upon them in the same
manner as if the residence of the individuals was con
tiguous to that meeting, and to judge of each case
according to the rules of our discipline. — 1883.
Applications to be received into membership by
persons residing on or near the Allegheny Indian
Reservation, and which shall be forwarded by the
Committee for the Improvement and Civilization
of the Indian Natives, are to be referred to the
Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia, to be
judged of and acted upon by that meeting in accord
ance with the discipline and usages of our Society as
in cases of application for membership arising within
the usual limits of that Monthly Meeting.
The said Monthly Meeting is at liberty to receive
certificates of removal for Friends from other neigh
borhoods residing in that locality, who now are or
who hereafter may be under the care of the Indian
Committee.— 1882.
In all cases Friends are exhorted to attend carefully
to the advice of the apostle, " Lay hands suddenly
on no man ;" the neglect of such caution having often
been injurious both to the individuals and to the So
ciety — to them, by settling them in a false rest ; and
to the Society by adding to its numbers, without
increasing its joy. — 1806.
Wherefore we desire that on every application of
persons to be received into membership with us,
Monthly Meetings may be deep and weighty in their
deliberations and result, and when united in believ-

42 CONVINCED PERSONS.
ing that the applicants are clearly convinced of our
religious principles, and in a good degree subject to
the Divine Witness in their own hearts, manifested
by a circumspect life and conduct, said meetings are
at liberty to receive such into membership, without
respect to nation or color. — 1796.

CORRESPONDENTS. 43

CORRESPONDENTS.

Each Monthly Meeting shall appoint a suitable
Friend to act as correspondent, whose duty it will be
to sign, in addition to the clerk, all minutes or other
documents to go beyond the limits of its own Quar
terly Meeting. All certificates of removal or on
account of marriage, intended for a Monthly Meet
ing, should be sent to the correspondent of such
Monthly Meeting, to be delivered by him to the
meeting in due season.
In case of the death of this Friend, or other un
avoidable cause of delay, the signature of the corre
spondent of another Monthly Meeting within the
limits of the same Quarterly Meeting is to be obtained.
The name, with the post office address of the Friend
so appointed, is to be sent to the next Quarterly
Meeting, to be forwarded by it to the Yearly Meet
ing. The different Monthly Meetings are to be careful
to promptly fill any vacancy that may occur in this
appointment. A correct list of the correspondents, with their
post office addresses, should be attached each year to
the printed extracts from the minutes of the Yearly
Meeting.— 1893.

44 DAYS AND TIMES.

DAYS AND TIMES.

Advised that Friends be exemplary in keeping to
our ancient testimony against the superstitious ob
servation of days ; and to the simplicity of Truth in
calling the days and months by Scripture names, and
not by those of the heathen.— 1691-1697.
Some reasons for not observing fasts and feast-days
and times, and other human injunctions and institu
tions relative to the worship of God :
Ever since we were a people we have had a testi
mony against formal worship ; being convinced by
the precepts of our Lord Jesus Christ, the testimonies
of his apostles, and our own experience, that the
worship and prayers which God accepts are such only
as are produced by the influence and assistance of his
Holy Spirit. We cannot, therefore, consistently
unite with any in the observation of public fasts,
feasts, and what they term holy days, or such injunc
tions and forms as are devised in man's will for
divine worship. The dispensation to which outward
observations were peculiar, having long since given
place to the spiritual dispensation of the gospel, we
believe the fast we are now called to is not the bow
ing of the head, like a bulrush, for a day, but an
universal and continual fasting and refraining from
everything which has a tendency to defile the soul, and
unfit it for becoming the temple of the Holy Ghost,
according to the injunctions of Christ to his primitive

DAYS AND TIMES. 45
disciples, " If any man will come after me, let him
deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow
me." Luke ix : 23. — " Watch ye, therefore, and
pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to
escape all these things that shall come to pass, and
to stand before the Son of man." Luke xxi : 36.
That the primitive believers saw an end to these
shadows of good things, by coming to Him in whom
all figures and shadows end, is evident by the words
of the Apostle Paul : " For Christ," said he, " is
the end of the law for righteousness to every one
that believeth." Rom. x : 4. — " But now hath He
obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much
also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which
wTas established upon better promises." Heb. viii : 6.
And the same apostle thus expostulated with some,
who it appears had fallen from the true faith in these
respects : " But now, after that ye have known God,
or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to
the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire
again to be in bondage. Ye observe days, and months,
and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have
bestowed upon you labor in vain." Gal. iv : 9-11. —
1759. As we do not find any ground in Scripture for it,
we cannot be so superstitious as to believe that either
the Jewish sabbath now continues, or that the first
day of the week is the anti-type thereof, or the true
Christian sabbath, which we believe has a more
spiritual sense and signification ; and therefore we
know no moral obligation by the fourth command,

46 DAYS AND TIMES.
to keep the first day of the week more than any
other, or that there is any holiness inherent in it,
but that under the Christian dispensation all days
are to be regarded as alike holy. Nevertheless, as
we believe the apostles and primitive Christians did
meet on this day to worship God, so we, following
their example, do the like, and forbear working or
engaging in our worldly affairs upon that day. Works
of charity or Christian benevolence, such as visiting
and administering to the sick and afflicted, or occa
sions of unavoidable necessity may sometimes inter
fere with, or occasion a deviation from the -strict
adherence to the uses and services to which this clay
is specially appropriated; yet it is our continued con
cern affectionately to recommend to all our members
that abstaining from bodily labor on that day, they
observe and regard it as a day which by the generality
of Christians is peculiarly set apart for religious re
tirement and the performance of public worship to
Almighty God.— 1834, 1893.
Being well assured that the edifying practice of
frequently collecting our children and families, in
order for religious retirement, would be promotive
of essential benefit, Friends are exhorted to seek
after a right qualification, under which they may be
enabled to maintain it, especially in the afternoon of
the first day of the week, in such places where meet
ings for public worship are not held at that time; the
due discharge of which duty, and solidly reading the
Holy Scriptures and other religious books, with a
steady, watchful care over our young people, to dis-

DAYS AND TIMES. 47
courage their visiting and rambling about on that
day, and mixing with unprofitable company at this
and at other times, would, under the Divine blessing,
be a means of their preservation out of many ensnar
ing temptations to which they are liable. — 1834.

48 DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION.

DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION.

Friends everywhere are exhorted to maintain a
strict watch over themselves and each other, against
the subtle and mischievous spirit of tale-bearing and
detraction, the manifest tendency of which is to lay
waste the unity of the body, by sowing the seeds of
disesteem, strife and discord among brethren and
neighbors ; as well as to unfi t those who either prop
agate or listen to evil reports, for being of that service
to the persons reflected upon, which they might be,
if the order prescribed by our blessed Lord to his
church was strictly observed, viz : " If thy brother
shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault
between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee,
thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not
hear thee, then take with thee one or two more,
that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every
word may be established. And if he shall neglect
to hear them, tell it unto the church : but if he neglect
to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen
man and a publican." Matt, xviii: 15-17. — 1719,
1806. It is therefore advised, that in whomsoever this
weakness appears, it maybe immediately checked;
and if any one gives way to it, to the obvious injury
of another's reputation or interest, let him or her be
faithfully admonished, and if they cannot be prevailed
with to make such acknowledgment of their error as

DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION. 49
shall be satisfactory to the Monthly Meeting, they are
to be further dealt with; when, if this produce not
the desired effect, they should be testified against. —
1806, 1834.
If any member who offends in this respect, shelters
him or herself under a pretence that they say no
more than they have heard from others, yet will not
discover who they are, such reporters or tale-bearers
should in like manner be dealt with, and testified
against as being themselves the authors. — 1806.

50 DISCIPLINE,, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.

DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCI
PLINE.

The institution of our meetings for discipline hav
ing, on experience, been found very beneficial, it is.
earnestly recommended they be maintained in the
authority wherein they were established : it being
evident, where any have been negligent, in attending.
them, or opposed to their usefulness, that carnality
and spiritual death have been the consequence. —
1701. The connection and subordination of our meetings
for discipline are thus : Preparative Meetings are
accountable to the Monthly; Month]}' to the Quar
terly; and the Quarterly to the Yearly Meeting. So
that, if the Yearly Meeting be at any time dissatisfied
with the proceedings of any inferior meeting; or a
Quarterly Meeting with the proceedings of either of
its Monthly Meetings ; or a Monthly Meeting with
the proceedings of either of its Preparative Meetings,
such meeting or meetings are, with readiness and
meekness, to render an account thereof when re
quired, and submit to the judgment and decision of
its respective superior meeting. — 1719, 1834. See
Appeals. No Quarterly Meeting shall be set up or instituted
without the consent and approbation of the Yearly
Meeting, no Monthly Meeting, without the consent
and approbation of the Quarterly Meeting, no Pre-

DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 51
parative Meeting for business, nor meeting for wor
ship, until united wifh by the Monthly Meeting;
after which the consent and approbation of the Quar
terly Meeting is also to be obtained. — 1719, 1834.
If at any time the Yearly Meeting shall judge it
right and expedient to lay down or dissolve any of
its Quarterly Meetings, and join the Monthly and
other meetings thereof to another Quarterly Meeting,
the said meetings are with readiness, to submit to
such decision and junction. — 1834.
And if any Quarterly Meeting shall, upon deliberate
consideration, judge it is right and expedient to lay
down or dissolve any of the Monthly or Preparative
Meetings belonging thereto, and join the members
thereof to another of its Monthly or Preparative
Meetings, it is authorized so to do, and the members
of those dissolved meetings are to be accepted and
recognized as under the care of the said meetings to
which they are joined. — 1834.
And if any Monthly Meeting should, upon deliber
ate, weighty consideration, conclude that any of the
Preparative Meetings belonging thereto had better
be dissolved, and the members joined to another Pre
parative Meeting within its limits, or that any of its
meetings for worship should be laid down or discon
tinued, it has the right to state its sense and judgment
to the Quarterly Meeting, and when the concurrence
thereof is obtained, the proposed dissolution, junction
and discontinuance is to take effect. — 1834.
; Wheresoever it appears that Monthly Meetings,
through the smallness of their numbers, or the want

52 DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
of sufficient qualification for the due maintenance of
the discipline, are under difficulty in fulfilling the
various obligations devolved upon them, it is recom
mended that they claim the sympathy and brotherly
care of their respective Quarterly Meetings, which
should appoint committees to be so incorporated with
Monthly Meetings as to render the needful assistance
in transacting their business, and in treating with
offenders in order to their right restoration ; or where
the labor is ineffectual, that judgment may be placed
upon them in the authority of Truth. This extension
of aid to continue until the Quarterly Meeting shall
judge that a different arrangement is requisite. — 1828.
The necessity of continually maintaining the con
nection and due subordination of meetings having
always, with much solicitude and care, been enjoined
as indispensably obligatory upon all our members in
their several places and stations; it is therefore the
concern of this meeting renewedly to declare that it
is repugnant to the harmony and subversive of the
order of our religious Society, for any Preparative or
Monthly Meeting to assume any right or to attempt
to dissolve its connection with its respective Monthly
or Quarterly Meeting to which it has regularly be
longed. No Preparative Meeting can, therefore,
transfer its subjection or join itself to any other
Monthly Meeting, nor any Monthly Meeting to any
other Quarterly Meeting, than those of which they
are a constituent part : but if at any time it should
be evident that it would be more convenient, or tend
to the promotion of the cause of Truth, for the mem-

DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 53
bers of any Preparative Meeting to become a branch
of any other Monthly Meeting, or a Monthly Meet
ing to be placed under the care and jurisdiction of a
different Quarterly Meeting than the one they belong
to, the said Preparative or Monthly Meeting so situ
ated, is to make application to, and by minute of the
Monthly Meeting, clearly represent the case to its
respective Quarterly Meeting, and if there approved,
the said Preparative Meeting may be transferred to
such Monthly Meeting as may be designated, within
the limits of the said Quarter; but if the proposal
of either a Preparative or Monthly Meeting extends
to and is comprehended within the limits of a differ
ent Quarterly Meeting, the Quarterly Meeting where
those subordinate meetings belong, after carefully con
sidering the said application, and concurring there
with, is to consult the Quarterly Meeting proposed
to be united to, and when it is there also approved,
the contemplated change and junction may be finally
settled.— 1834.
In case of the dissolution of any Preparative,
Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, all rights of property
which were vested in such meeting shall pass to the
meeting of Friends to which the members of the
meeting so dissolved or laid down shall be transferred
and joined by the superior meeting. And all the
powers of management, sale and disposition over any
real estate, together with the appointment of new
trustees to hold the legal title thereto, previously
vested in or exercised by such meeting so dissolved
and laid down, shall thereafter be exercised by the

54 DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
said meeting to which the members may be trans
ferred and attached ; care being taken to see that there
are no legal difficulties in the way, and that, if any
appear, the advice of the Meeting for Sufferings be
taken.— 1893.
No meeting for worship, intended to consist of
Friends belonging to two or more Monthly Meetings;
shall be set up until the proposal be offered to and
approved by both those Monthly Meetings, and the
consent of their respective Quarterly Meeting or
Meetings be obtained. When the meeting proposed
is opened, it should be attended by a few solid
Friends, deputed by each of the said Monthly Meet
ings. And if at any time it is thought expedient that
a Preparative Meeting should be held at the same
place, the consent of the said Monthly and Quarterly
Meetings should be, in like manner, applied for and
obtained ; and the said Preparative Meeting should
be annexed to either one or the other of those
Monthly Meetings, as may be most likely to conduce
to the benefit of the individuals who compose it and
the advantage of our religious Society. — 1806.
It is directed that a book be provided by every
Monthly and Quarterly Meeting, and fair minutes be
kept therein of all matters which shall come before
and be determined by them. Monthly Meetings par
ticularly, are advised to attend to and finish all such
business with care and dispatch, that it may at no
time suffer by improper delay. And if any case under
consideration proves too weighty or difficult for them
to determine, they should apply to their respective

55
Quarterly Meetings for assistance, or if the circum
stances are such as to require it, refer it thereto by
minute. — 1719.
It is the sense of this Meeting, as a general rule in
all eases, that where any Monthly or Quarterly Meet
ing has occasion for, and requests copies of any of the
papers, minutes or records of another Monthly or
Quarterly Meeting, the same may accordingly be
granted.— 1705, 1719.
Where any difference happens among Friends,
and the same be entered in any Monthly or Quarterly
Meeting book, it is agreed, that if the parties, or
either of them, think that copies of such entries
may be useful and necessary for them, and request
the same, such Monthly and Quarterly Meetings shall
have a discretional power to give or refuse such
copies, according to the circumstances and motives
attending. — 1710.
It is agreed that at least two men and two women
Friends be appointed in each of their respective
Monthly Meetings as representatives to attend the
service of the Quarterly Meeting with such reports
in writing, signed by their clerks, as may be given
them in charge ; also, that each Quarterly Meeting
appoint a suitable number of judicious Friends as its
representatives, (which are not to amount to more
than would be in the proportion of three of each sex
to each Monthly Meeting;) to attend the Yearly
Meeting witli the reports and such other written
documents as may be specially confided to their care.
—1719, 1834.

56 DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
It is earnestly advised and desired that all Friends
who submit to these, or any other services of Society,
may be punctual in their attendance thereon, or, if
prevented by sickness or any other unavoidable oc
currence, that they be careful to send information
thereof; also, that those who are under appointments
to meetings do not withdraw therefrom before the
conclusion, without obtaining the meeting's consent.
—1719. When proposals of marriage are made, if any near
relations of the parties (who are not in membership)
are permitted to be present, they should withdraw
before the meeting proceeds to any other business. —
1755. If a member under dealing removes into the com
pass of another Monthly Meeting, or if, previous to
or after such removal, the conduct of him or her has
been such as to require their being dealt with, and
their residence being at so great a distance as to ren
der it inconvenient for the Monthly Meeting to which
they belong, it should, by minute, request that into
which they are removed, to treat with them accord
ing to our rules and to report the effect of its care;
when, if it is satisfactory, the party should be recom
mended by certificate ; or if otherwise, and a testi
mony of denial is issued, a copy thereof should be
sent to the Monthly Meeting within the limits of
which he or she resides, and that meeting is to ap
point two or more Friends to give them a copy of
the said testimony, and inform them of their right of
appeal. — 1806.

DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 57
If the individual is a female, the women's Monthly
Meeting is, by minute, to transmit to the Monthly
Meeting of women Friends within the limits of which
the person resides, clear information of the state of
the case, and request its care in dealing with her on
their behalf, and when the Monthly Meeting removed
from has received a report of the effect of this labor,
they are then to give due information thereof to their
respective men's Monthly Meeting, in order that the
business may be finished as before directed. — 1834.
After a charge against a member is, by the Pre
parative Meeting, concluded to be taken to the
Monthly Meeting, he or she should not be permitted
to sit in any of our meetings for discipline, till the
case is issued to the satisfaction of the Monthly Meet-
ing.— 1834.
In all cases thus introduced from the Preparative
to the Monthly Meeting, a committee should be ap
pointed to deal with the offender, in order to the
convincement of his or her understanding and right
restoration ; and if, in the prosecution of the service,
it should come to the knowledge of the committee,
that there has been any other violation of our testi
mony and discipline than is stated in the minute of
the Preparative Meeting, they should treat with the
individual thereon, and make report accordingly to
the next succeeding Monthly Meeting, and of the
effect of their labor : their report, or the substance
of it, is then to be entered upon the minutes, and if
a ground of hope is furnished that further dealing
may be beneficial, the case should be continued ; but

58 DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
whenever the meeting, after deliberate, weighty con
sideration, is satisfied that a continued extension of
care and labor would be unavailing, and that the due
maintenance of the discipline requires the case to be
issued, the committee, or such other Friends as may
be judged proper, are to be appointed to prepare a
testimony of disownment, to be produced at the next
Monthly Meeting for its approbation. And in all
cases when a minute or testimony of disunion against
a member has been produced and approved in a
Monthly Meeting, endeavors should be used that the
individual be furnished with a copy thereof, and with
notification of his or her right of appeal. — 1834, 1893.
' It is advised, that where any transgress the rules
of our discipline, they may, without partiality, be
admonished and sought in the spirit of love and di
vine charity, so that it may be seen by all, that the re
storing spirit of meekness and Christian love abounds,
before church censure takes place, and that a gospel
spirit is the spring and motive to all our perform
ances, as well in discipline as in worship. — 1746 to
1770. It is earnestly recommended, that in conducting
the affairs of the church, we ever bear in mind, that
as it is theLord's work, Friends should humbly and
reverently endeavor to manage them in the peace
able spirit and wisdom of Jesus, with decency, for
bearance, and love to each other.
As to the rights of children, who-e parents have
been married contrary to the rules of our discipline;
it is agreed that where either of those parents remain

DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 59
out of membership, their children should not be
esteemed members, till application for their admis
sion is made either by themselves, or by their parent,
parents or guardians, on their behalf, and the Monthly
Meeting applied to, on a solid consideration of the
case, is easy to admit them, or any of them. — 1762,
1782. All children born of parents who have been mar
ried according to our rules, and only one of them
afterwards disowned; and such children as are born
after their parents have both become members, and
only one of them subsequently disowned, are to be
considered as in membership with us; but where
persons who have accomplished their marriage in our
meetings have both become disowned, their offspring,
born after this event, are not to be considered as
having a right among us, unless those parents shall
have become reinstated, and both be in membership
at the time of the birth of any such child : but if ap
plication is made for the admission of any of their
Children, the Monthly Meeting, on solid consideration
of the case, feeling easy therewith, is at liberty to
admit them, or any of them.— 1762, 1806, 1834.
If any member of our religious Society shall apply
to those called jugglers or fortune-tellers, or those
who by color of any art or skill whatsoever, pretend
to a knowledge of future events, hidden transactions,
6r where things lost or stolen may be found ; or if
any of our members shall use, or pretend to such art
or skill, it is advised that they be speedily dealt with;
and if they do not manifest a due sense of their evil

60 DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
conduct, and condemn the same, that they be testi
fied against. — 1723.
It appearing by the minutes of the Meeting for
Sufferings, that on inspection of some of the accounts
of sufferings sent np by the Quarterly Meetings, con
siderable difficulty has been occasioned by those ac
counts not expressing, with sufficient clearness, what
the sufferings mentioned were for : it is now desired,
that the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings may in
future leave out of their reports, any instances which
do not appear to be clearly consistent with the sense
of this Yearly Meeting ; and that they continue to
collect and send up their accounts of sufferings an
nually as heretofore directed. — 1784.
A committee should be annually appointed in each
of our Quarterly and Monthly Meetings, for the nomi
nation of clerks ; which may afford opportunity for
their being seasonably changed, and more of our
qualified members exercised in those services. — 1796.
The love, power, and peaceable spirit of the Lord
Jesus Christ, being the alone true authority of all
our meetings, it is the fervent concern of this Meet
ing, that they may be held under the sense and in
fluence of that holy unction. We affectionately re
commend, that in making appointments in meetings
for discipline, care may be taken to judge of the
qualifications of those who are employed in the
church. The more we experience a preparation of heart for
the exercise of our respective gifts, the more amply
shall we evince the expression of the tongue to be

DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 61
seasoned with that living virtue and divine power, „
which proceeds from our Holy Head ; and thus in
conducting the important concerns pf Society, we
shall be enabled to example the beloved youth in a
manner which will demonstrate to them, that neither
tradition nor a mere outward education, can fitly
prepare them for successors in the church of Christ.
In some places there may have been a want of
care, rightly to distinguish and seasonably to bring
into action, the talents bestowed upon some in the
early stage of life ; but we believe, that many who
were evidently under the forming hand, have been
suddenly laid hold of, and introduced into service,
before that preparation of heart hath been sufficiently
experienced, which leads to a reliance upon Divine
direction, and redeems from a confidence in the nat
ural understanding : it is therefore desired, that by
a just discrimination of times and seasons, and of the
qualifications bestowed, every gift may be rightly
exercised, and a succession of useful members pre
served in every rank in the church.
We are concerned that the management of our
Christian discipline be not committed to hands un
clean ; particularly of such who allow or connive at
undue liberties in their own children or families.
" If a man," said the apostle, " know not how to
rule his own house, how shall he take care of the
church of God? "—1795.
Dear Friends, be patient in the exercise of your
gifts and services, and take no offence at any time,
because what seems to be clear to you is not presently

62 DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
received by others ; let all things in the church be
propounded with an awful reverence of Him that is
the head and life of it; who said, " Where two or
three are gathered together in my name, there am I
in the midst of them." Therefore, let all beware of
their own spirits, and keep in a gracious temper, that
so they may be fitted for the service of the house of
God, whose house we are, if we keep upon the foun
dation that God hath laid; and such He will build
up, and teach how to build up one another in Hiffi^
And as every member must feel life in himself, and
all from one Head, this life will not hurt itself in any,
but be tender of itself in all ; for by this one life of
the Word, ye were begotten, and by it ye are nour
ished, and made to grow into your several services in
the church of God. It is no man's learning, nor
artificial acquirements; it is no man's riches, nor
greatness in this world ; it is no man's eloquence nor
natural wisdom, that makes him fit for government
in the church of Christ : all his endowments must be
seasoned with the heavenly salt, his spirit be sub
jected, and his gifts pass through the fire of God's
altar, a sacrifice to his praise and honor, that so self
being baptized into death, the gifts may be used in
the power of the resurrection of the life of Jesus in
him. As the use and design of Preparative Meetings is
in general to digest and prepare business as occasion
may require, which may be proper to be laid before
the Monthly Meeting, Friends should be careful
therein, not to occasion unnecessary delays, or under-

DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 63
take to decide on any business which claims atten
tion and care in Monthly Meetings. When cases are
agreed to be carried forward, they should be entered
in writing, and some suitable Friend or Friends
named to produce them to the Monthly Meetings;
and such notes thereof should be careralby preserved
by clerks of Preparative Meetings, as to said meet
ings may appear useful and right. But no Prepara
tive Meeting shall take cognizance of proposals of mar
riage, this being exclusively the business of Monthly
Meetings.— 1796.
We believe there are seasons wherein the Master,
were we sufficiently watchful for his coming, would
bring Monthly Meetings under a right concern to
seek the wanderers, and endeavor to draw them from
an inordinate love and pursuit of the world, to sit
down with their friends to worship the God of their
lives, in Spirit and in Truth. In this way those who
water should be watered themselves, and a united
travail for the Lord's honor, and the growth of the
church in the life and power of godliness, would more
abound in our borders. — 1859.
In all cases of the descendants of those who separ
ated from our religious Society in the year 1827, who
have not been dealt with and disowned, and who do
not attend our religious meetings, it shall be a suffi
cient discharge of the duty of the Monthly Meeting
to which they belong, in treating with them, to give
to each one information of his or her existing right
of membership, and that if they desire to retain such
right, and intend renewing their connection with the

64 DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
Society, by attending its meetings, they must so in
form the Monthly Meeting, or its overseers, within
one year from the date of the information thus fur
nished them.
In the event of any such person so notified, not
giving the Monthly Meeting or its overseers, the in
formation required within the time specified, the
Monthly Meeting, (if it feel itself clear in the case,)
may make a record of the facts, and that such indi
vidual has thus forfeited all claim to a right of mem
bership in the religious Society of Friends.
Where the residence of any of the descendants of
those who separated from our religious Society in
1827, is unknown, and from this, or any other cir
cumstance, such have passed out of the knowledge
of the Friends of the Monthly Meeting to which they
belong, and the overseers of the meeting find it very
difficult or impracticable to communicate with them,
they may represent the case to the Monthly Meeting,
which, at its discretion, may either appoint a com
mittee to give further attention to the case, or make
a minute reciting the circumstances, and declaring
that the individual no longer retains a right of mem
bership in our religious Society.
Should any person thus ceasing to be a member
of our religious Society, afterwards apply to the
Monthly Meeting of which he or she had been a
member to be received into membership, and the
meeting after careful inquiry, believe him or her to
be prepared for religious fellowship with Friends, he
or she may be received into the Society without any

DONATIONS, BEQUESTS, ETC. 65
acknowledgment being required for former associa
tion as a member with those who separated in 1827.
The right of membership in our religious Society,
acquired by birth, shall not attach to the offspring of
the descendants of those who separated from the So
ciety in 1827, born after the present time, unless the
parents of such shall have been reinstated. — 1869.
When the parents of an infant are members of dif
ferent Monthly Meetings at the time of its birth, the
child is to be recorded as a member of the Monthly
Meeting to which the mother then belonged. — 1879.
The same rule to apply in the case of a child whose
parents are members of different Yearly Meetings. —
1893.

DONATIONS, BEQUESTS, &c.

Executors and trustees concerned in wills and
settlements, are enjoined to a faithful and punctual
discharge of their respective trusts, according to the
intent of the donors and testators; and both they
and the meetings concerned in any charitable gifts,
legacies or bequests, are to take special care that
these be not perverted or appropriated to any other
uses than such as the donors or testators have di
rected and enjoined by legal settlement, will, or testa
ment.— 1715, 1796, 1893.

66 FAMILY VISITS.

FAMILY VISITS.

As the visiting of Friends in their families in the
openings of heavenly wisdom, is a service which hath
often been blessed to the minds of the visitors and
visited, this meeting hath, from time to time, recom
mended it to the solid attention of Quarterly and
Monthly Meetings : and it is desired that concerns of
this nature may be tenderly cherished, and those
who are rightly exercised therein, encouraged to
move forward in due season, and in an humble de
pendence on the Shepherd of Israel, who not only
puts his own forth, but goes before and rewards all
who are faithful to his appointments, with the en
riching reward of sweet comfort and solid peace. —
1737, 1806.
If the concern of a Friend to visit the families of
a Monthly Meeting of which he or she is not a mem
ber, be laid before and approved by the Monthly
Meeting where he or she belongs, and a certificate
or minute thereof be granted, he or she, previously
to engaging in the visit, is to spread the concern be
fore the Monthly Meeting whose families are pro
posed to be visited; and when the concurrence thereof
is also obtained, the necessary care should be ex
tended to aid him or her in the performance thereof
This regulation is also to extend to such Friends as
may come from other parts on religious visits, to
meetings within the limits of this Yearly Meeting.
—1834.

GAMING AND DIVERSIONS, 67

GAMING AND DIVERSIONS.

As our time passeth swiftly away, and our delight
ought to be in the law of the Lord, it is advised that
a watchful care be exercised over our youth and
others, to prevent their going to stage-plays, horse
races, music, dancing or any such vain sports and
pastimes, and being concerned in lotteries, wagering
or other species of gaming.
And if any of our members fall into either of these
practices, and are not prevailed with by private labor
to decline them, the Monthly Meetings to which the
offenders belong should be informed thereof, and if
they be not reclaimed by further labor, so as to con
demn their misconduct to the satisfaction of the
meeting, it should proceed to testify our disunity
with them.— 1716 to 1773.
We would renewedly caution all our members
against indulging in music, or having instruments of
music in their houses, believing that the practice
tends to promote a light and vain mind, and to dis
qualify for the serious thoughtfulness which becomes
an accountable being hastening to his final reckon
ing. When we consider that our days pass swiftly
away, and that our time is one of the talents com
mitted to our trust, for the employment of which we
shall have to render an account in the day of judg
ment, it becomes us to be living as strangers and
pilgrims upon earth, seeking a better country, and to

68 GAMING AND DIVERSIONS.
be diligently using it for the great end for which it
is lent to us, even in working out the soul's salvation
in fear and trembling, and not in vain amusements
or corrupting pleasures, but striving that " whether
we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, we may do all
to the glory of God;" that " God in all things may be
glorified by us, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The spirit and language of the discipline forbid
the use of music by Friends, without any exception
in favor of that called sacred ; and in order to pro
duce harmonious action on this subject throughout
the subordinate meetings, the Yearly Meeting in
structs them that those members who indulge in the
use of music, or who have musical instruments in
their houses, bringthemselves within the application of
this second clause of the discipline above referred to,
viz : And if any of our members fall into either of
these practices, and are not prevailed with by private
labor to decline them, the Monthly Meetings to which
the offenders belong should be informed thereof, and
if they be not reclaimed by further labor, so as to
condemn their misconduct to the satisfaction of the
meeting, it should proceed to testify our disunity
with them.— 1873.

LAW. 69

LAW.

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

70 LOVE AND UNITY.

LOVE AND UNITY.

Our Lord Jesus Christ graciously instructed his
followers in the necessity of a strict adherence to his
sacred precepts, that growing up into Him in all
things, which is the Head, they might be a compact
body, edifying itself in love. " If ye keep my com
mandments, ye shall abide in my love." " This is my
commandment, that ye love one another as I have
loved you." It is therefore the judgment of this
meeting, that if any in membership with us should
so far lose the sense of the nature and operation of
Divine love, the bond of Christian brotherhood, as
to foment, encourage or promote division or separa
tion among us, or seek to beguile and draw away
any of the members from a due subjection to the
salutary order and discipline established in our reli
gious Society, they should be speedily treated with
without partiality, in order for their instruction and
recovery, and if they are not brought to such a sense
of their misconduct as to condemn the same, to the
satisfaction of the Monthly Meeting, they should be
testified against. — 1834.
It is advised, that where there is any appearance
of dissension and variance, or of unkind resentment
and shyness among our members, the parties be timely
and tenderly apprised of the danger to which they
thereby expose both themselves and others, and ear
nestly exhorted to mutual condescension and forgive-

LOVE AND UNITY. 71
ness, becoming the followers of Christ. And if any,
notwithstanding such endeavors for their help, con
tinue to manifest an implacable enmity to others, the
overseers or other solid Friends of the Preparative
or Monthly Meeting they belong to, should be' in
formed thereof, and labor further with them; when,
if they still prove inflexible, they ought to be testified
against as out of the unity of the body, the very end
of whose existence is the promotion of peace on earth
and good-will amongst men. — 1719, 1806.
We apprehend that one of the devices by which
the enemy of all good is seeking to increase the
weakness and degeneracy of our religious Society, is
to induce us to substitute a superficial unity and an
exterior appearance of love and kindness for that
true gospel love and fellowship into which those who
are fruit-bearing branches in Ghrist are baptized by
the one Eternal Spirit, and to set us at ease in this
state. Thus a door is opened for departures from
our Christian principles and testimonies, and the
blessed standard of Truth is lowered. — 1850.

72 MARRIAGES.

MARRIAGES.

Unity in religious belief, is essential to the full
enjoyment of the blessings of a married life, and to
that unrestrained confidence and sympathy between
parents and their children, which is so important for
their growth and settlement in the Truth. We be-
lieve also that when the Head of the Church led our
forefathers into an organization for their mutual help
and religious fellowship, He gave them to see that
this sympathy between husband and wife, in religious
belief and practice, is highly important to a body de
signed to uphold, not only doctrines more spiritual
than those generally held in the religious world, but
also the life which those doctrines call for, a life of
faithful obedience, in which alone a belief of the
doctrines themselves can be livingly retained and
their further unfoldings received.
He who is ready to supply all our needs and enable
us to fulfil his purposes, whose watchful eye is ever
upon his church and people, looks with tender re
gard upon all that relates to the marriage union.
He turns the hearts of parents to their children to
watch over their associations from early life. Those
who will listen to his voice He warns against form
ing unsuitable intimacies. He gives the encouraging
feeling of his approval where the affections are being
drawn as He would have them to be, and withholds
it where his gracious designs would be frustrated by

MARRIAGES. 73
the connection; and, where He sees meet, He pre
pares hearts to be joined in religious fellowship
before they enter upon a union in marriage. — 1881.
It is advised that all young and unmarried people
in membership with us, previously to their making
any procedure in order to marriage, do seriously
and humbly wait upon the Lord for his counsel and
direction in this important concern; and when fa
vored with satisfactory clearness therein, they should
early acquaint their parents or guardians with their
intentions, and wait for their consent ; thus preserva
tion from the dangerous bias of forward, brittle, and
uncertain affections would be experienced, to the real
benefit of the parties and the comfort of their friends.
And it is earnestly recommended to Friends, that
they tenderly and carefully watch over the youth, and
extend seasonable caution and admonition, as occa
sions may require. — 1682.
It is advised, that parents exercise a religious care
in watching over their children, and in endeavoring
to guard them against improper connections in mar
riage; that they be not anxious to obtain for them
large portions and settlements, but that the}' be
joined with persons of religious inclinations, suitable
dispositions and diligence in their business, which
are more necessary to a comfortable life in a married
state.— 1723.
The breaches of our testimony against going from
amongst us in the weighty engagement of marriage,
being often for want of an early care in parents and
those who have the important charge of educating

74 MARRIAGES.
the youth under their trust, early to admonish and
instruct them in the principles of Truth, and to im
press their minds with the duty of religiously observ
ing them ; as much as possible restraining them from
such company as is likely to entangle their affections
in an improper manner, we therefore tenderly advise
Friends in all quarters to an increasing care over the
youth, that the consistency of our principles in all
respects with the nature of true religion, may be
impressed on their tender minds by upright examples,
as well as by precepts, and that where there is appar
ent danger of the affections of any being improperly
entangled, and the care of parents or guardians, or
those who have the oversight of them, appears insuf
ficient to prevent their taking imprudent steps in the
accomplishment of marriage, that timely application
be made for the help of their friends. — 1761.
On serious consideration concerning marriages,
this meeting being tender in that respect, advises,
that no misdemeanor be treasured up against a per
son until the time of presenting marriage, and then
started, though perhaps long before known to the
objector; which is a wrong thing, and should be
checked and discouraged in all meetings. — 1712.
It is the judgment of this meeting, that where
parents or guardians have approved the visits or ad
dresses of a man (a member of our religious Society)
to any of their children or those under their care,
that they do not retract the same without giving such
reasons as shall be satisfactory to the Monthly Meet
ing whereto they belong. — 1719.

MARRIAGES. 75
Marriage being an ordinance of God, He alone
can rightly join man and woman therein; neither
priest nor magistrate is requisite to its accomplish
ment ; and as we shall not find in all the Scripture
that the priest had any part therein further than as a
witness among others that were present, we cannot
countenance any in the exercise of a function which
is no part of the office of a gospel minister. — 1881.
Let such of our members be admonished who
keep company, in order for marriage, with persons
not of our Society, or wTith any bound servants or
apprentices, without the leave of their masters or
mistresses, who are either present themselves, or
consent to their children being present at marriages
of those not in membership which are accomplished
by the assistance of a priest. And where any are
present at the marriage of a member, accomplished
either by the official interference of a priest, or in
any other way out of our comely order, they are to
be dealt with, and where they are not brought to a
sense of their error let them be testified against. —
1719. It is recommended to Monthly Meetings that,
according to the ancient decent practice amongst
Friends, they take care that such men and women
Friends, who make or admit of proposals of marriage
with each other, do not dwell in the same house
from the time that they began to be so concerned
until the marriage is accomplished. — 1714.
All single persons, being about to marry at a dis
tance from home, are to procure certificates from

76 MARRIAGES.
the Monthly Meeting they belong to, of their right
of membership and clearness from any other person
in respect to marriage, and also obtain the consent
of their parents or guardians therein ; and none are
to be permitted to join themselves in marriage, until
such certificates and the consent of their parents or
guardians thereto, be also signified in person, or by
writing, where it is practicable or maybe reasonably
obtained.— 1682.
Advised, that marriages be not accomplished in
or immediately after any of our Monthly Meetings
or other meetings for discipline, or on First-days.
And it is desired that, on these occasions, Friends
in affluent circumstances particularly, may be careful
to set a becoming and encouraging example of mode
ration ; and that all may avoid unnecessarily expensive
entertainments and large companies, and especially
guard against inviting such as guests who are un
likely to conform to the order of our religious
Society.— 1716.
For the accomplishment of marriage, it is directed
that the following order be observed. If both parties
belong to the same Monthly Meeting, the men's and
women's Monthly Meetings should be informed of
their intentions, and the man, at a proper time, be
accompanied into the women's meeting by a suitable
Friend nominated thereto— there the parties are
first to declare, that " With Divine permission and
Friends' approbation, they intend marriage with each
other," — whereupon, two women Friends should be
appointed by minute to make the usual inquiry

MARRIAGES. 77
respecting the woman ; and then proceeding to the
men's meeting, they should repeat or make the same
declaration there, and two men Friends be in like
manner appointed to inquire concerning the man. If
the parties have parents or guardians present, their
consent should be expressed, or, if absent, the same
should be signified in writing; or, if the man is a
member of another Monthly Meeting, the consent of
his parents, if he have any, should be produced in
writing, either then or at the next meeting, with a
certificate from his Monthly Meeting of his clear
ness from other like engagements. When the con
sent of parents or guardians is withheld without
sufficient apparent cause, Monthly Meetings may
permit marriages to take place between members,
after taking reasonable care to ascertain that there
is no valid obstruction. If the woman be a widow
having children, two or more Friends should be
appointed in the meeting of which she is a member,
to see that the rights of her children are legally se
cured. At the next meeting, if the committees
report that careful inquiry has been made, and no
reasonable obstruction to the further proceeding of
the parties appears, the meeting is to leave them at
liberty to accomplish their marriage according to
our rules, and appoint two Friends of each sex to
attend and see that good order is observed.
Parties, however, intending marriage with each
other, may either appear in person as at present
provided for in the discipline, or, if they prefer to
do so, may inform the men's and women's Monthly

78 MARRIAGES.
Meeting of which the woman is a member, of such
intentions in writing, using the same language as is
directed in the case of personal appearance ; it being
advised that those thus bringing their proposals of mar
riage before Friends should be present at the Monthly
Meeting following, when the decision of the meeting
in the case is recorded.
It is further advised that the said marriage be
accomplished decently, gravely and weightily, and
that the parties themselves, their parents and others
concerned, do take care at the houses or places
where they go after the meeting is over, that no re
proach arise, or occasion of offence be given, by any
intemperate or immoderate feasting or drinking, or
by any unseemly, wanton, or rude discourses or ac
tions ; but that all behave with such sobriety as
becomes a people fearing God ; and that the company
retire to their homes in seasonable time. And if
anything to the contrary is observed, the overseers
or other concerned Friends present, ought as speedily
as they conveniently can, to take such aside who
make any breach upon good order, and in brotherly
love admonish them to a better behavior ; and the
said overseers are to make report to the next Monthly
Meeting, whether this advice concerning decency
and order be observed, and take care that the mar
riage certificate be recorded.
The form of which certificate shall be as follows :
Whereas, A. B. of  , in the county of  ,
in  , son of C. B., of  , and H., his wife;
and D. E., daughter of F. E., of  , and M., his

MARRIAGES. 79
wife, having declared their intentions of marriage
with each other, before a Monthly Meeting of the
religious Society of Friends, held at  , accord
ing to the good order used among them, (where the
parties are under the care of -parents or guardians, add)
and having consent of parents or guardians concerned,
(as the case is), their said proposal of marriage was
allowed of by the said meeting. Now these are to
certify whom it may concern, that for the full accom
plishment of their said intentions, this  day of
the  month, in the year of our Lord  they,
the said A. B. and D. E. appeared in public meeting
of the said people, held at  aforesaid ; and the
said A. B., taking the said D. E. by the hand, did,
on this solemn occasion, openly declare that he took
her, the said D. E., to be his wife, promising, with
Divine assistance, to be unto her a loving and faith
ful husband until death shall separate them ; and
then, in the same assembly, the said D. E. did in
like manner declare that she took him, the said A.
B., to be her husband, promising, with Divine assist
ance, to be unto him a loving and faithful wife until
death shall separate them. And moreover, they, the
said A. B. and D. E. (she, according to the custom
of marriage, assuming the name of her husband), did,
as a further confirmation thereof, then and there to
these presents set their hands.
And we whose names are also hereunto subscribed,
being present at the solemnization of the said
marriage and subscription, have, as witnesses

80 MARRIAGES.
thereto, set our hands the day and year above
written. A. B.
D. B.
1721, 1881, 1893.
That the marriage of persons too near akin may,
as much as in us lies, be prevented, this meeting
concludes, that no marriage between first cousins
shall be permitted among us ; and that where any
person or persons so circumstanced shall intermarry,
their so doing shall be considered as a relinquish
ment of their connection with the Society, and they
be accordingly disowned by the Monthly Meetings
of which they are members. And it is further con
cluded, that, if any such persons shall afterwards
apply to the Monthly Meeting which disowned him
or her, for reinstatement, the said meeting is not to
accede to the proposal, until the case be represented
to the Quarterly Meeting, and its consent and appro
bation obtained, after being well assured that the
parties are brought to a due sense of their trans
gression, manifested by uprightness of life and con
versation. — 1 721.
The term first cousins, fully applies to every de
scription of grand-children descended from one com
mon parent. — 1807.
No Monthly Meeting should permit any marriages
to be proposed in the said meeting, sooner than a
year after the death of husband or wife. — 1749.
It is the sense of this meeting that if any of our
members do join in marriage with such as are not in

MARRIAGES. 81
membership with us, or marry in any other way than
with the consent and approbation of the Monthly
Meeting, they should be dealt with in the spirit of
Christian love and tenderness, agreeably with our
discipline, in order to restore them and bring them
into true unity and fellowship with Friends ; but
where, after patient waiting, this labor of love has
not its desired effect, the Monthly Meeting should
testify against and disown them. — 1702-21, 1881.
The too ready acceptance of papers of acknowl
edgment from such persons who have accomplished
their marriages out of the order of Society, being of
injurious consequence, and a cause of much concern
and exercise to this meeting, it is earnestly recom
mended to Monthly Meetings, that they be careful
speedily to proceed to put the rules of our discipline
in practice against such offenders : and when papers
of acknowledgment and condemnation are offered,
such meetings should be well assured that they pro
ceed from a true ground of sincerity and conviction
in the party, manifested by a consistency in life and
conversation. — 1762.
When any of our members have married those
not of our religious profession, and are brought to
feel the value of association in a religious society
who practically believe in immediate Divine guid
ance, both in individual life and in the affairs of the
church, and are so convinced of and attached to the
doctrines and testimonies, to which faithful Friends
have thereby been led, as to be made willing to bear
their part in upholding them ; such may then be

82 MARRIAGES.
retained in or restored to membership, by offering a
suitable acknowledgment to the Monthly Meeting.
And when papers of acknowledgment to this end
are offered, in consideration of the sacredness of the
marriage covenant, and from a tender regard for the
right feelings of the parties, such papers should not
be required to express regret for the marriage con
nection itself, personally considered. — 1881.
Monthly Meetings are authorized to give forth
testimonies of denial against such of their members,
who consent to, connive at, or encourage the mar
riage of their children, or those under their care
(members of our religious Society) contrary to the
good order established amongst us; if, after Chris
tian and brotherly labor with them, they are not
brought to a due sense of their error, and a satisfac
tory acknowledgment of the same. — 1792.

MEETING HOUSES.

MEETING HOUSES.

It is recommended to Quarterly, Monthly, and
Preparative Meetings, frequently to inspect the titles
of meeting houses, burial grounds, and other estates
which have been vested in trustees, and by them held
for the use and benefit of the Society at large, or of
any of those meetings; so that if it should appear
needful by the death of any such trustees or other
wise, due and seasonable care may be taken to ap
point some others to the trust; whereby future diffi
culties and the risk of being deprived of such estates,
may be avoided.
And it is further recommended, that Quarterly,
Monthly, and Preparative Meetings, respectively,
as the case may require, keep exact records of all
such trusts and conveyances ; also, that a clear and
regular account be kept by each respective meeting,
of the place where, and the persons with whom the
papers, minutes and records belonging to our relig
ious Society, are from time to time deposited; where
in due care should be taken to lodge them with suit
able Friends.— 1796, 1893.

MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS.

MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS.

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

MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS. 85
dient) may choose others in his or their stead, to
serve to the time of the next Yearly Meeting, or till
the places of those who have represented the Quar
terly Meetings, shall be supplied by new appoint
ments. As a change in the representation of the Quarterly
Meetings is not contemplated, except in the instances
stated in this rule, it is therefore affectionately de
sired that Quarterly Meetings may be weighty in
their consideration and appointments, that hence,
such Friends may be selected, who, by a steady ad
herence to our Christian principles and testimonies,
have become in good degree qualified to fulfil the
services which devolve on this important station. —
1834. Fifth. The said meeting may sit on its own ad
journments, and order these, as well as the times of
its stated meetings, (if these do not exceed three
months,) according to the business before them.
Sixth. The said meeting is not to meddle with
any matter of faith or discipline, wdiich has not been
determined by the Yearly Meeting.
The further services confided to the said Meeting
for Sufferings, are :
First. In general to represent this Yearly Meet
ing, and to appear on its behalf in all cases where
the cause of Truth, or the interest or reputation of
our religious Society, may render it needful.
Second. To take the oversight and inspection of
all writings proposed to be printed relative to our
religious principles or testimonies; and to promote

86 MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS.
or suppress the same at their discretion ; also to
print and distribute any writings already published
by the Society, or which may be offered for inspec
tion as aforesaid, and approved.
Third. To inspect and explain titles to land, or
other estate, belonging to any of our meetings; also,
charitable legacies and donations; and to give such
advice respecting the same as may appear to be
necessary. Fourth. To receive from the several Quarterly
Meetings their annual accounts of sufferings, and
also such memorials concerning deceased Friends,
as those meetings may have concurred with : that
when examined and approved, they may be laid
before the Yearly Meeting.
Fifth. To extend such advice and assistance to
any individuals under sufferings for our testimonies,
as their cases may require ; and, if necessary, to
apply to the Government, or persons in authorit}',
on their behalf.
Sixth. To correspond with the Meeting for Suffer
ings in London or elsewhere, on the common con
cerns of the Society.
On solid -consideration it is agreed, that, though
none are properly members of the Meeting for Suf
ferings, but such who are appointed by this Yearly
Meeting, or by the several Quarterly Meetings ; yet,
that approved ministers, and members of any other
Meeting for Sufferings corresponding with this, be
permitted to attend when inclined so to do. — 1796.
Accounts of sufferings to be forwarded to the

MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS. 87
Meeting for Sufferings, are to be preserved and re
corded agreeably to the practice of our ancient
Friends, reciting the sums demanded, the kind and
amount of property taken, by whom the distraints
were made, and the authority under which the offi
cers acted. — 1870.

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP.

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP.

Dear Friends, keep all your meetings in the
authority, wisdom and power of Truth, and unity
of the blessed Spirit; and the God of peace be with
you. And it is advised, that such as come late to
meeting, or when there, fall asleep, or are restless,
or do not stay in the meeting, but go forth unneces
sarily, or otherwise demean themselves unbecoming
our holy profession on those- solemn occasions, be
tenderly and seasonably admonished. — 1694, 1695.
We exhort all to a Christian exercise and zeal for
the performance of worship to Almighty God ; and
as wc are not capable in our own strength to per
form this great duty, we recommend to a diligent
waiting in true silence and retirement of mind, for
the renewed sense of the inward power and virtue
of his Spirit, whereby alone we can be qualified to
worship Tlim in an acceptable manner. Let our
faithfulness and sincerity herein appear, by the hu
mility, meekness and circumspection of our lives
and conversation, adorning the doctrines and prin
ciples of Truth, as declared by Christ and his apos
tles: those who have been preserved in faithfulness
therein, having to testify from blessed experience,
that it hath been very profitable ; and therefore can
not be easy without encouraging and putting for
ward their children, apprentices and servants, to this
religious duty, as well as other behavior consistent

meetings for worship. 89
therewith. And if this useful practice was more
generally attended to, it would do more for us and
them than any outward acquisition of wealth ; and
without doubt, some of those who have been placed
under our direction, may with thankfulness have to
view our pious care in taking them from worldly
business, to seek a city eternal in the heavens. —
1746, 1760.
This meeting recommends, that Friends who are
exercised in the discipline, would early extend their
brotherly love and care, in visiting such amongst us
who neglect their duty i n- attend™ g our meetings for
public worship. And as a wilful neglect of this im
portant duty is a manifest evidence of ingratitude to
the Divine Being, contrary to the example and prac
tice of the primitive believers in Christ, and our re
ligious testimony, it is the judgment of this meeting,
that as such do thereby disunite themselves from
Christian fellowship with us, Monthly Meetings, after
haying fully discharged their duty towards them,
and finding their endeavors to reclaim them inef
fectual, should testify our disunion with them. —
1763, 1771.
It is the sense and judgment of this meeting, that
where a drowsy spirit appears upon any of the mem
bers in our religious meetings, they may be labored
with for their help; and where it is given way to,
that Quarterly, Monthly, and other meetings, should
be cautious of employing such in the weighty services
of the discipline. — 1789.
The anointing of the mental vision, to behold the

90 meetings for worship.
excellency of inward spiritual worship, and the good
ness of the Lord in giving us faith to sit down in
silence, depending wholly upon the Shepherd of the
sheep to feed his flock, are among the unspeakable
favors for which we must give account. We do not
doubt there are many who would rejoice to be lib
erated from the bondage of human ordinations, and.
to receive the same precious confidence in the im
mediate teachings of the great Minister of the sanc
tuary, waiting for the bubblings up of the water of
life, with which he refreshes the thirsty soul. For
the gifts conferred on us, our responsibility is great ;
and the desire has been felt that we may not suffer
the things of the world to deter us from the steady
and right performance of the duty of public worship.
—1851.

memorials. 91

MEMORIALS.

Quarterly and Monthly Meetings are directed to
furnish this meeting annually, with an account of the
decease of such of their members, in the station of
ministers or elders, as may have taken place within
the year. And if any Monthly Meeting should, under
solid consideration, believe it necessary to prepare a
memorial concerning any deceased member thereof,
it is to go to the respective Quarterly Meeting, where,
being duly weighed and agreed to, it is then to be
forwarded to the Meeting for Sufferings for inspection
and approbation, previous to its being laid before the
Yearly Meeting.— 1755, 1786.

92 ministry.

MINISTRY.

Let us keep in remembrance, that it is under the
immediate teaching and influence of the Holy Spirit,
that all acceptable worship is performed, and all
true gospel ministry supplied; that this pure and
powerful influence, in vessels sanctified and prepared
by the Divine hand, is the essential qualification to
that work ; and that as the gift is Divine, the service
is freely and faithfully to be discharged, without any
view to reward from man.
The system of employing persons to preach at
stated times is not only opposed to our testimony to
a free ministry of the gospel, which is to be exer
cised " without money and without price," but it
tends to foster the disposition to place dependence
on a fellow-man instead of looking to the Lord alone
for spiritual help; and it involves the practice of
preaching and praying at set times, independently of
the renewed sense of the Divine requiring, which
only can authorize any to rightly engage in such
solemn duties.
It is directed therefore, that when any of our mem
bers are so regardless of this testimony as to con
tribute to the support or encouragement of this sys
tem, that they be tenderly labored with to convince
them of their error; and if this prove ineffectual, the

ministry. 93
Monthly Meetings to which they belong should pro
ceed to declare our disunity with them. — 1893.
Our early Friends saw in the light of the Lord,
that no man's talents or learning, nor any human
ordination, can constitute any one a minister of Jesus
Christ: it requires a special call and qualification,
dispensed by the Head of the Church to the sanctified
members, whom He separates for the work of the
ministry. This gift can only be exercised under his
putting forth; not in the will, wisdom or time of
man, but under the renewed unction from the Holy
One, giving authority, and supplying him with what
he is to deliver to others, without money and with
out price. May our beloved Friends be brought to
feel the wrong and the danger of laying waste this
ancient Christian testimony, delivered by the Lord
Jesus and his apostles, and revived among us after a
long and dark night of apostacy; the purity and
spirituality of which are necessary to be maintained
in the Church of Christ.— 1860.
It is the prerogative of the blessed Head of the
Church to dispense to whomsoever He will, both
men and women, those gifts which He designs for
its edification. And these gifts may be rightly exer
cised by any member of the congregation whom He
may call to the service. We bear our testimony
against the system which confines the ministry to
particular persons, who, generally for a pecuniary
compensation, agree to exercise it at stated times,
without regard to the necessity of receiving a re
newed Divine call and qualification whenever the

94 MINISTRY.
solemn service is engaged in, while women and
others, however clearly called of the Lord to the
work of the ministry, are, with few exceptions, pro
hibited engaging in it. — 1893.
It is our earnest desire that all our members may
be incited to watchfulness against lowering, or in
any way balking our testimony to a free gospel min
istry exercised only under the immediate putting
forth of the Head of the Church, and not by any
prearranged plan, or for any pecuniary or outward
consideration ; and where any are so unguarded as
to give ground for uneasiness on this account, that
they be admonished in the restoring love of the gos
pel, that they may be brought to a sense of their
error, and to conduct more consistent with our high
profession.— 1877, 1893.

MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 95

MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.

It is our earnest desire, that ministers and elders
may be as nursing fathers and mothers to those that
are young in the ministry, and with all care and
diligence advise, admonish, and if they see occasion,
reprove them in a tender and Christian spirit, ac
cording to the rules of our discipline and counsel of
Friends in that respect; also exhort them frequently
to read the Holy Scriptures, and reverently seek the
mind of the Spirit of Truth, to open the mysteries
thereof, that, abiding in a simple and patient sub
mission to the will of God, and keeping down to the
openings of Divine love and life in themselves, they
may witness a gradual growth in their gifts, and be
preserved from extending their declarations further
than they find the life and power of Truth to bear
them up.— 1723.
Our advice to all our ministers is, that they be
frequent in reading the Scriptures of the Old and
New Testaments ; and if any in the course of their
ministry, shall misapply, or draw unsound inferences
or wrong conclusions from the text, or shall promul
gate any doctrine which goes to lay waste any of our
Christian principles or testimonies, let them be ad
monished by the elders, and if they prove refractory
and refuse to acknowledge their faults, let them be
further dealt with in the wisdom of Truth, by the

96 MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders; and
if this labor is unavailing, the case should be reported
to the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders,
and a few Friends be there appointed to extend fur
ther care therein : but if at that time there should
be no Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders
in existence there, the elders are to state the case
to the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders,
which, as is already directed, is to take the neces
sary care; and if this brotherly concern and en
deavor has not the desired effect, then the case is to
be transmitted to the Monthly Meeting for disci
pline ; upon which he or she is no longer to be con
sidered as having a right or place in the Meeting of
Ministers and Elders.— 1723, 1834.
If any minister or elder should, in their conduct
or conversation, transgress any of the rules of our
discipline, they are to be treated with in the same
manner as any other members of our religious So
ciety; and whenever the case is introduced into the
Monthly Meeting for discipline, such minister or
elder is not to attend any meeting of Ministers and
Elders or meeting for discipline, nor be considered
as in either of those stations, until he or she shall
have made satisfaction to the Monthly Meeting, and
be again recommended or appointed as at first. —
1834. As the occasion of our religious meetings is sol
emn, a care should ever be maintained to guard
against anything that would tend to disorder or con
fusion therein. When any think they have aught

MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 97
against what is publicly delivered in those meetings,
they should speak to the party privately and in an
orderly manner. And if any shall oppose a minis
tering Friend in his or her preaching or exhortation,
or keep on the hat, or show any remarkable dislike
to such when engaged in prayer, let them be speedily
admonished in such manner as may be requisite,
unless the person against whom the uneasiness is
expressed, has been disowned by a Monthly Meet
ing, or his or her public appearances have been dis
approved by the elders. — 1719.
But where any one publicly advocates doctrines
plainly inconsistent with our established principles,
the caution above expressed should not prevent the
elders or other rightly qualified Friends, under a
sense at the time of Divine requiring and guidance,
from setting forth the Truth as held by Friends, so
as to endeavor to prevent the spread of unsound sen
timents, and preserve the young and inexperienced
from their pernicious influence. — 1893.
This meeting agrees, that each Monthly Meeting
choose two or more Friends of each sex to sit with
the ministers, and they together to compose a meet
ing to be denominated a Preparative Meeting of
Ministers and Elders ; taking care that the persons
chosen for that service, be Friends of solid judgment,
prudence and experience. — 1714, 1740, 1755, 1834.
As the services expected of our elders are not con
fined to their sitting with ministers in a Preparative
Meeting of Ministers and Elders, Monthly Meetings
should not be discouraged from appointing suitable

98 MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
persons to that station by the fact that no acknowl
edged minister resides in their limits. — 1893.
Whenever it appears to a Monthly Meeting, that
there is a necessity for the appointment of one or
more elders of either sex, a committee is to be ap
pointed by the men's and women's meetings, and in
this united committee, all the persons proposed for
the station should be deliberately and weightily con
sidered ; and if way does not open to bring forward
any name, they are to report accordingly. Upon
the nomination of any being agreed to, the report of
the united committee is to be made to each meeting;
and the women's Monthly Meeting having solidly
considered the same, and previous to making any
conclusive minute thereon, is to impart its sense to
the men's meeting, and there leave it for their judg
ment and determination. In the men's meeting, the
case is also to be seriously and carefully attended to;
and when the nomination is agreed to in the Monthly
Meetings, a minute expressive thereof, signed by the
clerk of the men's meeting, is to be sent into the
women's meeting for its concurrence and signing;
and this minute is to be forwarded to the Quarterly
Meeting of Ministers and Elders, where the case
being solidly weighed, and the conclusion of the
Monthly Meetings concurred with, information there
of, by minute, is to be sent to the said Monthly Meet
ings : and until the approbation of the Quarterly
Meeting of Ministers and Elders is obtained, the
nomination made by the Monthly Meetings is not to
have effect.— 1829. "

MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 99
When elders remove or become members of an
other Monthly Meeting within the limits of their
own Quarterly Meeting, they should be regarded as
still being in that station ; but if the}- remove and
become members in the limits of another Quarterly
Meeting, they should cease to be so regarded, unless
they are reappointed by the meetings of which they
have become members. — 1893.
When any Friend has frequently appeared in our
religious meetings as a minister, and the Prepara
tive Meeting of Ministers and Elders, or, where
there is no such select Preparative Meeting, the
elders, believing that it is seasonable the subject
should claim the attention of the Monthly Meeting
for discipline, of which the person is a member,"
they are at liberty to mention the matter therein ;
and if the men's and women's Monthly Meetings,
after deliberate consideration, should unite in be
lieving that a gift in the ministry of the gospel has
been committed to him or her, a minute expressive
thereof should be forwarded to the Quarterly Meet
ing of Ministers and Elders, where, the case being
solidly weighed, and the sense of the Monthly Meet
ing concurred with, information thereof should, by
minute, be sent to the Monthly Meeting, and also to
the Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders, of
which the individual is to be a member. And until
the approbation of the Quarterly Meeting of Minis
ters and Elders is obtained, no such Friend is to be
received as a minister, nor permitted to sit in the
meetings of ministers and elders, nor travel abroad

100 MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
as a minister. No approved minister is to appoint
any meeting out of the limits of the Quarterly Meet
ing to which he or she belongs, without a certificate
from the Monthly Meeting for discipline, or the
concurrence thereof.— 1806, 1834, 1893.
When any Friend, appointed to the station of an
elder, believes him or herself called to the ministry,
and shall have appeared frequently in that capacity
in our public religious meetings, they should with
draw from the meetings of Ministers and Elders. —
1806. Where Friends are really dissatisfied or burdened
with the communications of those that take upon
them to preach in our religious meetings, let them
be duly admonished by faithful ministers or elders ;
and if, afterwards, they persist to impose upon and
burden Friends, the elders should take the necessary-
steps to lay the case before the Monthly Meeting
for discipline, which should treat with the party as
for any other breach of our order; and if this labor
is ineffectual, issue a testimony of disownment. —
1698, 1834.
When any approved minister apprehends it to be
his or her duty to travel in the service of Truth, out
of the limits of their own Quarterly Meeting, but
within the bounds of this Yearh' Meeting, or to visit
the families of any meeting, or to appoint several
public meetings within the limits of their own Quar
terly Meeting : he or she is to open the concern in
the Monthly Meeting to which they belong, either
in that of men or of women Friends, as the case may

MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 101
be; and if united with, it is to be spread before the
corresponding Monthly Meeting of men or women,
by sending in a written memorandum prepared by
the clerk, or by the minister in person, for the judg
ment of that meeting also. When the prospect has
received the approval of both meetings, a certificate
or minute is to be prepared by the clerk of the men's
meeting, and a copy of it afterwards signed by him
and also by the clerk of the women's meeting; and
if the service is beyond the limits of the Quarterly
Meeting, by one of the correspondents. Or, when
such a concern is opened in a Monthly Meeting, the
subject may be considered in joint session of men
and women Friends, if that course be thought prefera
ble ; and if united with, the clerk of the men's meet
ing is to make a minute of the same, which is after-
. wards to be entered upon the women's records as a
part of their proceedings ; and a certificate or minute
is to be prepared and signed, as before directed. —
1893. When any approved minister is religiously con
cerned to attend one of the other Yearly Meetings
on this continent, and a few meetings in the im
mediate vicinity of the place where the said Yearly
Meeting may then be held; or if it is a concern,
specially and solely, to visit the meetings within one
or two of the Quarterly Meetings belonging to it, he
or she is to spread the same before their respective
Monthly Meetings, as provided for in the case of re
ligious service within the limits of our own Yearly
Meeting, and when united with, a certificate or min-

102 MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
Lite adapted to the occasion is to be made and signed,
as previously directed by the clerks of the men's and
women's meetings, and by one of the correspondents
also.— 1812, 1834, 1893.
If the concern of a Friend is only to attend a Yearly
Meeting, a minute of the concurrence of the Monthly
Meeting therewith will be sufficient ; but if the con
cern embraces a visit to a considerable number of
the meetings composing such Yearly Meeting, though
it maybe with or exclusive of any prospect of attend
ing it, and likewise in either case, such meetings as
may be on the way in going or returning, or if it in
cludes a visit to the meetings of more than one Yearly
Meeting ; after a certificate for that purpose has been
obtained from the Monthly Meeting, the concern,
together with the certificate, is to be laid before the
Quarterly Meeting, that if concurred with, an en
dorsement to that effect may be made thereon. —
1834, 1893.
All certificates or minutes requiring the endorse
ment of the Quarterly Meeting are to be considered
by both men and women Friends, either separately
or in joint session, as the Meeting may prefer; and
if united with, are to be signed by the clerks of both
men's and women's meetings. — 1893.
If an approved minister is under a concern to per
form a religious visit to the meetings generally,
which are within the limits of all the Yearly Meet
ings on this continent, or if it is to make a religious
visit beyond a sea, the same is to be spread before
the Monthly Meeting, as provided for in the case of

MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 103
other religious service, and when united with, a cer
tificate thereof is to be drawn, and signed by the
clerks of both the men's and women's Monthly
Meetings, and by one of the correspondents. The
concern is then to be opened in the respective Quar
terly Meeting, in order for its concurrence and en
dorsement, which, if obtained, it, together with those
testimonials, is to be laid before the Yearly Meeting
of Ministers and Elders ; and if, upon solid considera
tion, it is there united with, a certificate thereof,
signed by the clerk, should be granted. — 1812, 1834,
1893. If the concern of a minister is so extensive, as by
the rules of our discipline it is requisite-to be laid
before the Quarterly Meeting for its concurrence and
endorsement, or if it is of such a general nature as
to make it necessary to claim the careful attention
of the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, the
propriety and validity of the concern should engage
the weighty consideration and deep feeling of the
said superior meetings, previous to reading the cer
tificate of the Monthly Meeting.— 1681, 1806, 1812,
1834. When the service of a Friend, who has been out
on a religious visit, is accomplished, the meeting or
meetings that have set him or her at liberty for that
purpose, are to be informed thereof, and the certifi
cate returned without improper delay. — 1806.
It is desired that Friends, when abroad on religious
visits, may humbly and steadily abide under the
weight of the concern which drew them out on this

104 MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
important embassy, and in which the meetings they
are respectively members of, have united ; that using
due diligence in endeavoring to fulfil the service, and
thus seasonably returning to their families and friends
at home, their exemplary care and tender regard to
the comely order of our religious Society, may have
an extensively salutary influence. — 1834.
If any of our ministers, or those who may come
from other parts ou a visit among Friends, gives oc
casion of uneasiness in his or her religious communi
cations, by misapplying or drawing unsound infer
ences from the text, or shall propagate any doctrines
or principles which are not according to the testi
mony of the Holy Scriptures, and inconsistent with
those which our religious Society have always held
and most surely believed, let them be immediately
treated with by faithful elders or ministers where
such occasion of concern has been given ; and if such
minister prove refractory and do not acknowledge
his or her fault, then the said "elders or ministers
should give information thereof, and of the care ex
tended, to the elders of the Monthly Meeting where
such minister belongs, or report the case to their
own respective Monthly Meeting, in order that if it
should be judged requisite, an- explicit communica
tion from this latter Monthly Meeting to the one of
which the individual is a member, may be seasona
bly made, further endeavors for his or her help thence
be used, and our testimony to the principles and doc
trines ofthe gospel of Christ duly maintained. — 1699,
1834.

MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 105
It is recommended, that when the concern of a
Friend for the performance of a religious visit to
meetings within the limits of this Yearly Meeting,
is united with by the Monthly Meeting of which he
or she is a member, that the said Monthly Meeting,
by a suitable committee, do carefully examine and
see that the service may not be impeded, or the in
dividual improperly burdened, for want of requisite
means to defray the expenses of such a journey ; and
where the concern extends beyond the limits of this
Yearly Meeting, the like care should weightily rest
upon and be attended to by the Quarterly Meeting
to which the Friend belongs. When any Friend is
drawn to make a religious visit beyond sea, and the
concern is united with in the respective meetings
according to the mode prescribed by the discipline,
such committee as the Yearly Meeting may appoint
for the purpose, should take care for the assistance
of the individual when needful, and to appropriate so
much of the stock of the meeting, as they may judge
proper, for payment of the expenses incurred in the
performance of the service. — 1812.
The ministers and elders of each Monthly Meeting
are to meet once in three months, at such time and
place as the Monthly Meeting may direct, in the
capacity of a Preparative. Meeting of Ministers and
Elders; when, after time of solid retirement, the
Queries addressed to such meetings are to be read
and considered, and distinct answers made to them
in writing, which, when signed by the clerk, are to
be forwarded to the ensuing Quarterly Meeting of

106 MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
Ministers and Elders, and two or more Friends are to
be appointed as representatives ; if, in the course of
inquiry, any deficiency has appeared, care should be
taken that it be remedied.— 1721, 1806, 1893.
In the said Quarterly Meetings, the queries are
also to be read, with the answers which are brought
from their Preparative Meetings, and the state of the
members and of the respective Preparative Meetings,
should be weightily considered, that, where occasion
requires it, advice, counsel and labor may be seasona
bly extended ; and once a year, those answers com
prised in a written report, and signed by the clerk,
are to be forwarded to the Yearly Meeting of Min
isters and Elders, and four or more Friends appointed
as representatives. In this meeting the Queries are
also to be read, with the answers from the several
Quarters ; and the state of this part of the Society
being collected and considered, advices adapted there
to may, if requisite, be issued to the subordinate meet
ings of like kind, or care extended for their help
and benefit, as in Divine wisdom may be needful. —
1753, 1806, 1834, 1893.
None of the said meetings of Ministers and Elders
are to interfere with the business of any meeting for
discipline; but in accordance with our ancient prac
tice, if any meeting of Ministers and Elders have
under its care a subject which peculiarly belongs to
this part of our religious Society, and in their judg
ment it appears really needful to claim the consider
ation of its respective meeting for discipline, they

MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 107
are at liberty to communicate the same thereto
accordingly.— 1722, 1834.
The Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders is
not to suffer its adjournments to interfere with the
sittings of the Yearly Meeting for discipline. — 1721.
We tenderly recommend faithful Friends, and
especially ministers and elders, to watch over the
flock of Christ in their respective places and stations,
always approving themselves by their pious examples,
in conversation and conduct, to be such as faithfully
and diligently walk agreeably, to the testimony of the
blessed Truth, whereunto the Lord hath gathered us
in this his gospel day. — 1755.
If any acknowledged member of our Meetings of
Ministers and Elders shall at any time be thought,
by negligence, unfaithfulness or otherwise, to have
lost his or her service in that station, so as to become
the subject of uneasiness, and burdensome, it is ad
vised, that a timely and tender care be extended to
such person according to gospel order ; first by the
individuals concerned, and then by the Preparative
Meeting of Ministers and Elders to which he or she
may belong; or if there is no such Preparative
Meeting, by the elders. Should these labors prove
unavailing, report of the case should be made to the
Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, and there
a few Friends be deputed to assist the said Prepara
tive Meeting or the elders in a further extension of
labor with the party; if this also prove unavailing
and on report thereof to the said Quarterly Meeting,
it appears that the duty to the individual has been

108 MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
fully discharged, the case should then by minute be
transmitted to the Monthly Meetiug for discipline of
which the party is a member, and left under its care,
and he or she is from that time to refrain from
attending any such select meetings until they shall
be again recommended or appointed as at first. But
if the said Monthly Meeting declines or refuses to
take up the case, and extend such care and labor
therein as is requisite, the Quarterly Meeting of
Ministers and Elders should represent to its respec
tive Quarterly Meeting for Discipline, the concern
and exercise which has thus been brought upon
them, that hence the state of the Monthly Meeting
and the due maintenance of our comely order may
claim the solid attention of the said Quarterly Meet
ing for discipline, and be brought to such issue as
may be promotive of the cause of Truth and the
well-being of our religious Society. — 1806, 1834.
As the original purpose and inteution of selecting
from among our members a class of solid, judicious
Friends for the important station of elders, was not
only that, where needful, they might extend a broth
erly care in counselling and advising ministers, but
to sit with them in those select meetings, and by a
united exercise, be mutually assistant to each other
in promoting a due regard to those services and
duties which peculiarly belong to their respective
stations ; it is therefore the renewed concern of this
meeting affectionately to recommend to the Quar
terly Meetings of Ministers and Elders, that they
weightily attend, from time to time, to the situation

MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 109
and circumstance of those select Preparative Meet
ings where, from removal, decease or otherwise,
there is no minister; carefully considering whether
the continuance of meetings which for many years
have been in this situation, is fulfilling the design of
such an institution, and of essential benefit to our
religious Society ; that, where a suspension of any of
those meetings should appear seasonable and proper,
an intimation thereof may be conveyed to the Monthly
Meeting for discipline; which, after consideration,
and no weighty impediment to the sense of the
Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders appear
ing, should by minute refer the same to the solid
judgment and disposal of the respective Quarterly
Meeting for discipline. Nevertheless, those Friends
who have been appointed as elders should be con
sidered as remaining in that station, subject, however,
to the rules of our discipline already provided, and
to the like extension of care towards them by the
Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, as would
have been within the duties of the select Preparative
Meeting.— 1834.

110 MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE.

MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE.

It is affectionately recommended, that Friends be
careful to use moderation on account of marriages,
burials and on all other occasions; a departure from
which has been a cause of stumbling to many, and a
great obstruction to a more full reformation, as well
as attended with other evil consequences, tending to
obscure that Light which is graciously bestowed, and
which we should have more abundantly if greater
faithfulness was lived in ; lessening that savor which
we ought ever carefully to preserve, agreeably to the
monition of the holy apostle : " Let your modera
tion be known unto all men, the Lord is at hand."
Phil, iv : 5. And as the All-seeing Eye beholds our
thoughts and views us in all our ways and actions,
what manner of men ought we to be in all godliness
of life and sobriety of deportment. — 1789.

OATHS. Ill

OATHS.

Advised, that our Christian testimony be faithfully
maintained against the burden and imposition of
oaths, according to the express command of Christ
and the injunction of the apostle James, viz : " Ye
have heard that it hath been said by them of old
time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt per
form unto the Lord thine oaths; but I say unto you,
swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's
throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool;
neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great
king. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because
thou canst not make one hair white or black ; but
let your communication be yea, yea, nay, nay ; for
whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Matt.
v : 33 to 37. " But above all things, my brethren,
swear not ; neither by heaven, neither by the earth,
neither by any other oath ; but let your yea be yea,
and your nay, nay, lest ye fall into condemnation."
James v: 12.
From the year 1718 to 1771 divers minutes of this
meeting appear, declaring that oaths administered
by clerks or others, under the notice and connivance
of Friends, either in court or elsewhere, are a viola
tion of our ancient testimony. And it is earnestly
recommended to Quarterly and Monthly Meetings,
that where any under our name are parties to the
administration of oaths, to be careful to proceed in

112 OATHS.
dealing with them, and if they do not decline the
practice, and give suitable satisfaction to the meeting
they belong to, to testify against them, agreeably to
the rules of our discipline. — 1806.
As it is our duty to support our Christian testi
mony against oaths, faithful Friends are desired to
extend brotherly labor towards those who deviate
therefrom, and if such labor proves unsuccessful,
Monthly Meetings should testify their disunity with
them.— 1758.
Friends in all placee are exhorted carefully to
avoid electing or promoting their brethren to such
stations in civil government as may subject them to
the temptation of violating this testimony; and where
any members show an inclination or desire of solic
iting or accepting of such offices, timely care should
be taken to caution them against it. — 1762.
And in the execution of instruments of writing
requiring witnesses, it is recommended that Friends
endeavor to procure such persons for this purpose as
will attest the same by affirmation, — 1762, 1806.

CHANGES IN DISCIPLINE
Authorized by the Yearly Meeting of 1916

Rights of Children.
To replace the two paragraphs beginning with the words:
''As to rights of children," on page 61, and ending
with "or any of them," on page 62.
The right of membership in this Yearly Meeting of the
religious Society of Friends extends to any child born of
parents in membership.
It extends Talso to any child whose father or mother is,
at the time of its birth, a member, provided the parents
were both of them members at the time of marriage.
Children who are not members by birth may be received
into membership by action of a Monthly Meeting, similar
to that provided for Convinced Persons (see page 70).
If of suitable age, they may make application for them
selves; in other cases application on their behalf should
be made by their parents or guardians.
Overseers.
To replace the first six lines on page 67:
It is recommended that in every Monthly Meeting a
proper number of faithful and judicious men and women

be appointed to the station of Overseers within the same;
whose duty shall be to exercise a vigilant and tender
Christian care over their fellow-members. Since the
shepherding of the flock is essential to the welfare and
growth of the Church, it is recommended that Overseers
give diligent attention to this service, and that their care
be extended to Non-members married to members, to their
children, and to any other persons who by attending our
Meetings for Worship or in other ways, manifest an in
terest in our religious Society.
If anything repugnant to the Discipline, harmony and
good order of the Society appears, etc., etc.
(Remainder of paragraph unchanged.)
Marriage Rules.
To be inserted on page 109, following the -paragraph
which ends "when the decision in the case is recorded:"
We desire to reaffirm our conviction that unity in re
ligious belief is essential to a full realization of the bless
ings of married life. When, however, any of our members
feel it right to unite in marriage with those not belonging
to our religious Society, they may do so under the care
of the Meeting as herein provided, so that the marriage
may be accomplished without the intervention of man,
this solemn ordinance being of God.
The marriage of a Member to a Non-member, or of
two Non-members may be accomplished in our meetings,
when not inconsistent with the existing laws of the States

in which the marriage is to take place, provided the parties,
using the form herein provided, unite in making the ap
plication. If one party is a member the application should
be sent directly to the Monthly Meeting to which the
member belongs. If both parties are Non-members ap
plication should be made to the Overseers of the Month
ly Meeting under whose care they desire to be married,
and the Overseers, if satisfied, shall forward the applica
tion to the Monthly Meeting. Upon receiving such ap
plication the meeting, after taking care to ascertain through
Committees of inquiry, that both parties are clear from
similar engagements, and that there is no other obstruc
tion in either case, may authorize the marriage in ac
cordance with our usual procedure.
Form of Application.
To . . . Monthly Meeting of Friends —
We, . . . of . . . son of . . . and of . . .
his wife, and . . . of . . . daughter of . . . and
of . . . his wife, the former (or the latter) being a
Non-member (or both being Non-members), desire to be
married after the manner and under the care of Friends,
and if permitted to do so, we undertake to conform to the
regulations of the Society relating to marriage.
(Written consent of parents or guardians should ac
company this paper.)
The marriage of a Member to a Non-member or of two
Non-members as herein provided, does not confer upon

the Non-members or their children any rights of member
ship. To replace the last three paragraphs beginning "If any of
our Members" on pages 111 and 112:
If any of our Members marry in any other way than in
accordance with the regulations of the Discipline, the
Overseers should delegate one or more suitable Friends
to visit or communicate with the member, and ascertain
whether he is in a good degree of unity with our principles
and desires to continue in membership with Friends.
The Overseers should then report the case with a recom
mendation to the Monthly Meeting, which may after
careful consideration either retain the member or remove
his name from the list of members and inform him of its
action.
Third Query.
To replace form in Discipline of 1910.
Third Query. Do you uphold and cherish a waiting,
spiritual worship, and a free Gospel Ministry, dependent
upon the head of the Church, and exercised in the fresh
life and power of His Holy Spirit?

The slip which accompanies this should be pasted over the old
form of the third query in the Book of Discipline.

OVERSEERS. 113

OVERSEERS.

It is recommended, that in every Monthly Meet
ing, a proper number of faithful and judicious men
aud women, belonging to each of the particular or
Preparative Meetings, be appointed to the station of
overseers within the same; whose duty it is to exer
cise a vigilant and tender care over their fellow-
members ; that if anything repugnant to the disci
pline, harmony, and good order of the Society appears
among them, it may be timely attended to and not
neglected. And to prevent the introduction of all
unnecessary and premature complaints to meetings
for discipline, it is advised if any member shall have
cause of complaint against another, that it be men
tioned to the overseers, who are to see that the party
complained of has been treated with according to
gospel order, previously to the case being reported
to the Preparative or Monthly Meeting. It is de
sired, that in dealing with any for a breach of the
rules of our discipline, it be done in the spirit of meek
ness and love, patiently endeavoring to instruct and
advise them; which, if ineffectual, the individual
should be notified, when it can be conveniently done,
that the Preparative Meeting is to be informed there
of.— 1719, 1834.
If any in membership with us, who, having viola
ted our religiouB testimony and discipline, have left
their usual place of abode, and gone to such remote

114 OVERSEERS.
parts as to render it very difficult or impracticable
for the overseers to treat with them ; the Prepara
tive Meeting is to be early informed of the case and
its circumstances, in order that the Monthly Meeting
may extend such care therein as its nature demands.
—1834. As overseers are appointed by, and are the-officers
of Monthly Meetings, their labor should not be con
fined to the Preparative Meetings where they may
respectively belong; but they should be vigilant in
the extension of care towards delinquent members
in any part of the Monthly Meeting, which has dele
gated them to this important service. — 1828.
It is further recommended to our Monthly Meet
ings, that a committee be appointed at least once in
three years, or as much oftener as the occasion may
require, to consider the propriety of changing the
overseers, and bringing forward in the improvement
of their gifts, other Friends on whom a concern for
the welfare of the Society rests. We tenderly ex
hort all our members who maybe rightly called into
this or any other service of the church, not hastily
to excuse themselves therefrom, but solidly to pon
der the weighty advice of the apostle : " Feed the
flock of God, which is among you, taking the over
sight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not
for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind ; neither as being
lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the
flock : and when the chief Shepherd shall appear,
ye shall receive a crown of glory, that fadeth not
away." 1 Peter v. 2-4.— 1806.

PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

In much love to the rising generation, we exhort
them to avoid the many vanities and ensnaring cor
ruptions to which they are exposed. Bear in mind,
dear youth, that the " Fear of the Lord is the begin
ning of wisdom," and that " a good understanding
have all they that do his commandments." Psalm
cxi. 10. Take the advice of godly parents, guar
dians and friends; ever remembering that, next to
our Creator, children ought to obey their parents;
that disobedience to them is a breach of the moral
law, and was always offensive in the Divine sight.
Submit to their reasonable requirings with cheerful
ness, though these may sometimes thwart your own
inclinations ; and answer them not frowardly or
crossly. They watched over you and took care of
you, when you were utterly unable to help or care
for yourselves. Why then should any of you grieve
and wound their still anxious minds, by a conduct
which, because of its tendency to obstruct your wel
fare and happiness, you know they cannot approve ?
— such as running into vain and expensive fashions ;
associating with corrupt and libertine persons ; fre
quenting taverns and places of diversion ; wasting
your precious time in idle discourse, and drawing
the affections and inflaming the passions one of
another; all which, we have no doubt, the divine
Monitor in your own breasts often pleads with you

116 PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
against, and shows to be destructive of your peace.
We, as fathers, beseech you to attend to this heavenly
Instructor, and dutifully yield to the correspondent
tender advice of your friends. Shrink not from the
cross of Christ in your garb, language or manners;
but, through a subjection of your wills to the Divine
will, in these and all other respects, walk answerably
to the purity of our profession, and the simplicity
and spirituality of our worship : so may you be in
structive examples to serious inquirers after Truth ;
and not of those who, under a profession thereof,
are preferring their own crooked ways, and turning
others from the footsteps of the followers of Christ.
It is advised, that where the pious exercise of pa
rental care and authority is disregarded, and any of
the youth in membership with us appear obstinately
determined to run into and copy after the vain and
extravagant fashions of the world, in their dress and
address, exposing themselves to the corrupting in
fluence of evil company and excesses, whereby
designing persons may entangle their affections, and
draw them into unsuitable and unhappy connections,
in marriage or otherwise, that such be timely and
tenderly treated with, and shown the dangerous ten
dency of their conduct ; and, if they cannot be pre
vailed with to desist therefrom, and amend their
ways, they should be dealt with by their respective
Preparative or Monthly Meetings, as in other cases
of offence; and if, after due expostulation and for
bearance, they prove irreclaimable, they should be
testified against. — 1792.

PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 117
If any parents in membership with us, willingly
indulge their children or youth under their care,
in such extravagance, liberties, and excesses, as are
here pointed out, they should in like manner be
treated with and disowned.
Friends are advised to bring up their children to
habits of industry, placing them with sober and
exemplary members of the Society, for instruction
in such occupations as are consistent with our re
ligious principles and testimonies ; that as far as in
us lies, they may be preserved in a becoming con
duct and demeanor. And it is desired that those
whose circumstances may furnish with ability for
instructing, in useful and suitable employments, the
children of members who are in situations less afflu
ent, may receive them into their families upon terms
so moderate and equitable, as to remove every
plausible reason for placing them with those not in
membership with us. — 1799.
We long to see more of this living travail among
us, the parents gathering the children around them
at home, and watching over, instructing, and ten
derly caring for their religious welfare there; and
we believe that a blessing from on high would rest
on Buch Christian labor, as respects both parents
and children. — 1864.

118 PLAINNESS.

PLAINNESS.

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

PLAINNESS. 119
whose precepts and example they patiently suffered
long imprisonments, and great persecutions; being
convinced that it was their duty thus to bear a testi
mony against the vain, corrupt spirit of the world.
—1746. The Spirit of Truth, which led our ancients to
lay aside everything unbecoming the followers of
Christ, still leads in the same path all who submit
to its guidance; we therefore earnestly entreat all
Friends to watch over themselves in this respect.
The example of our blessed Saviour, his immediate
followers, and of virtuous and holy men in all ages,
ought to make a due impression on every consid
erate mind ; and especially on such as have had the
advantage of a guarded education.
We also tenderly advise, that Friends seriously
bear in mind, they should be exemplary to others
under their care ; that they exercise plainness of
speech, without respect of persons, in all their con
verse among men ; not balking their testimony by
a cowardly compliance, and varying their language
according to their company ; a practice of very ill
example, rendering those who use it contemptible,
and looked upon as a kind of hypocrites, even by
those with whom they so comply. This seems to
be cautioned against by the apostle, when he advises,
1 Tim., that " The deacons be grave, not double-
tongued;" plainly importing that it is inconsistent
with the gravity of the gospel. — 1743.

120 poor.

POOR.

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

QUERIES. 121

QUERIES.

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

122 QUERIES.
Meetings, the advices and cautions subjoined shall
be also distinctly read and solidly pondered, as a
means of putting the members present upon consid
ering whether there be any occasion for an extension
of care in those respects, and if there is, of stirring
them up to a faithful discharge of their duty as indi
viduals, one towards another.
Frst Query. Are all our religious meetings for
worship and discipline duly attended; is the hour
observed ; and are Friends clear of sleeping and of
all other unbecoming behavior therein ?
Second Query. Are love and unity maintained
amongst you? Are tale-bearing and detraction dis
couraged ? And where any differences arise, are
endeavors used speedily to end them ?
Third Query. Are Friends careful to bring up those
under their direction, in plainness of speech, beha
vior and apparel; in frequently reading the Holy
Scriptures; and to restrain them from pernicious
reading, and from the corrupting influences of worldly
association ? And are they and other Friends good
examples in these respects ?
Fourth Query. Are Friends careful to discourage
the unnecessary manufacture and use of all intoxi
cating liquors, and the frequenting of taverns ; to
avoid places of diversion, and to keep in true mode
ration at the times of marriages, burials, and on all
other occasions ?
Fifth Query. Are the necessities of poor Friends
duly inspected; and are they relieved or assisted as
the cases appear to require ? Are they helped in

QUERIES. 123
procuring for their children sufficient education to
fit them for the duties of life ; and are they and
other Friends' children placed, so far as practicable,
under the care and influence of those in membership
with us ?
Sixth Query. Do you maintain a faithful testimony
against oaths, bearing arms, training, and other mili
tary services; being concerned in any fraudulent or
clandestine business, buying or selling goods fraudu
lently imported, or prize goods,- and against encour
aging lotteries of any kinds : and do you avoid all
encouragement of a ministry exercised at. stated
times or for pay ?
Seventh Query. Are Friends careful to live within
the bounds of their circumstances, and to keep to
moderation in their trade or business? Are they
punctual to their promises, and just in the payment
of their debts; and are such as give reasonable
grounds for fear on these accounts timely labored
with for their preservation or recovery ?
Eighth Query. Do you take due care to deal with
all offenders in accordance with the regulations of
the discipline, in the spirit of meekness, without par
tiality or unnecessary delay, in order for their help ;
and where such labor is ineffectual, to place judg
ment upon them in the authority of Truth ?
And in the Preparative and Monthly Meetings,
when all the foregoing queries are read and answered,
the following advices are to be read, with a suitable
pause between them :
That no young or single persons make or encour-

124 QUERIES.
age proposals of marriage with each other, without
consent of parents or guardians, or keep company
with those who are not of our religious Society, upon
that account; and if parents give their consent to, or
connive at their children's thus keeping company, or
marrying, that they be dealt with according to our
discipline. And if any of our members have been
present at marriages accomplished contrary to the
rules of our discipline, that they also be dealt with.
That all public gifts and legacies be strictly ap
plied to the uses intended by the donors ; or, if any
unforeseen occurrence should render-such compliance
difficult or impracticable, that an early application be
made to the Meeting for Sufferings for its advice or
assistance ; and that timely care be taken for the re
newal of trusts.
That Friends who remove, be careful to apply for
certificates ; and that the cases of such who remove
without certificates, or of sojourners coming from
other places and appearing as Friends, without pro
ducing certificates, be properly attended to by the
overseers. That Friends carefully inspect the state of their
affairs once in the year, and make their wills and
settle their outward estates whilst in health.
That our members wholly abstain from the use of
all intoxicating liquors as a beverage and in culinary
preparations. That they avoid, as far as practicable, patronizing
hotels, restaurants or stores where such liquors are
sold, and in no case sign petitions for or accept

QUERIES. 125
licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages, or rent or
lease their buildings for the manufacture or sale of
such liquors.
And it is further recommended, that in conducting
the affairs of our meetings, as it is the Lord's work,
let it be done as in his sight; thus Friends should
humbly endeavor to manage them in the peaceable
spirit and wisdom of Jesus, with decency, forbearance
and love of each other.
The following queries are also to be read, con
sidered and answered once a year, in each Monthly
and Quarterly Meeting, and a report thereof made
in writing to the Yearly Meeting: and it is recom
mended, that in answering the query respecting
schools, Monthly Meetings furnish their respective
Quarters with particular accounts of the situation
and circumstances of the several schools within their
limits, which are under the care of Preparative,
Monthly or Quarterly Meetings; and that the Quar
terly Meetings convey to the Yearly Meeting a sum
mary statement thereof.
First Query. What ministers and elders deceased,
and when ?
Second Query. What new meetings have been
settled ? and have any meetings been discontinued ?
Third Query. Is due care taken to keep a regu
lar record of births and deaths ?
Fourth Query. Are there schools established for
the education of our youth, under the care of teach
ers in membership with us, and superintended by

126 QUERIES.
committees appointed either in the Monthly or Pre
parative Meetings ?
Fifth Query. Are the queries addressed to the
Quarterly, Monthly and Preparative Meetings, read
and answered therein, as directed? — 1755, 1782,
1806, 1834, 1893.

QUERIES FOR MEETINGS OF 127

QUERIES FOR MEETINGS OF MINISTERS
AND ELDERS.

It is also concluded, that of the following four
queries, formed for the use of the Meetings of Minis
ters and Elders, the first three be read and distinctly
answered in writing, three times in a year, by each
Preparative Meeting of that kind, to its respective
Quarterly Meeting ; and that all the said four queries
shall be in like manner read and answered by the
Preparative to their Quarterly Meetings next pre
ceding the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders;
that the Quarterly Meetings may be enabled to
transmit a clear and distinct statement of those
answers to that meeting.
First Query. Are ministers and elders careful to
attend meetings for Divine worship ; also those for
discipline, bringing their families with them ?
Second Query. Are ministers sound in word and
doctrine; and careful to minister in the ability
which God gives ?
Third Query. Are the lives and conversation of
ministers and elders clean and blameless amongst
men : are they in unity one with another, and with
the meeting they belong to, harmoniously laboring
for Truth's honor ?
Fourth Query. Are they good examples in up
rightness, temperance and moderation ; and careful
to train up their families in plainness of dress and

128 MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
simplicity of manners, becoming our religious pro
fession ?
It is earnestly and affectionately recommended,
that ministers and elders watch over one another
for good, to help those who are exercised in the
ministry in the right line; discouraging forward
spirits that run into words without life and power ;
advising against affectation of tones and gestures,
and everything that would hurt their service; yet
encouraging the humble, careful traveller; speak
ing a word in season to them that are weary. And
let all dwell in that which gives ability to labor
successfully in the church of Christ, adorning the
doctrine which they deliver to others ; being exam
ples of the believers, in word, in conversation, in
charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity. — 1755, 1795,
1806. 1893.

RESIGNATION. 129

RESIGNATION.

If any of our members should offer to their
Monthly Meeting a resignation of their right of
membership in our Society, such meeting should
not consider itself as thereby released from responsi
bility towards such persons, but should honestly
endeavor to discharge its duty towards them, so that
if possible they may be saved from abandoning the
principles they have professed ; and that the meet
ing may be clear. — 1893.

130 SCHOOLS.

SCHOOLS.

The education of our youth in piety and virtue,
and giving them useful learning under the tuition
of religious, prudent persons, having for a great
number of years engaged the solid attention of this
meeting, advices thereon have been from time to
time issued to the several subordinate meetings.
It is renewedly desired that Quarterly, Monthly
and Preparative Meetings may be incited to proper
exertions for the institution and support of schools,
and to procure such tutors of our own religious per
suasion, as are not only capable of instructing our
children in useful learning, to fit them for the affairs
of this life, but to train them in the knowledge of
their duty to God, and one towards another. It is
therefore proposed :
That funds be raised by contribution, bequests,
&c, in each meeting; the interest of which to be
applied either in aid of the tutor's salary, or lessen
ing the expense of Friends in straitened circum
stances, in the education of their children, and that
a committee be appointed in each Monthly or Pre
parative Meeting, to have the care of schools, and
the funds for their support, and that no tutor be
employed but with their consent.
Although the raising a sufficiency to answer those
purposes may in some places appear difficult, yet as
improvements of this kind are generally gradual,

schools. 131
and have Often arisen from small beginnings into
very valuable establishments, it is desired that
Friends may be encouraged thereto, and keeping
an eye to the Divine blessing on their benevolent
endeavors, make such essay for carrying into effect
these recommendations as they may be enabled. —
1746, 1750, 1778 to 1787, 1893.
Under a renewed fervent concern for the preser
vation of our youth, and their advancement in piety
and virtue, it is desired that Quarterly Meetings
would enter deeply into the important subject of
education, and promote in the subordinate meetings
the establishment of schools -to be taught by mem
bers of our religious Society; and that a vigilant
care be exercised in all such schools, to instruct the
children in the principles of the Christian religion,
and the peculiar testimonies of our religious Society.
The daily reading of the Holy Scriptures, and the
regular attendance of the scholars at mid-week meet
ings, where it is practicable, should be enjoined at
all these schools.
If Friends generally were brought to consider a
guarded education, not merely as a matter of tem
poral convenience and accommodation, but as it
really is, a religious concern, of primary obligation, and
deeply affecting the spiritual welfare of their beloved
offspring, they would be prepared to prosecute it
with lively zeal, and to make such pecuniary and
other sacrifices to procure it, that none of the chil
dren of Friends would be without the invaluable
blessing of a competent and religious education.

132 SCHOOLS.
Monthly Meetings are therefore recommended to
appoint committees to have this subject under their
special care; to make particular inquiry into the
situation of all their members as regards education,
and endeavor, as way may open, earnestly to im
press on their minds a due sense of the value of a
religious, guarded education.
And it is desired that Friends in the respective
meetings may cherish a liberal disposition, in con
tributing towards the assistance of their brethren,
who have families of children growing up around
them, and are laboring under many discourage
ments and disadvantages arising from the want of
means to give them that kind of education, which
it has long been the fervent concern of this meeting
to promote among its members. As a principal
obstacle to forming select schools, within some of
the Quarterly Meetings, appears to arise from the
scattered situation of the families, and the difficulty
of locating a school so as to be within the reach of
a sufficient number of the children of Friends; this
may in great measure be removed, by fixing the
school in a central situation near the meeting-house,
and boarding the children, whose parents reside at
a distance, in the families of Friends who live con
tiguous. If a proper concern for the promotion of
the welfare of each other is cultivated among our
members, it is believed there would be little diffi
culty in procuring such situations for the children,
where they can be accommodated during the week
at a small expense, and return home to spend the

schools. 133
First-day with their parents. It is also recom
mended, that all these schools should be under the
care of committees, appointed iu the Monthly or
Preparative Meetings, who should frequently visit,
and diligently watch over them, in order to pro
mote their improvement, and to encourage Friends
to send their children there, rather than to the
mixed schools in the neighborhood.
As essentially connected with, and highly con
ducive to the fulfilment of the foregoing salutary
recommendations, it is very important that Friends
bear in mind, that the business of proper and just
education must be begun at home, and that the dis
cipline and docility, which will enable children to
profit by the instruction of their teachers, and which
often determine the course of their future life, should
be inculcated there.— 1831, 1834, 1893.

134 SCRIPTURES OF THE

SCRIPTURES OF THE OLD AND NEW
TESTAMENTS.

We tenderly and earnestly advise and exhort all
parents and heads of families, that they endeavor
to instruct their children and families in the doc
trines and precepts of the Christian religion, as con
tained in the Holy Scriptures ; and that they excite
them to the diligent reading of those excellent writ
ings, which plainly set forth the miraculous concep
tion, birth, holy life, wonderful works, blessed ex
ample, meritorious death, and glorious resurrection,
ascension and mediation, of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ; and to educate their children in the
belief of those important truths, as well as in the
belief of the inward manifestation and operation of
the Holy Spirit on their own minds, that they may
reap the benefit and advantage thereof, for their own
peace and everlasting happiness ; which is infinitely
preferable to all other considerations. — 1732.
We have always believed that the Holy Scriptures
were written by Divine inspiration ; that they are
able to make wise unto salvation, through faith
which is in Christ Jesus ; for, as holy men of God
spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, they
are therefore profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the
man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished
unto all good works. But as we freely acknowl-

OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. 135
edge, that their authority doth not depend upon the
approbation of any church or assembly, so neither
can we subject them to the fallen, corrupt reason
of man. As a true understanding of the Divine
will, and meaning of Holy Scripture, cannot be dis
cerned by the natural, but only by the spiritual
man, it is therefore by the assistance of the Holy
Spirit, that they are read with great instruction and
comfort.— 1828.
We have always asserted our willingness, that all
our doctrines and practices be tried by them ; and
admit it as a positive maxim : " That whatever any
do, pretending to the Spirit, which is contrary to
the Scriptures, be accounted and reckoned a delu
sion of the devil."— 1828.

136 SECRET SOCIETIES.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

It is the judgment of this meeting that our mem
bers ought not to join Masonic lodges or other secret
organizations. While some of these societies are less objectionable
than others, yet wherever the obligation to secrecy
is attached to them, they should be shunned by our
members. If serious, reputable citizens join the less
objectionable of these societies, their example tends
to encourage others to become members of those
whose influence is still more pernicious.
Secret societies are capable of producing much
evil, and are incapable of producing any good which
might not be effected by safe and open means.
Believing that membership in them will be detri
mental to their religious welfare, we earnestly exhort
all our members to keep clear of the whole system,
and if any of them have become entangled in this
snare, overseers and other concerned Friends should
endeavor to convince them" that their course is re
pugnant to our religious principles and testimonies.
—1893.

SLAVE-TRADE AND SLAVERY. 137

SLAVE-TRADE AND SLAVERY.

It appears to have been the Concern of this meet
ing, revived from time to time with increasing
weight, to testify their entire disunity with the
practice of enslaving mankind, and particularly to
guard all in membership with us against being, in
any degree, concerned in the purchase of slaves from
the coasts of Africa or other parts. Having with
sorrow observed, that in some parts of our country
this shameful practice is still continued and con
nived at, we therefore think it proper to revive the
advices heretofore issued; and again exhort our
members, to be no way accessory to this enormous
national evil, but to discourage it by all the justifi
able means in their power; it being obvious, that
wherever it prevails, it tends to corrupt the morals
of the people, so as not only to render them obnox
ious to the displeasure of the Almighty, but deaf to
his warnings, and insensible and regardless of his
impending judgments. — 1755, 1806.
And we earnestly desire that our members gen
erally may use endeavors to promote the instruction
of the people of color, as objects of the common
salvation, in the principles of the Christian religion;
as well as in such branches of school learning as
may fit them for freedom, and to become useful
members of civil society. Also, that Friends in
their several neighborhoods, advise and assist them

138 SLAVE-TRADE AND SLAVERY.
in the education of their children, and common
worldly concerns. — 1778.
Friends are cautioned against acting as executors
or administrators to estates where slaves are be
queathed ; and doing anything whereby their bond
age may be prolonged. — 1774.
It is the sense and judgment of this meeting, that
if any in membership with us are in any wise con
cerned in purchasing, disposing of, or holding man
kind as slaves, or shall by any means encourage or
countenance a traffic in slaves, they should be treated
with as for any other immoral, unjust or reproachful
conduct ; and if they are not brought to such a sense
of their deviation from the law of righteousness and
Christian equity, as to condemn the same to the
satisfaction of the Monthly Meeting, they should be
disowned.— 1774, 1834.
It appearing that, notwithstanding the many afflic
tive dispensations with Avhich Divine wisdom has
seen meet to visit this land, many of its inhabitants
are so deaf to the language of the rod, as to con
tinue in the nefarious traffic for slaves to the coasts
of Africa; and that the introduction of them into
these United States is, in some places, still connived
at; this meeting, considering such a conduct as a
bold and impious defiance of the Ruler of nations,
and pregnant with the most alarming consequences
to our country, earnestly recommends to the Meet
ing for Sufferings, to embrace every suitable oppor
tunity for advancing our testimony in this respect,
and for calling the attention of the public mind to

SLAVE-TRADE AND SLAVERY. 139
this awfully interesting subject.— 1786, 1787, 1806,
1834. If any of our members are in the practice of hir
ing a slave or slaves to assist them in their business,
and the compensation for such services is to be ap
propriated to the benefit of those who claim the
right of ownership over such of these poor people
who are thus held in bondage, and not designed or
intended to be applied to promote their liberation ;
as this is a violation of our testimony, such mem
bers should be treated with, and after patient labor
has been unavailing, Monthly Meetings should tes
tify their disunity with them.— 1824, 1834.

140 SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS.

SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS.

Advised, that Friends carefully avoid all vain and
idle company, sipping and tippling of drams and
strong drink ; for though such who are in that evil
practice may not suddenly become drunken to the
greatest degree, yet they often thereby become like
ground fitted for the seeds of the greatest transgres
sions ; and some who have had the good example of
virtuous parents, have, from small beginnings, ar
rived at a shameful excess, to their ruin, the great
injury of their wives and families, and the scandal of
the religious profession they have made. — 1706, 1737.
It having been observed that a pernicious custom
has prevailed in some places, of giving rum and
other strong liquors to excite some to bid at vendues
to advance the price, which, besides the injustice of
the artifice, is scandalous, and leads to intemperance
and disorder ; it is therefore the unanimous sense of
this meeting to testify against the same. And if any
in membership with us do fall into the evil practice
of giving or taking spirituous liquors at vendues,
they should be speedily dealt with as disorderly per
sons, and if they cannot be brought to a sense of
their error, disowned. — 1726, 1734.
Many just and pertinent remarks being made in
this meeting, clearly setting forth the corrupting, de
basing and ruinous effects, consequent on the im
portation and retailing large quantities of distilled

SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS. 141
spirits, whereby the intemperate use of them is greatly
aided and encouraged, to the impoverishment of many,
distempering the constitutions and understandings of
many more, and increasing vice and dissoluteness in
the land, wherewith many religiously attentive minds
have been long painfully burdened ; it is the united
sense of the meeting, that well concerned Friends in
all quarters, be earnestly excited to suffer the affect
ing importance of this mighty evil religiously to
affect their minds, and animate them with a lively
concern and honest endeavors, both by example and
loving entreaty, to caution and dissuade all our mem
bers, from being concerned in the importation or
selling distilled spirits, or giving countenance thereto.
1784, 1787.
Under the weight and pressure of the deeply in
teresting concern for the maintenance of our Chris
tian testimony against the trading in, and use of, dis
tilled spirituous liquors, that a gradual and steady
advancement thereof may in no respect be impeded,
Quarterly and Monthly Meetings are afresh urged
to renewed, patient, persevering labor, with such as
are in the practice of using, or giving them out as an
article of drink; manifesting, that if continued in by
any of our members, it cannot admit of any counte
nance while there is a faithful adherence to the Divine
principle of good will to men. — 1796.
If any in membership with us should distil, trade
in, or sell distilled spirituous liquors, except it be
for medicinal or chemical purposes, Monthly Meet
ings should treat with them as with other offenders,

142 SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS.
and if they are not prevailed with to desist from the
practice, they should testify our disunity with them.
—1834. In view of the enormous evils that flow from in
temperance ; that the tendency of moderate use is to
lead to &x stronger and more overpowering craving
for alcoholic stimulants ; and that the force of our
testimony against these evils is weakened by any
indulgence in such drinks ; we desire to encourage
our members to abstain from all that can intoxicate.
—1883.

STOCK. 143
STOCK

Agreed, that there be collections brought in from
each Quarterly, unto the next Yearly Meeting, for a
Yearly Meeting stock, to defray the charges of the
said meeting, according to the several agreements
made, or hereafter to be made. — 1695.
A stock having been generally kept, and by ex
perience found useful, for the necessary occasions of
the Society, it is agreed, that the same be occasion
ally renewed by a collection from each Quarter, and
that it be continued in the hands of the treasurer
appointed by this meeting, and subject to be drawn
out by its direction or by the Meeting for Sufferings,
as the exigencies of Society may require.
The sums which may be thought necessary, shall
be raised by each Quarter, in the proportions which
may be directed by this meeting from time to time.
An arrangement of the quotas of the several Quar
terly Meetings is to be made by a committee ap
pointed for that purpose, thus :
Philadelphia Quarter to pay — dollars in every

Abington

do.

—

ditto.

Bucks

do.

—

ditto.

Concord

do.

—

ditto.

Cain

do.

—

ditto.

Western

do.

—

ditto.

Burlington

do.

—

ditto.

Haddonfield

do.

—

ditto.

Salem

do.

—

ditto.

144 TAVERNS.

TAVERNS.

We think it necessary to caution not only the
youth, but those of riper age, to avoid the unneces
sary attendance at taverns, and that they maintain a
watchful, religious guard respecting other places of
public resort : that they be not exposed to noisy com
pany, and unprofitable conversation ; or betrayed into
the use of strong liquors, by which so many have
been corrupted both in principle and practice, to the
ruin of themselves and their families. And if any
are in danger on these accounts, it is desired that
they may be timely and tenderly treated with, in
order to convince them of their perilous situation. —
1746, 1834.
Considering the temptations and snares which they
are exposed to, who keep houses of public entertain
ment, or beer-houses, the corrupting influence of
many who resort to them, and its effect on the chil
dren and families so exposed; it is the judgment of
this meeting, that our members avoid engaging in
such employments for a livelihood; and attend to
the pointings of pure wisdom for that end. — 1777.
And it is desired that Friends may endeavor, as
far as their influence extends in the community, to
prevent the unnecessary increase of taverns, and be
cautious of signing petitions in behalf of those who
may apply for licenses on that account. — 1738.

TRADE. 145
TRADE.

It being evident that where the manifestations
and restraints of the Spirit of Truth are duly prized
and regarded, it leads out of a bondage to the spirit
of this world, and preserves the minds of its followers
from many fettering and disqualifying entanglements ;
and contrariwise, that an inordinate love and pursuit
of worldly riches, often betrays those who are capti
vated by them, into many difficulties and dangers, to
the great obstruction of the work of Truth in the
heart ; we affectionately desire that the counsel and
gracious promise of our blessed Redeemer to his fol
lowers, may be remembered and duly regarded by
us : " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness, and all these things shall be added
unto you."— 1695 to 1746.
This meeting being earnestly concerned that the
service of our religious Society may not be obstructed,
or its reputation dishonored, by any imprudence of
its members in their worldly engagements, recom
mends to all, that they be careful not to venture
upon such business as they do not well understand;
nor to launch out in trade beyond their abilities, and
at the risk of others ; especially on the credit which
may be derived from a profession of the Truth : but
that they bound their engagements by their means ;
and when they enter into contracts, or give their words,
that they endeavor on all occasions strictly to fulfil
them.

146 TRADE.
We particularly exhort, that none engage in such
concerns, as depend on the often deceptive proba
bilities of hazardous enterprises ; but rather content
themselves with such a plain and moderate way of
living, as is consistent with the self-denying principle
we make profession of; whereby many disappoint
ments and grievous perplexities may be avoided, and
that tranquillity of mind obtained, which is insepara
ble from the right enjoyment even of temporal things.
And it is advised that where any among us err, or
are in clanger of erring in these respects, they be
faithfully and timely admonished.— 1724 to 1746.
Where overseers or other concerned Friends, have
reason to fear that any person or family, by living
above their means, or from a want of punctuality in
fulfilling their contracts, or any other cause, are de
clining in their circumstances, and likely to fail, it is
recommended that such be seasonably treated with,
and, if it appear requisite, advised to call their cred
itors together without delay. And if, notwithstand
ing this advice, such persons still persist and run
into embarrassment, to the loss of others and to their
own disreputation, the Preparative and thence the
Monthly Meeting to which they belong, ought to be
timely informed thereof, and proceed to deal with
them according to our rules; when, if this labor also
prove ineffectual, a testimony of denial is to be is
sued against them. — 1710.
It is recommended that Friends frequently inspect
the state of their affairs, and keep their accounts so
clear and accurate, that they may, at any time, easily

TRADE. 147
know whether they live within the bounds of their
circumstances or not ; and, in case of death, that
these may not be perplexing to survivors. And
whenever any find that they have no more property
left than is sufficient to discharge their just debts, it
is advised, that they immediately consult with some
judicious Friends, and, without loss of time, make
their circumstances known to their creditors, care
fully avoiding the payment of one in preference to
another, that so none may be injured, nor any re
proach be incurred by mismanagement. — 1782.
It is advised that where failures occur, and the
cases are under the care of Monthly Meetings, that
the Friends appointed to visit the parties, inquire of
their assignees or trustees how their deficiencies have
happened, and report accordingly. It is the judg
ment of this meeting, that neither Monthly nor other
meetings should receive subscriptions, donations or
bequests, from persons so circumstanced, until they
have paid off their deficiencies, or are voluntarily
acquitted thereof by their creditors; for it should
be remembered that though, in such cases, the de
faulter may have been legally discharged, the property
he may afterwards acquire is not properly his own,
till he has fairly paid off his former debts, to the
satisfaction of the creditors. Wherefore we further
advise, that if any such person or persons, on being
suitably reminded of their duty in this respect, shall
refuse to comply therewith, inquiry be made into the
reason, and if it be not such as shall satisfy the
Monthly Meetings of which they are members, and

148 TRADE.
they cannot be prevailed with, the said meetings,
after a proper time of labor and forbearance, should
issue a testimony of denial against them. — 1782.
Advised, that when Friends accept the office of
trustee or assignee, that they be active in collecting
the effects of the estate, and punctual and speedy in
making distribution : — that Friends everywhere care
fully avoid being any way concerned in defrauding
the government of its duties ; that so our ancient
testimony in this respect may be inviolably main
tained.— 1755, 1796.
If any member is complained of for withholding a
just debt, he or she should be tenderly urged to pay
ment; and if this is unavailing, be dealt with as in
other cases of disorderly conduct. And if any of
our members appear unable to satisfy their creditors,
they should be advised to call them together without
loss of time, and submit the state of their affairs to
their inspection : when, if the creditors apprehend a
surrender of the debtor's effects to assignees, for the
benefit of the whole, to be necessary, let him or her
be earnestly entreated to consent ; and if they refuse
so to do, the Monthly Meeting should be informed
thereof; when, if the party still persist in refusing,
he or she should be disowned without too long delay.
1710, 1719, 1806.
It is the judgment of this meeting, that if persons
so failing in their circumstances, should at any time
afterwards be favored with full ability to pay off their
deficiencies, justice will require it of them, notwith
standing a composition with, and legal discharge

TRADE. 149
from their creditors, may have been obtained. This
is, however, not meant to furnish any creditor with
a pretext for advancing such claims, while persons so
deficient are honestly laboring to retrieve their cir
cumstances ; nor until it shall clearly appear to their
respective Monthly Meetings, or to a solid committee
thereof, that a sufficient ability is arrived at; when,
if they are requested to comply, and persist in refus
ing, the said meetings should proceed to disown
them.— 1710, 1719, 1806.
We warn our members against a pernicious prac
tice amongst the trading part of the community,
which has often issued .in the ruin of those con
cerned therein, viz., that of raising and circulating a
kind of paper credit, with endorsements, to give it
an appearance of value, without an intrinsic reality ;
a practice which, as it appears to be inconsistent
with the Truth we profess, we declare our disappro
bation of, and entreat every member of our Society
to avoid and discourage.
We also caution all in membership with us to avoid
entering into joint securities with others, under the
specious plea of rendering acts of kindness ; many
by so doing, having been suddenly ruined, and their
innocent wives and children reduced to deplorable
circumstances. " Be not thou," said the wise man,
" one of them that strike hands ; or of them that are
sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why
should he take away thy bed from under thee." —
1806. We affectionately desire, that Friends may hum-

150 TRADE.
bly wait for Divine counsel in all their engagements,
and duly attend to the secret intimations and restric
tions of the Spirit of Truth in their business and
trading, not suffering their minds to be hurried away
by an inordinate desire of worldly riches; remem
bering the observation of the apostle in his day, and
so often sorrowfully verified in ours, that " They
that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare;"
and erring from the faith, " pierce themselves through
with many sorrows." Even when riches, to any ex
traordinary degree, have been amassed by the suc
cessful industry of parents, how often have they
proved like wings to their children, carrying them
beyond the limitations of Truth, into liberties repug
nant to our religious testimonies, and sometimes into
enterprises which have terminated in irreparable
damage to their temporal affairs, if not an entire for-
getfulness of the great work of the soul's salvation.
—1806. When any member of our religious Society, in
trade or business, becomes unable to discharge his
or her debts, the overseers should take an early op
portunity to ascertain the circumstances of the case,
and spread the same before the Preparative Meeting,
in order that it may be regularly forwarded to the
Monthly Meeting; and if it shall appear that such
failure has arisen from a want of due attention to the
advices of this meeting, on the subject of trade and
business, and has brought reproach on our religious
profession, the Monthly Meeting should issue a testi
mony of disownment of the individual, unless he can

TRADE. 151
be brought to condemn his course to the satisfaction
of the meeting.— 1816, 1893.
It is also the judgment of this meeting, that when
any of our members are about to assign their prop
erty, their creditors should be consulted, if practica
ble, and have the liberty of appointing assignees to
take charge of the effects; which should be assigned
-without any reservation or other condition, than a
distribution of the effects among the creditors, ac
cording to their respective dues; and if the party do
not so proceed, the case shall be issued as is directed
in the preceding paragraph. — 1816.
A fear has attended the minds of Friends, respect
ing the exposure to evil company and the danger of
forming corrupt habits, to which young men are
subjected at boarding-houses, where they are without
the counsel and proper restraints of judicious care
takers. The preservation of their principles and
morals is of the first moment to our beloved young
Friends, paramount to all the advantages of trade,
and to any sacrifice they can make, in choosing a
business, which may afford comparatively a small
profit, where the liability to evil influences is not so
great. When this choice is about to be made, it calls
for the serious consideration of the young people and
their parents or guardians, particularly before de
ciding to come from the country into a populous city,
where snares and temptations abound, of which they
may yet be wholly ignorant, but which, if they are
exposed to them, may lay waste their moral standing,
and even jeopardize the salvation of the soul. Where

152 TRADE.
there is an honest desire to seek first the kingdom of
God and the righteousness thereof, with a single eye
to the Lord for direction, we believe He will point
out the proper place, and the mode for his children
to "provide things honest in the sight of all men,"
and to serve Him according to his blessed will, in
doing which they will partake of true peace and the
right enjoyment of the things of this life. — 1853.

WAR. 153

WAR.

Friends are exhorted faithfully to adhere to our
ancient testimony against wars and fightings, and in
no way to unite with any in warlike measures, either
offensive or defensive; that by the inoffensiveness of
our conduct, we may convincingly demonstrate our
selves to be real subjects of the Messiah's peaceful
reign, and be instrumental in the promotion thereof,
towards its desired completion; when, according to
ancient prophecy, "Nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore,"
"for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the
Lord, as the waters cover the sea."
When goods have been distrained from any Friends,
on account of their refusal to pay fines for non-per
formance of military services, and the officers, after
deducting the fines and costs, propose to return the
remainder, it is the sense of this meeting, that Friends
should maintain their testimony by suffering, and not
accept such overplus, unless the same or a part of it
is returned without a change of the species. — 1755.
It is declared to be the sense of this meeting, that
furnishing wagons, or other means for conveying of
military stores, is a military service, and that the care
of elders, overseers, and all faithful Friends, should
be extended in true love and Christian tenderness, to
such as deviate herein, in order to convince them of
their error. — 1758.

154 WAR.
It is the judgment of this meeting, that a tax levied
for the purchasing of drums, colors, or for other
warlike uses, cannot be paid consistently with our
Christian testimony. — 1776.
This meeting fervently recommends to the deep
attention of all our members, that they be religiously
guarded against approving or showing the least con
nivance, at war, either by attending at, or viewing of
military operations, or in any wise encouraging the
unstable deceitful spirit of party, by joining with
political devices or associations, however speciously
disguised under the ensnaring subtleties commonly
attendant thereon ; but that they sincerely labor to
experience a settlement on the alone sure foundation
of pure, unchangeable Truth; whereby, through the
prevalence of unfeigned Christian love and good-will
to men, we may convincingly demonstrate, that the
kingdom we seek is not of this world. A kingdom
and government whose subjects are free indeed! re
deemed from those captivating lusts, from whence
come wars and fightings. — 1798.
A living concern for the advancement of our testi
mony to the peaceable kingdom of Christ, continuing
to spread in many minds, we fervently desire that
the members of our religious Society may carefully
avoid engaging in any trade or business promotive
of war; sharing or partaking of the spoils of war by
purchasing or selling prize goods ; importing or ship
ping goods in armed vessels; paying taxes for the
express purpose of war; grinding of grain, feeding
of cattle, or selling their property for the use of the

WAR. 155
army : that through a close attention to the monitions
of Divine grace, and guarding against the suppression
of it either in themselves or others, they may be pre
served in a conduct consistent with our holy profes
sion, from wounding the minds or increasing the
sufferings of each other; not at all doubting, that He
to whom appertains the kingdom and the power,
who is wonderful in working, will continue to carry
on and perfect his blessed cause of peace in the earth.
A solid attention to this concern is recommended to
Quarterly, Monthly and Preparative Meetings, and to
our brethren in general: it being the judgment of
this meeting, that if any of our members do either
openly or by connivance, pay any fine, penalty or tax,
in lieu of personal service for carrying on war; or
allow their children, apprentices or servants to act
therein ; or are concerned in arming or equipping
vessels with guns, or in dealing in public certificates,
issued as a compensation for expenses accrued, or
services performed in war; that they be tenderly
dealt with, and if they are not brought to an ac
knowledgment of their error, Monthly Meetings
should proceed to testify against them. — 1780, 1781.
It is the sense and judgment of this meeting, that
it is inconsistent with our religious testimony and
principle, for any Friend to pay a fine or tax, levied
on them on account of their refusal to serve in the
militia, although such fine or imposition may be ap
plied towards defraying the expenses of civil govern
ment. And where deviations in this respect occur,
tender dealing and advice should be extended to the

156 WAR.
party, in order to their convincement and restoration:
and if this proves ineffectual, Monthly Meetings
should proceed to testify against them. — 1790.
A firm belief in, and testimony to the peaceable
nature and spirit of the religion of Christ have ever
been a distinguishing characteristic of our Society.
We are convinced that war, under any and every
circumstance, is opposed to the plain commands and
the benign precepts of Christ; and strong are our
desires that none of our members may be betrayed,
either by plausible reasoning or by the. military spirit,
now so prevalent, into any compromise, of this im
portant testimony. The prophecies .of holy men of
old give assurance that the day will come, when na
tions shall not learn war any more; and we would
impress upon all, that as wTe yield ourselves to the
loving, lamb-like spirit of the Prince of Peace, and
scrupulously guard against sanctioning, in any way,
the spirit and practices of war, we thus avoid wound
ing our own peace and grieving the Holy Spirit, and
aid in the fulfilment of those heart-cheering predic
tions; while a contrary course, however it may be
palliated or glossed over, is obstructing the triumph
of peace on earth and good-will to men. — 1865.

WILLS. 157

WILLS.

Knowing how quickly many are removed by death,
it is weightily recommended, that Friends who have
estates to dispose of, be advised to make their wills
in time of health and strength of judgment, and
therein to direct their substance as in justice and
wisdom may be to their satisfaction and peace ; lay
ing aside all resentment, though occasion may have
been given, lest it should go with them to the grave;
remembering we all stand in need of mercy and for
giveness. Making such wills in due time can shorten
no one's days, but the omission or delay thereof to a
time of sickness, when the mind should not be di
verted from a solemn consideration of the approach
ing awful period of life, has often proved veryinjurious
to many, and been the occasion of creating animosi
ties in families, which the seasonable performance of
this necessary duty might have effectually prevented.
—1691, 1703.
Friends are earnestly recommended to employ per
sons skilful in the law, and of good repute, to make
their wills, as great inconvenience and loss, and some
times the ruin of families have happened through
the unskilfulness of some, who have taken upon them
to write wills, being unqualified to act in a matter of
such importance. — 1782, 1801.
And all Friends who may become executors or
administrators, are advised to make a full, clear and

158 WOMEN'S MEETINGS.
perfect inventory of the estate and effects of the de
ceased, early after the interment, as many difficulties
and disputes have arisen, and sometimes injustice
been done for want of it, or by deferring it too long.
—1801.

WOMEN'S MEETINGS.

Forasmuch as our women's Meetings for disci
pline were set up and established in Divine wisdom,
and by long experience have been found of advantage,
not only to the Society in general, but to the youth
of their own sex in particular; it is earnestly desired
that faithful women Friends may be encouraged to
come up to the help of their brethren, in that part of
the discipline of the church properly claiming their
attention and care. On considering the nature and
extent whereof, it is apprehended a benefit might
accrue, by explicitly setting forth their distinct allot
ment and separate services, in their Monthly and
Quarterly Meetings, and also in their Yearly Meet
ing.— 1796.
Women's Monthly Meetings are, First, To inspect
and relieve the wants of the poor of their own sex;
and where their own funds are insufficient, they are
to apply to the men's meetings for their aid, and for
their concurrence, as cases shall require.
Second. To take cognizance of proposals of mar
riage, and appoint two of their members to inquire

women's meetings. 159
into the conversation and clearness of the woman ;
also, two to the oversight of the marriage.
Third. They are to appoint a suitable number of
overseers, who are to exercise a tender care over their
fellow-members, and to treat with offenders of their
own sex; that their cases be laid before the women's
Preparative Meeting, and if needful, the same should
be spread before their Monthly Meeting; which
should proceed to deal further with such delinquents,
and report the result of their labors to the men's
meeting; and if further dealing is expedient, the men
should appoint a committee to unite with the women
therein; the report of which joint committee is to be
made to each meeting; and the women having con
sidered the same, are to inform the men's meeting
of their sense thereon, and the subject to be finally
resulted by the men. But when a case is brought
by the women into the men's meeting, if, on solid
consideration there, further dealing does not appear
to be needful, a committee of men Friends should be
appointed to prepare a testimony of disownment,
which, when approved, is to be sent to the women's
meeting for their concurrence, and care in delivering
it to the party.— 1796, 1893.
If a female under dealing in the women's meeting
removes into the compass of another Monthly Meet
ing; or, if previous to or after such removal, her con
duct has been such as to require her being dealt with ;
and her residence be at so great a distance as to ren
der it inconvenient for the Monthly Meeting to which
she belongs, it should by minute transmit to the

160 women's meetings.
Monthly Meeting of women Friends, within the limits
of which the person resides, clear information of the
state of the case, and request its care in dealing with
her on their behalf; and when the Monthly Meeting
removed from has received an account of the effect
of this labor, they are then to give due information
thereof to their respective men's Monthly Meeting,
in order that the business may be finally determined.
—1834. Fourth. On application of a woman for admission
into membership, after a religious care therein hath
been exercised by women overseers, and in the Pre
parative Meeting, as the case may require, and it
appearing proper to claim the attention of their
Monthly Meeting, it should accordingly be referred
thereto; when, if no obstruction to its further pro
cedure is discovered, they are to make an appointment
to unite with a committee of men Friends, in further
careful attention to the business; the report of which
joint committee is to be made to each meeting; and
the women's meeting having considered the same,
are to communicate their sense thereon to the men's
meeting, where the subject shall be considered and
finally resulted.— 1796, 1834.
If a woman who has been disowned, presents to
the women's Monthly Meeting an acknowledgment
of her offence, and applies for reinstatement into
membership; unless there is just ground of uneasi
ness and dissatisfaction therewith, they are to lay the
case before the men's Monthly Meeting, which is to
determine how or in what manner it is to be issued :

women's meetings. 161
but if, although the way does not then appear clear
to accept the said offering, the men's meeting shall
judge that religious care therein should be extended
by a visit to the party or otherwise, the women's
meeting is to make an appointment to join a com
mittee of men Friends for this purpose, the report of
which joint committee is to be made to each meet
ing ; and the women's meeting having considered the
same, are to communicate their sense thereon to the
men's meeting, where the case is to be considered,
and finally resulted. — 1834.
If a person, while under dealing in the women's
Monthly Meeting, makes an acknowledgment of her
transgression, and the meeting, on an impartial, solid
consideration thereof, believes that she is not in a state
to make such an offering as embraces the nature of
the case, and gives evidence of true conviction, they
are to extend such further care therein, as may appear
requisite; and when they shall have discharged their
duty, and feel clear of the case, they are to inform
the men's Monthly Meeting that such a case had en
gaged their care and labor, and that although the
party had presented an acknowledgment, yet their
meeting, upon weighty deliberation, was not easy to
encourage its acceptance; and then leave it to the
judgment and decision of the men's meeting; but if
they should be satisfied that an individual under
dealing has been brought to a due sense of her devi
ation, they are to impart the whole case to the men's
meeting; and unless this meeting is most easy then
to conclude the business, the women are to make an

162 women's meetings.
appointment to unite with a committee of men
Friends, in renewed religious attention thereto; the
report of which united committee is to be made to-
each meeting, and determined in like manner as be
fore directed. The authority for disowning a mem
ber, or receiving a person into membership, must
always rest in the men's meeting. — 1834.
Fifth. They are to join in certificates of removal
for women Friends; in order whereto, the women's
Monthly Meeting is to appoint two or more of their
members to make the necessary inquiry, that the
same may be prepared; which, after being consid
ered in the women's, is to be laid before the men's
meeting ; and when there approved and signed, re
turned to the women's meeting for their signature;
but if the certificate is intended to include one or
more males, they are then to report the result of
their inquiry to the Friends named on the like in
quiry by the men's meeting; and the certificate, after
having been prepared, approved and signed, in the
men's meeting, is to be sent to the women's meeting
for their concurrence and signing. All certificates
received for women Friends are to be laid before the
men's meeting, before they can be fully accepted by
the women's meeting. — 1796.
Sixth. Respecting the nomination of an elder,
see the rule under the head "Ministers and Elders,"
page 98.
Seventh. The women's Preparative Meetings, where
more than one constitutes a Monthly Meeting, are
to consider and answer the queries; which is like-

women's meetings. 163
wise to be done in their Monthly Meetings; from
which they are to report the state of each Monthly
Meeting, to their respective Quarterly Meeting; to
attend which as their representatives, they should
nominate two or more of their members. — 1796.
Women's meetings are to answer no other than
the first eight queries, as usual; but it is desired,
that in their Monthly Meetings, care may be ex
tended to convey to the men's meetings, such informa
tion as may be necessary for the preservation of a
regular record of births and deaths. — 1807.
WOMEN'S QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
First. They are to receive the written accounts
sent from the respective women's Monthly Meet
ings, and transmit the collected answers to the
queries, with such other matters as appear needful,
to the women's Yearly Meeting; to attend the ser
vice whereof, each Quarterly Meeting is to appoint
a suitable number of representatives. See Discipline.
Second. They are to communicate to their respec
tive Monthly Meetings such advices as they appre
hend necessary, with any epistles or writings issued
for that purpose by their Yearly Meeting ; nomi
nate committees, at the request of the men's meet
ing, to visit their Monthly Meetings, or for any other
service which the men's meeting shall judge expedi
ent ; and in all respects they are to attend to those
matters which may properly come under the notice
and care of women's Quarterly Meetings. — 1796.

164 WOMEN'S MEETINGS.
YEARLY MEETING OF WOMEN FRIENDS,
Held annually in Philadelphia, at the time of hold
ing this meeting; is at liberty to correspond with
other Yearly Meetings of their own sex, either in
America or elsewhere, and to issue such counsel and
admonition to their own Quarterly and Monthly
Meetings, as in the wisdom of Truth shall appear
conducive to real benefit and mutual edification ;
but the said Yearly Meeting is not to hear or deter
mine on any appeal, nor at liberty to make or alter
any rules of discipline or queries. — 1685, 1893.
They are to have stock of their own, for such
services as may fall more properly under their no
tice.— 1705.
It is desired that a fair record be kept of the
minutes and proceedings of the Yearly, Quarterly
and Monthly Meetings of women Friends; and that
annually their representatives to the Yearly Meeting
exercise a proper religious care in the choice of a
clerk.— 1796.
At the request of the men's meetings, their Month
ly, Quarterly and Yearly Meetings are to appoint
committees, to unite with like committees of the
men's meetings, in the setting up or laying down
of Preparative, Monthly and Quarterly Meetings. —
1834.

YEARLY MEETING. 165
YEARLY MEETING.

It appears by the records, that the first Yearly
Meeting was held at Burlington, New Jersey, the
thirty-first day of the Sixth Month, 1681, old style,
for the provinces of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Although in the early settlement of Friends in this
country, several meetings were held which were
then called Yearly Meetings ; yet in 1683, it being
clearly evident that a meeting ought to be constitu
ted, which should be vested with a superintending
care and jurisdiction, over all the meetings in those
two provinces and parts adjacent; the Yearly Meet
ings in other provinces were accordingly inform
ed of this concern, and requested to give their
judgment upon a proposition so important and in
teresting to the Society : a united concurrence there
with being freely given, and Friends from New Jer
sey and Pennsylvania, together with a number of
Friends from other parts, having generally assem
bled at the Yearly Meeting held in Philadelphia,
the fifteenth of Seventh Month, 1685, it was then
unanimously concluded, that henceforward there
should be one Yearly and General Meeting, held for
the provinces of Pennsylvania and New Jersey ; the
next year at Burlington, and the following year at
Philadelphia, and so on alternately. It was further
concluded, that Friends in the ministry should meet
together on First-day morning, at the seventh hour,
before the public General Meetings.

166 YEARLY MEETING.
The Yearly Meeting having assembled at Bur
lington at the time appointed, in 1686, it was opened
under the title of "A General Yearly Meeting held
for Friends of Pennsylvania, East and West Jerseys,
and of the adjacent Provinces." At this meeting it
was concluded that two or more Friends be appoint
ed out of every Quarterly Meeting, to attend the
meeting as representatives; and such accordingly
attended in that capacity, in 1687. The Yearly
Meeting thus constituted and established, continuing
to be held alternately at Burlington and Philadelphia,
the time of holding it was, in 1755, changed to the
Ninth Month, present style. In 1760, it was con
cluded to be held at the same time, in Philadelphia
only ; and in 1798, the time of holding it was altered
to the third Second-day in the Fourth Month, as it
now is. The Yearly Meeting of Ministers and
Elders, to be on the Seventh-day of the week pre
ceding; and both to begin at the tenth hour.
It is agreed, that such Friends as may be appointed
to prepare epistles, shall meet together before they
proceed on the service ; and subsequently, that they
examine the several essays previous^ to their being
laid before this meeting. — 1724.
All letters or papers directed to the Yearly Meet
ing, except from such meetings as regularly corres
pond therewith, are to be first perused by a few
Friends to be appointed, who are to consider and
report whether the same be proper to be read in
this meeting or not. The same order is to be ob
served in the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings, as

YEARLY MEETING. 167
regards any papers offered to their notice, which
are not recognized or provided for in the rules of
our discipline. — 1695, 1834.
The representatives appointed by the Quarterly
Meetings, are to stay together at the close of the
first sitting of the Yearly Meeting, in each year, to
consider of a suitable Friend to serve the meeting
as clerk, and a Friend to assist him ; and to make
report to the next sitting of the meeting. The
clerk of the preceding year is, according to our
ancient practice, to act as clerk until another is
appointed by the Yearly Meeting ; but if, through
sickness, or any other cause, he is likely to be pre
vented from attending, the Meeting for Sufferings,
previous to the commencement of the Yearly Meet
ing, is to take due care that the business which is
to come before the meeting, be not obstructed or
delayed, for want of requisite attention to the reports
and documents which are forwarded ; that thus the
meeting may be regularly opened at the time ap
pointed.— 1834.
When extracts from the minutes of this meeting
are ordered to be sent to the Quarterly Meetings, a
full copy shall be sent by each of those meetings to
their respective Monthly Meetings, and by the
Monthly to each of their Preparative Meetings, in
order that each meeting may have a copy thereof,
to have recourse to as occasions may require. — 1754.

INDEX.

A.
PAGE.
ACCOMMODATION PAPEE in trade, disapproved, . . 149
ACCOUNTS of Sufferings to be forwarded annually, . . 60
Mode of stating them,  86, 87
Of places of deposit of papers, minutes, title-deeds, etc., . 83
Of deceased ministers and elders to bo forwarded yearly, 91, 125
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS— to be prepared in writing, sub
mitted to overseers, and may be presented by the party, 9
If the party resides within the limits of a distant Monthly
Meeting, it is to be written to,  9
Not always to recite causes of disownment, ... 10
Not read in meetings for worship,  10
Of offences to remove scandal,  37
Hasty acceptance of, injurious,  81
Of disowned women for reinstatement, how treated, . 160, 161
Of women under dealing,  161
ADMINISTEATOES, EXECUTOES, etc., to resort to law
where it appears indispensable,  19
Not to act where there are slaves bequeathed, . . . 138
To make complete inventory early after interment, , 157, 158
ADMISSIONS of persons into membership, . . . 40,160
ADVICES to be read annually, .... 123, 124, 125
AFFAIES of the church, how conducted, . . 58, 61, 125
outward, to be inspected annually, . . . . 124
APPAEEL, plainness of,  . 118
APPEALS,  11
Appellant to be furnished with minute, or testimony of
disunion,  11
To notify the first or second Monthly Meeting, . . .11
Committee, or respondents, to be appointed to attend the
Quarter, with minutes of the proceedings, signed by the
clerk or clerks, . .  11

170 INDEX. PAGE.
Notification to be read in Quarterly Meeting after repre
sentatives are called, ....... 11
Committee appointed to hear appellant, .... 11
Appellant and respondents may each object to three, . 12
Parties not to digress from the subject, nor any member to
express an opinion in their presence, .... 12
Eeport in writing, annulling or confirming the decision
below,  13
Early information to be given to parties, .... 13
Decision of Monthly Meeting to be affirmed, in a breach
of Discipline, where proceedings have been correct, . 13
Eight to appeal to Yearly Meeting, to notify the next
Quarterly Meeting, . . . . . . .13
Eespondents to be appointed to attend Yearly Meeting
with certified copies of proceedings of both meetings, . 13
Appointment of Yearly Meeting's Committee, and course
pursued,  14, 15
Monthly Meetings may appeal from the decision of the
Quarterly, ......... 15
Appellant not appearing, loses his right, unless prevented
by sufficient cause, .  16
Appeals to a Quarter, composed of two Monthly Meetings,
to be referred to Yearly Meeting,  16
APPOINTMENTS in meetings to be made with care, . . 60
APPEENTICES removing, their guardians to apply for cer
tificates,  32
And children to be encouraged to attend divine worship, 88, 89
AEBITEATIONS,  17
Party aggrieved to request the other to comply with the
demand, in presence of overseers, ..... 17
Choice of arbitrators, and bond to abide their decision, . 17
Arbitrators to proceed promptly, listening to neither party
separately, nor disclosing their opinions, ... 17
Either party refusing to submit the matter, give attend
ance, or abide by the award, to be complained of to Pre
parative or Monthly Meeting;  17
An erroneous or unjust award cause of rehearing, . . 18
The matter again referred if the meeting thinks proper,
and on further refusal to comply, to be disowned, . . 18

INDEX. 171
PAGE.
Arbitrators may consult counsel in the law, ... 18
They should shun previous information, and stand un
biassed,  19
To reject no evidence, nor receive any in absence of par
ties,  19
Circumstances which warrant an appeal to the law, 19
Certain cases to be settled without reference, ... 20
Preparative Meeting to appoint a committee to judge, and
the matter disposed of accordingly, .... 20
Advised that ministers be not employed as arbitrators, . 21
AEDENT SPIEITS. See Spirituous Liquors, . . .140
Distilling, or trading in, disownable, .... 141, 142
See also Intoxicating Liquors,  124, 125
AEMING VESSELS, or shipping in them, testified against, . 155
ASCENSION of Jesus Christ,  134
ASSIGNEES, or Trustees, to be prompt in discharging duties, 148
ASSIGNMENTS of insolvent persons to be without reserva
tion,  . . 151
ATONEMENT of Jesus Christ,  28, 38, 39
AUTHOEITY of meetings — the love, power, and spirit of
Christ,  .... 60
B.
BANKEUPTCY, a cause for proceeding at law, ... 19
Inquiry to be made into the causes of, 147, 150
Subscriptions, etc., not to be taken from bankrupts, . 147
Course of proceeding with insolvent debtors, . . 148, 150
Persons becoming fully solvent required to discharge their
former debts,  147, 148, 149
Danger of inordinate pursuit of wealth, . . 149, 150
Creditors to be consulted in assignments, . . . 151
BEQUESTS and donations to be strictly applied, ... 65
Not to be received from insolvent members, . . . 147
BIETHS AND BUEIALS,  22
Moderation in provision at burials, gravity and decorum
advised, . . ... . 22
Suitable Friends to be appointed to attend, and the corpse
to be removed in an hour, . . ... 22
Caution not to attend the worship of others, particularly
at burials, .... 22

172 INDEX.
PAGES.
No meeting to be appointed at interment of those not
members, nor in a formal manner at the burial of mem
bers, . .  23
Friends to be religiously guarded in publishing invitations
in our meetings for those who are not members, . . 23
Appointments to the care of our burial grounds, and to
grant orders for interment,  23
Non-members not to be interred without a permit, . . 23
Grounds to be properly enclosed, and no monuments to be
'admitted,  23
The above understood not to prohibit stones, rising not
more than six inches above the ground, and having only
the name and age or date of birth and death inscribed
upon the top thereof, . ... 24
Mourning habits disapproved, . . ... 24
Eegular records of births and deaths to be kept agreeably
to form, . . . . 24, 25
Interments to be in the grounds of Friends, ... 25
Flowers and needless expenses to be avoided, . 26
BLASPHEMY to be testified against, . 38
BOOKS, . . . 27
Writings on our religious principles to be submitted to
Meeting for Sufferings, . . ... 27
Persons printing or publishing writings contrary to advice,
or derogatory to our faith, or tending to disunity, dis
ownable,  ... 27
A Monthly Meeting neglecting to administer the Disci
pline in such cases, to be represented to its Quarterly
Meeting,  27
Printing, selling, or distributing works, tending to lay
waste the doctrines of Christianity, disownable, . 27, 28
Care-takers of children to guard them from reading such
works, and plays, romances, novels, and other pernicious
books  28
Booksellers and printers cautioned against printing, selling
or lending them, . ... 23
Friends advised to be careful in the choice of books, . 28
Beading Holy Scriptures and other religious works on the
afternoon of First-day, advised, . ... 46

INDEX. 173
PAGE.
Books to be provided by Quarterly and Monthly Meetings
to record minutes,  64
O.
CATTLE, feeding or selling for the army, disapproved, . . 154
CEETIFICATES,  30
To be forwarded for reinstated persons, .... 10
For travelling Friends to be recorded, and seasonably re
turned,  30, 103
Of removal to be lodged with the Monthly Meeting where
accepted, and records kept of all certificates issued, 30
Mode of signing, .  30
When certificate is received, the parties to be members of
the meeting removed to,  33
From Monthly Meetings not belonging to the Yearly
Meeting,  33, 34
To be applied for, or sent after persons removing, . 31, 124
If their conduct has been exceptionable, to be treated with
by Monthly Meeting removed to, . . 31, 56
To be applied for, for apprentices and minors removing, . 32
Disorderly persons appearing as Friends, without certifi
cates, to be treated with,  32, 124
Committee to visit those who bring certificates, . . 32
The property of the meeting addressed, and to be carefully
forwarded,  32
When applied for, inquiry to be made respecting outward
affairs, etc.,  32
To be considered as accepted, if the party reside in the
limits of the Monthly Meeting when produced, . . 33
If the conduct of the party requires them to be dealt with,
it is to be returned,  33
The Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia may
receive certificates for persons residing on or near the
Allegheny Indian Eeservation, .... 41
Persons about to marry at a distance from home, to obtain
certificates, .... . . 75, 76
Form of marriage certificate, .... 78
No minister to appoint meetings, or travel out of the Quar
terly Meeting, without certificate, . . . .99, 100

174 INDEX. PAGE.
For ministers travelling beyond the Yearly Meeting, 101, 102, 103
Of removal for women,  162
For religious concerns of women, ..... 100
Issued for services in war, not to be dealt in, . . . 155
CENSURE, church, extent of,  vi
CHANGE of residence to be made with caution — fellow-mem
bers to be consulted,  30
CHAEITY, necessity of, in building up one another, . . vii
CHILDREN not to read books subversive of Christian prin
ciples,  28
Care advised in the choice of books for their use, . . 28
To be especially collected on First-day afternoon for read
ing, etc.,  46
Discouraged from visiting and rambling about on First-
day, and mingling with unprofitable company, . , 46
Eights of,  58, 59, 65
Apprentices and servants, to be brought to meeting for
worship,  88, 89
CHILDEEN AND PAEENTS,  115
Obedience to parents inculcated,  115
Vain fashions, corrupt company, taverns, and places of
diversion, etc., to be avoided, .... 115, 116
Simplicity of garb, language and manners enforced, . . 116
Disregard of parental authority, and testimonies of Friends,
to be testified against, ....... 116
Parents liable to disownment for indulging children in
excesses  117
To be educated in industry and placed with members, . 117
Friends in affluence exhorted to assist in educating others, 117
Of poor Friends to claim care of Monthly Meetings, . 120
Not to keep company for marriage without consent of
parents, nor with those not of our Society, 73, 74, 75, 123, 124
Education of children. See schools, .... 130
To be provided with teachers of our own persuasion, . 130
To be educated in belief of the miraculous conception,
birth, miracles, death, resurrection, ascension, and medi
ation of Christ, and the inward manifestation of the
Holy Spirit,  .134

INDEX. 175
PAGE.
CHUECH — a preparation of heart necessary to manage its
concerns,  60
Unclean hands disqualify for ruling in the church, . . 61
Learning, artificial acquirements, riches, eloquence or
natural wisdom, insufficient for government in the
church, .......... 62
CLEEKS to be appointed annually,  60
Of Monthly Meetings to assist Eecorders  25
Eepresentatives of women's Quarterly Meetings to select a
clerk for their Yearly Meeting  164
Representatives of the Quarterly Meetings to report clerk
to the Yearly Meeting,  167
The clerk of the preceding year to act till a new appoint
ment,  107
When likely to be prevented, the Meeting for Sufferings
to take charge of the reports,  167
CIVIL GOVERNMENT,  35
Liberty of conscience the common right of all, ... 35
No office to be accepted which violates our principles, . 35
Friends not to elect members to such offices, ... 35
Called to advance the Messiah's reign, we cannot join in
warlike measures,  36
Caution against defrauding the government, . . . 148
COLOES AND STUFFS, fashionable, advised against, . .118
CODE OF DISCIPLINE, an infringement of, to be treated
for according to the order laid down in the New Testa
ment,  vi
Extent of Society's censure, .... vi
COMMITTEE on Appeals,  11
Names to be read in presence of appellants, etc., . . 12
To hear all parties, to stop irrelevant speeches, and not to
divulge their opinions to either,  12
Their report simply to annul or confirm decision below, . 13
To confirm where there was a violation regularly treated, 13
Of Preparative Meetings, to judge of references, . . 20
To be appointed by Quarterly Meetings to be incorporated
with incompetent Monthly Meetings, .... 51
To attend the opening of new meetings for worship, . 54
COMPLAINTS FOE DEBT. See Arbitrations, . . 17, 20

176 INDEX. PAGE.
See Trade,  148-151
CONCEPTION, miraculous,  134
CONCERNS OF SOCIETY, Qualifications for conducting, 58-62, 125
CONDUCT AND CONVEESATION,  37
Cursing, lying, swearing — unseemly, scandalous, gross, no
torious and indecent practices, testified against, . . 37
Persons promoting noisy gatherings or tumults, to be dealt
with,  38
Blasphemy, denial of the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or
Holy Scriptures, etc., to be testified against, ... 38
Injustice and covetousness disapproved, .... 39
Frequent waiting on the Lord, and abstaining from un
profitable intercourse and converse, enjoined, . . 39
CONNECTION and subordination of meetings, . . vii, 50
Of meetings not dissolvable but in the mode prescribed by
the Discipline, ........ 52
CONSCIENCE, liberty of, the right of all men, ... 35
CONVINCED PEESONS,  40
Application for membership to be made to overseers or
elders, and when prepared, to be laid before Preparative
and Monthly Meetings,  40
Inquiry respecting life, conversation, principles, etc., . 40
Living remote from any meetings of Friends may be ad
mitted to membership,  40
Persons living on or near the Allegheny Indian Eeserva
tion may be received into membership by the Monthly
Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia, .... 41
Caution against haste in such cases,  41
Monthly Meetings exhorted to be weighty, and well satis
fied of the applicant's convinoement of our principles —
when so, to receive without respect to nation or color, . 41
COEEESPONDENCE between distant Monthly Meetings, 9, 31, 56
Between women's Monthly Meetings, . . 57, 159, 1 60
Between elders of different meetings, .... 104
Women's Yearly Meeting to correspond with those of their
own sex,  . 164
Irregular, to be examined by committee before read, . 166
COEEESPONDENTS to be appointed by Monthly Meetings, 43

INDEX. 177
PAGE.
To sign certificates of removal and other documents to go
beyond the limits of the Quarterly Meeting, . . 30, 43
In case of death or unavoidable delay, the signature of a
correspondent of another Monthly Meeting in the same
Quarterly Meeting is to be obtained, . . 43
A correct list of, with their post office addresses, to be at
tached each year to the printed extracts from the min
utes of the Yearly Meeting, . . 43
To sign certificates of ministers, . 101, 102, 103
COURTS OF LAW, the proper demeanor therein, . . 19
COUSINS, first, not permitted to marry, ... 80
The term applies to grandchildren of one parent, . . 80
GREDITOKS, cases in which they are allowed to sue at law, . 19
To be consulted in assignments, .... 148, 151
To take no advantage of the rule requiring insolvent debt
ors to pay whenever they are able, . .148, 149
D.
DANCING, members in the practice of, liable to disownment, 67
DAYS AND TIMES, . . ... 44
Advice against the superstitious observance of days, and
calling days and months by heathen names, ... 44
Reasons for not observing fasts and feast days and times,
etc.,  44, 45
First-day not the Sabbath — set apart by primitive Chris
tians for worship and religious retirement, ... 45
Friends to forbear worldly business, except works of neces
sity and charity,  46
To collect their children and families for religious reading, 46
DEATHS AND BIKTHS, regular records of, to be kept by
each Monthly Meeting, . .... 24
DEATH OF CHEIST, meritorious, . . .134
DEALINGS among men to be just and free from all imposition, 39
DEBTOES to take no advantage of the rule to guard them
from unkind treatment,  .69
To be advised to convene their creditors early, . 146, 148
To refrain from partial payments — their subscriptions, do
nations, or bequests, not to be received while insolvent, 147
To be urged to payment, and if unable, to assign at request
of creditors  148

178 INDEX. PAGE.
When again solvent, justice requires payment of all their
debts,  148, 149
Circumstances of bankruptcy to be ascertained, . 147, 150
DECISIONS of superior meetings to be submitted to by in
ferior,  50, 51
DEFAMATION AND DETEACTION  48
Friends exhorted to shun tale-bearing and detraction, . 48
To keep to the gospel order in treating with those who
err, . .  48
Party to be admonished, and unless they acknowledge, to
be disowned,  48
Eeporters and tale-bearers to be dealt with as principals, 49
DENIAL of the divinity, mediation, or atonement of Christ,
the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit, or inspira
tion of the Holy Scriptures, testified against, . . 27, 38
DILIGENCE in attending meetings, . . . vii, 50, 88, 89
See Queries  121, 127
DISCIPLINE, AND MEETINGS FOE DISCIPLINE, . 50
To be maintained in their original authority, ... 50
Negligence in, produces spiritual death, . 50
Connection and subordination, . .... 50
Inferior meetings to render account and submit to superior, 50
No meeting to be instituted but with consent of superior, 50
Dissolution of Quarterly, Monthly and Preparative Meet
ings, and meetings for worship,  51
Quarterly Meetings to appoint committees to aid incom
petent Monthly Meetings, ...... 51
Meetings possess no right to dissolve their connection with
superior, ........ 52
Junction of a Preparative with another Monthly Meeting,
or a Monthly Meeting with another Quarterly, . . 53
Meetings for worship composed of parts of two Monthly
Meetings, ....... 54
In case of the dissolution of a meeting all rights of prop
erty vested in it, to pass to the meeting to which its
members are joined, . . .... 53
Books for record of proceedings of Quarterly and Monthly
Meetings, . . . ... 54
Business to be finished with dispatch, and when too weighty
to be brought before the Quarterly for aid, ... 54

INDEX. 179
PAGE.
Minutes may be granted to Quarterly and Monthly Meet
ings, or individuals, when requested, .... 55
Eepresentatives of Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to be
punctual to appointment, or furnish reasons for absence, 55, 56
Meetings not to proceed to business while those not mem
bers are present,  56
Mode of treating with offenders at a remote distance, . 56
Women's Monthly Meetings to correspond on such occa
sions,  57
Offenders not to sit in Meetings for Discipline, ... 57
Mode of treating offenders,  57
Qualifications requisite for all performances in Discipline
as well as worship,  58, 61, 114
Testimonies of disunion to be furnished with information
of appeal,  58
Eights of children,  58, 59, 65
Application to jugglers or fortune-tellers, so called, or a
^ pretence to such art, disownable,  59
Accounts of Sufferings to be regularly forwarded, . . 60
Committees annually appointed for nominating clerks, . 60
Care to be taken to judge of the qualifications of members
for service,  60
The virtue and power of the Holy Head demonstrate that
neither tradition nor education prepares for succession
in the church, .  60
Caution again bringing into service prematurely, . . 61
Unclean hands, and connivance at undue liberties, dis
qualify for church government, ....
Pertinent counsel, how to conduct in the church,
Design of Preparative Meetings — cases to be forwarded
writing — not to take cognizance of marriage,
Monthly Meetings to seek the wanderers, .
Descendants of Separatists— how treated, .
DISCOED and Disunity, persons publishing works tending to
excite it, . . . •
Attempts at fomenting division, disownable,
Implacable enmity testified against, . . . . 70, 71
DISOEDEELY PERSONS appearing as Friends, . . 32
DISOWNED PEESONS applying for reinstatement, . 9, 160

6161 626363 2770

180 INDEX. PAGE.
DISPUTES. See Arbitration,  17-21
DIVINITY of Jesus Christ, . .... 28, 38
DIVISION and Dissension, parties to be labored with and ap
prised of their danger  70
DISUNITY, manifested by neglect of Divine worship, disown
able, . .  89
DOCTEINES and Principles to be adorned by consistent ex
ample,  88
Unsound, cause of admonition and care, . . .95, 104
DONATIONS, Bequests, etc., to be strictly applied to the pur
poses intended, ..... 65
Not to be received from insolvent members, . . . 147
DEESS and Address, simplicity of garb, language and manners
enforced  116, 118
Copying after the vain and extravagant fashions, testified
against,  116
Parents indulging their children in excesses in these re
spects, disownable,  117
DEOWSINESS in meetings — those who give way to it to be
labored with, and not employed in Society, ... 89
DUTIES — not to be withheld from government, . . . 148
E.
EDUCATION insufficient to make successors in the church, 60,61,62
Friends advised to bring up children in habits of industry,
and place them to occupations consistent with our testi
monies,  117
In piety and virtue, and in proper share of useful learning,
under religious, prudent persons, recommended to sub
ordinate meetings, . . . . 130, 131
Children instructed in the Christian religion, and reading
the Holy Scriptures in schools — guarded education not
a temporal convenience merely, but a religious duty, . 131
Liberality in aiding others,  132
Eight education begun and conducted at home, . 117, 133
ELDEES to be consulted respecting meetings at burials, . 23
Decease of, to be forwarded to Yearly Meeting, . . 91
And ministers to be as nursing fathers, .... 95
Their duty to admonish ministers, if unsound in doctrine, 95

INDEX. 181
PAGE.
At liberty to publicly endeavor to prevent the spread of
unsound sentiments  97
Monthly Meetings should not be discouraged from appoint
ing, because no acknowledged minister resides within
their limits,  97
To state cases of refractory ministers to Preparative or
Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, . 95
To be treated as other members for violation of Discipline,
and not to attend Select Meetings till again recom- .
mended, . . . . ... 96
Two or more of each sex to be appointed by Monthly
Meeting, . . . . .97
Mode of appointing  . . 98
To introduce to Monthly Meeting the cases of persons ap
pearing in the ministry, where there is no Preparative
Meeting of Ministers and Elders, 99
Eemoving into another Quarterly Meeting not in that sta
tion, unless re-appointed, .... 99
Believing themselves called to the ministry, to withdraw
from Select Meeting, . ... 100
To take steps to bring before Monthly Meetings cases of
those who disturb by preaching, . . . 100
To treat with ministers coming among us who are un
sound, and to forward their cases to the elders where
they belong, . .104
To extend care to ministers supposed to have lost their
gifts — also, subject to the same treatment themselves, in
similar circumstances, . ... 107, 108
Duties of — case of a Preparative Meeting of Elders with
out any minister — how suspended, . 108, 109
To retain the office subject to the rules, 109
ELECTING Friends to offices in •¦government whose duties
oppose our principles, disapproved, . 35, 112
ENDOESING accommodation notes, disapproved, 149
ENMITY, implacable, testified against, 70, 71
EXECUTOES and Trustees permitted to proceed at law, 19, 20
To be faithful and punctual to trusts, 65
And administrators to estates not to act where there are
slaves, .... • 138

182 INDEX. PAGE.
To make complete inventory early after interment, . 157, 158
EXPENSES of ministers to be provided for when needful, . 105
EXTEACTS from the minutes of the Yearly Meeting to be
sent to all Meetings for Discipline, .... 167
F.
FAILUEE in Business, to be treated for, . . 146
Inquiry into circumstances,  147, 150
Subscriptions, etc., not to be received from bankrupts, . 147
Advised to convene creditors, and assign, .... 148
To discharge debts when they become able, . . 148, 149
Creditors to be consulted — to appoint assignees —assign
ments to be unreserved,  151
FAITH — a tender care to be exercised that all may be pre
served in the unity of,  v
FAMILY Visits encouraged and recommended to the solid
attention of Quarterly and Monthly Meetings, . . 66
Concern to be approved where the Friend belongs and
where the visit is to be made,  66
This regulation applies to those coming from other Yearly
Meetings, .... .... 66
FASHIONS, in apparel, buildings, furniture, stuffs, colors, etc.,
to be kept out of,  118
The Spirit of Truth, which led Friends originally to lay
aside these things, still leads in the same path, . 118, 119
FASTS and feast days and times, not to be observed, . . 44
The fast we are called to is a continual abstinence from all
evil,  44
FIGHTINGS and Wars, Friends to maintain our testimony
against, . .  153
Not to show the least connivance at war, by viewing mili
tary operations, encouraging party spirit, or joining po
litical associations  . 154
To avoid any trade promotive of it, partaking of the spoils,
shipping in armed vessels, paying taxes, selling property
for the use of the army, etc., , . . . 154
The subject to claim care of Quarterly, Monthly and Pre
parative Meetings, ... . 155
FINES, or taxes for military demands, not to be paid, though
applied to civil government, . . 153, 154, 155

INDEX. 183
PAGE.
FIEST-DAY of the week not the Sabbath, .... 45
Set apart by Christians for religious retirement and public
worship, after the example of the primitive Christians, 46
Friends to abstain from labor, except works of necessity,
charity, or benevolence,  46
Eeligious retirement, and reading the Scriptures and other
religious books — refraining from visiting about, recom
mended,  46
Marriages not to be accomplished on First-day, . 76
FOEMAL WOESHIP testified against,  44
FOETUNE-TELLERS, or Jugglers, so called, ... 59
Any member applying to such persons, or pretending to
their arts, to be dealt with and disowned, if not con
vinced,  .... 59
FRIENDS, a people whom the Lord in these latter days hath
gathered by his spirit and power to worship Him in
spirit and in truth,,' ....... v
To exercise care over each other, that all may be pre
served in faith and practice,  v
To be diligent at meetings, and to seek for ability to build
one another in that faith which works by love and puri
fies the heart, ......... vii
FUNEEALS. See Births and Burials,  22
G.
GAMING and diversions testified against, .... 67
Stage-plays, horse races, music, dancing, or any other vain
sports, lotteries, wagering, or other : species of gaming,
disownable,  67
Music and musical instruments forbidden, ... 67, 68
GIFTS — Caution against introducing persons prematurely into
service, that by right discernment every gift may be
properly exercised,  61
Patience in the use of gifts, reverence in speaking in the
church, having our own spirits in subjection, inculcated, 61
Of Gospel Ministry  . . 92, 93, 99
Gifts and legacies to be strictly applied, . . .65, 124
Application to be made to Meeting for Sufferings in case
of difficulty, .... ... 86, 124

184 INDEX. PAGE.
GOSPEL MINISTEY supplied by the immediate teachings
of the Holy Spirit, . ... 92
The gift of, not confined to particular persons, is dispensed
to women, and is to be exercised only under a renewed
call and qualification for the service, . . 93, 94
Prayers which are accepted produced by the influence of
the Holy Spirit, . . .44
GOVEENMENT, Civil, . . . . . 35
No office to be accepted which requires the violation of
our principles,  35
Friends not to elect one another to offices whose duties lay
waste our testimonies, . . ... 35
Friends cannot join in hostile measures against the govern
ment, or any person, . . . 36
Not to be defrauded of its duties, 148
GEAVITY at burials, ... 22
GEINDING GEAIN, or selling it for the army, disapproved, 154
H.
HAT, keeping on, in time of prayer, disorderly, ... 97
HEDGE — The Discipline an exterior hedge of preservation, . v
HOLY SPIEIT, a denial of its immediate influence disown
able,  28, 38
All true worship performed under it, .... 44
The soul of man the temple of the Holy Spirit, . . 44
The true authority of all our meetings, . . 60
By its immediate teaching, acceptable worship is performed,
and all true gospel ministry supplied, . . .92, 93, 94
Ministers to seek the mind of the Spirit, to open myster
ies,  ... 95
Our forefathers led by the Spirit into the plainness and
simplicity which the gospel enjoins, . . . 118
Still leads in the same path, ... . 119
Qualifies to conduct the affairs of the Church, . . 60, 125
Children to be educated in the belief of its inward mani
festation in the heart, . . 134
Holy Scriptures written by its inspiration, . .134
Gives a right understanding of the Divine will and the
meaning of Holy Scriptures, ... .134, 135

INDEX. 185
PAGE.
Leads out of bondage to the spirit of the world, . . 145
HOLY SCEIPTUEES— denial of authenticity, disownable, 28, 38
Children to be restrained from reading works creating
doubt in the, . . . ... 28
Eeading of, on First-day afternoon especially recom
mended, ..... 46
Ministers advised to be frequent in reading them, . 95
Drawing unsound inferences or misapplying them, calls
for notice,  95, 104
Daily reading in schools enjoined, . ... 131
Parents and heads of families exhorted to instruct their
children in the doctrines of the Christian religion as
contained in them,  1 34
Friends have always believed they were written by Divine
inspiration, ...  134
Their authority depends not upon churches — we submit
all doctrines to their standard — and reckon anything
contrary to them a delusion, . . . 134, 135
HOLY-DAYS, so called, not to be observed, .... 44
HORSE RACING testified against and disownable, . 67
I.
INSPIEATION of the Holy Scriptures, . 28, 38
INTEECESSION of Christ, . . . . . 37
INTERMENT of the Dead. See Burials, . . .22
Committee to grant orders, .... .23
A solemn pause before and after, to be observed, . 23
Extravagant expenses and mourning habits disapproved, . 24
INTOXICATING liquors, to be wholly abstained from, . 124
Patronizing hotels, restaurants, or stores, where they are
sold, to be avoided as far as practicable, 124
Friends not to sign petitions for, or accept licenses for the
sale of alcoholic beverages, nor rent or lease their build
ings for the sale or manufacture of them, . . 124, 125
INSTITUTION of Quarterly, Monthly and Preparative Meet
ings, and Meetings for Worship, . 50, 51, 52
INVENTOEY of Estates to be full and clear, and made out
early after interment, . • - 157, 158
JUDGMENT to be placed on offenders in the authority of
Trnth, . ¦ 52, 123

186 INDEX. PAGE.
JUSTIFICATION from the imputation of sins past by pro
pitiatory sacrifice,  .38
JUSTICE, strict, to be adhered to in all our dealings, . . 39
L,.
LANGUAGE — the world's corrupt language, manners, etc., to
be kept from,  118,119
Plainness of speech, without respect of persons, to be used
in all our converse, ....... 119
LAW — Counsel learned in, to be consulted by arbitrators, . 18
Administrators, Executors, and Trustees, to proceed at law,
if necessary,  19
Parties going to law to conduct circumspectly at courts, . 19
Suing a member, in violation of Discipline, disownable, . 69
Persons skilled in, to be employed to write wills, . . 157
LEAENING insufficient to qualify for government in' the
church, . .  62
Teachers of our own persuasion to be employed to instruct
the youth in useful learning to fit them for the business
of life, and to train them in the knowledge of their duty
to their Creator,  130
LEGACIES, gifts, bequests, etc., not to be perverted or appro
priated to any other uses than designed by donors, . 65
Application to the Meeting for Sufferings to be made in
difficult cases,  86, 124
LIBEETY of conscience the common right of all, ... 35
LOTTEEIES, being concerned in, disownable, ... 67
LOVE AND UNITY, the bond of Christian brotherhood, . 70
All attempts to promote separation testified against, . 70
Persons infected with dissension to be timely warned, . 70
Implacable enmity — persons indulging it to be labored
with, and if inflexible, to be disowned, .... 71
True and superficial unity distinguished, . 71
LYING, swearing, cursing, and other wicked conduct, testified
against,  37
M.
MAEEIAGE a Divine ordinance,  75
Eelations (not members) to withdraw before meetings pro
ceed to further business, . .... 56

INDEX. 187
PAGE.
No Preparative Meeting to take cognizance of proposals of
marriage,  .63
Value of religious unity in married life, .... 72
Persons proposing marriage to wait for Divine counsel,
and consent of parents, etc.,  73
None to proceed till certificates and consent of parents or
guardians are produced, when necessary and practica
ble,  75
Not allowed earlier than one year after the death of hus
band or wife, . .  80
Marrying a person not a member, or without consent of the
Monthly Meeting, disownable,  81
No misdemeanor to be published to prevent marriages, . 74
Parties intending marriage not to reside in the same house, 75
Not accomplished in Meetings for Discipline or on First-
day  . . 76
Expensive entertainments and large companies advised
against,  76
Keeping company for this purpose with those not of us,
with servants or apprentices without leave of masters,
etc. — being present or consenting to their children being
present at marriages performed by aid of a priest — or
attending marriage of a member accomplished in a way
out of our order, testified against, . . . .75, 124
Parents or guardians approving addresses, not tp retract
without sufficient reason,  74
Mode of accomplishing, prescribed, .... 76-80
The rights of a widow's children to be secured before mar
riage,  77
To be accomplished gravely and without immoderate feast
ing ; the contrary requiring care of the Friends charged
with oversight, .  78
Form of marriage certificate,  78, 79, 80
Marriage of first cousins not permitted, .... 80
Keinstatement of such requires consent of Quarterly Meet
ing,  80
Term first cousins includes the descendants of one parent, . 80
Counsel to guard the youth from improper connections —
violations of the Discipline often arising from want of
this care, . .  73

188 INDEX. PAGE.
Caution respecting the too ready acceptance of acknowledg
ments, . .  81
Testimonies to be issued against those who consent to or
connive at marriage of children under their care (mem
bers) contrary to Discipline,  82, 124
Acknowledgments for breach of Discipline, . 81, 82
Exposure to improper connections cautioned against, . 116
Women's Monthly Meetings to take cognizance of proposals
for marriage,  158
MEDIATION of Jesus Christ, . . .27, 38, 39, 134
MEETINGS— order and subordination, . . . . vii, 50
For worship, not appointed at interment of those not mem
bers, and not in a formal manner at others, ... 23
All our meetings to be held in their original authority,
the love, power, and peaceable spirit of the Lord Jesus
Christ,  50, 60, 62
For worship, set up or discontinued by Monthly Meetings,
with consent of the Quarterly,  51
All rights of property vested in a meeting which is dis
solved to pass to that to which its members are joined, 53
Composed of parts of two or more Monthly Meetings, . 54
To be held in the authority of Truth and unity of the
Spirit,  88
Coming late, falling asleep, restlessness, going out, etc., . 88
Christian zeal and diligent waiting for power to qualify
for worship,  88
Children and apprentices to be encouraged to attend, . 88
A wilful neglect of this duty an evidence of ingratitude
and disunity,  89
Dependence on the Lord,  90
Should not be disturbed by opposition to ministers, unless,
etc.,  96, 97
PEEPAEATIVE, To judge of references,  20
Subordination to Monthly Meetings — mode of instituting,
dissolving, etc.,  50-54
Duties — not to decide matters cognizable by Monthly
Meetings,'  g2
To be early informed of offenders removed to remote
places,  113, 114

INDEX. 189
PAGE.
MONTHLY,
To appoint respondents in case of appeals, . . 11
May appeal from decision of Quarterly Meeting, . . 15
Refusing to attend to complaint of Meeting for Sufferings
— course pursued, ... 27
To keep records of certificates, ... 30
To write to distant Monthly Meetings respecting offenders
appearing without certificates — also, those removed, 32, 56
To appoint committees to visit those who bring certificates,
and to forward certificates by proper conveyances, . 32
Course to be pursued by, in reference to Friends bringing
certificates from meetings not subordinate to this Yearly
Meeting  33, 34
To appoint correspondents, and promptly fill vacancies
which may occur in this appointment, . 43
To be weighty in deliberating on applications for member
ship,  41
Accountability to Quarterly Meetings — institution and sus
pension of,  50, 51
To accept and recognize members of dissolved meetings, . 51
To state its sense to Quarterly Meeting of dissolving in
ferior meeting,  51
Incompetent, assisted by committee of Quarterly Meeting, 51
Cannot dissolve connection with Quarterly Meeting, . 52
Mode of transfer to another Quarterly Meeting, . . 53
The rights of property vested in a. dissolved meeting to
pass to that to which its members are joined, . . 53
To keep fair records, and dispatch business without im
proper delay,  54
To apply to Quarterly Meeting for aid in difficult cases —
to furnish minutes to meetings — to individuals discre-
tionally,  54, 55
To appoint representatives to Quarterly Meeting, . . 55
Not to permit offenders to sit in meetings for Discipline, 57
Mode of treating and disowning members, ... 57
To forward annually accounts of Sufferings, ... 60
To appoint committee annually to nominate clerks, . . 60
Not to employ drowsy members,  89
To select elders, and forward their names, and those of

190 INDEX. PAGE.
Friends appearing as ministers, to Quarterly Meeting of
Ministers and Elders,  98
To aid Ministers in the prosecution of their concerns, . 105
Course to be pursued on refusing to take up cases intro
duced by Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, . 108
To appoint Treasurer — committee to have care of the
poor,  120
To appoint Committee on Education, . . . 131, 132
To discharge its duty towards persons offering a resigna
tion of membership, ....... 129
Women's Monthly Meetings — duties, etc., . . 158-163
Testimonies of disunion for women, ..... 159
Communications, not regular, to be examined by commit
tee,  .... 166
To furnish Preparative Meetings with extracts from Yearly
Meeting,  167
QUAETEELY,
To hear appeals, and to appoint respondents to Yearly
Meeting,  11-14
To carry up appeals of Monthly Meetings, ... 15
When composed of two Monthly Meetings, to refer appeals
to Yearly Meeting, . ...
Subordination and accountability to Yearly Meeting,
To institute or dissolve inferior meetings, .
To appoint committee to aid Monthly Meetings,
To forward accounts of Sufferings annually,
Women's Quarterly Meetings — duties,
Irregular communications to be examined,
YEAELY, Its decisions binding on all, ....
Committee to provide for visits beyond sea,
History of origin — committee to prepare epistles,
Letters and papers, not from regular correspondents, to be
examined,  166
Representatives to propose clerks — extracts to be sent to
all meetings for Discipline,  167
Yearly Meeting of women Friends, duties, . . 164
FOR SUFFEEINGS,
Appointed by Yearly and Quarterly Meetings — its consti
tution,  84

,

16

J

50

50

,51

51

60

163

166
. vii, 50, 51
105
. 165,
166
INDEX. 191
PAGE.
To take charge of all writings relating to our principles, 27, 85
To inform the Quarterly Meeting of a Monthly Meeting
refusing to treat for an offence against the Discipline on
books,  27
To inspect Memorials preparatory to Yearly Meeting, 86, 91
To represent the Yearly Meeting on all emergent occa
sions, .  84, 85
To explain titles to property — to record accounts of Suffer
ings — to apply to government, etc., .... 86
To correspond with other Meetings for Sufferings, . . 86
None members, but those regularly appointed — ministers
and members of other Meetings for Sufferings may at
tend, ...  86
To advance the testimony against slavery, . . . 138
To take charge of papers of the Yearly Meeting when the
clerk is likely to be absent  . 167
To issue books for recording births and deaths, ... 25
OF MINISTEES AND ELDEES,
Preparative, composed of Ministers and Elders of a
Monthly Meeting  97
To bring before Monthly Meetings the cases of those who
appear as ministers,  99
To meet every three months to answer queries, etc., . . 105
Quarterly — to aid Preparative Select Meeting in deal
ing with unsound Ministers, or those who may have
otherwise lost their gifts, ... 96, 107, 108
To decide on ministers and elders recommended, . . 98
To read queries and answers brought from Preparative
Meetings, and annually forward comprised report to
Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, . . . 106
To represent to Quarterly Meeting for Discipline refusal
of Monthly Meetings to take up cases of ministers, 108
To extend care over Preparative Meeting of Elders, and
propose their suspension, when proper, to Monthly
Meetings, . .  108
Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders to read queries
and answers from the Quarters, and to communicate ad
vice and aid to subordinate meetings, . . . 106
Not to interfere with the sittings of Yearly Meeting for
Discipline,  107

192 INDEX. PAGE.
Meetings of Ministers and Elders not to interfere with the
business, but may communicate with their respective
meetings for Discipline, .... . 106, 107
MEETING-HOUSES, Titles to be frequently ihspected, and trusts renewed when
necessary, ... .... 83
Records of trusts and conveyances to be kept, and with
whom the papers, minutes, etc., are deposited, . . 83
MEMORIALS, ...  91
Prepared by Monthly Meetings to be forwarded to Quar
terly Meeting and Meeting for Sufferings, ... 91
MEMBERSHIP in the Society, how obtained, 9, 40, 59, 65, 160
Resignation of,  129
MESSIAH'S peaceful reign begun, .... 36, 153, 155
MILITARY FINES— no part of, to be accepted unless re
turned in same species, .  153
Tax for purchasing drums, colors, and other warlike pur
poses, .  154
Paying fine, penalty, or tax for carrying on war, . 154, 155
Tax levied for militia not to be paid, though applied to
civil purposes, . . . . . . 155, 156
MINISTERS AND ELDERS,  95
Ministers not employed as arbitrators, ... 21
Accounts of decease of, forwarded to Yearly Meeting. . 91
To be nursing fathers — to read the Holy Scriptures fre
quently — seeking the mind of the Spirit to enable them
to open the mysteries thereof —and not to extend declar
ations without life,  95
Unsound doctrines and conclusions require admonition, . 95
Course of proceeding in case of refusal to acknowledge
faults, .... . . . 95
Not to sit in Select Meetings, after case is in Monthly Meet
ing, till recommended again, ...... 96
To be treated as other members for violation of Disci
pline,  96
Public opposition to, keeping on the hat in prayer, disal
lowed,  96, 97
This not to prevent elders or other concerned Friends from
endeavoring to check the spread of unsound sentiments, 97

INDEX. 193
PAGE.
Mode of recommending and appointing, . . 98, 99
Monthly Meetings should not be discouraged from ap
pointing elders, because no acknowledged minister re
sides in their limits, ....... 97
Elders removing into the limits of another Quarterly Meet
ing, not in that station, unless reappointed, ... 99
Without being approved by Quarterly Meeting of Minis
ters and Elders, none are to be received as ministers, sit
in Select Meetings, or travel as ministers, ... 99
No minister to appoint meetings, or travel out of the
Quarterly Meeting, without certificate, . . 99, 100
Elders appearing as ministers,  100
Concerns of ministers claiming care of superior meetings
to be considered before reading certificate of Monthly
Meeting,  103
Meetings to be informed when visits are completed, . . 103
The concerns of ministers, may be considered by men and
women Friends in joint session or separately, 100, 101, 102
Attending a Yearly Meeting and a few in its vicinity, or
to visit the meetings of one or two Quarterly Meetings,
requires a minute of the Monthly Meeting, . . . 100
Visits beyond these limits, a certificate endorsed by Quar
terly Meeting,  101
Visit to the meetings generally on this continent, or be
yond sea, to be laid before Yearly Meeting of Ministers
and Elders,  102, 103
Counsel to keep under religious weight and use diligence, 103
At home, or from abroad, giving uneasiness in doctrine —
how treated,  104
Services of, not to be impeded for want of means, . 105
To watch over the flock in their respective places, . . 107
Those who may be thought to have lost their gifts, how
treated,  107, 108
To avoid improper tones and gestures — to watch over each
other for good,  128
Ministers bringing certificates of removal from beyond the
Yearly Meeting, to be received as members only, . . 34
MINISTRY, a paid and stated, incompatible with the free gos
pel of Christ,  92

194 INDEX. PAGE.
Supporting or encouraging, disownable, .... 92
Qualification for,  92, 93
Fresh anointing for the, needful, . . . . 92, 94
The gift of, bestowed upon women as well as men, . . 93
MINUTES for travelling Friends, to be recorded and promptly
* returned,  30
Copies may be granted by Quarterly and Monthly Meet
ings, .......... 55
Discretional power to furnish individuals  55
Of meetings to be placed with suitable Friends, . . 83
MODERATION and Temperance,  110, 124
At burials, and all other occasions, advised, . . 22, 110
At marriages, advised,  78, 110
MOUENING HABITS, wearing or giving, advised against, . 24
MUSIC, the practice of, subjects to disownment, . . 67, 68

ST.
NEGEOES. See Slave Trade and Slavery, .
Disunity with enslaving mankind, ....
To be taught principles of Christian religion and school
learning, ........
Friends not to act as executors where slaves are be
queathed, 
Traffic in, or holding them in bondage, disownable, .
Hiring slaves, when the compensation goes to the master,
NOISY gatherings or tumults, promoting, disownable, .
NOTES, accommodation, with endorsements, disapproved,
NOVELS, plays, romances, etc., to be discountenanced, .
O.

137
137 137
138138139 38
149 28

OATHS — Christian testimony against, to be maintained, . Ill
Members in office administering, or conniving at their
clerks administering oaths, disownable, . . . Ill, 112
Friends not to elect one another to offices which violate
this testimony, ........ 112
To choose witnesses to writings who do not swear, . . 112
OBSEEVANCE of days and times, testified against, . 44, 45
OFFENDERS, removing into the limits of distant meetings, 31, 56
Guilty of reproachful conduct and removing to remote
places,  38

INDEX. 195
PAGE.
Not to sit in Meetings for Discipline, ... 57
Mode of treating, including offences not on minute, . . 57
To be admonished, and sought in the spirit of love before
church censure takes place, ...... 58
Leaving their places of abode and removing to remote
parts, to be early informed of, ... 113, 114
OFFICES in government not to be accepted whose duties vio
late our testimonies,  35, 112
OEDEE of the gospel in treating with offenders, . . vi, 48
OVEESEEES, to judge of the propriety of reference, . -. 20
To be consulted on meetings at burials, .... 23
To ascertain whether disorderly persons, appearing as
Friends, are so,  32
Every Monthly Meeting to appoint faithful and judicious
men and women for, ....... 113
To exercise a vigilant and tender care over the flock, and
to whom complaints are first to be made, . . . 113
To endeavor to convince those who have joined secret so
cieties that their course is repugnant to our religious
principles and testimonies, ...... 136
To treat offenders with meekness, and notify them pre
viously to taking cases to Preparative Meeting, . . 113
Cases of offenders gone to remote places, . . . 113, 114
Their services not limited to their own Preparative Meet
ing,  114
Committee to be appointed once in three years to nomi
nate,  114
Friends brought forward not to offer excuse hastily, . . 114
To ascertain early the circumstances of failures, . . 150
To keep a complete list of members,  25

PAEENTS and guardians to prevent children from reading
books prejudicial to Christian principles, ... 28
To apply for certificates for minors removing, ... 32
Having approved addresses, on account of marriage, should
not retract without proper cause,  74
To guard children against improper connections, . . 73
Breaches of our testimony often owing to want of parental
care,  74

196 INDEX. PAGE.
AND CHILDEEN, . . . 115
Children exhorted to obey their parents — to avoid vain
fashions, libertine company, taverns, diversions, etc., . 115
Not to shrink from the cross, and the simplicity of our
worship,. ... . 116
Parental authority disregarded, disownable, . . . 116
Parents indulging children in excesses, disownable, . . 117
To bring up children in habits of industry, . . . 117
Liable to disownment for conniving at violations of the
order of marriage, ... . . 75,82,124
PARTY spirit not to be encouraged, . . . 154
PEACE on earth, a great object of the Society, 36, 70, 71, 153, 156
PEOPLE OF COLOR— testimony against enslaving— traffic
in — ought to be taught principles of Christian religion —
school learning, etc  137, 138
PENALTY or tax in lieu of personal service in war, . . 155
PLAINNESS of dress, language and manners, inculcated, . 118
Corrupt language, fashions in apparel, furniture, etc., ad
vised against,  118
Stuffs, colors and dress, to please the vain mind to be
avoided, and tradesmen and others not to be accessory
to their use, .... 118
All to keep to the plainness and simplicity into which the
Spirit of Truth led our forefathers, and still leads the
obedient,  118
Testimony to plain language not to be balked before
others,  118
PLAYS, romances, novels, etc., to be discountenanced, . 28, 67
POLITICAL devices or associations, not to be encouraged, . 154
POOR Friends — their situation to be inspected and relieved
by committee — their children educated by the Monthly
Meeting without expense — a treasurer, etc., to be ap
pointed, . . . .... 120
PEEACHING or praying, any public show of dislike of, dis
approved,  96, 97
This not to prevent Elders or other concerned Friends
from endeavoring publicly to check the spread of un
sound sentiments, . . .... 97
Elders who speak as ministers to withdraw from Select
Meetings, . .... 100

INDEX. 197
PAGE.
Persons who give dissatisfaction by preaching, to be admon
ished,  100
If they persist in imposing on Friends, to be disowned, . 100
PEEPAEATIVE MEETINGS-suboidination, . . vii, 50
To determine on the propriety of referring disputes, . 20
To render account of its proceedings, and submit to Month
ly Meeting,  50
Instituted or laid down by Monthly and Quarterly Meet
ings, •  50, 51, 54
Joining to another Monthly Meeting, . . 51, 52
Use and design — not to detain or decide on business of
Monthly Meetings — cases to be carried forward in wri
ting— not to take cognizance of proposals of marriage, . 62
PEEPAEATIVE Meeting of Ministers and Elders— how in
stituted, . . 97
To bring cases of ministers before Monthly Meetings for
consideration, ... ... 99
To meet quarterly, answer queries, and appoint representa
tives, . . . .105
Of elders — how suspended, . . 108, 109
PEIESTS, and others employed to preach at stated times —
their ministry not to be encouraged, ... 92
Attending marriages performed by their aid, disownable, 75
PEIMITIVE Christians assembled for worship on the First-
day, . . .45, 46
PELNCIPLES and doctrines of the gospel to be duly main
tained, . . 27, 28, 38, 89, 94, 97, 118, 131, 134, 137
PEINTING books denying mediation, atonement, Holy Spirit,
etc., . ... ... 28, 38
PEINTERS cautioned against printing, selling, or lending
romances, novels, plays, etc., . 28
PROFANITY to be testified against, . ... 38
PROPITIATORY SACRIFICE, . . ... 38
PUBLISHING works laying waste Christian principles, . 38
PRIZE GOODS, dealing in, to be avoided, . . . .154
Q-
QUARTERLY MEETINGS,
To hear appeals from Monthly Meeting, . . 11, 12

198 INDEX. PAGE.
To appoint respondents to Yearly Meeting, ... 13
To carry up appeals of Monthly Meetings, ... 15
When composed of two Monthly Meetings only, to refer
appeals to Yearly Meeting,  16
To record certificates of ministers,  30
Subordination to the Yearly Meeting, .... 50
Institution and laying down,  50, 51
Power to institute and dissolve Monthly and Preparative
Meetings,  51, 54
To aid incompetent Monthly Meetings, by committee, 51, 52
In case of the dissolution of a Quarterly Meeting, all
rights of property vested in it, to pass to the meeting to
which its members are joined,  53
To be consulted respecting transfer of Monthly and Pre
parative Meetings, and institution of meetings for wor
ship, composed of parts of two Monthly Meetings, . 54
To keep fair records of its transactions, .... 54
To grant copies of minutes to other meetings, and discre-
tionally to individuals, . ... .55
To appoint representatives to Yearly Meeting, . 55
To forward accounts of sufferings, ... .60
To appoint committee annually to propose clerks, . . 60
To be cautious of employing drowsy members, ... 89
To furnish Yearly Meeting annually with account of de
ceased ministers and elders, and to examine memorials, 91
To deliberate on concerns of ministers, and to grant en
dorsements on certificates, .... 102, 103
To aid ministers in prosecuting their religious visits when
needful,  105
To decide on the suspension of Preparative Meetings of
Elders,  108, 109
To appoint committees on education, . . . 131, 132
Communications not regular, to be examined by commit
tee,  166, 167
Of women Friends — their duties,  163
Or Ministers and Elders— to extend care to ministers
and elders,  96, 107, 108
To decide on appointments of elders, and acknowledgment
of ministers,  98, 99

INDEX. 199
PAGE.
To consider the §tate of Select Preparative Meetings, and
answer the queries,  106
To represent to Monthly Meetings the state of Preparative
Meetings of Elders,  108,109
QUERIES, Respecting births and deaths, to be answered, ... 24
To be answered in writing, which, and by whom, . . 121
Advices to be read annually  123, 124
Annually answered,  125, 126
For Meetings of Ministers and Elders, .... 127
To be answered by Women's Meetings, . . . 163
QUOTAS of the Quarterly Meetings, . . . 143
R.
RACES — members going to them, liable to disownment, . 67
RECEPTION into religious membership, . 9, 40, 58, 59, 160
Injurious effects of haste, ... ... 41
Parties to be clearly convinced of our principles, . 41, 42
RECONCILIATION by Christ  38
RECORDS of births and deaths to be kept, 24, 125, 163
Of certificates granted, . . 30
A book to be provided for recording minutes, and copies
to be given at discretion of meetings, ... 54, 55
Marriage certificates to be recorded,  78
Of trusts and conveyances, etc., ...... 83
Fair records of proceedings of Women's meetings, . . 164
EEFEEENCES. See Arbitrations, . . . . 17, 18
Overseers and Preparative Meetings to judge of, . . 20
REGENERATION, the work of the spirit of Christ within, . 38
RELIGIOUS VISITS to Families,  66
Beyond limits of Quarterly Meeting, 100, 101, 102
. Of women Friends, .... . 100, 103
EEINSTATEMENT into membership, . . 9, 10, 160
Of first cousins,  ... 80
REMOVALS  ... 9, 30, 32, 162
Residence to be changed with caution, consulting Friends, 30
Require certificates  31, 32
To remote or unknown places, authorizes Monthly Meet
ings to disown in scandalous cases, . 38, 113, 114

200 INDEX. PAGE.
Into distant Monthly Meetings requiring care, ... 56
REPRESENTATIVES to Quarterly and Yearly Meetings, 55, 163
They and others to be punctual to appointments — to send
reasons for absence — and not to withdraw from meetings
without consent,  56
Of Preparative and Quarterly Meetings of Ministers and
Elders,  105, 106
To propose clerks for the Yearly Meeting, . . 164, 167
REPORTS to Quarterly and Yearly Meetings to be made in
writing and signed by the clerks,  55
RESIDENCE in a Monthly Meeting when certificate is pro
duced gives right there, unless some misconduct is dis
covered,  33
RESIGNATION of membership, Monthly Meetings should
discharge their duty towards persons offering, . . 129
RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, . .... 134
RESPONDENTS to appellants appointed, . . .11, 13, 14
RETIREMENT, advantage of,  39, 46
REVELATION of the Holy Spirit, . . . . 28, 38
RICHES, nor greatness in this world, fits for government in
the church, .... .... 62
Inordinate love and pursuit of, counselled against, . 145, 150
RIGHTS of children,  58,59,65,77
ROMANCES, plays, etc., discountenanced, ... 28
S.
SABBATH — the First-day of the week neither the antitype
of the Jewish, nor is it the Christian Sabbath, . 45, 46
SANCTIFICATION by the work of Christ in the heart, . 38
SCANDAL to be removed, by acknowledging the offences, and
condemning the same in writing,  37
SCHOOLS — Queries respecting, how answered, . . . 125
Directions for the institution of, .... 130, 131
Teachers of our own persuasion to be provided, . 130, 131
Instruction in the principles of the Christian religion —
daily reading of the Scriptures, and attendance of mid
week meetings directed, . 131
Liberality among Friends in the respective meetings, earn
estly recommended,  132

INDEX. 201
PAGE.
People of color to be instructed in school learning, . .137
SCRIPTURES of the Old and New Testaments, . . .134
Authenticity and inspiration of, ... 28, 38, 134
Books tending to raise prejudice against them, to be avoid
ed  28, 38
Ministers to read them frequently, seeking the mind of
Truth, . .^  95
Misapplying or drawing wrong inferences cause of admo
nition,  95, 104
To be daily read in schools,  131
Children and families to read them diligently — they set
forth the miraculous conception, birth, holy life, meri
torious death, etc., of our Lord,  134
Not to be subjected to reason, but understood by the aid of
the Holy Spirit  134, 135
Anything done contrary to them, a delusion, . . . 135
Scripture names of days and months to be kept to, . . 44
SECRET Societies, Friends exhorted to keep clear of all : if
any become entangled therein, overseers and other con
cerned Friends to endeavor to convince them that their
course is repugnant to our religious principles and testi
monies,  136
SECURITIES for mutual accommodation disapproved, . . 149
SELLING or spreading books denying the divinity, mediation,
atonement, etc.,  ,. 28, 38
SEPARATION— attempts to produce it, disownable, . . 70
SEPAEATISTS, descendants of, how treated, ... 63, 64
SHADOW'S and Figures ended,  45
SILENT waiting for the renewal of strength, and for the per
formance of Divine worship,  39, 88
SLAVE Trade and Slavery, testimony against, . . . 137
Instruction of the people of color,  137
Friends not to act as executors where slaves are bequeath
ed  138
Trading in, or holding mankind in slavery, disownable, . 138
Meeting for Sufferings to advance the testimony, . . 138
The hiring of slaves for the benefit of owner, disownable, 139
SPIRIT OF TRUTH to be sought unto, to qualify for wor
ship, and to open mysteries  88, 95, 134
Still leads tiie faithful as it did our forefathers, . 119

202 INDEX. PAGE.
Children to be educated in the belief of its operation on
the mind,  134
Leads out of bondage to the spirit of the world, . . 145
Its restrictions to be attended to in trade and business, . 150
SPIEITUOUS LIQUORS, .  140
Advice against dram-drinking — giving it at vendues, dis
ownable,  140
Ruinous effects of trading in it — advice against giving it
as drink,  140, 141
Distilling or trading in the article, disownable, . 141, 142
Danger of frequenting taverns  144
Friends to abstain from all that can intoxicate, . 124, 142
To avoid, as far as practicable, patronizing hotels, restaur
ants or stores where intoxicating liquors are sold, not to
sign petitions for or accept licenses for the sale of alco
holic beverages, or rent or lease their buildings for the
manufacture or sale of them,  124, 125
STOCK,  .... 143
SUBORDINATION of Meetings,  vii, 50, 52
SUBSCRIPTIONS not to be taken from insolvent members, 147
SUING members at law contrary to the Discipline, except
under peculiar circumstances,  69
SUFFERINGS, mode of stating  60,86,87
Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to forward accounts an
nually,  60
SWEARING, lying, cursing, and other wicked practices testi
fied against,  37
SOECERY,  59
T.
TALE-BEAEING AND DETEACTION to be suppressed, 48
Offenders herein to be admonished, and, if not reclaimed,
disowned,  48
Bequired to give their authority, or treated as originatois
of reports, ......... 49
TAVEENS, caution against frequenting them, . . 115, 144
Danger of ardent spirits — advised not to keep taverns — to
exert their influence against unnecessary increase, 124, 125, 140, 144

INDEX. 203
PAGE.
TAXES for military purposes not to be paid, . . . 154, 155
TEMPEEANCE and Moderation,  110, 124
TESTIMONIES of denial not to be read in Meetings for Wor
ship,  10
To be delivered early as convenient, with information of
the right to appeal,  58
TEXT — misapplying or drawing unsound inferences, . 95, 104
TIMES, observance of, testified against,  44
TITLES of real estate to be inspected, and trusts timely re
newed,  83
Records of trusts and conveyances to be kept, and where
papers are deposited,  83
TEADE — Counsel against inordinate pursuit of wealth, enter
ing on business not understood, or going beyond ability, 145
Hazardous enterprises to be avoided, . . . .145
Persons in danger of failing to be treated with and advised
to convene their creditors, .... 146, 147, 148
To inspect their affairs frequently and keep their accounts
clear,  146, 147
To avoid partial payments — assignees to be inquired of, . 147
Subscriptions not to be taken from insolvent members, . 147
Persons refusing to pay former debts after retrieving their
circumstances, disownable, ..... 147, 148
Assignment to be made at request of creditors, . . . 148
Accommodation paper and joint securities disapproved, . 149
Divine counsel to be sought in all engagements, . 149, 150
Overseers to ascertain early the cause of failure, . . 150
Failures to be testified against, ... . 150, 151
Assignments without restriction — creditors to have liberty
to appoint assignees,  151
Or business, promotive of war, to be avoided, . . 154
See sixth and seventh Queries,  123
TEADITION, or mere outward education, do not prepare for
succession in the church,  60, 61
TREASURER of Monthly Meetings, . . . .120
TREATING with offenders, vi, 56, 57, 58, 159, 161
TRUSTEES permitted to proceed at law, . . 19, 20
To be punctual and faithful to trusts, . . 65
Or assignees, to be active in discharging duties, . . 148

204 INDEX. PAGE.
TUMULTS, promoters of, to be disowned  38
U.
UNITY of Faith and practice,  v
AND LOVE, attempts to destroy it, testified against, . . 70
Appearance of variance to be removed, .... 70
Parties being irreclaimable to be disowned, ... 71
V.
VENDUES, giving or taking ardent spirits at them disown
able,  140
VESSELS, arming or shipping in armed vessels, testified
against  154
VISITING on First-day disapproved,  46
VISITS to families encouraged,  66
To receive sanction where the Friend belongs and where
the visit is made: — This applies also to those coming
from other Yearly Meetings,  66
Religious, out of the Quarterly Meeting, to be laid before
Monthly and Quarterly Meeting and Yearly Meeting
of Ministers and Elders, as the case requires, . 100-105
To engage consideration before the certificate is read, . 103
The certificate to be returned promptly, etc., . . . 103
Ministers exhorted tb diligence and religious weight, 103, 104
Expenses, where needful, to be provided for, . . . 105
W.
WAGERING, disownable offence,  67
WAITING in silence,  39, 88
WAR — Friends exhorted to maintain a testimony against it,
153, 156
Overplus of distraints not received, unless in the same
goods,  153
Furnishing wagons, or other conveyances for military
stores,  153
Tax for purchasing drums, etc., and for military requi
sitions, . ...... 154
Viewing military operations, or joining political associa
tions, advised against, . ... 154

INDEX. 205
PAGE.
Trade, promotive of war — Prize goods, shipping in armed
vessels, grinding grain, feeding cattle, and selling prop
erty for the use of the army,  123, 154
Dealing in Public Certificates, ...... 155
Militia fines, though applied to civil purposes, not to be
paid,  155
Sanctioning, in any way, obstructs the triumph of peace on
earth and good-will to men,  156
WILLS, to be faithfully executed, . . ... 65
To be made, and affairs settled in health, . . 124, 157
Persons skilled in the law to be employed, . . 157
Executors and Administrators to make a complete Inven
tory early after interment,  157, 158
WOMEN'S MEETINGS— institution and duties of, . . 158
Monthly — to take care of their poor and cognizance of
proposals of marriage,  158
To appoint Overseers, treat with offenders, and deliver tes
timonies,  158, 159
To transmit by minute, offences of persons removed to dis
tant Monthly Meetings, ... .57, 159
Admission and reinstatement into membership, 160, 161
Acknowledgment for offences while under care, . . 161
Authority to receive or disown a member vested in the
Men's Meeting,  . 162
Issuing and receiving certificates, . . . 30, 162
Religious concerns of women to be laid before both meet
ings, either separately or in joint session, the certificate
signed by the clerks and correspondent, . . 100
To unite with men in nomination of an Elder, ... 98
Preparative — to answer Queries, where more than one
constitutes a Monthly Meeting,  162
Monthly Meetings, also, to answer the first eight Queries,
and appoint representatives to the Quarter, and to give
information of births and deaths, .... 162, 163
Quarterly Meetings — to consider religious concerns, 100, 101, 102
To transmit replies to Women's Yearly Meeting — appoint
representatives to it — communicate Advices or Epistles
from the Yearly Meeting to the Monthly Meetings — to
nominate committees to visit them, etc., . . . 163

206

INDEX.

Yearly Meeting — to correspond with those of their
own sex, 
Not to hear appeals nor to make rules: — to have a stock,
Representatives to select a clerk, . . . . .
At the request of men, their Monthly, Quarterly and
Yearly Meetings to appoint committees for setting up
or laying down meetings,
WORSHIP, of those not in communion with us,
Formal, testified against, ....
Meetings for worship discontinued, .
Mode of setting up meetings composed of parts of two
Monthly Meetings, ....
All worship performed by the aid of the Holy Spirit,
All meetings to be held in the authority of Truth,
Sleeping and other unbecoming deportment,
Exhortation to Christian zeal, for the performance of, and
diligent silent waiting, ....
Children and apprentices to be brought, .
Care toward those who are negligent,
Drowsy members not to be employed,
A care maintained to guard against disorder,
Persons disturbing by undertaking to preach,

164164164

44.

164 22
45515492

88

97
100

YEARLY MEETING, to control proceedings of inferior
meetings, . . ...... 50
No Quarterly Meeting set up without its consent, . . 50
To dissolve Quarterly Meetings, and attach the Monthly
Meetings to another Quarter,  51
History of its origin,  165
Committee on Epistles,  166
Letters and papers, not from meetings with which it regu
larly corresponds, examined by committee, . . . 166
Representatives to propose clerks,  167
The present clerk to act till a new appointment, . . 167
In case he is likely to be prevented, the Meeting for Suf
ferings to take charge of the papers, .... 167
Extracts of Minutes to be sent to all meetings for Dis
cipline,  167

INDEX. 207
PAGE.
To provide for expenses of Ministers when necessary, . 105
Of Ministers and Elders, to read replies to Queries,
and to issue advice, or extend care to subordinate meet
ings   106
Its adjournments not to interfere with Yearly Meeting for
Discipline,  107
Of Women Friends — duties,  164
YOUTH — Ability to example them in the concerns of the
church,  60, 61
Care requisite, not to bring them into premature action, . 61
Judicious care on account of marriage, ... 73, 74
Exposure in coming to cities,  151
See PARENTS and CHILDREN,  1J5

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