R 
 
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V 
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 OF 
 
 EVENTS, 
 
 i MAY fi TP 
 
 THAT HAVE LATELY TAKEJT PLACE \ \ 
 
 IJ¥ IRE]L^AJ¥I]> 
 
 AMONG 
 
 THE SOCIETY CALLED QUAKERS; 
 
 WITH 
 
 GORRESPOJYDLYG DOCUMEjYTS, 
 
 AND 
 
 OCCASIONAL OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 But why dost thou judge thy Jjiftther ? or why dost thou set at 
 KOUGHT thy brother? for we shall -^ii- stand tefore the judgment-seat 
 of Christ. 
 
 Let us not therefore judge one another any more, but judge this 
 r^erj that no man put a stumbling block, or an occasion to 
 FALL, in his brother's way. — Rom. ch, xiv. v. 10 ^ 15. 
 
 And mark ; — it is not the different practice from one another that breaks 
 the peace and unity, but the judging op one anothee because of 
 different practices. — Isaac Penington, lol. i. p. 320. 
 
 PRINTED FOB J. JOHNSON, ST. TAUl's CHURCH YARD, LONDOJT; 
 -SOLD ALSO BY GILBERT AND HODGES, DUBLIN, 
 AND ARCHER AND WARD, BELFAST. 
 
 1804. 
 
 r 
 
" The great error of the ages of the apostacy has been to set up an 
 " OUTWARD ORDER AND UNIFORMITY, and to make men's consciences 
 " bend thereto, either by arguments of wisdom or by force ; but the pro- 
 *' party of the true church government, is to leave the conscience to its 
 " full liberty in the Lord, to preserve it single and entire for the Lord to 
 " exercise, and to seek unity in tjie i.ight, and in the spirit, 
 
 " WALKING SWEETLY AND HARMONIOUSLY TOGETHER IN THE MIDST 
 
 " OF DIFFERENT PRACTICES." — PeningtoTi, vol. i. p. 323. 
 
 " It seems to be time for the sincere in heart to wave the ceremoni- 
 " ALS OF RELIGION (conccming which there hath been enough of con- 
 " tenlion and animosity) for the sake of its essence. Li proportion as 
 " men are gathered to the one thing needful, the government of 
 " Christ's spirit in the heart, they lose the inclination for contention, 
 " and are in the true way to unity. Then can they breathe forth the pri- 
 " mitive and permanent gospel language, Glory to God in the highest, 
 " and on earth peace, good will towards men." — Preface to the Summary 
 of the History, Doctrine, and Discipline of Friends, 
 
 M'Creery Printer, Houghton-street, Liverpool. 
 
x'Hl 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 For upwards of a century the fociety called 
 Quakers has exifted, an amicable, compadl, and 
 united body ; receiving confidcrable acceffions of 
 profelytes from almoft every other religious com- 
 munity ; and with very few inftances of feceffion 
 among its own members, on the ground of deli- 
 berate and confcientious diflent, although many 
 have been difowned for oppofition, either by im- 
 moral condudt or otherwife, to the eftablifhed 
 Rules. 
 
 The occurrence of events, likethofe recorded 
 in the following narrative, would therefore natu- 
 rally be regarded as extraordinary, and could not 
 fail to excite a peculiar intereft. From various 
 caufes, however, it has happened, that corredl in- 
 formation concerning thefe events, has not been 
 procurable, without great difficulty, even by per- 
 
 fons 
 
iv. PREFACE. 
 
 fons who have taken confiderable pains to obtain 
 it. Vague and erroneous reports have, indeed, 
 continued to circulate, and fome of them have 
 been extremely injurious to the charadler both of 
 the fociety, and of thofe who have feparated from 
 it. To counteradl the evils occafioned by thefe 
 reports, to perform an a6l of hiflorical juftice to 
 both the parties, and to gratify the wifhes of thofe 
 who are defirous of a correal (latement of the 
 fads, have been the original and chief induce- 
 ments to this publication, v^^hich, it was at firft 
 intended, fhould confift of a fimple record of the 
 tranfacSlions and documents, unaccompanied by 
 any comments. It foon appeared, however, that 
 the introdu6lion of some obfervations was abfo- 
 lutely neceflary, not only for the fake of preferv- 
 ing a due connexion in the narrative, but alfo of 
 explaining feveral parts of it ; and efpecially to 
 readers not intimately converfant with the difci- 
 pline of the fociety. In performing this office, 
 the intereft excited by the fubjedl, has fuggefted 
 a variety of refledlions connedled with it. Differ- 
 ent perfons will doubtlefs entertain different opi- 
 nions concerning thefe refle(5lions ; but the nar- 
 rative itfelf is not neceflarily conne<fted with them ; 
 and it is hoped the fadls and documents are fo 
 itated, as to enable every reader to draw his own 
 conclufions from them. The events are novel 
 
 and 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 r. 
 
 and unprecedented in the hiftory of the foclety; 
 they have been colledled with impartiality, fidelity, 
 and diligence ; they are capable of much intereft- 
 ing and inltrudlive application ; and a correift 
 Itatement of them may therefore be acceptable, 
 and even ufeful to thofe in whofe minds different 
 fentiments may be excited by them. 
 
 3Qth March, 1804. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 ■Fage 3, Line 24, for conceive, read promote. 
 
 15, S9, for Ileland, read Ireland. 
 
 19, — — 18, 19, lor immediately preceding and during the intervals of 
 the adjourned sittings of the yearly meeting, read im- 
 mediately before and after, and sometimes (with the ex- 
 press permission of the yearly meeting ) during the in- 
 tervals of the adjourned sittings of that meeting. 
 
 Qt, ■ ■ 4, for began, read begun. 
 
 21, for continues, read continue. 
 
 25, . 2, for were, read was. 
 
 39, 9, for meeting, read meetirtgs. 
 
 I omit, the words of. 
 48, 15. for is, read its. 
 
 51, 25, 26, omit, by the monthly meeting to which, they belonged. 
 
 \ for Pennington, read Penington. 
 €6, ^li ) 
 
 85^ . 24, for meetings, read meeting. 
 
 94^ 29, SO, for persons, read person. 
 
 96, 17, for translated, read erfited. 
 
 107^ . 4, for f/ie intervals of the sittings of, read in eonnexitn with, 
 
 ^08, 18, for our, read o/ our. 
 
 119, . 19, for TWELFTH, read MlVm. 
 
 115, 5, for pratices, read jjroctices. 
 
 131, • 18, for were, read was. 
 
 165, 15, for is, read are. 
 
 175, 14, for councils, read counsels. 
 
 205, —— 24, for healed. What shall console, ^c. read yet 
 
 healed, what shall console, ^-c. 
 
 «09, .. 27, 28, for first printed in America, has since been reprinted 
 ' in Dublin and London, read frst printed in. Dublin, 
 
 has since been reprinted in London. 
 
 Z\7, • 26, for their, read our. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 16, • 21, omit a. 
 
 29, 13, for that the, read that of the. 
 
 30, ' 4, for form, read farms, 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Religious Societies, however distinguished from 
 each other by a diversity in their opinions, modes of 
 worship, internal government, and appropriate customs, 
 appear, in the progress of time, to have passed through 
 a very similar process. The formation of a new sect 
 necessarily pre-supposes great zeal in the minds of its 
 founders. Sometimes persecution, and generally dif- 
 ficulties and opposition are then to be encountered ; 
 and, by the operation of a wise law in the constitution 
 of human nature, the exertion which is made in sur- 
 mounting these obstacles, is adapted, in each successive 
 instance, to increase the zeal which will enable its 
 possessors to triumph in future conflicts. Soon, how- 
 ever, must the first generation pass away, and not 
 unfrequently with them or their immediate descendants, 
 the peculiar circumstances under which the society 
 was first formed cease to operate. When this becomes 
 the case, aiKi in an especial manner if persecution no 
 
 B longer 
 
loiiger exists, inferior principles, common to human 
 nature, resume their powerful operation, and the 
 members of the fooiety become like other men, though 
 ftill diftinguiflied by peculiar modes and cuftoms. 
 That adive zeal for its interefts, which eminently 
 diftinguiflied the firft founders of the fociety, infpired 
 them with a readinefs to facrifice all worldly confider- 
 ations in order to promote its welfare ; but, in the 
 minds of their defcendants, wealth, pleafure, and 
 honour, regain that afcendency, which in all ages 
 they feem to poffefs over the bulk of mankind. In 
 moft inftances, however, it has happened that a vir- 
 tuous few ftill remain : thefe preferve their attach- 
 xnent to the caufe for which they are aflbciated ; and 
 the painful reflections, induced by the lukewarmnefs 
 of their brethren, operate in producing even a fur- 
 ther increafe of zeal in themfelves. For fome time 
 this faithful band perfevere in their efforts for reani- 
 mating the fociety with the a6tive fpirit of its foun- 
 ders, and, without reforting to any new means, de- 
 vote themselves with generous and unwearied ardor, 
 to give effe£i: to the rules and inftitutions eftabliflied 
 by their anceftors. Thefe exertions feldom fucceed 
 in fully producing th» desired efFc6t. Hence the pre- 
 valence of worldly motives, and the weaknefs of 
 human nature become the fubje<ft of lamentation ; 
 they excite many a painful refleftion in the minds of 
 thofe who are thus benevolently exercifed, and who 
 are fometimes tempted to give up the caufe of truth 
 and virtue, under the influence of defpondency.— 
 Happily, however, fuch impreflions are not per- 
 manent, and the perfevering virtue of ardent minds 
 urges them afrefti to aftive exertions. Thofe perfons 
 efpecially, who are pre-eminent in zeal, are in time 
 
 led 
 
3 
 
 led to inquire whether the deficiencies which they 
 lament are to be afcribed to fome imperfeftion in the 
 cxifting Rules and Inftitutions of the Society— to a 
 failure in the right application of them — or to the 
 want of new and varied Rules and Inftitutions, more 
 adapted to prefent exigencies. 
 
 By these inquiries, particularly if they derive encou- 
 ragement from the concurrent practice of the Society, 
 or from any peculiar or extraordinary circumftances of 
 the times, the mind becomes in fome degree liberated 
 from a fubjection to ancient prescription. From an 
 attention to mere Rules and Inftitutions, it is led to 
 a ferious examination of the doctrines and opinions 
 maintained by the Society, fome of which have been 
 perhaps too implicitly adopted by its members from 
 education or tradition. The effe6l of fuch inquiries 
 is, that new views on thefe fubje6ls arc prefented ; and 
 if thefe become confirmed by fubfequent and mature 
 reflection, they naturally produce new matter for 
 interefting difcuflion to the Society. Hence arlfes 
 diverfity of opinion ; and under fuch circumftances, 
 it is fometimes found, that well-intentioned and even 
 pious men are not always the moft accommodating. 
 From the ardor with which fome conceive and others 
 oppofe new plans of Reform, or new views refpc6ting 
 Rules, Inftitutions, Do<ftrines, or Opinions ; and from 
 the degrees of importance which each aflbciates with 
 the effect of their refpeclive and oppofing exertions, a 
 collifion of interefts and wifhes takes place ; — the zeal 
 and warmth of tenaper with which the controverted 
 points are difcuffed, ferve to create a mutual pertinacity; 
 — and not un frequently the bands of brotherly kindnefs 
 
 and 
 
4 
 
 and charity are thereby weakened. They who cannot 
 induce the Society to adopt their meafures, are fome- 
 times led to feparate from it rather than abandon them. 
 And even when the rejeftion of thefe meafures is not 
 deemed a fufficient motive for leaving the Society, 
 their feparation from it may notwith (landing be ren- 
 dered unavoidable, either by the temper and condu6l 
 of its Rulers, or by the very conftitutions of Soci- 
 eties themfelves, which in many inftances have de- 
 clared, as an eflential law, that diflimilarity in condu6t 
 Or opinions on certain points, cannot confiftently be 
 tolerated amongft their members, and have therefore 
 required that they who are refraftory in fuch refpe(9:s, 
 fhall be excluded from communion. 
 
 At conjunctures like thefe, how precious is " the 
 
 WISDOM THAT IS FROM ABOVE, WHICH IS 
 FIRST PURE, THEN PEACEABLE, GENTLE AND 
 EASY TO BE INTREATED, FULL OF MERCY AND 
 GOOD FRUITS, WITHOUT PARTIALITY, AND 
 WITHOUT hypocrisy!'* 
 
 But unhappily, the emotions of zeal, or the tur- 
 bulence of other paffions ftifle the " ftill fmall voice 
 " within," and not only prevent the exercife of this 
 divine wifdom in the minds of both the parties, but in- 
 capacitate them. from perceiving its excellence. 
 
 Were it not for these obftacles, they who have been 
 fincerely and ftrongly impreffed with a conviClion that 
 the inftitutions of their Se6l, and the articles of its 
 Creed, have been productive of much good ; and 
 t h-it they themfelves have experimentally derived great 
 lienefit from them ; and moft of all, if they be per- 
 
 fuaded 
 
5 
 
 fuaded that thefe Inftitutions or Articles are founded 
 on divin« authority, would neverthelefs be fo far from 
 dcfiring to oppofe, that they would cordially promote 
 a fair and full inquiry into the origin, nature, and 
 value of them, from a full convidion of the truth of 
 that important axiom, that every Society, which does 
 not frequently recur to its firft principles, is in dan- 
 " ger of decay/' 
 
 And if, in confequence of this fpirit of inquiry, 
 iome members of the Society, who are known to ad 
 from upright and confcientious motives, fliould pro- 
 pofe meafures, which by other members might be 
 regarded as the introdudion of hafty and dangerous 
 innovations or novel opinions, it would ftill be admit- 
 ted that thefe meafures were entitled to a deliberate 
 and impartial confideration ; and this fentiment would 
 be fan6lioned and encouraged, even by thofe who, 
 under the influence of honeft zeal, might deem it 
 right to withhold their fupport from the meafures pro- 
 pofed. 
 
 On the other hand, they who, with equal fincerity, 
 believe that fome of the inftitutions of their fed are 
 really injurious, and fome of its tenets demon ftrably 
 erroneous, however ftrenuous they may hereby be- 
 come to elfed a changCj yet if they aUo were aduated 
 by ** the wirdom from above," they would never for- 
 get that zeal Ihould always be tempered with know- 
 ledge;— that although reform may to them appear 
 indifpenfably neceflary, yet unlefs that neceffity 
 be made clearly apparent to others, their fupport 
 •ught not to be even defired;— and that their oppo- 
 
 fi tion-5 
 
6 
 
 fitlon, even to the moft wife and virtuous meafures, 
 fhould never engender anger, enmity, or refentment, 
 in the breafts of thofe by whom fuch meafures arc 
 recommended. 
 
 It is, indeed, highly important for both the parties 
 to be fuitably imprefled with a conviction, that the 
 rights of private judgment conftitute the main pillar 
 and the firft principle of every religious Proteftant 
 fociety ; and that the exercife of thefe rights fhould 
 therefore be, not only preferved inviolate, but invaria- 
 bly refpected, and even cherished in the mind of every 
 individual. Hence would refult mutual condefcenfion, 
 the offspring of an habitual temper and difpofition to 
 be kindly affe6lioned one to another, with brotherly 
 love ; in honor preferring one another." In the ab- 
 fence of a tempier and difpofition like this, convulfions 
 and fchlfm naturally take place. Old focieties arc 
 weakened and new ones formed, and this, it is to be 
 feared, without any advantages equal to thofe which 
 might have been obtained by the continuance of an 
 unbroken connexion between their members, under 
 the cementing influence of mutual deference, alTe^lion, 
 and efleem. 
 
 But the peace of religious focieties has been fre- 
 quently broken, and the facred charafter, even of reli- 
 gion itfelf, unjuftly traduced, from another caufe, vizL 
 
 AN ERRONEOUS JUDGMENT IN APPRECIATING 
 THE REAL VALUE OF CEREMONIAL FORMS AND 
 
 OBSERVANCES. Thcfc, undcr Certain modifications, 
 and to a certain extent, are doubtlefs efTential to the 
 cdonomy of every religious fociety. Should we, how- 
 ever, 
 
7 
 
 ever, thoie forms and obfervances which are of 
 
 acknowledged excellence, is it not ftill obvious that 
 the real value, even of them, has frequently been over- 
 rated ? And have they not been fondly regarded 
 and depended upon, as calculated to afford a greater 
 degree of affiftance in the difcharge of religious du- 
 ties, than any inftitutions, however perfecSi, are, from 
 the very nature of the Chriftian religion, capable of 
 fupplying ? The effential requifites for that worfhip 
 which the gofpel enjoins are thus clearly ftated by 
 our Saviour : " God i3 a fpirit, and they that worfhip 
 *^ him muft worfhip him in fpirit and in truth.'* 
 
 So fupremely excellent and invaluable is the fpirit of 
 true religion, that it gives a kind of fan6lion to every 
 thing connefted with it in the minds of its votaries ; 
 and this extends to things which are in their own na- 
 ture indifferent, and of which fomc may be ev«n ab- 
 furd. 
 
 Hence, the edifice for public worfhip, which a 
 pious man has long frequented, and the altar which he 
 has been accuflomed to approach, may be regarded by 
 him with fentiments bordering on fuperftition. The 
 ceremonies and ordinances of his church, the " meatja 
 and the drinks, and the fet-days,'' the peculiar forms of 
 drefs and demeanour, in the obfervance of which he 
 has been educated, and which he has regarded as 
 modes of exprefling the devotion of his foul to the 
 Supreme Being : — thefe become venerable in his efli- 
 mation ; to his eyes they appear covered with & 
 veil of faniftity, which does not properly belong to 
 them. To thiscaufe not only chanty, but an accurate 
 
 knowledge 
 
8 
 
 knowledge of human nature, require us to impute sl 
 very large portion of that undue zeal which has been 
 fhewn for fuperftitious praftlces by many men of ac- 
 knowledged piety and virtue. 
 
 But there is alfo another defcription of men, con- 
 cerning whom it may be faid, in the language of the 
 fcriptures, that they " have left their firft love,*' — 
 having a form of godlinefs but denying the power 
 thereof." They are fenfible that they have become 
 cold and languid in the elTentials of religion, but they 
 ftill hope this will not always continue to be their cafe ; 
 and In the mean time they deceive themfelves into a 
 belief, that they may, in fome degree, conciliate the 
 favor of the Almighty, by commuting their indiffe- 
 rence to the fuhjiance, for a zealous attachment to the 
 forms of religion. Hence they devote to God their 
 attendance on public worfliip, their compliance with 
 the ceremonies and ordinances of the church, their 
 obfervance of meats, and drinks, and fet-days/' and 
 of their peculiar forms of drefs and demeanour, whilft 
 at the fame time, their hearts are devoted to the world. 
 
 When therefore a third clafs of men appears, in 
 whofe characters the pious and virtuous alfe6lions are 
 united with liberal and enlightened views — their atten- 
 tion is naturally direfted to thofe inftitutions and prac- 
 tices, the real ufe and value of which are mifunderftood 
 and overrated by one clafs, whilft to another clafs they 
 become the means of felf-deception, and motives to 
 the exercife of unprofitable zeal. When thefe impref- 
 fions induce a ftill more clofe examination, and it fur- 
 ther 
 
ther appears that fome of the exifting inftitutions and 
 practices are npt merely abufed, but that from the 
 very nature and origin of them, their efte6ls muft ne- 
 ceffarily be pernicious ; and that even fome of the ar- 
 ticles of the received creed are demonftrably erroneous ; 
 it is natural that benevolent minds fhould be excited by 
 thefe difcoveries to vigorous and perfevering efforts for 
 the removal of fuch evils. 
 
 Thefe virtuous efforts have however, in almoft every 
 age, met with fevere oppofition. 
 
 On the one hand, the sincere, though in fome de- 
 gree SUPERSTITIOUS FRIENDS OF HEAL RELI- 
 GION, being unaccuftomed to diftinguifh its effence 
 from its appendages, perceive that hoftile views are 
 directed againft the latter, and under a full, though 
 erroneous conviction that both muft fland or fall toge- 
 ther, they naturally take tjae alarm. 
 
 On the other hand, when the fandy foundations of 
 formality are thus fhaken by the powerful operations 
 of truth, the formalists are, for obvious reafons, 
 foremoft to found an alarm that the church is in 
 danger,'^ and by them the charges of herefy and ^ 
 fchifm*' are refounded with a loud cry. 
 
 Thus the fincere, though fuperftitious, friends of 
 real religion unite therafelves to the formalifts, and be- 
 come ONE PARTY. The efforts of this unnatural al- 
 liance are oppofed to the views and the labors of the vir- 
 tuous friends of reform, who are thus marked out as the 
 •bjedis of oblo(juy, unkindnefs, and perfecution. Under 
 
 fuck 
 
10 
 
 fuch circumftances, their feparation from that religious 
 fociety of which they had perhaps long been members, 
 is either infifted upon, or if protracted by vain expla- 
 nations, conceflions and accommodations, is at length 
 rendered unavoidable. New focieties are in confe- 
 quence formed, and the virtuous few, who remain in 
 the former ones, are taught by time and fubfequent 
 events how greatly they have failed in wifdom, by not 
 appreciating more juftly thofe important points on 
 which they were agreed with their pious, but diflenting 
 brethren, and the fubordinate and comparatively 
 trifling value of thofe points on which they differed. 
 
 There are doubtlefs various caufes to which the 
 convullions, feparations, and fchifms that have, at 
 different penods,^ taken place among focieties of pro- 
 fefling Chriftians, may be traced. But in the pre- 
 fent curfory and imperfe<St (ketch, TWO only of 
 thefe caufes have been fele6bed, as having their foun- 
 dation in principles common to human nature in every 
 age of the world, and as being alfo thofe which ap- 
 pear to be immediately conneded with the fubjed 
 of the following narrative. It is scarcely necelfary 
 to remark, that no part of what has been ftated on 
 the fubjeCt of Reform, is intended to imply, either 
 that profeffing Reformers have been, at all times, 
 wife and virtuous ; or that the advocates of exifling 
 fyf^ems and inflitutions, have been, at all times, more 
 fuperftitious or lefs enlightened than their contera^ 
 poraries. 
 
 It will probably be admitted, that the leading fea- 
 tures in this (ketch have been unhappily re^dized in 
 
 the 
 
11 
 
 the Hlftory of the ChrHHan Church, even during the 
 period of its early exiftence, and much more fo in the 
 various fubfequent diflentions amongft the Roman 
 Catliolics, as well as at the memorable sera of the 
 Proteftant Reformation, and alfo in the fucceeding dif- 
 fent of various religious focieties from the eftablifhed 
 church, and from each other. And it remains for the 
 intelligent Reader to form his own judgment whether 
 the events recorded in the following narrative, do not 
 furnifh a new and affecting illuftration of the preceding 
 obfervatiqps. 
 
AN ACCOUNT 
 
 Of the Confiitut'ion of meetings for discipline, 
 amongfl the People commonly called Quakers ; — intended 
 chiefly for the information of thofe 'Readers to ivhom the 
 following Narrative might not otherwfe he fufficiently 
 intelligible. 
 
 J HE members of this religious foclety unite, as a 
 diftin^l body, not only for the performance of public 
 worftiip, according to that mode which they believe to 
 have been intended by Jefus Chrift, but alfo for the 
 maintaining of a Christian Discipline for 
 THEIR internal GOVERNMENT. By mcans of 
 this difcipline, they are of opinion, that their union as 
 a religious fociety receives additional ftrength, and that 
 they are thereby enabled, with increafed effe^l, to co- 
 operate for their mutual good. 
 
 The con fi deration 8 which chiefly determine the local 
 meeting or congregation to which each individual 
 belongs, are fometimes the relative number of members 
 of which a congregation confifls, but more frequently 
 the vicinity of the meeting-houfe to his own refidence. 
 And the rules and regulations of the fociety are con- 
 ceived 
 
14 
 
 ceived to be obligatory upon every individual, who is 
 defirous of continuing a member of it. 
 
 The members of each congregation affemble, once 
 a month, at the conclufion of a meeting for worfliip; 
 and they then conflitute a preparative meeting 
 FOR DISCIPLINE, cxcept in the cafe herein after 
 mentioned. The queries, which are directed by the 
 yearly meeting to be read, confidered and anfwered, 
 at ftated periods, form a part of the bufmefs of thefe 
 meetings ; the overfeers or other members impart fuch 
 information, refpe<Slirig the occurrences among them- 
 felves, as may appear necelTary ; generally two mem- 
 bers are appointed to be reprefentatives to the enfuing 
 monthly meeting ; and the anfwers to the queries, to- 
 gether with fuch part of the information as may require 
 to be communicated to the monthly meeting, are here 
 'prepared^ to be tranfmitted to it by the reprefentatives : 
 hence tliefe local meetings of difcipline are denominated 
 Preparative Meetings. 
 
 In fome places, the members of a fingle congrega* 
 tion copftitute a monthly meeting for difcipline; 
 but in other places, where the members are lefs nu- 
 merous, the alTociation of two, and generally of more 
 than two, preparative meetings or congregations, with- 
 in a ftated diftri£l, conftitutes one monthly meeting. 
 Monthly meetings are often denominated by the 
 names of the places where they are moft frequently 
 held ; but feveral of them take their names from fome 
 ether appropriate circumftance. In the fele6lion of the 
 particular preparative meetings or congregations that 
 conftitute a monthly meeting, regard is fometimes 
 
 had 
 
i5 
 
 ftad to the aggregate numbor of members, but more 
 frequently to the convenience and vicinity of the feve« 
 ral congregations, to the plaoe or place* where th* 
 monthly meeting is ufually held, 
 
 A QUARTERLY MEETING generally comprizcs th ft 
 members refident in one county, and it ufually confiftp 
 of the feveral monthly meetings within fuch county. 
 Of late years, however, it has been found expedient, 
 in feveral inftances, to unite the monthly meetings of 
 two or more counties, in which the members were not 
 numerous, under the jurifdidion of one quarterly 
 meeting. 
 
 The members of the Ibciety in the States of New 
 England, New York, Maryland, and Virginia, have 
 each their diftinft yearly mbbting ; thofe members 
 who relide in Pennfylvania and New Jerfey aflbciatc 
 together for this purpofe, as do alfo thofe who refide in 
 North and South Carolina and in Georgia. Each of 
 thefe yearly meetings, as well as the yearly meeting 
 of Great Britain (ufually denominated the Yearly Meet- 
 ing held in London) pofTefTes, within its appropriate 
 diftri£t, the fupreme legiflative and judicial power, in 
 all that refpe£ls the difcipline of the fociety. And the 
 yearly meeting of each diftridl is independent of th« 
 others. A mutual correfpondence between them and 
 the yearly meeting held in London, is however gene- 
 rally maintained, by means of epiftles from tke feveral 
 annual meetings. 
 
 The NATIONAL YEARLY MEETING OF IRELAND 
 
 appoints reprefentatives to the yearly meeting held in 
 
 London^ 
 
16 
 
 London, and is deemed fubordinate to the latter in 
 fome cafes. Hence it maintains a middle kir.d A ftate 
 with refpe(Sl to its independence, of whicb f^me notice 
 will be taken in the fo.llowing pages. 
 
 By the organization of the fociety, a communi- 
 cation is maintained between each general yearly meet- 
 ing of difcipline, and the feveral quarterly meetings 
 within its appropriate difl:ri(Sl. A^fi'milar communication 
 is maintained between each quarterly meeting of difci- 
 pline, and the feveral monthly meetings of which it is 
 conftituted : and a fimilar communication is alfo main- 
 tained between each monthly meeting of difcipline, 
 and the feveral local meetings or congregations of 
 which the monthly meeting is conftituted. 
 
 This communication is preferved by means of' Re- 
 presentatives, from the preparative meeting of each 
 congregation, to the monthly meeting of which it forms 
 a part ; from each monthly, to the quarterly meeting ; 
 and from each quarterly, to the yearly meeting. Each 
 of thefe meetings is ufually attended by a confiderable 
 number of members befides the reprefentatives ; and 
 at every meeting, for the purpofes of general difcipline, 
 any member of the Society may attend and affift in its 
 deliberations. 
 
 One limitation indeed takes place, which is, that in 
 tranfafting the difcipline, the men and the women have 
 each their feparate province, and hold their meetings 
 apart except at the feleft meetings of Minifters and 
 Elders, in which both fexes meet together. 
 
 For 
 
17 
 
 For the purpofe of obtaining information relative 
 to the religious and moral ftate of the fociety, and for 
 directing the attention of its members to thofe points 
 on which the care and attention of each individual 
 may be profitably employed, both as it refpects himfeif 
 and his brethren, certain au^RiEs and advices have 
 been framed ; and it is directed that the queries fhould 
 be read and confidered, and the anfwers to them 
 tranfmitted at ftate;^! periods. Thefe anfwers are given 
 firft at the preparative meeting of difcipline for each 
 congregation, where fuch meetings are held, and thence 
 communicated by their reprefentatives, to the monthly 
 meeting. The fubftance or general import of each of 
 the anfwers to the feveral queries from each congre- 
 gation, is compreflTed into one general anfwer in writ- 
 ing, at the monthly meeting ; and the anfwers thus 
 formed are communicated from thence by reprefenta- 
 tives, who are then appointed to the quarterly meet- 
 ing. A fimilar procefs is adopted once a year by the 
 members of each quarterly meeting, for the purpofe of 
 tranfmitting, by their reprefentatives, anfwers to the 
 queries, to the yearly meeting. By means of the 
 anfwers to the queries, and of the opportunities of 
 verbal communication which meetings for difcipline 
 afford, the latter, and in a more efpecial manner, each 
 yearly meeting, endeavours to obtain fuch information 
 as may enable it to adminiiler advice or affiftance, 
 according as the exigencies of the Society generally, 
 or thofe of any particular clafs of its members, in any 
 particular diftri6t, may requipc. When the occafion is 
 general, advice is ufually communicated by means of 
 written or printed epistles. When circumftances 
 occur which affeft a particular meeting or diftri£l only, 
 • C then 
 
18 
 
 then a deputation of fuitable members, to vlfit fuch 
 meeting or diftri6^:, is fometimes made. 
 
 The Select Meetings are compofed of fuch 
 members only as are recognifed by the fociety in the 
 llation of Ministers or Elders. And the care or 
 difcipline of thefe meetings is limited to the conduft 
 of perfons in thofe Nations. 
 
 The appointment of Elders, in each particular con- 
 gregation, for the purpofe of fuperintending the minif- 
 try, is made by the monthly meeting for difcipline to 
 which fuch congregation belongs ; affifted by a com- 
 mittee, appointed for this purpofe by the quarterly 
 meeting. And it is direfted that the elders be 
 fele<Si:ed from among thofe members, whofe exemplary 
 condu6l and religious attainments render them heft 
 qualified for this important ftation. It is their pro- 
 vince to exercife a fuitable care, that, whatever be 
 delivered in meetings for public worfliip, either as 
 preaching or prayer, fliall have a tendency to edifica- 
 tion. If any thing {liould be delivered which may 
 be deemed objectionable with regard to either its 
 import, or the temper, manner, or time of its delivery, 
 the elders are expelled to adminifter fuitable advice to 
 the party. Should this prove ineffe6lual, they are then 
 to lay the cafe before the men's monthly meeting for 
 difcipline; as that is the only tribunal which is com- 
 petent, in the firft inftance, to pafs judgment or cenfure 
 upon the conduct either of minifters, elders, or any 
 other defcription of members. But if any individual 
 fliould think himfelf aggrieved by the decifion of a 
 monthly meeting, he is at liberty to appeal from it to 
 
 the 
 
19 
 
 the judgment of the quarterly meetings and in like 
 manner from the decifion of the latter, to the judgment 
 of the yearly meeting, whofe decifion is final. 
 
 For the purpofe of afiifting the fele(Sl meeting in 
 the bufinefs entrufted to its care, a dijiind lift of auE- 
 RiES and ADVICES has been framed ; and it is directed 
 that the queries be read and confidered, and anfvvers 
 thereto returned, four times a year, from the preparative 
 meetings of the rainifters and elders, in each congrega- 
 tion, to the minifters and elders of the fele6l monthly 
 meeting to which it belongs.* Thefe queries are again 
 read and confidered by the minifters and elders of the 
 fele6t monthly meeting, and the anfvvers are tranfmitted 
 to the minifters and elders of the fele<3: quarterly meeting. 
 And, in like manner, the queries are alfo read and con- 
 fidered at each fele(^ quarterly meeting, and the 
 anfvvers tranfmitted to the fele6t yearly meeting of 
 minifters and elders, held immediately preceding and 
 during the intervals of the adjourned fittings of the 
 yearly meeting for the purpofes of general difci- 
 pline. Reprefentatives are appointed in each of the 
 conftituent fele6l meetings, in the fame manner as in 
 the meetings for the purpofes of general difcipline* 
 It is directed that, at every qiiarterly meeting for dif- 
 cipline, a report fliall be made, that the quarterly fele6l 
 meeting has then been duly held. It is alfo diredled, 
 that at the quarterly meeting for difcipline, which pre- 
 
 C2 cedes 
 
 * In leveral congregations there are no minifters, and fo 
 ver}' finall a number of elders, that the pra6tice of holding 
 feled preparative meetings, is not general. 
 
cedes each yearly meeting, a report fhall be made af 
 the names of the reprefentatives from the quarterly 
 fele6l meeting to the yearly fele6t meeting : and that 
 they lhall be conftantly furniflied with a copy of the 
 anfwers to the queries from the quarterly fele6i: meet- 
 ing, to the yearly feJeft meeting : which anfwers are 
 to be held in readinefs to be produced at each spring 
 quarterly meeting for difcipline^ in cafe that meeting 
 ihould require them. 
 
 A communication is thus maintained between the af- 
 fociated body of minifters and elders, aflcmbled at each 
 felect yearly meeting, and the ministers and elders of 
 each congregation within the appropriate district ; and 
 felect opportunities are hereby given for adminiftering, 
 with suitable tendernefs and delicacy, such caution, 
 counfel, and brotherly affiftance, as the 'cafes of minj- 
 fters and elders may require. It is alfo directed that 
 each yearly felect meeting fhall regularly lay be- 
 fore the yearly meeting for general difciplinc to 
 which it belongs, a fummary, yet clear account of 
 
 the state of the ministers and elders" throughout 
 its diftrict. By this, and the preceding provisions, 
 .the refponsibility of each quarterly and yearly felect 
 meeting of ministers and elders to its appropriate 
 quarterly or yearly meeting for general difciplinc, is 
 intended to be acknowledged and preferved. 
 
 Thofe readers who are defirous of more minute in- 
 formation refpefting the objects of the difciplinc, or 
 the RULES inftituted for efTecSling them, are referred to 
 Extra^s from the minutes and advices of the yearly 
 meeting of friends held in London ;** — A brief ac- 
 count of the rifr and progrefs of the people called 
 
 " quakers, 
 
11 
 
 guaiers, hy William Venn — A fummary of the 
 " hijlory, dodrinfy and difcipUne of friends Or A 
 " Hi/lory of the rife and progress of the people called Qua- 
 " hersy in Ireland, began hy Thomas Wight, and conti- 
 
 nued hy John Rutty, M. D/' 
 
 And^ in order to (hew the eftimation in which the 
 ORIGIN and IMPORTANCE of the di(c\^\ine continues 
 io he held by the fociety, the following paragraph, being 
 the introduftion to the chapter on Difcipline and 
 
 meetings of difciphne/' and iffiied in 1673, is here 
 inferted from the " ExtraSls from the minutes and ad- 
 
 vices of the yearly meeting,'' compiled and publiflied 
 in 1802i 
 
 " It is our judgment and teftimony, in the word of 
 God's loisdom, that the rife and practice, fetting up 
 and eftablifliment, of men's and women's meetings, 
 in the church of Chrift, in this our generation, is 
 according to the mind and council of God, and done 
 
 " in the ordering and leading of his eternal fpirit ; and 
 that it is the duty of all friends and brethren in 
 thi power of God, in all parts, to be diligent there- 
 
 " in, and to encourage and further each other in that 
 blef?ed work, and particularly that friends and bre- 
 thren in their refpe6live counties, encourage their 
 faithful and grave women in the fettlemtiit of the 
 
 '* faid meetings." P^g^ 49. 
 
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS, &c. 
 
 The reprefentatlve national meetings of the people 
 called Quakers in Ireland, firft began in J670. Thefe 
 meetings were regularly held twice a year, and were 
 hence denominated " the national half year's 
 " MEETINGS OF Irelakd." They were compofed 
 of reprefentatives, and other members of the fociety, 
 from the three quarterly meetings, in the provinces of 
 Ulster, Leinster, and Munster; there being 
 only a few members of the fociety in Connaught, 
 who conftitute one fmall meeting, which is joined to 
 the quarterly meeting of Leinfter. 
 
 No very material changes appear to have taken 
 place in the difcipline of the fociety, for more than a 
 century after the eftablifhment of the national half 
 year's meetings. 
 
 In the fifth month, 1791> the queries and ad- 
 vices 
 
14 
 
 A. D. 
 
 VICES framed for the ufe of meetings of difcipline,* 
 having been revifed by the dire6lion of the yearly 
 meeting, held in London, they were new modelled 
 and arranged, under difiin6l heads. Dire£lions were 
 alfo then given, prefcribing the times at which thefe 
 queries and advices were to be read and confidered in 
 the feveral meetings for difcipline ; and to the whole^ 
 the following minute wa-s prefixed. 
 
 It is agreed, that the queries fhall be anfwered 
 " at the times, and in the manner direftedj and that 
 no others be ufcd without the leave of this meeting," 
 
 In the eleventh month of the fame year, the na- 
 tional half year's meeting of Ireland was held at Dub- 
 lin ; and to this meeting was tranfmitted, from the 
 preceding yearly meeting, held in London, (according 
 to the ufual pradice on fuch occafions) a copy of the 
 faid minutCy and of the newly arranged queries and 
 advices, together with directions concerning the ufe of 
 them.t 
 
 Although much brotherly regard had been always 
 felt, and a cordial intercourfe uniformly maintained, 
 between the yearly meeting of Great Britain^ and the 
 national half year's meeting of Ireland, yet it had ne- 
 ver 
 
 * See page JJ*. 
 
 t Thefe queries and advices are publifhcd in the book of 
 " Extracts from the minutes and advices of the yearly mcet- 
 " ing of FriePxds, held in London/' under the head auBRiES. 
 Por a brief flcctch of their hiftory, fee Appendix, No. L 
 
A. D. 1791. 
 
 25 
 
 ver been admitted by the latter, that the fociety in 
 Ireland were amenable^ in matters of difclplinej to the 
 yearly meeting of Great Britain ; and feme doubts 
 were therefore entertained, whether the prohibitory 
 injun6lion, contained in the /aid minute, ought to ex- 
 tend to Ireland. 
 
 The fubje6l was, in confequence, difcufled at the 
 national h^lf year's meeting, affembled at this time ; 
 and as its members concurred with their brethren 
 in Great Bri^^ain, in a ftrong defire of uniformity 
 throughout the fociety^ the queries and advices, as 
 arranged by the late yearly meeting held in London, 
 were adopted and recommended to general ufe in 
 Ireland. 
 
 This compliance of the fociety in Ireland, with the 
 recommencarions of their brethren in Great Britain, 
 led to a confideration of the expediency of difcontinu- 
 ing the provincial meetings for difcipline, held once m 
 every fix weeks, and thence denominated six weeks' 
 
 MEETINGS. 
 
 Thefe meetings had for many years been almoft 
 peculiar to Ireland, where they were firft eftablifhed, fa 
 long fmce as the year 1668, prior to the exiftence of 
 either monthly, quarterly, or the national half year's 
 meetings ; and of late they had been regarded as a 
 kind of intermediate quarterly meetings. 
 
 If the newly arranged queries were to be read at 
 thofe times only, which had been prefcribed by the 
 late yearly meeting held in London, it muft of courfe 
 
 preclude 
 
06 
 
 * 
 
 A. D. 1702. 
 
 preclude their being introduced at the fix weeks' meet- 
 ings in Ireland. This circumftance, concurring with 
 a defire of uniformity in the practice of the fociety, it 
 was recommended by the national half year's meeting, 
 now aflembled^ that the expediency of difcmtinulng thi 
 Jix weeks meetings^ in each of the three provinces, 
 fhould be taken into confideration the following fpring. 
 
 The national half year's meeting of Ireland was held 
 in the fpring of 1799, and the difcontinuance of the 
 provincial fix weeks' meetings was concluded upon, as 
 Hated in the following minute. 
 
 At a national half year's meeting held in Dublin, 
 from the twenty-ninth of the fourth month to the third 
 of the fifth month, 1792. 
 
 A committee having been appointed, &c. &c. 
 brought in the following report, which was read and 
 agreed to by this meeting, viz. 
 
 The committee, appointed to take into confidera- 
 *^ tion the expediency of difcontinuing the holding of 
 the province fix weeks* meetings, report, that they 
 met, in company with fundry women- friends, and 
 after a feafon of humble waiting for the influ- 
 ence of truth upon their fpirits, the matter was 
 taken into folid deliberation, and under this folemn 
 ^ covering, divers favoury and weighty offerings and 
 obfervations were made ; and it is the general fenfe 
 and judgment of this committee, that it is expe- 
 *^ dient, that the holding of the /aid province meetings 
 
 Jhould, 
 
A. D. 1792. 
 
 27 
 
 Jhould, for the frefent, he difcontinued throughout this 
 nation. 
 
 And the committee propofe to the national meet- 
 " ing, preffingly to recommend to the quarterly meet- 
 *^ ings in the three provinces, to take into their weighty 
 " confideration the ftate of their refpecftive monthly 
 
 and particular meetings, and frequently to appoint 
 " vifits thereto as occafion may require ; and earneftly 
 " to recommend to friends, not to confider the difcon- 
 
 tinuance of our province fix weeks' meetings, as an 
 
 opportunity given to be more at leifure to attend to 
 *^ their temporal affairs ; but that friends in the fundry 
 
 quarters, who have the caufe of truth at heart, 
 *^ keep in view the lozLf Jiate of things among ft us^ not 
 " only in their own particular lituation, but to extend 
 
 their profpe6l to neighbouring meetings and pro- 
 " vinces ; feel deeply after the pointings of truth ; and 
 
 in fympathy with their exercifed brethren, go and 
 *^ fit with them in their monthly and quarterly meet- 
 
 ings. We believe that fuch movements would tend 
 
 much to mutual help and edification. 
 
 And the faid committee, having conlidered the- 
 expediency of an uniform mode of holding the meet- 
 <^ ings of difcifUne throughout the nation, propofe, that 
 the Preparative Meetings in Ulfler province be no 
 longer Meetings of Record. 
 
 Job Scott, of Providence, in the State of Rhode 
 Ifland, North America, having left his children, his 
 near connexions, and his native land, under an ap- 
 prehenfion of religious duty, arrived at Dunkirk, and 
 
 proceeded 
 
A. D. 1793* 
 
 proceeded to England in the firft month, 1793. He 
 travelled through feveral of the counties in England 
 and Wales, vifiting the meetings of our Society, and 
 frequently appointing public meetings, at which the 
 members of other Societies were prefent, until the 
 fifth month following. He then attended the yearly 
 meeting in London, and foon afterwards proceeded 
 towards Ireland, and landed in Dublin on the ninth of 
 the feventh month. He vilited moft of the meetings 
 of our Society in Ireland, and had frequent public 
 opportunities, which were largely attended by perfons 
 of different religious perfuafions. But towards the clofe 
 of his fervices in that kingdom, he was feized with the 
 fmall pox at Ballitore ; and the diforder, overcoming 
 every effort which medical fkill and the unremitted 
 kindnefs of his friends could make to fubdue it, 
 terminated his valuable life on the twenty-fecond of 
 the eleventh month, 1793, in (as was fuppofed) the 
 forty- third year of his age. 
 
 As a man and a minifter he was efteemed and be- 
 loved, both in his native country, where his religious 
 labours had been frequent and extenfive, and alfo by 
 thofe perfons who had the opportunities of being ac- 
 quainted with him in Europe. In Ireland his vifit 
 was manifeflly influential in producing an expanfion of 
 mind, efpecially among thofe with whom his acquain- 
 tance was intimate. He was a man of ftrong natural 
 abilities, of lingular piety, and of exemplary dedica- 
 tion of heart to whatever appeared to him in the light 
 of duty. He confidered religious truth as a pearl of 
 ineftimable value ; hence he became accuftomed to 
 habits of frequent and ferious refle£lion 5 and thefe 
 
 habits 
 
A. D. 1793. 
 
 29 
 
 habits he was defirous of encouraging in others. It 
 was his belief, and the fubjeft of his frequent regret, 
 that the profeflbrs of the gofpel generally, thofe of 
 our own fociety not excepted, were too much in the 
 pradlice of reftingin forms and ceremonies — taking up 
 their religion on truft — depending on the labours and ex- 
 perience of others,— and too implicitly adopting their 
 opinions. To counteraA this tendency, and to excite a fe- 
 rious, diligent, and individual fearch after truth, and a 
 faithful attention to all its dictates, were the great ob- 
 jects of his miniftry, converfation, and epiftolary corref- 
 pondence. Thefe, as wellas the journal of his life, labours, 
 and religious experience, exhibited ftriking proofs of a 
 mind defirous of penetrating beyond the furface, and 
 accuftomed to original and inftrudive views of truth. 
 
 It has however been greatly regretted by feveral of 
 his friends, that fome controverted opinions, which 
 are known to be at variance with thofe of his ma- 
 tuxer age, are publifhed, without any comment, in 
 the early parts of his journal ; and that feveral 
 other paflages, fome of which were peculiarly ftriking 
 and energetic, are wholly fupprefled. Letters written 
 by him after his arrival in Europe, and exprefily 
 ftating his peculiar opinions on fome religious fub- 
 jecis, are alfo carefully withheld from the infpeclion 
 even of his intimate friends, from a fear that his 
 opinions might be mifunderjlood or mifapplied. 
 
 His converfations with thofe who attended him in 
 his laft illnefs, w^ere inftru6live and confolatory ; and a 
 few days before his death, he dictated a very intereft- 
 ing letter, addrefled to his Dearly beloved Pa- 
 
 HENTS," 
 
30 
 
 A. D. 1793. 
 
 RENTS," (meaning his own father and the parents 
 of his deceafed wife) Brothers and Sisters, 
 
 Relations and Friends/' An extradl from 
 this letter is inferted in his journal ; but from caution 
 or timidity on the part of thofe to whom the publifhing 
 of that work was committed, the greater part of the 
 following paflage was fupprefled. 
 
 There is fcarce any thing that makes longer life 
 defirable, but to finifli the field of religious labour, 
 which I had hitherto moftly thought was not yet 
 *^ done ; efpecially with regard to digefting my journal, 
 and fome other writings. Indeed it has often felt 
 as if I ihould probably die in debt to the world, if 1 
 did not even make fome confiderahle additions upon fome 
 fubjeSis, that may have been thought a little peculiar to 
 mjfelf, hut which I fill believe are as frilly in the very 
 *^ life and effence of the Gafpel, as I believe any truth 
 <^ ^whatever ; there is not the leaft fcruple in my mind 
 about them. I truft I as firmly believe in the divi- 
 nity of Chrift as any man living ; but I have no 
 «^ more belief that there are two divinities than two 
 <^ Gods. U is altogether clear to my mind, that that 
 <^ one divinity actually became the feed of the woman, 
 " and bruifed the ferpent's head, as early as any man 
 ever witnefled redemption from fin ; and is one in 
 the head and all the members, he being like us in 
 *f all things except fin. My only hope of eternal fal- 
 " vation is on this ground ; nor do I believe there has 
 <^ ever been any other poffible way of falvation but that 
 of a real conception and birth of the divinity in 
 man. It is not now time to enlarge. There are fe- 
 veral /ketches of this do^ritie in my journal , and ftveral 
 
 " other 
 
A. D. .1793. 
 
 31 
 
 other very unfinijhed little ejjays, I am very appre- 
 
 *^ henfive that moft of my writings are far from pro- 
 perly digefted. Our views of things do not ufually 
 
 *^ open all at once. It is fo in the individual^ it is fo in 
 the world. Things have hitherto been gradually evolv' 
 fVif^5 and it may be conjijient with hifinitc wifdom^ that 
 
 *^ fuch a 'progrejjion Jhould always continue. At the pre- 
 fent day things are conjiderably ripening', and \ have 
 
 " not the leaft doubt, that, before a great while, a 
 highway will be opened through kingdoms and na- 
 tions, where darknefs has long reigned, for the pub- 
 lication of the everlafting gofpel, in its true life and 
 authority; and what is revealed in the ear is in due 
 time to be declared on the houfe top. I have little 
 or no doubt, that the true doctrine of Chrift will be 
 much better underftood than has hitherto generally 
 been the cafe : I may poffibly be reftored to contri- 
 bute my fmall mite towards it : In this and all 
 
 " things elfe, I am not fenfible of any wifli but that 
 the divine will may be done : I have no wifli any 
 thing of mine fhould appear in print but from a 
 
 *' probability of ufefulnefs. I have thought a confi- 
 
 *^ derable part of the journal might be in fome degree 
 ufeful to fome minds ; but I fubmit all to the careful 
 
 *^ infpe6lion, corre^lion, and determination of my 
 
 « friends/' 
 
 On the day after he had dilated the preceding 
 letter, he made a further addition to it, which con- 
 cludes with the following palTage : 
 
 Let my children be engaged in fome innocent 
 *^ employments 3 as much as well may be out of the 
 
 way 
 
3-2 
 
 A. D. 1793. 
 
 " way of a great deal of temptation ; and, if I had 
 need to add it, out of the way of very great accu- 
 
 *^ mulation ; and yet, through induftry and perfeve- 
 ranee, moderately produ6live. My very foul abhors 
 
 *^ the idea, that a Chriftian can ever be at liberty, 
 whilft under the influence of heavenly good, to feek 
 or even deflre much wealth; though this difpofition, 
 
 <^ in direct oppolition to the life and dodrine of Chrift, 
 has gone far towards the deftruftion of true fj^iritual 
 religion, I believe, in almoft every religious fociety 
 
 « in the world/' 
 
 Towards the clofe of his illnefs, the extreme op- 
 preflion of the diforder upon his lungs, produced fe- 
 vere bodily pain ; and under the preflTure of this, about 
 three hours before his departure, he thus exprefled 
 himfelf. " Make great allowance for me, my diftrefs 
 *^ is nearly as much as is fupportable by human na- 
 " ture.'* On being informed that his fufferings would 
 probal)ly be very foon over, he replied, If fo, the 
 *^ Lord's name be bleifed and praifed for ever." The 
 very laft exprefTions which he uttered were full of in- 
 flruftion, and feemed like a prophetic warning to his 
 furviving friends 
 
 " The delire of my heart is the confolation of eter- 
 nity. Guard against right hand errors, 
 and left hand errors ; let sf.lf be of no 
 reputation; trust in the Lord, and he 
 will carry thee through all.'* 
 
 For 
 
A. D. 1794. 
 
 33 
 
 For feveral years previous to this time^ the very loiv 
 end declined jiate of the fociety in Ireland, had been 
 frequently and pathetically lamented by its minifters in 
 their public difcourfes ; and by feveral of the more 
 eminent amongft them, in the journals of their religious 
 labours and travels; and alio by the fociety itfelf, in 
 its anfwers to the queries, and in the records of its 
 difcipline. This declenlion naturally became the fub- 
 jecl of ferious regret; and in order to remove the 
 caufes which produced it, much labor was beftowed 
 by the faithful minifters and other pioufly concerned 
 members of the fociety, both by frequent religious 
 vifits, and by epiftolary advices and communications. 
 Thefe fervices were doubtlefs blefied to the help and 
 encouragement of many individuals ; yet it appears 
 that the fociety was far from conceiving that its rnem- 
 bers generally were experiencing an advancement in 
 piety and virtue ; and indeed the complaints of the 
 contrary were repeatedly exprefled in very ftrong and 
 impreflive language. 
 
 D The 
 
 * Among numerous quotations that might be ftated in 
 confirmation of this remark, the following extract is inferted 
 from the Memoirs of the Life of James Gough, who died 
 the fixth of the tenth month, 178O, aged 6", and a minifter 
 forty-one years': 
 
 " Now leaving Ireland, after having fojourned there 
 about twenty-four years, and received much affection and 
 
 " kindnefs from many friends there, of which I hope to re- 
 tain the grateful remembrance as long as ray memory fhall 
 
 " continue, let me review the ftate of our fociety there, dur- 
 ing that fpaCe of time. 
 
 " At 
 
34 
 
 A. D. 1794. 
 
 The following minutes of the national half year^a 
 meetings, in 1794, 1795, and 1796, are therefore in- 
 ferted chiefly for the purpofe of dating, not only the 
 information brought up to thofe meetings on this fub- 
 je<9:, but alfo the earneft defire which was then felt by 
 the fociety, that fome adequate means might be de- 
 vifed and employed, for the purpofe of impreffing tha 
 minds of its luke-warm and worldly-minded members 
 with a due portion of religious zeaL 
 
 At 
 
 " At my firft going thither, there were yet living, in moflr 
 " parts of the nation where meetings were fettled, fome of 
 
 the good old ftock, both minifters and elders, who loved 
 " God and mankind, and were efteemed and beloved by 
 
 them, being kind and open-hearted, as well as faithful and 
 " circumfpe6t in all the branches of our Chriftian teftimony, 
 " clofely uniting in tender love one with another in fupport- 
 " ing it, and keeping things in good order in the church, 
 " Their pious care herein was like a fence about the flock^, 
 
 which kept them together in nearer unity and greater 
 
 fafety: fo that the young people in moft parts were gene- 
 " rally trained up in innocence of manners> and in plainnefs 
 
 of habit and fpeech." ' 
 
 The author defcribes other particulars* and then pro- 
 ceeds, viz. 
 
 In procefs of time, thefe worthy men and women, in 
 whofe hearts the love of God and his people, had by long 
 *• growth become deeply rooted, one after another finifhed 
 " their courfe honourably, leaving an excellent favour behind 
 " them J but when they were removed, very few of the youth 
 or others succeeded them in the right line, to fill up their 
 
 " vacantt 
 
A. D. 1794. 
 
 35 
 
 At a national half j^ear's meeting, held in Dublin, 
 from the twenty-feventh of the fourth month, to the 
 third of the fifth month, 1794 : 
 
 This meeting, having heard S. W/s appeal 
 *' againft the judgment of the quarterly meeting of 
 
 Munfter province, confirmed the judgment of the 
 " faid meeting, yet taxed the monthly meeting of 
 
 Cork with too lax an exercife of difcipline in that 
 " cafe. And profefling to be dipped into fympathy 
 
 and brotherly afFe6lion with friends in that province, 
 
 appointed a vifit thereto, for which fervice 
 
 " JOSEPH NICHOLSON, " JOSEPH WILLIAMS, 
 " JOHN HANCOCK, " THOMAS FAYLE and 
 
 JAMES CHRISTY, Juw. " SAMUEL ELLY, 
 " were nominated/' 
 
 D 2 At 
 
 ^* vacant places with propriety. Of their furvivors, on one 
 hand, a confiderable number retained the antient plainnefs 
 
 " of language and habit, and rigidly censorious of any de- 
 
 " viation therefrom, valued themfelyes thereupon, as if it 
 were the only teft and badge of difclplefhip : while their 
 
 " hearts were gone after their covetousness, in eagerly pur- 
 suing, and sordidly hoarding, temporal wealth. On the 
 
 " other hand, a large body of youth and others fnooting up 
 
 <' in felf-indulgence, in conformity to the world, and rufhing 
 
 *' headlong into the temptations- of the times. 
 
 " Yet amidft this inundation of negligence and revolt, 
 there remain in mofi: places a number of fincere-hearted 
 " friends, a few worthy minifters and elders : but within 
 ** these twenty years past, there has been a great alteration 
 *' Jbr the worse 
 
 Memoirs of thg Life of J. Gough. pages 105, lOd, 108, lO?. 
 
36 A. 0. 17941, 
 
 At a national half year's meeting, held in Dublin, 
 in the tenth month, 1794 : 
 
 Account is received, that tV»e friends nominated 
 " at the laft half year's meeting, to vifit meetings of 
 ' difcipline. Sec. in Munfter province, entered on the 
 " fervice ; that they fat u^ith friends in their fundry 
 monthly and quarterly meetings of men and women, 
 befides fundry fittings in private families ; that al- 
 *^ though they found the Jlate of things in that quarter 
 *^ generally very low^ yet they were comforted in find- 
 ing a remnant preferved in fundry places, bound to 
 the law and teftimony. And this meeting, having 
 entered into folid confideration af the prefent ftate 
 " of the fociety in this nation, and many hcing gained 
 at the low fUuation it is in, it was referred to a com- 
 *^ mittee, to confer together thereon, and report if any 
 expedient may occur to them as an attempt to re- 
 " medy the many dejiciencies obvious among us ; who re- 
 ported, that they met and had a folid conference 
 thereon ; and agreed to propofe, that a vijit Jhould 
 he appointed to the province of Leinfter, And this 
 " meeting agreeing thereto, appoints 
 
 JOSEPH NICHOLSON, " JOHN HANCOCK, 
 « JAMES CHRISTY, Jun. " JAMES ABEL and 
 
 " ABRAHAM JACKSON, 
 to vifit the particular, monthly and quarterly meet- 
 ings of faid province ; and alfo fit with fuch families 
 as they may find their minds drawn to." 
 
 At the national half year's meeting in the fpring 
 of 1795, it was reported, — that the committee had 
 <^ nearly gone through that fervice, and that they 
 " found the (late of our fociety, in Leinfter province^ 
 
 " ill 
 
A. B. 1795. 
 
 57 
 
 in the general pahtfully lotu) too many being fettled 
 " down at eafe in their possessions : yet, that there are 
 
 a few, up and down, engaged in honeft labour for 
 *^ the welfare of the caufe. They likewife had the 
 *^ encouraging profpe£l, that fome, among the youth, 
 
 were meafureably joining in with the divine vifita- 
 " tions of truth to their minds/' 
 
 At the national half year's meeting, held in Dub- 
 lin, from the twenty-fixth to the twenty-eighth of the 
 tenth month, 1795 ; the faid committee again reported, 
 that they had compleated their appointment ; and add, 
 In the courfe of the vifit, we fat in the fundry 
 meetings of women friends, and are fen fible there 
 are amongft them divers well-fpirited friends, who 
 we wifli may be encouraged to come up in a more 
 full dedication of heart : yet we fear, that from a 
 variety of caufes, ihefe meetings are frequently feebly 
 conducted,'* The conlideration of which report is 
 referred to the next half year's meeting. 
 
 At the national half year's meeting, in the fpring 
 of 1796, the preceding report was taken into ferious 
 confideration : and that meeting appearing earneftly 
 defirous of confidering whether any means could be 
 fuggefted for reviving the languid fpirit which feemed, 
 though not without many virtuous exceptions, to per- 
 vade the fociety, with refpe6l both to the difcipline, 
 and to religious duties generally, a large committee of 
 men and women friends was appointed for thatpurpofe. 
 A joint meeting was accordingly held by them, at 
 which it was fuggefted, that, " as each of the fexes 
 ^* fupports its feparate difcipline, for the attainment of 
 
 the 
 
38 
 
 A. D. I79S. 
 
 the fame obje£ls 5 and as the rules and queries efta- 
 blifhed for aflifting them therein, are, for the moft 
 part, nearly the fame ; and as, in confequence 
 thereof, they are not unfrequently employed each in 
 " .feparately difcuffing the fame fubjeft, at the fame 
 time ; it might prove a falutary regulation, if, in- 
 ftead of the two fexes continuing to tranfa6t their 
 difcipline apart, they were in future to ajftmble to- 
 gether, for this purpofe, and afjijl each other by the 
 combined wifdom of their united counfels" A hope 
 was exprelTed that, by means of the propofed union, 
 fome part at leaft of that weaknefs in the conduft of 
 the difcipline, which had furnifhed caufe for fo much 
 regret to the fociety, might be removed ; and that its 
 future deliberations would thus be rendered increaf- 
 ingly conducive to mutual comfort, edification and 
 ftrength. 
 
 This propofal was liftened to with much attention ; 
 and, after being folemnly difcufled, it appeared to gain 
 place in the minds of feveral who were prefent. The 
 plan being however yet novel, and not confonant to 
 the pradice of the fociety in England and America, 
 (except in a few particular places where the number of 
 members is very fmall) it was thought beft not to pro- 
 ceed further therein at that time. Inftead therefore 
 of adopting the plan propofed, for the men and women 
 to aflemble together, whihl tranfa<Sling the affairs of 
 the difcipline, it was concluded to recommend, for the 
 prefent, a more frequent and mutual interchange of 
 vifits between the two fexes, as ftated in the following 
 jninute : 
 
 At 
 
A. D. 1797. 
 
 8^ 
 
 At a national half year's meeting, held in Dublin, 
 from the twenty-fifth to the twenty-eighth of the 
 fourth month, 1796. 
 
 A committee was appointed to unite with a com- 
 ^' mittee of the yearly women's meeting, to take into 
 confideration the report brought up to our laft meet- 
 ing, who were of the judgment, that a more fre- 
 " quent and mutual interchange of vifits between 
 men's and women's meeting, as friends may find 
 their minds influenced, would be of advantage in 
 " the condutllng of the difcipline ; as well as that 
 ^' friends, both male and fenmle, fhould be encouraged 
 " to mind the pointings of duty to vifit other monthly 
 *^ meetings than their owni — with which judgment 
 this meeting unites/^ 
 
 The minifters and elders, refident within the dif- 
 tndi of the monthly meeting of Carlow, in the pro- 
 vince of Leinfter, were aiTembltd at Carlow on the tenth 
 day of the third month, 1797, according to their ufual 
 practice, for the purpofe of tranfaciing the bufinefs of 
 their felecl monthly meeting. 
 
 In addition to the eftablifhed queries, which are 
 direded to be read, confidered, and anfwered by the 
 members of each feleA meeting, there are alfo fome 
 advices which are read once a year ; and it had been 
 the pra6lice for thefe advices to be read by the clerk 
 at the fele6t monthly meeting held in this month. 
 The ofBce of clerk to the feled meeting was at this 
 time filled by Abraham Shackleton, of Ballitore, an ap- 
 pointed elder, who had for fome time been of opinion 
 
 that 
 
40 
 
 A. D. 1797^ 
 
 that thefe advices were objectionable. His^ objeftions 
 to them had been ftated in writing, and repeatedly 
 fubmitted to thofe memb'^rs of the fociety, within the 
 circle of his aquaintance, who appeared to him to 
 pofiefs the foundeft judgment. By the greater number 
 of thefe perfons, the juftice of his remarks had been 
 freely acknowledged ; and this circumftance operated 
 wAXh him as an additional reafon for ilating, to the 
 minifters and elders then afiembled, his objections to 
 the pra6lice of reading the advices in queftion. 
 
 He therefore proceeded to remark, " That as it was 
 M admitted, that the rightly qualified minifters among 
 ^' us fpeak from the immediate and direct revelation 
 " of the holy fpirit, it muft be highly improper to 
 
 prefcribe to them, or to make rules for limiting 
 
 their miniftry with refpect either to mode, matter, 
 " or time ; — that the advices propofcd to be then read, 
 
 had a direct tendency to produce this effect; — and 
 *^ that the recommending of thofe advices must there- 
 
 fore be regarded as limiting the operation of the 
 *^ fpirit, and teaching for doctrines the command^ 
 " ments of men" He added, — " that if the fociety 
 
 was defirous of really affifting, by any advices, its 
 " minifters in their important functions ; it could be 
 " only by inculcating upon them the continual ne- 
 
 ceffity of diligently attending to the pointings of the 
 *^ heavenly gift in their own minds, as the one, and 
 " the only, thing needful for their affiftance. By this 
 ^* means only could they become divinely qualified for 
 
 the miniftry, fpeak as the oracles of God, and 
 " minifier of that ability which God alone giueth'^ — 
 
 In confequence of thefe objections on the part of 
 
 the 
 
A. D. 1797. 
 
 41 
 
 the clerk^ the reading of the advices at that time, 
 was undertaken by a female member of the felect 
 meeting, who, though fhe alfo difapproved of the ad- 
 vices, yet thought that it was better to condefcend to 
 the wifhes of others, who thought differently on this 
 fubject, than to perfevere in then urging a deviation 
 from the ufual practice. 
 
 On the twenty-fifth of the third month, 1797, the fe- 
 le6l quarterly meeting for the province of Leinfter was 
 held at Mountmelick. At this meeting the minifters 
 and elders were informed of what had palTed in the 
 felect monthly meeting at Carlow : and alfo that at 
 the felect monthly meetings of Moat and Mountmelick, 
 (both of which belong to Leinfter quarterly meeting,) 
 the reading of the aforefaid advices had been difap- 
 proved of. The objections v('ere, in fubftance, fimilar 
 to thofe which had been ftated in the fele6l monthly 
 meeting of Carlow ; although it appeared that there 
 had been no previous concert among the members of 
 these three monthly meetings ; and that each was 
 ignorant of what had been done by the others. 
 
 Several m.embers of the felect quarterly meeting 
 were much diifatisfied with this oppofition to a prac- 
 tice which had been enjoined, not only by the yearly 
 meeting held in London, but alfo by the national half 
 year's meeting of Ireland ; and which had long been 
 regularly complied with by the members of the feleft 
 meetings in both kingdoms. Bat as the prefent dif- 
 approbation of the advices to minifters and elders, pro- 
 ceeded from perfons who were a£live and approved 
 members in the execution of the difcipline, it was ap- 
 prehended. 
 
411 
 
 A. D. 1797. 
 
 prehended that a change in their opinLcms could not 
 then be eafily induced ; and it was therefore deemed 
 expedient by their brethren, not to profecute the fub- 
 je6t further at that time. 
 
 On the twenty- feventh of the third month, the 
 quarterly meeting of general difcipline for the province 
 of Leinfter, was alfo held at Mountmelick. In con- 
 formity with the eftablifhed pra6lice of the fociety, 
 certain queries were read at this quarterly meeting, 
 and written anfwers were brought up by the repre- 
 fentatives from each of the conftituent monthly meet- 
 ings. 
 
 One of thefe queries is as follows, viz. 
 
 Query fourth. Do friends, endeavour by exam- 
 pie and precept to train up their children, fervants, 
 and thofe under their care, in a religious life and 
 converfation, confident with our chriftian profeffion ; 
 in the frequent reading of the holy scriptures, 
 and in plainnefs of fpeech, behaviour and apparel, 
 and are the remifs duly admonifhed 
 
 On reading the anfwer to this query, from the 
 monthly meeting of Carlow, it was obferved that the 
 word HOLY (which, in the query is prefixed to fcrip- 
 tures) was omitted. This omiflion excited confiderable 
 emotion in the minds of feveral who were prefent; and 
 enquiry was immediately made into the caufe of it. 
 To this enquiry it was replied, " that the fpirit of 
 
 truth, inwardly revealed in the heart of every man, 
 ^' is that alone which can, and will, lead its followers 
 
 « into 
 
A. D. 1797. 
 
 43 
 
 into all truth ; that a difpofition has appeared among 
 " many of our members in the prefent day, to lofe 
 fight of this fundamental tenet of the fociety, and 
 in place thereof, to fet up the fcriptures and affix an 
 ** undue value on them ; that the diftinguifhing of 
 them by the term Holy, has a tendency to exalt 
 " them in our eflimation, as highly as the fpirit 
 of truth itfelf ; that this is an evil againft which 
 " the fociety has always been defirous of efpecially 
 guarding ; and, in confequence of which_, it has 
 iffiied advices, and fan6lioned publications, framed 
 " for this exprefs purpofe ; — that many parts of the 
 " fcriptures are truly excellent and inftruclive ; but 
 there are other parts, which cannot with pro- 
 priety be regarded as either authentic, or inftru6livc 
 to the general clafs of readers ; — that there are 
 fome paflages which it would be extremely diffi- 
 cult, if not impoffible, to reconcile to, or render 
 confiftent with others ; — and that on various oc- 
 cafions, in the old teftament, the infinitely wife and 
 all perfect God, is defcribed as acting under the 
 influence of paffions and imperfedions, like thofe 
 to which frail human nature is fubjecl ; and the 
 ^' facred character and attributes of the great Crea- 
 tor are attempted to be pourtrayed by injurious 
 and degrading reprefentations." Thefe objections 
 gave great pain, and were cenfured as bold and pre- 
 fumptuous. It was urged that " the facred writings 
 " ought to be regarded with very different fentiments; 
 ^* — that there was a divine harmony in them, and 
 that any perfon queftioning their truth, ought to be 
 " very fure that he is therein led by the fpirit of 
 truth — that our pious anceftors, in framing the 
 
 " words 
 
44 
 
 A. D. 1797' 
 
 words of the query then under difcuffion, had 
 {hewn their opinion of the fcriptures^ by denomi- 
 nating them Holy ; — and that if any obje6ied to 
 " that term noiv^ it could be fuch only as were out of 
 the unity of the body." To thefe remarks it was 
 rejoined, " that the fetting up the opinions or condu£t 
 of our anceftors as limits, beyond which the fociety 
 in the prefent or any future day ought not to pro- 
 ceed, was inconfiftent with the liberty which be- 
 longed to the gofpel, and with the fundamental 
 -principle of the fociety itfelf ; — that if the Scrip- 
 tures were to be denominated Holt, becaufe fup- 
 *^ pofed to proceed from the fpirit of Truth, it muft 
 follow that all other writings, proceeding from the 
 *^ fame fpirit, are entitled to the /^m^ appellation ;— that 
 as the Society does not heiitate to believe that the 
 approved writings of its otun members have been 
 di6lated by the fpirit of Truth, it muft be obvious 
 that the term Holy would alfo be applicable to 
 ^ them ; — and that if this appellation be given to the' 
 Scriptures in any fenfe which does not equally apply 
 to all other writings iffutng from the fame divine 
 fauntain of all good, the expreflion muft be regarded 
 ^' either as having no appropriate meaning, or a fuper- 
 " ftitious one." To thefe obje£lions it was again 
 replied, That the declaration of the facred writings 
 *^ themfelves, ftates that all Scripture is given by 
 infpiration of God ; — and that holy me7i of God 
 ^ fpake as they luere moved by the Holy Ghojl; — that 
 though many things in the fcriptures were hard to 
 be underftood, yet to the humble attentive mind, 
 ^' whatever was convenient for us, would be made 
 known by the fpirit of truth from which the fcrip- 
 
 " tures 
 
A. D. 1797. 
 
 45 
 
 tures proceeded ; and that this abne could explain 
 the myfteries which were contained in them.'' It was 
 added, that it was dangerous to hear fuch opinions 
 " as had then been delivered ; and that the confiftent 
 members of our fociety could not affociate with 
 thofe who held them." Great diffatisfaclion was 
 occafioned by this difcuflion, and feveral members 
 left the meeting before it broke up, in confequence of 
 what had pafTed there. 
 
 The declaration of the apoftle, that all fcripturt 
 is ghen by infpiration of God, and is profitable for 
 doSrine, for reproof, &c. Sec. 2«i Timothy, chap. iii. 
 V, 16, has been not unfrequently adduced, as it appears 
 to "have been on the prefent occafion, to prove that 
 the u'bole of the fcriptures ought to be regarded as 
 
 given by infpiration of God." It may therefore 
 be not irrelevant to obferve, that there appears fufficient 
 reafon for believing, that it was not, by this text, in- 
 tended to alTert that all fcripture is given by infpira- 
 tion, but that all divinely -iTiJpired fcripture is profitable 
 for docl:rine, for reproof, &c. &:c. The pafTage is inter- 
 preted in this fenfe by Dr. Benson, in his truly va- 
 luable paraph rafe and notes on the epiftles :* and the 
 fame meaning is given to it by Dr. Mill, and by 
 other writers, of acknowledged refpeciability The late 
 
 Gilbert 
 
 * nisra y^ct(pr, ^ioTinvroc u(ps\m.o;. all scripture divinely 
 inspired is prrrfitalU kc. The word {y.cti, and) is not found in 
 the MS. called Barb. i. nor in Clemens of Alexandria, nor in 
 the vulgar, Syriac, and Arabic verfions, nor in Ambrofe ; nor 
 in the Scholiaft, which goes under the name of Jerome; nor 
 in Theodorus Mopfuenfis, nor in Pelagius and others. Para^ 
 phrase and Xof m,^c. li^ Gcorae Benson, D.D, vol, i. //. 562. 
 
46 
 
 A. D. 1797. 
 
 Gilbert Wakefield was eminently diftinguiftied 
 for an accurate acquaintance with the fcrlptures, and 
 an earneft defire to promote the genuine knowledge of 
 them. In his valuable tranflation of the New Tefta- 
 ment, the paflfage in queftion ftands thus : *^ Every 
 <^ writing, infpired by God, is ufeful for do<Slrine, for 
 *^ reproof, &c. &c/* And this fenfe is confirmed by a 
 writer whofe authority will probably have ftill greater 
 weight in our fociety, and who, in treating exprefsly 
 concerning the fcriptures, thus quotes the text : All 
 *^ fcripture, given by infpiration of God, is profitable 
 for)porrc8:ion, 8cc. 8cc." Apology for the true Cbrijiian 
 Divinity y ^c. by R. Barclay , prop, 3, feSf. 5, 
 
 Everfince the year I670, the fociety in Ireland 
 had conftantly held their national meetings twice a 
 year; but doubts being entertained concerning the 
 expediency of continuing this pra6lice, the fubje^l was 
 taken into confideration, and determined upon, as 
 ftated in the following minute. 
 
 At a national half year's meeting, held in Dublin, 
 from the firft, to the fixth of the fifth month, 1797. 
 
 *^ A propofition being made to this meeting, whe- 
 *^ ther it may be necelTary to continue the holding of 
 our winter national half year's meeting, a committee 
 was appointed to take the fame into their folid confi- 
 deration, who brought in the following report: 
 
 We, the committee appointed, Sec. &c. &c. 
 having, with feveral women friends, met, and we 
 truft under a folemn covering, confidered the fame, 
 *^ unite in belief, that the difcontinuing the holding 
 of faid meeting, will not tend to weaken the whole- 
 
 fomc 
 
A. D. 1797. 
 
 47 
 
 fome difcipllne eftabllfhed among us ; and we fub* 
 mit to you, that the fame fhall in future be difcon- 
 tlnued, and that the half year's meeting ufually 
 " held in fpring, fliall be denominated the yearly 
 *^ meeting of friends in Ireland^ to commence as here- 
 " tofore, the laft firft day in the fourth month. — Signed 
 ^ on behalf of the committee, by 
 
 Joseph Strangman. 
 With which report this meeting unites." 
 
 In confequence of this conclufion, the following 
 minute was alfo ifTued. 
 
 *^ As by the difcontinuance of our winter half 
 year's meeting, we are not likely to meet in our col- 
 le<Slive capacity for near twelve months, the follow- 
 
 " ing friends are appointed a committee, to meet as 
 occafion may require, to confider of and affift in any 
 matter that may arife between this and our next na- 
 
 " tional meeting, relative to our religious focietyj 
 and alfo, if any written communications appear from 
 the yearly meeting of London to friends of this na- 
 tion, that they circulate the fame as may be necef- 
 fary, viZr 
 
 JOSEPH WILLIAMS, " ABRM. SHACK LETON, 
 « THOMAS FAYLE", " ABRAHAM NEALE, 
 " SAMUEL BEWLEY, " JOHN GRUBB, 
 " JONAS STOTT, JAMES ABELL, 
 
 " JOHN BARRINGTON, JOSEPH M. HARVEY, 
 " THOMAS BEWLEY, " THOMAS JACOB, 
 " JAMES CHRISTY, WILLIAM PENROSE^ 
 
 " THOMAS PHELPS, " JOSEPH STRANGMAN, 
 '* JAMES NICHOLSON, " JAMES PIM, (Mountmelick). 
 
 SAMUEL ELLY, and WILLIAM NORTH." 
 
 JOHN RUSSEL, At 
 
48 
 
 A. D. 1797* 
 
 At this fame meeting the nature of the connexion 
 between the national yearly meeting of Ireland and 
 that of Great Britain, came alfo under confideration. 
 In Ireland it had long been confidered as a kind of fo- 
 lecifm, and had repeatedly been ftated as fuch in their 
 half yearly meetings, that they fliould be in the prac- 
 tice of appointing reprefentatives, and tranfmitting 
 anfwers to the ufual queries, to the yearly meeting in 
 London, and yet that the former ihould not confider 
 itfelf bound by the rules and conftitutions of the latter. 
 If any new rules were made by the yearly meeting in 
 London, it was the regular practice to read them in 
 the fubfequent yearly meeting in Ireland ; but they 
 had no obligation, as laws of the fociety, in that king- 
 dom, unlefs they were adopted by is own yearly meet- 
 ing. And although the rules eftablillied by the lat- 
 ter are, in general, fiihiiar to thofe which exift in Eng- 
 land, yet there are fome inftances in which they differ 
 confiderably. 
 
 In matters of faith and principle'* however, it 
 has generally been underftood, that the national yearly 
 meeting of Ireland is fubordinate to the yearly meeting 
 in London, and that, on fuch points only, an appeal 
 might be made to the latter againft any decifion of the 
 national yearly meeting of Ireland.* It is evident 
 however that this does not place Ireland in the fame 
 ftate of independence which exifts between the feveral 
 yearly meetings in North America withrefpe<Sl to each 
 other, and to the yearly meeting of Great Britain. 
 
 With 
 
 * Sec " Extracts from the minutes and advices of the yearlr 
 " meeting," under the head Appeals. No viii,, page 4. 
 
A. D. 1797. 
 
 4Q 
 
 With the view therefore, of rendering the connexion 
 more definite, as well as more independent, the Half 
 Yearly Meeting now fitting in Dublin, came to the 
 following conclufion. 
 
 Half Year's Meeting, held in Dublin, the fecond of 
 fifth month, 1797. 
 
 The manner in which this Meeting ftands connect- 
 ed with the Yearly Meeting in London coming un- 
 der confideration, and there appearing to us fome in- 
 confiftency therein, it is concluded to annex to our 
 " anfwers to the queries, the following propofition, for 
 the confideration of the Yearly Meeting in London/' 
 
 " We propofe to the Yearly Meeting for its deli be- 
 ration and judgment. Whether it is confident for us 
 to continue to fend reprefentatives thereto, and an- 
 fwers to its queries, while we do not confider our- 
 felves bound by any minutes made therein, unlefs 
 " adopted by this meeting 
 
 (Signed) Joseph Strangman, Clerk.'' 
 
 This propofition was accordingly reported to the 
 Yearly Meeting held in London, and the following 
 minute was made in confequence thereof. 
 
 " Yearly Meeting, held in London, the twenty- 
 feventh of fifth month, 1797. 
 
 The propofition from Ireland is referred to the con- 
 fideration of this meeting next year." 
 
 In 
 
50 
 
 A. D. 1797 
 
 In the fubfequent part of this year, a difcuflion took 
 place between Abraham Shackleton, and Samuel Wood- 
 cock, two of the Elders of Leinfter Quarterly Meet- 
 ing, concerning the reprefentations given of fomc 
 hiftorical fads recorded in the Old Teftament. The 
 fa6ts themfelves were admitted. But it was contended 
 by Samuel Woodcock, " that fome of thefe fa6ls — 
 fuch as the wars for the avowed extirpation of the 
 Canaanites, &c. and others of a fimilar nature— 
 were undertaken by the exprefs command of God, \r\ 
 ftri(5t conformity with the accounts given in the Old 
 Teftament, which ought to be regarded as a genuine 
 and faithful record ; and that the belief of this con- 
 flitutes an ejfcntial article of Christian faith " I| 
 was aflerted, on the contrary, by Abraham Shackleton, 
 " that thefe alledged commands of the Almighty, for 
 proceedings, in fome cafes perfidious, and in others 
 cruel and unjuft, were either wilful and impious 
 " pretences on the part of the perpetrators or original 
 ^' hiftorians of fuch tranfa6lions ; or fubfequent inter- 
 " polations in the hiftory ; and that a right apprehen- 
 " fion of, and a due regard for, the divine attributes, 
 *^ would forbid our affent to fuch palTages, as they 
 could have no genuine claim to the appellation of 
 Sacred Scriptures." He contended, " that it 
 '•^ was highly derogatory to the character of the un- 
 changeable God, ^ with whom there is no variable- 
 nefs, neither fhadow of turning," to conceive that 
 the Divine Being would, himfelf, aft in oppofition to 
 thofe moral laws which he has ordained to be of per- 
 " petual and univerfal obligation ; or that he would 
 ever fufpend the obligation of thofe laws upon his 
 rational offspring. Yet thefe confequences muft fol- 
 
A. D. 1797- 
 
 51 
 
 low, if under any circumftances whatever, he fhould 
 command, and by the miraculous interpofition of his 
 
 " power, enable, any defcription of men to perform 
 
 *^ thofe adlions, which by exprefs laws and declarations 
 he has elfe where forbidden as finful. Confequently, 
 that neither wars, nor any a6ls of cruelty, treachery, 
 or fraud, nor the exercife of any of the angry, re- 
 vengeful, or hurtful paffions, were ever either ap- 
 proved of, or authorifed by the God of purity, holi- 
 
 *^ nefs, peace and love ; — and that it was altogether 
 unneceflary and unwarrantable that fuch points 
 fhould be deemed ej[eniial articles of a Cbriftian's 
 faith ; becaufe difference of opinion concerning them 
 had always exifted, and might be expected to exift, 
 and even between men of very ferious and upright 
 
 " minds/' 
 
 Thefe difcuffions were made the fubje6ls of a corre- 
 fpondence between the two Elders before mentioned ; 
 and feveral of the points on which they moft differed, 
 are ftated under the head. No. 2, of the Appendix, 
 which contains fome queries and anfwers that after- 
 wards pafTed between them relative to thofe fubje<Si:s. 
 This controverfy, however, and the warmth of tem- 
 per with which it was conduced, were conftrued into 
 a breach of unity between the two Elders, by the 
 monthly meeting to which they belonged. Their cafe 
 was accordingly mentioned at the fucceeding fele(^ 
 quarterly meeting of Minifters and Elders, and a com- 
 mittee was appointed to confer with them. Abraham 
 Shackleton as cenfured on account of the fentiments 
 which he had advanced, and fome blame was imputed 
 to Samuel Woodcock, for the warmth and acrimony of 
 his expressions. 
 
 At 
 
52 
 
 A. D. 179s. 
 
 At the feledl quarterly meetings for Leinfter, in the 
 twelfth month, 1797^ and third month, 179B, the fame 
 fubject was again re fumed ; and as it was intimated 
 that opinions refpe^ling the fcriptures, fimilar to thofe 
 which had beea advanced by Abraham Shackletoa/ 
 were held by other members of the fociety, who were 
 alfo in the ftation of Elders, it was concluded to ftate 
 this information to the Minifters and Elders, at the' 
 natiotial yearly fele6l meeting, which was then ap*-* 
 proaching. » 
 
 In the fourth month, 1798, the national yearly* 
 meeting was held at Dubhn as ufual, and it was then* 
 ftated, that there were reafons to fear that a difpofitiorf 
 to undervalue the fcriptures, and to produce fchifm/ 
 was gaining ground in the fociety ; and in confequenctf 
 thereof, a committee was appointed " to enquire into 
 the ftate of the fociety in thefe and other refpedts,*' 
 and to report the refult to a fubfequent fitting of that 
 meeting. This was accordingly done, and the follow-* 
 ing is a copy of the report of that committee, and of 
 the minute of the yearly meeting which accompanied 
 it. 
 
 NATIONAL YEARLY MEETING, 1798. 
 
 On reading the anfwers to the ufual queries fronr 
 the three provinces, that part of the fourth, refpe6t- 
 ing the reading of the Holy Scriptures, came partl- 
 cularly under confideration, from an apprehenfionr' 
 that fome difference in fentlmenty from the general 
 
 part 
 
A. D. \7QS, 
 
 53 
 
 pari of Friends^ hath appeared, in regard to the 
 ufe and advantage of thelc records ; and this meet- 
 ing feeling the of our being wwiW as a re- 
 
 " ligious fociety in faith and principle, appointed a 
 *^ committee to infpeiSt into the ftate of our fociety 
 in tliis refpeft, as well as any other which may re- 
 gard the welfare of any other part of our Chriftian 
 teftimoniesj who brought in the following report ; 
 which being twice read, was agreed to by this 
 " meeting: — 
 
 The Committee, to whom was referred the con- 
 fideration of the ftate of our Society, in regard to 
 the reading the Holy Scriptures, report, that we 
 met, and in company with a number of women 
 friends, took the fame into our folid confideration ; 
 and are forrowfully convinced that adifpofition hath 
 appeared in fome of our Society, tending to pro- 
 duce fchifm, and to weaken the general teftimony 
 " and belief, which we as a people, have maintained as 
 to the origin, ufe, and advantage of thefe records. 
 
 *^ We are of the judgment, that thijs difpofition 
 hath fpread, and extended itfelf, to the injury of 
 many : and without defiring to point out thefe writ- 
 ings, as being more than a fecondary rule Juhor- 
 dinate to the fpirit of truth, from whence they have 
 
 *^ all their excellency and certainty, we think it right 
 that a fiandard fjjould be lifted up againft this fpirit 
 
 " of f peculation and unbelief ; and recommend, that 
 Friends every where be watchful againft it, and by 
 example in their own families, have a due regard 
 to the frequent reading of them 3 and where any 
 
 have 
 
$4 
 
 A. D. 179s. 
 
 have nianifefted opinions contrary to the general fenfe 
 " of the body y it is our judgment, that they be timely 
 " laboured with, in a fpirit of love and chriftian tendcr- 
 " nefs, to reclaim them ; but if after due labour and 
 " patience, thefe do not become fenfihle of their error^ 
 
 but perfifi in maintaining fuch fentiments and dodirmes^ 
 
 and do not condemn their condiLd^ that monthly meet* 
 " ings, with the advice and afliftance of their quarterly 
 " meetings, proceed further, as in the wifdom of 
 
 truth they may be dire(^led, to teflify againfl thitn^ 
 
 as being out of the unity of Friends." 
 
 The faid meeting alfo judged it expedient that a 
 general vifit fliould be paid to the quarterly, monthly, 
 and other meetings in Ireland, and this was diredled 
 by the following minute : — 
 
 The general ftate of our religious foclety eoming 
 under confideration, and it being apprehended that 
 a vifit to the quarterly, monthly, and other meetings, 
 of friends in this nation, may be productive of ufe 
 and advantage, the following friends are appointed 
 for this fervice, and are recommended to proceed 
 *^ thereon without unneceflary delay, viz. : 
 
 " JOSEPH STRANGMAN, JAs CLIBBORN,(Moatc) 
 " JOSEPH WILLIAMS, " JOSEPH M. HARVEY, 
 " JOHN GRUBB, and JOHN MORRIS. 
 
 The appointment of this vifit met with confi- 
 derable oppofition, in confequence of the apprehen- 
 lions which were entertained of its probable refult. 
 However defirable uniformity of opinion on religious 
 fubjeds might be deemed, it was evident that it did 
 
A. D. 1798- 
 
 55 
 
 not at this time exift among the leading members of 
 the Society, to as great an extent as it had formerly- 
 done. But whether the agitation of fuch contro- 
 verted fubjecls, as thofe to which the national yearly 
 meeting was then directing the attention of the So- 
 ciety, would be likely to promote this wifhed for uni- 
 formity, was a queftion which required ferious confi- 
 deration. A failure in this point was not the only 
 evil to be dreaded. It was feared that thefe endea- 
 vours after uniformity of opinion, would neceffarily 
 produce alienation and difunion among thofe members 
 by whom the moft aftive and important ftations in the 
 church were then acceptably filled. Frequent and 
 important deficiencies in the conduct of many of their 
 brethren, continued to furnifh conRant reafons for 
 lamenting the low and languid Jlate of the Society ; and 
 it was therefore conceived that fuch deficiencies were 
 the objefts to which the attention of its feithful and 
 devoted members (hould be chiefly direiSled. As 
 their number was not large, and their fituations 
 fcattered, and as they had frequently to a6l under 
 confiderable difcouragement, it was more impor- 
 tant that they fhould not be weakened by difunion. 
 Hitherto they had co-operated with a confiderable de- 
 gree of concord and affe£lion, in endeavouring to 
 fupport what they believed to be the caufe of truth 
 and righteoufnefs ; and by their union they had been 
 made inftrumental in mutually fi:rengihening and en- 
 couraging each other. Confequences the reverfe of 
 thefe, were anticipated from the national vifit which 
 had now been dire6led \ and under this impreflion, 
 feveral of the mofl: aftive members Lhen prefent, joined 
 in warning the national yearly meeting againft pro- 
 ceeding 
 
50 
 
 A. D. 1798. 
 
 ceeding in that vifit ; and dated their opinion that 
 fuch a nieafure, inftead of promoting unity, which was 
 the objefl profefledly in view, would produce an efte<::t 
 diredly the contrary, 
 
 Tlie two evils which the Society appear to liave 
 been defirous of removing by the propofed national vi- 
 fit, v/ere a difpofition to undervalue the fcripturcs, 
 ^' and to produce fchifm." 
 
 Of the latter, it might be thought that fome proof 
 ^had been given at Carlow, by the manner in which 
 tLe practice of reading the " Advices to Minifters 
 and Elders" (fee page 40) had been oppofed. This 
 was probably the firfl time that any objeftions to the 
 advices in queftion had been publicly ftated, and in- 
 ftead of propofing, at ojice, to difcontinue the pradice 
 of reading them, the regular mode would doubtlefs 
 have been, to propofe that the expediency of dif- 
 continuing thofe advices fliould be taken into con- 
 fideration. If the monthly meeting had concurred in 
 deeming the advices objeAionable, the fubje6l w^ould 
 have gone forwards to the quarterly meeting. And 
 if the latter had adopted a fimilar opinion, the fubje(St 
 would next have come before the national yearl}' 
 meeting. And fo long as its decifions continued to be 
 regarded as obligatory upon the whole of the Society 
 in Ireland, one uniform rule of conduct would pre- 
 vail. But it is obvious that uniformity might foon 
 ceafe, if thofe pra6lices which are enjoined for general 
 obfervance by the national yearly meeting, fhould bo 
 difcontinued by fubordinate meetings, whenever any 
 of them might difapprove of fuch injunctions. 
 
 Perhaps 
 
A. D. ]795. 
 
 *7. 
 
 Perhaps it may be fuppofed that the propofition, 
 ftill pending, for rendering more definite and inde- 
 pendent the connexion between the yearly meeting of 
 Great Britain and the national yearly meeting of Ire- 
 land, exhibited another proof of the difpofition to pro- 
 duce fchifm. Bat there is reafon to believe that fuch 
 a fuppofition would not be well founded. The propof- 
 ed independence of the national yearly meeting of Ire- 
 land, appeared to have the almoft unanimous fanclion of 
 the members of that meeting, and to be at leaft as 
 much wifhed for, by thofe who ftill hold the reins of 
 difcipline in Ireland, as by thofe who afterwards fe- 
 parated from the fociety ; and it is certain that the 
 national meeting now aflfembled, did not regard this 
 propofition as furnilhing any proof of the progrefs of 
 fchifm. 
 
 The apprehenfions of fchifm were doubtlefs mod ex- 
 cited by the opinions which were known to exift re- 
 fpecling the fcriptures ; and the defireablenefs of unity 
 of fentiment, with refpe6t to them, was ftrongly felt 
 by many valuable members of the fociety. 
 
 On this fubje6l it may however be remarked,, that 
 very few inftances could probably be produced, either 
 of religious focieties or of any confiderable number 
 of reflecling perfons, among vv^hom obvious fliades of 
 difference in opinion do not exift concerning the use, 
 ORIGIN, and AUTHENTICITY of fcvcral parts of the 
 fcriptures ; — the exa6l meaning and import of nu- 
 merous paflages in them ; — the queftion with refpe6l 
 to many of thefe, whether they ought to be under- 
 
 ftood 
 
58 
 
 A. D. J 79«. 
 
 flood in a literal or in a figurative fenfe ; — 
 and if figurative, the particular construction 
 which fuch paflages were intended to bear the cor- 
 rectness of various parts of the received verfion; — 
 the nature and extent of that inspiration^ under 
 the influence of which the fcriptures are by fomc fuppof- 
 ed to be written, &c. Yet thefe,and perhaps other par- 
 ticulars, are what conftitute the general meaning, in- 
 tended to be expreffed by the phrafe — A belief in 
 THE Scriptures. 
 
 An exa6l agreement in fentiment on thefe points can-* 
 not be fuppofed, even by our own fociety, ever to have 
 fubfifted among its members; and the more intelligent 
 clafs among them are fully aware that a confiderable, 
 and perhaps an increajing, diverfity of opinion on fuch 
 points, hath long been apparent in the minds of the 
 €xifting generation. From thefe caufes it would pro- 
 bably be difficult, at this time, to frame any creed 
 that would receive the full concurrence of the fociety, 
 as to its belief in the Scriptures, unlefs fuch creed 
 were exprefled in general terms, admitting of a confi- 
 derable divertity of opinion on the fubordinate points. 
 Indeed, it is not eafy to conceive an attempt more 
 likely to become a fruitful fubjeft of diflenfion and 
 difunion ; and it is therefore to be regretted, that at 
 this yearly meeting, the necessity of our being 
 
 united in faith and principle" on this fubjeiSt, fliould 
 have been indifcreetly aflfumed. 
 
 It has been already remarked, that there are nume- 
 rous paflages in the Scriptures, refpe£ling which it 
 
 would 
 
A. ». 1798. 
 
 59 
 
 would be difficult to afcertain what is ^* the general 
 fenfe of tbe body and even if this could be done, 
 how fhall it be decided which of thefe paffages are 
 Conne6ted with fundamental points, or in 'what degre§ 
 diverging opinions refpecling them may be permitted, 
 without being deemed cenfurable by the fociety ; and 
 muft not the determination of fuch cafes frequently 
 devolve on individual perfons, or fubordinate meetings, 
 who, even in their own ejiimation, would be incompe- 
 tent to judge on fuch fubje6ls ? 
 
 The report of the committee does not appear to be 
 •xprefled in terms either conciliatory or explicit. Opi- 
 nions, which are not therein dlftin6lly fpecified, nor 
 referred to in any book approved of by the fociety, but 
 denoted by the very indefinite phrafe of being con- 
 
 tmry to the general fenfcof the body," are in this report 
 denounced as error s^'* and it is enjoined, that they 
 who f^^Jlft 2^ maintaining them/' and do not con- 
 
 dem?i their conduSI," fhall be tefiified againji/' as 
 being out of the unity of the body,'' Might it not 
 have been forefeen, that fuch proceedings would be 
 regarded as a direct reftraint on the exercife of private 
 judgment; — that the difcipline of the fociety would 
 hereby be converted into an inquifitorial tribunal — 
 and that the natural tendency of fuch meafures would 
 be to produce, not refiftance only, but even an inereafed 
 diverfity of opinion ? 
 
 It is ftated in the report, that the Scriptures are 
 only " a fecondary rule, fubordinate to the fpirit of 
 " trutb^ from whence they have all their excellency and 
 
 ** certainty 
 
A. D. 17981 
 
 certaintj/;" and it was known that they, who were 
 fuppofed to hold objec^tionable opinions concerning the? 
 Scriptures, did notwithftandlng profefs to judge of 
 them by that meafure of the Jpirit of truth which it 
 had pleafed the Almighty feverally to impart to theit 
 minds. Whatever differences of opinion might exifty 
 between the Society and thefe fuppofed fchifmatics, 
 on other points, it does not appear, that with regard to 
 the means to be ufed in the interpretation of fcrip- 
 ture, there was any difagreement at all. Both par- 
 ties admitted that whatever excellence the fcriptures 
 poffeffed muft proceed fblely from the fpirit of truth ; 
 and to that fpirit, the fcriptures muft always be re- 
 garded as fuhordinate. — Both alfo agreed in what has 
 been deemed the fundamental tenet of the Society^ 
 viz. the inward and immediate revelation of the fpirit of 
 truthy gracioufly manifefted to all the children of men ; 
 and that this is the only means by which reHgious 
 truth can be rightly underftood or profitably applied. 
 On thefe leading points there was no difference of opi^ 
 nion. And with regard to circumfpe61:ion of eondu6i:, 
 a confcientious difcharge of religious duties, and even 
 acknowledged ufefulnefs in the church — It was ad- 
 mitted, that the general chara6ler of thofe perfons who 
 were fuppofed to undervalue the fcriptures, was held 
 in as favourable an eftimation as that of the other 
 aftive members of the focicty who differed from 
 them. Under fuch circumftances, it is difficult to con- 
 ceive on what ground, except that of abfolute infalli^ 
 hility, any clafs of perfons in the fociety could affert a 
 claim to fuperior judgment ; and thence proceed to 
 
 cenfure and teftify againft" their brethren who dif- 
 fered 
 
A. D. 1798. 
 
 fered from them in matters of opinion ; whilft both the 
 parties equally profefled their full belief in the divine 
 law written on the hearty as the fountain from which 
 their opinions had been derived, and as the ftandard 
 by which the truth and value of them were to be 
 eftiijaated. 
 
 Uniformity of opinion on points like thefe^ may be 
 regarded as wot pojfible to he attained among the mem- 
 bers of any refle6ling fociety; and confequently cannot 
 be the obje6t of the Supreme Being, in his moral go- 
 vernment of the world. It ought not therefore to be 
 haftily affumed, ih^i diverfity of opinion is, in itfelf an 
 evil, or that it has any neceffary tendency to produce 
 evil. 
 
 The difcuflion of controverted opinions, even on 
 abftradl and fpeculative fubjefts, may indeed be fome- 
 times affigned as the proximate caufe of ftrife and un- 
 charitablenefs in religious focieties, even when the 
 advocates of fuch opinions are men of ferious and up- 
 right minds. If the opinions which are delivered can 
 be clearly demonftrated to be erroneous^ furely ftrife 
 and uncharitablenefs are not neceffary confequences of 
 the difcuflion. If the opinions are fatisfai'rlorily proved 
 to be true, then no evils whatever ought to refult from 
 the difcuflion. And if they, who have adopted the 
 fentiment, that diverfity of opinion is In itfelf necejfa- 
 ri/y an evil, and who are incited, by the unealinefs 
 which they feel from the apprehended prevalence of 
 this evil, to increafed a6iivity in oppofing what they 
 ieem heterodox, would ferioufly and honeftly examine 
 
 their 
 
m 
 
 A. D. 1798. 
 
 their own hearts, they would perhaps find reafon to 
 doubt whether the uneafinefs which they feel doeg 
 really proceed from a pure and predominant love of truth. 
 Perhaps they might then difcover that — not diverjity of 
 •pinion — but f elf -love, operating under the femblance 
 of religious zeal, and jealous of a decline in the repu- 
 tation or confequence of the peculiar opinions of their 
 fe£t — is the real and efficient caufe of thofe evils which 
 are fometimes attendant upon the difcuflion of contro- 
 rerted queftions. If individuals feel, that from time, 
 circumftances and habit, the interefts of their fe6t have 
 become interwoven, and almoft identified with their 
 own ; and if they would admit that they are not wholly 
 redeemed from the dominion of a felfifh and worldly 
 fpirit ; it might perhaps be hoped that they would be 
 convinced, that in whatever degree the love of felf, 
 and of perfonal power, reputation, and aggrandifement, 
 predominates over an aftive defire of the happinefs and 
 improvement of mankind — in the fame degree will 
 an attachment to the reputation and the confequence 
 of their peculiar opinions predominate over a defire of 
 promoting truth.* 
 
 By 
 
 * Some very infi:ru6l:ive obfervations on this fubjeft arc 
 given by Samuel Clarke, D. D. in his Sermons, vol. i. 
 page 420, No. 68, and page 704, No. 111. 
 
 The fervices which this truly pious and eminently learned 
 divine has rendered to the caufe of genuine religion, have 
 juftly entitled him to the grateful regard of pofterity. To the 
 religioufly difpofed youth of our fociety, his works would fur- 
 niih an invaluable fund of important knowledge, on the moft 
 interefting of all fubje(Si8 that can employ the human mind, 
 
A. D, i7gSi 
 
 63 
 
 By fuch perfons, d'ruerjity of opinion Is naturally re- 
 garded as one of the enemies of truth ; and though 
 benevolence will fympathize in the pain which they 
 hence fuffer, yet if they were willing to combat this 
 enemy with no weapons but thofe of reafon and per- 
 fualion ; or if, attentive only to the influence of example, 
 they could be content, with well'doing to put to 
 filence the ignorance of foolifli men/'* the very interest 
 they feel on behalf of their peculiar opinions, would 
 become fubfervdent to the caufe of truth. 
 
 On the one hand, as a majority of the national 
 yearly meeting was defirous of checking the progrefs 
 of thofe opinions which appeared to it to be erroneous, 
 perhaps the moft eligible means would have been by 
 the circulation of judicious publications. But it is prob- 
 able the majority believed that its object would be 
 better attained by verbal communication , and hence 
 rcfulted the appointment of a committee to vifit the 
 nation. 
 
 On the other hand, they who difapproved of this 
 appointment, conceived that it was obvioully not the 
 primary objedl of thofe with whom the propofed vifit 
 had originated, that the importance of a more diligent 
 attention to the fundamental principle of the Society, 
 as the only unerring guide in all that refpeAs faith 
 and conduft, fhould be inculcated upon the minds of 
 the perfons to be vifited. They were of opinion that 
 
 the 
 
 * 1 Peter chap, ii, v. IS. 
 
64 
 
 A. D. I79«. 
 
 the temper and fpirit in which their brethren were 
 then afting, and alfo the tenor of the report which 
 had been brought in by the committee, furnifhed fuf- 
 ficient caufe for believing that the propofed national 
 vifit had proceeded from a difpofition to fearch out he- 
 refy, rather than from an enlightened zeal to apply 
 efficient and falutary means for the diffafion of religi- 
 ous truth. They were apprehenfive that the propofed 
 vifit would be regarded in this light alfo by the fubor- 
 dinate meetings ; and that for thefe reafons, the mea- 
 fure was not likely to promote either unity in matters 
 of opinion, or the far more defirable obje6l of follow- 
 
 ing after things which make for peace, and things 
 
 wherewith one may edify another."* 
 / 
 
 In connexion with this fubje6l it may not be unfea- 
 fonable to introduce a quotation from Ifaac Pennington, 
 on the authority and government which Chrid 
 excluded out of his church ; and concerning the 
 true church government." His opinions on this 
 important fubje£t are peculiarly applicable to the pre- 
 fent times ; and the following pafiTage, as well as the 
 whole of the chapter from whence it is extra6led, are 
 recommended to the attentive perufal of the ferious 
 reader. 
 
 *^ And fo the Apoftle warns believers, to take heed 
 " of drawing one another on too faft, or of judging 
 one another in fuch things as fome of them might 
 have light in, others not. He that eateth, not to 
 
 * judge 
 
 * Rom. chap. 14 v. \g. 
 
A. B. 1796. 65 
 
 <^ judge him that did 7iot eat, and he that did not eat, 
 " not to judge him that did eat. Yea, in matters of 
 worfhip he that obferved a day, and kept a fabbath, 
 not to judge him that ohfcrved not a day or ^^^^ wo/ 
 <^ a fabbath: for the Jews which were truly converted, 
 were yet hard to be drawn off from the obfervation 
 " of their fabbath, and could hardly bear with the 
 " believing Gentiles, who were never taught to keep 
 their fabbath with them, but were taught to efteem 
 every day, and fan<Slify it to the Lord, Rom. xiv. 
 5. And thofe who efteemed every day, and dedi- 
 cated it to the Lord (cealing from fin, and refting 
 to him : for under the gofpel we are not to fet up a 
 " new type, but to enter by faith into the true reft, 
 *^ which is the fubftance of what the other fignified,) 
 " could hardly bear with them who obferved a day. — 
 Even in the apoftles* days, Chriftians were too apt 
 to ftrive after a wrong unity and uniformity in outward 
 " practices and obfervation s, and to judge one another 
 " unrighteoujly in thefe things. And mark, it is not 
 " the different practice from one another that breaks the 
 " peace and unity, but the judging of one another, be- 
 " caufe of different practices. He that keeps not a 
 day, may unite in the fame fpirit, in the fame life, 
 in the fame love with him that keeps a day ; and he 
 who keeps a day, may unite in heart and foul with 
 *^ the fame fpirit and life in him who keeps not a day; 
 
 but he that judgeth the other, hecaufe of either of thefe, 
 " errs from the fpirit, from the love, from the life, and 
 fo breaks the bend of unity. And he that draws 
 " another to any practice, before the life in his own 
 particular lead him doth, as much as in him lies, 
 F deftroy 
 
66 
 
 A. D. 1798. 
 
 deftroy the foul of that perfon, (ver. 15.) This 
 was the apoftle's rule, for every one to perform 
 lingly to the Lord what he did, and not for one to 
 meddle with the light or confcience of another, (un- 
 dervahiing his brother, or judging him becaufe bis 
 light and p7'a6iices differed frovihisy chap. xiv. 10.) 
 but every one to keep clofe to their own meafure of 
 light, even to that proportion of faith and know- 
 *^ ledge, which God of his mercy hath bellowed on 
 <^ them. And here is the true unity in the fpirit, in the 
 " inward life, and not in an outward uniformity. 
 That was not neceffary in the Apoftle's days, nor is 
 it neceffary now ; and that eye which fo dotes upon 
 it, overlooks the one thing which is neceffary. Men 
 keeping clofe to God, the Lord will lead them on 
 faft enough ; for he taketh care of fuch, and 
 *^ knoweth what light, and what pra<Slices are mod 
 proper for them ; but for men to walk on fafter than 
 the Lord holds forth his light to them, this over- 
 turns them, railing up a vvrong thing in them, and 
 the true birth hereby comes to fuffer, to flirink, and 
 be driven back. Jljid oh ! how fweet and pleafant 
 is it to the truly fpiritual eye, to fee feveral forts of 
 believers, feveral forms of chriflians in the fchool of 
 " Chrift, every one learning their own leflbn, per- 
 forming their cwn peculiar fervice, and knowing, 
 ^' owning, and loving one another in their feveral places, 
 " and different performances to their Mafter, to whon; 
 they are to give an account, and not, to quarrel 
 with one another about their different pr apices !" Rom« 
 xiv. 4. — Pennington's Works^ v. i. p. 320. 4to. 1761- . 
 
 Some 
 
A. D. 1798. 
 
 67 
 
 Some time previous to this, confiderable diflatisfac- 
 tion had arifen, and was ft ill felt, refpe6ling fever al 
 friends who had been confidered as acknowledged mi- 
 nifters of the fociety. This was occafioned in part 
 by the dodlrines which fome of thefe minifters 
 preached, and in part by an apprehenfion that the 
 lives and condu6l of others were not fuch as be- 
 came the important Nations of minifters of the gof- 
 pel. The diflatisfa^lion was varioufly exprefled ; 
 in fome inftances, to the minifters by private indivi- 
 duals ; — in others, by the admonition of the elders, to 
 whofe province the overfight of the miniftry peculi- 
 arly belongs ; and fometimes difapprobation was mani- 
 fefted during the times of public worftiip, by indivi- 
 duals declining to conform to the general pradice of 
 ftanding up, and taking off the hat, and continuing 
 uncovered, whilft fuch minifters kneeled in prayer.* 
 
 And as fome doubts were entertained whether the 
 elders were in all cafes fufficiently vigilant and atten- 
 tive to execute the very important truft committed to 
 them, with becoming firmnefs and difcrimination, 
 John Bewley was defirous of ftating to the fele£l 
 meeting of minifters and elders, his opinion with re- 
 
 F 2 fpe£l 
 
 * Minifters ufually fit with the elders or other members 
 ©n a raifed feat in the gallery, in front of the congrega- 
 tion 3 and the general or prevailing pradlice of the fociety is 
 for the miniftcr, if of the male fex, previoufly to engaging 
 in prayer^ to kneel down and take off his hat. The con- 
 gregation then ftand up j and the men take off their hats 
 and remain uncovered during prayer. 
 
68 
 
 A. D. 1798. 
 
 fpeft to thofe duties, which in his judgment, the necefll- 
 ties of the times required from the members of that 
 meeting. For this purpofe he fought an opportunity of 
 communicating his fentiments verbally at one of their 
 fittings, but being refufed admittance, he addrefled t® 
 them the following letter : 
 
 To Friends of the yearly feleSi meetings 
 
 The gold that's fterling, need not fear the touch. 
 Gold once they seemed, but were they ever fuch. 
 
 Friends of the fele6l meeting muft excufe me for 
 reforting to a means of communication, which is 
 only the fecond bed. They know why I have not 
 purfued that courfe which was more defirable.* 
 What I have to communicate, will be comprifed in a 
 few words. It is touching my uneafinefs of mind 
 refpe6ling what is called miniftry. I really doubt, 
 and cannot fay in confcience, that I believe, we have 
 any real spiritual gofpel miniftry amongft us. I acknow- 
 ledge that I have heard, with fatisfaftion, feveral 
 friends deliver what appeared good do6lrine ; and I 
 thought I was edified thereby, and I am ftill far from 
 poii.tively faying that they are not gofpel minifiers. 
 They may be fuch, although I cannot clearly com- 
 prehend 
 
 * Alluding to the obftru6tion given to his communicat- 
 ing with them perfonally. 
 
A. D. 1798. 
 
 69 
 
 prehend it. And I look to you for an explanation of 
 what appears a difficulty. Thofe friends give the 
 hand of fellowfhip* to fuch as evidently are not 
 in a gofpel fpirit ; whofe lives do not accord with 
 their profeffions, and whofe doctrines are not free from 
 exception. How can this be ? Do they knew them, 
 or do they not ? If they know them, and have for 
 years known them, they praftice on us a dangerous 
 deception. If they do not knozv thofe who Jit bejide 
 therriy if they cannot fee into their Jlate^^ it will be 
 difficult to perfuade us, who are at a dijlance^ that they 
 can fee or dif cover ours. And yet how much do we 
 daily hear of this fort ? My heart is fick of thofe pre- 
 fumptuous profeffions.f 
 
 Refpeaing 
 
 * Giving the hand of fellowfhip docs not here relate 
 merely to the outward act, but to that conduct generally , by 
 which fandion or approbation is reafonably inferred in 
 favour of fuch minifters as are here defcribed. 
 
 f It has long been an eftablifhed opinion that the right- 
 ly concerned minifters of the gofpel, without any previous 
 opportunities for obfervation, or the affiftancc of any exter- 
 nal information whatever, are, whenever it pleafes divine 
 wifdom fo to affift them^ endued with fuch a knowledo-e of 
 the feveral mental ftates, in a religious refped, of meetings 
 or individuals, as enables them to minifter fuitable inltruc- 
 tion to fuch ftates. This is very ftrikingly defcribed in the 
 following palfage extracted from John Griffith's Journal : — 
 
 " The 
 
70 
 
 A. D. 1798. 
 
 Refpeding David Sands, of whom fo much has 
 been faid, I fhall fay but little. Search him ye elders; 
 i)ft hini, bring him to the touch. If pure gold, he 
 will not be hurt thereby. But if too great a portion of 
 alloy debafes his compofition, do not, by your certifi- 
 cate, pafs it further upon the public as llerling. 
 
 " The next meeting I went to was Nailfworth, where 
 " I had clofe fearching labour, in teftimony againft luke- 
 " warmnefs, and undue liberties. From thence to the 
 quarterly meeting for Wiltlhire. Being altogether un- 
 cxpedcd by friends there, and a ftranger, the clofe 
 *' fearching teftimony given me to bear, efpecially relating 
 " to the ftate of fome active memhers, might be better 
 taken, and might have more cfFe6t, than if the fame had 
 " come from one letter acquainted ivith their stales, I 
 always coveted to he wholly unacquainted with the flate* 
 " of meetings, by outward information, in all my travels ; 
 and when, by the djfcourfe of friends, previous to my 
 attending them, there appeared any probability of their • 
 inadvertently opening in my hearing any thing of that 
 " kind, I have generally cither flopped them, or walked 
 *' away out of hearing. But in general, friends, who enter- 
 " tain us in our travels, have more prudence and a better 
 " guard in thefe refpeds j as indeed all ought j for it ftraitens, 
 ^' and may give much uneafinefs to right fpirited minifters, 
 who have a sure infallible guide within, and therefore 
 have no need of any outward guide or information in 
 ** their fervices."— /owrwa/ of the life, labours, tsfc. of 
 John Griffiths, page ISQ, This tenet, concerning the gift 
 of difcerning of fpirits," (ift Cor. chap. 12 v. 10.) is alfo 
 very fully ftated in, a brief account of the rise and pro- 
 " gress of the People called Quakers, by IFilliam PennT 
 ebap. 3rd. fed. 5. 
 
A. B. 1798. 
 
 71 
 
 , * is a good woman, I beKfeve; a good 
 
 example, one at whom none can take offence. I objedl 
 to her, only as a minister, and that for the reafon before 
 given. Her companion, as (he has been called, I did 
 not expert to fee again in the gallery. She has fat 
 there much too long. Where are your feelings Friends ? 
 Is there not too much among you of unrighteous con- 
 defcenfion ? And has not truth fuffered ? 
 
 ^' It is not of much confequence to me to be re- 
 plied to. Perhaps I may not be thought worthy of 
 it. But my friends, the eyes of the children are upon 
 you ; to them ye are ftumbling blocks. Whether it 
 be more fafe within the camp, than without it, I do 
 not know. In which ever place, I (hall endeavour to 
 reft content with having attempted to perform my 
 duty. Farewell ; I love you : and may God in his 
 mercy give you grace to be, what you appear to be, 
 
 JOHN BEWLEY." 
 Dublin, 4tb of Jijth month, 1798. 
 
 The perufal of the preceding letter was referfcd by 
 the national feleA yearly meeting, to a committee, who 
 reported that it was improper to be read in that meet- 
 ing. This report was confirmed, and no difcuflion took 
 place concerning the contents of the letter. 
 
 In this year, Mary Bewley, an elder, Eliza- 
 beth Thackek, an Overfeer, John Barring- 
 ton, Samuel Stephens, and Eleanor Allen, 
 
 all 
 
 * The name of this venerable friend is not mentioned 
 jffom motives of delicacy towards the perfon who is aftcii*- 
 wards alluded to as her companion. 
 
72 
 
 A. D. 1796. 
 
 all of Dublin, were vlfited on behalf of the monthly 
 meeting of Dublin, for not afting according to tho 
 ufual forms of the fociety, during the time of public 
 fupplication, by David Sands, from the State of New 
 York, in North America, of whofe miniftry they did 
 not approve. The monthly meeting dire6led, by a 
 fmnute on record, that none of the faid friends Jhould be 
 appointed to any fervice in the difcipUne of the fociety, and 
 it further removed Mary Bewley from the ftation of 
 elder, and Elizabeth Thacker from that of overfeer. 
 
 John Barrington has fince declined the atten- 
 dance of meetings and been difowned. 
 
 William Barrington, of Dublin, was difown- 
 ed for refufing to be amenable to the rules of the fociety^ 
 principally in declining to ftand up and take oflf his 
 hat, in meetings for worfhip, during prayer. 
 
 The aforefaid Samuel Stephens was afterwards 
 difowned, in confequence of having, by his prefence, 
 given a fandion to the marriage between John Rogers, 
 jun. and Elizabeth Doyle, A fliort pamphlet has 
 been publiflied by him, entitled " An Addrefs to the 
 People called Quakers and others, on the fallen and 
 degenerate ftate of Man/* This addrefs appears to 
 be written under the influence of great ferioufnefs and 
 uprightnefs ; and the following extra6ls are inferted, 
 for the information of thofe who may not have feea 
 the pamphlet. 
 
 *^ Now in the fir ft place I may tell you that I 
 never did, nor do I now, differ in what I confider 
 ^[ the grand fundamental point on which I conceived 
 
 •* the 
 
A. D. 1798. 
 
 73 
 
 the fociety refted its faith and belief ; which is the 
 inward principle of light and grace 3 and which I be- 
 lieye fufficient, if attended to^ to lead all, without 
 " the help of any other guide, in the way they fhould 
 go, and which led the early members of the fo- 
 ciety right, as far as they followed and attended 
 to its dictates.'' Fage 18. 
 
 My faith is univerfal, unlimited, unfhackled by 
 fea or party, I believe in the univerfality of God*s 
 " love to the workmanfhip of his hands, and that by 
 his power all things were created that were created ; 
 and that by the fame love and power, he fupports 
 the boundlefs univerfe in all its movements and parts 
 to the fmalleft particle of matter ; and if it were not 
 *^ for that, the fun would ceafe to give its light, the 
 " moon to fhine forth, and the various conftellations 
 " be blotted out, nay, in a word, the whole (hould 
 ceafe to have a being/^ Vage 13. 
 
 The preceding opinions are in accordance with 
 thofe which the fociety maintain. On fome other 
 points, refpefting which there is not the fame ac- 
 cordance, an extra6l will be found in the Appendix, 
 No. 3. 
 
 Mary Stephens of Dublin, was one of thofe wh» 
 became dilfatisfied with David Sands, as a minifter ; and 
 although, on that account, fhe felt great difficulty in 
 ftanding up whilft he was engaged in public prayer ; 
 yet, in the firft ftages of her diflatisfaftion, flie felt a 
 ftill greater relu6lance again ft the appearance of any 
 thing like difunity in the fociety, by publicly declin- 
 ing 
 
74 
 
 A. D. 1798. 
 
 ing to comply with its eftabliflied pra6lice, when any 
 friend might believe himfelf conftrained to engage in 
 the awful and folemn duty of prayer ; as fhe felt much 
 fympathy with fuch perfons. She therefore called upon 
 feveral of the elders feparately, and ftated to them, 
 that fhe thought it a pity they did not take more 
 thought about David Sands/' One of the elders 
 replied, that he wifhed David was at home, but he 
 thought it beft to let him pafs quietly away." On 
 her alluding to a particular time when David Sands 
 appeared in prayer, one of the a6live overfeers, who 
 was wife to the beforementioned elder, replied, " fhe 
 ^« had rather he had then been filent." Several mem- 
 bers who difapproved of his miniftry, kept their feats 
 on that occafion ; and as they continued in this prac- 
 tice afterwards when the fame circumftance again 
 occurred, they were reprefented to the monthly meet- 
 ing of Dublin as delinquents ; and by its dire6lion, an 
 appointment was made to vifit them for this offence. 
 This induced Mary Stephens to go to two of the elders 
 whom fhe particularly loved, believing they were in- 
 clined to meafures of moderation. " She intreated 
 them not to deal harfhly with thofe friends who 
 could not comply with the cuftomary forms, and 
 againft whom no man could raife a finger, except for 
 this ; and flated the difficulty flie had experienced 
 in conlequence of her own diflfatisfaftlon with the 
 miniftry of David Sands ; and that fhe would have 
 a£led in the fame manner herfelf, if it had not 
 been for the reafons before mentioned.'* Upon the 
 
 elders 
 
A. D. 1798. 
 
 75 
 
 ciders remarking that their hands were bound, 
 in confequence of the condu6t of thofe friends 
 who were diflatisfied and had kept their feats 5" 
 " Mary Stephens replied, that it appeared to 
 her, on the contrary, that this very circumftance, 
 if the elders were themfelves previoufly in doubt 
 refpefting the miniftry of David Sands, fhould fur- 
 nifti them with a degree of ftrength to fpeak to him 
 with greater boldnefs ; as it was now obvious that 
 feveral were diflatirsfied with his miniftry/' 
 
 For the purpofe of further clearing her own mind, 
 which became increafmgly burthened by thefe pro- 
 ceedings, and the caufe which had led to them, Mary 
 Stephens concluded to make a rcqueft to all the 
 elders, and to David Sands, that they would meet to- 
 gether, and permit her to fit awhile with them ; hop- 
 ing that fuch an opportunity might be produftive of 
 mutual fatisfaftion . An appointment was accordingly 
 made by the elders, for a meeting at the houfe of Jo- 
 feph Williams, after the conclufion of a public meet- 
 ing for worfhip. Mary Stephens attended according 
 to the appointment, but the elders were prevented 
 from coming by the interference of fome unforefeen 
 bufinefs. Jofeph Williams accompanied David Sands 
 into the room, and informed him that Mary Stephens 
 was defirous of fpeaking to him. Whereupon David 
 accofted her by faying, that he had not any thing 
 againft her; that fhe was one of thofe whom he had 
 intended taking by the hand when he came to Ire- 
 land and afked, if fhe had any thing againft him ? 
 fhe replied, " that ftie had not any thing againft him 
 
 " as 
 
76 
 
 A. D. 1798. 
 
 as a man, but that fhe had fuffered fo much in con- 
 " fequence of his pubUc teftimony, that fhe could 
 hardly bear to fit the meeting out } and that a fear 
 imprelTed her mind, that he was not a gofpel minif- 
 ter.'' He became angry ^at this remonftrance^ faying, 
 that flie was but a young woman to take on her to 
 judge ; that they had elders appointed for this weigh- 
 " ty fervice ; and that he did not come to Dublin to be 
 frightened, adding, that flie had been a boggled 
 woman, &c/' Here Jofeph Williams interfered 
 and told David that he ought to hear the friend pa- 
 tiently, for that fhe had proceeded according to 
 gofpel order." On a fubfequent occafion, Jofeph 
 Williams openly acknowledged " that David Sands' 
 condu61: to Mary Stephens had been improper, and 
 that David had faid he would not behave fo in fu- 
 ture." After this ilie ftill continued to ftand up when 
 he appeared in prayer, until, in one of his public dif- 
 courfes, he took occafion to fpeak much in his own 
 praife, and faid, that fo great was his humility, that 
 if even a child reproved him in a right fpirit, he would 
 accept it. This appeared to Mary Stevens fo mani- 
 feftly inconfiftent with what had come under the im- 
 mediate knowledge of herfelf and others, that {he 
 afterwards kept her feat when he was engaged in 
 public fupplication. Hereupon fhe was vifited by 
 the direction of the monthly meeting of Dublin, as a 
 delinquent who had a6led diforderly. She therefore 
 informed the delegates, and requefted them to inform 
 the monthly meeting, *^ that according to the beft of 
 her judgment, flie had afted confiftent with good 
 order by fpeaking to the elders firft, and to David 
 
 himfclf 
 
A. D. 1798. 
 
 himfelf afterwards : that flie then thought it full 
 time to manifeft her difunity to the meeting ; but 
 that as fhe had unwillingly given them offence, 
 and as (he loved order, Ihe wifhed to be informed 
 *^ bozu Jhe Jhould a£l in fuch a cafe in future^ Jo as not to 
 give offence to friends^ and yet keep peace in her oivn 
 " mind'' The delegates promifed to deliver her 
 melTage ; they afked her to repeat it, that they 
 might charge their memories with it ; and told her 
 {he need not take the trouble of writing it. Some 
 time afterwards they waited on Mary Stephens again ; 
 and informed her that the monthly meeting had 
 proceeded to record its cenfure of her conduct, in not 
 {landing up whilft an acknowledged minifter was 
 engaged in fupplication ; and that this being an of- 
 fence againft the good order of the fociety, flie was 
 in confequence declared ineligible to any fervice in the 
 difcipline. On receiving this information, {he inquir- 
 ed of the delegates " what notice had been taken 
 of her meflage to the monthly meeting, in which 
 {he had exprefled a wifh to be informed how {he 
 *^ ought to have a£led V They replied " that they 
 concluded it heji not to deliver her mejfage^ as they 
 thought it would do more hurt than good, by pro- 
 ducing altercation."' She remonftrated againft their 
 condu6l in this refped, as an abfolute breach of the 
 promife they had made to her, and added, fhe wifhed 
 when the monthly meeting employed meifengers 
 on fuch occaiions, that they would fix on men of 
 *^ truth."' In confequence of this rebuke, the dele- 
 gates reported to the fucceeding monthly meeting, 
 " that they had before received a meffage from Mary 
 
 " Stephens 
 
78 
 
 A. D. 179^. 
 
 *^ Stephens which they had omitted to deliver." The 
 reply was, " that it was then too late, as the monthly 
 " meeting had come to a judgment ; and if they (the 
 delegates) had not afted as they ought to have 
 *^ done, it muft reft with themfelves." Soon after 
 this, fhe requefted the elders and overfeers, and fome 
 other friends to ft op, at the conclufion of a meeting 
 for worftiip ; and ftie then addreffed them, in fubftance^ 
 as follows: 
 
 " I hope I may fay I love the truth, and alfo all 
 *^ thofe who love it ; but it feems to me not an unfuit- 
 able time to inform you, that I difown being any 
 longer a member of your fociety." 
 
 Several friends Immediately ftood up to requeft 
 fhe would retraft what fhe had faid, hoping it had 
 " been a hafty ftep, and that fhe would think better 
 of it, and they delired that none prefent would 
 " fpeak of it without thofe walls." Mary Stephens 
 did not approve of this counfel ; fhe confidered her 
 reftgnation of memberfhip as final; and thought it 
 right to fpeak of it as fuch when occafions feemed t» 
 require it. 
 
 Some time afterwards an elder called upon her to 
 enquire " whether fhe continued in the fame mind ?" 
 and being replied to in the affirmative, her cafe was 
 again laid before the monthly meeting. She was, in 
 confequence, vifited in the ufual manner by its ap- 
 pointment ; and in the minute of her difownment, as 
 iflued by the monthly meeting, it was ftatcd as a 
 
 charge 
 
A. D, 1799. 
 
 79 
 
 charge again ft her, that Ihe did not believe outward 
 gatherings (meaning meetings for vvorfhip) necef- 
 fary." When the delegates called again to fhew 
 her a copy of the minute. Die replied to this un- 
 founded accufation, *^ that fhe had never held fuch a 
 " fentiment refpe6ling meetings for worihip, and con- 
 fequently that fhe never could have fo exprefled 
 herfelf." The delegates became convinced of the 
 injuftice of the charge, and one of them took upon 
 himfelf to expunge it from the records of the fociety, 
 which was done accordingly. 
 
 . In the year 1799, Thomas Bewley of Dublin, 
 and his fifter, Susanna Bewley, refigned their of- 
 fices as elders ; and the following is their own account 
 of the motives which influenced them to this condu6l. 
 
 Thomas Bewley was diffatisfied with the rigo- 
 rous proceedings of the friends of the fele(Sl meeting 
 firft, and of the monthly meeting afterwards, againft 
 *^ certain perfons of eftimable character, who thought 
 *^ it right not to acknowledge the miniftry of David 
 " Sands, and kept their feats whilft he was engaged 
 in public prayer. The whole of the proceedings 
 againft thefe friends was difapproved of by Thomas 
 " Bewley ; and therefore he did not choofe to retain 
 his place in the fele6l meeting, the members of 
 which differed fo materially from him in fentiment ; 
 and from that time he pretty much ceafed to be ac- 
 tive in the difcipline." 
 
 " Sufanna 
 
60 
 
 A. D. 1799 
 
 Sufanna Bewley never had any idea that fhe was 
 qualified for the ftation of an elder ; hut, being 
 " prefled to it by her friends, fhe was willing to give 
 <^ it a trial, in the hope that it might at leaft be at- 
 tended with fome profit to her own mind ; but in 
 this fhe was difappointed. She had alfo fome doubts 
 whether the feleft meetings of the miniflers and 
 elders were held to the advantage of the fociety at 
 " large; and therefore fhe mentioned her wifh to re- 
 fign the office of an elder. Her refignation of this 
 office was not however accepted until after flie be- 
 came difTatisfied with fome of the proceedings of the 
 fociety, and particularly with its dealings with 
 ^- thofe friends who publicly teflified their difappro- 
 " bation of David Sands ; yet this was by no means 
 " her motive in the firfl application to refign." 
 
 rn the eighth month 1801, the aforefaid Susanna 
 Bewley, and herfifler, Mary Bewley, who had alfo 
 been appointed an elder, but was removed from that 
 office, on account of publicly manifefling her difunity 
 with the miniflry of David Sands, (page 72) fent intheir 
 refpe6live refignations, as members of the fociety, to 
 the monthly meeting of Carlo w 3 and the following 
 are copies of their letters on this occafion, and of the 
 minute made in confequence thereof. 
 
 To the monthly meeting of Carlow, 
 
 *^ It appears to me that every member of fociety 
 is in degree accountable for the conduct of the body,. 
 
 at 
 
A. D. 1799- 
 
 81 
 
 at leafl: have a liberty of fpeaking their approbation or 
 difapprobation thereof ; and fuch has been the condu6l 
 of the ading part of ths fociety of late, that I think 
 I am called upon thus to exprefs my difapprobation 
 and difunity with a fociety that has departed from its 
 firft principle, and is fubftituting formality, and an ob- 
 fervance of their outward laws, in preference to the 
 divine law written in the heart, to which we ufed to be 
 carneftly recommended ; and will not even allow us 
 a liberty of thinking for ourfelves ; but have given us 
 a printed faitb^, though praBical virtue feems much 
 left out of the fyftera Now as thefe things are quite 
 repugnant to my feelings, and I believe to the pure 
 fpirit of truth, I requeft you may not any longer con- 
 fider me a member of your fociety : neverthelefs I feel 
 much love for many who are yet within the pale, and 
 alfo charity for fome who have put their hands to 
 what they may apprehend a good work, and have lit- 
 tle doubt this time of their ignorance will be winked 
 at, and their fmcerity accepted, but this I could not 
 fay for all. I truft it is in a degree of abafednefs of 
 mind that I addrefs this to you, and wdth defires for all, 
 that we may be ftrengthened to walk in the way pf 
 acceptance and peace ; and for us, who have feen the 
 jgmptinefs of mere formality, that we may daily feek 
 G divine 
 
 * This alludes to a pamphlet, which had received tlie 
 fanftion of the fociety, and was then in circulation, entitled 
 " The Faith of the People called Quakers in our Lord and 
 " Saviour Jefus Chrift, fet forth in yarioiis extra<!its from their 
 ^* writings, by Henry Tukb." 
 
8t A. D. 1799. 
 
 divine help to enable us in all our condud loudly to 
 fpeak the language, " Thy will be done which is 
 in my opinion the fum and fubftance of religion. 
 
 " This has not been a hafty thought, but I think 
 the refult of deliberate conlideration as far as I am ca- 
 pable of. 
 
 " Susanna Bewley.'* 
 Ballitore, Jixth of eighth mouthy 1801. 
 
 I am united in the above fentiments, and alfo 
 requefl: to be no longer confidered one of the fociety, 
 fully believing the fame providential care is extended 
 individually as well as colle6lively ; that it is not ne- 
 ceflary to be joined to any fe6l ; and hoping there will 
 be lefs looking to focieties, and more endeavouring 
 after confiftency of conduct and true humility of mind. 
 This I covet for my friends and for myfelf. 
 
 " Mary Bewley.-' 
 
 Copy of a Minute of the monthly meeting held in Carlow, 
 eleventh of ninth month ^ 1801. 
 
 A paper has been handed into this meeting by 
 women-friends,* (igned by Susanna and Mary Bew- 
 LEY, requefting that this meeting may no longer con- 
 
 lider 
 
 * By this expreflion is meant the women of Carlow 
 monthly meeting. It has already been remarked, that in the 
 tranfa£tion of the difcipline, each fex has its refpedive pro- 
 Yiacc, and their meetings are held diftind. 
 
A. D. 1799. 
 
 83 
 
 (ider them as members of fociety ; and this meeting 
 on confidering their cafe, accepts their refignation ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 Signed by Jos. Haughton, Clerk,'' 
 To Sufanna and A4arjy Beivley, BalUtore, 
 
 Mary Bewley departed this life in the 5tli 
 month, 1802, aged 42 years. She was a woman of 
 ferious and exemplary conduct ; and the fame peaceful^ 
 humble, and reiigned frame of mind, which fhe had 
 been meafurably favoured to experience in her journey 
 through life, was mercifully continued for her fup- 
 port and confolation during her laft illnefs, and stt her 
 final clofe. 
 
 Lydia (the wife of Abraham) Shackleton, 
 of Ballitore, and Abigail Haughton, of Carlow, 
 both in the ftation of elders, refigned that office, for 
 reafons fimilar to thofe which have been ftated in the 
 cafes of Thomas and Susanna Bewley. 
 
 The vifit of David Sands to Ireland, the diflatis- 
 faftion with him as a minifter in the minds of many 
 individuals, and the conduft of the fociety in confe- 
 quence thereof, appear to have been influential caufes 
 in producing the alienation or feparation of feveral who 
 had previoufly been adive, and were regarded as re- 
 fpeclable members. The opinions and conduct of 
 fuch perfons naturally derive additional influence from 
 their characters and flations 3 and hence arifes the 
 painful neceffity of ftating fome of the grounds on 
 which their diflatisfaClion was founded. 
 
 G 2 Th« 
 
84 
 
 A. D. 1799- 
 
 The peaceable principles of the fociety have always 
 induced a confiderable degree of tendernefs and doubt 
 concerning the juftlfiablenefs of taking away human 
 life on any occafion whatever ; and its members have 
 therefor© been cenfured for not being more aftive in 
 the legal profecution of criminal offenders ; which in 
 many cafes muft prove the dire6t means of bringing 
 them to an untimely death. David Sands concurred 
 in the cenfure upon the fociety for its fcruples in this 
 refpe6i: ; and he alfo attempted to juftify the taking 
 away human life, and quoted, from the fcriptures, the 
 command of Chrift to " buy fwords/* — the affertion 
 that ^'the Magiftrate beareth not the fword in vain, &c. 
 
 &c. In reply to the awfulnefs of fending people into 
 eternity, in an unprepared ftate, he alledged, that 
 as no murderer has eternal life abiding in him, they 
 
 might as well go then as at any future time." 
 
 In connexion v^^ith the fubjeft of criminal offences, 
 David Sands vindicated the ufe of judicial oaths ; 
 although it was ftated to him, that whilft our fociety 
 continues to be fo peculiarly diftinguiftied for its convic- 
 tion, that oaths of eirery kind are forbidden by the ex- 
 prefs injundion of our Saviour, " But I fay unto you, 
 *^ SWEAR NOT AT ALL &c. &c.— fome delibera- 
 tion appeared to be incumbent upon thofe who were de- 
 firous of afting confiftently with this injunction, before 
 they could them/elves become a6live in fuch profecuti- 
 ons, as would render them inftrumental to the neceffity 
 of involving others in the pradice of adminiftering and 
 taking oaths. 
 
 About this time feveral friends were under a con- 
 
 liderable 
 
A. B. 1799. 
 
 85 
 
 fiderable exercife of mind, from a defire to bear their 
 teftimony faithfully againft the having any concern in, 
 or giving any countenance to, the promotion of war. 
 All hoftilitiesj whether offenfive or defenfive, are believ- 
 ed by the chriftian Quaker, to be in direft oppolitioii 
 to the exprcfs commands of Chrift ; and hence it be- 
 came matter of ferious queftion, whether the contribut- 
 ing to the fupport of war by the voluntary payment of 
 a tax, levied for that exprefs purpofe, could be re- 
 garded in any other light than as a dereliction of one 
 of the moft important and diftinguifhing teftimonies of 
 the fociety. This difficulty had been fo ftrongly felt, 
 by fome perfons in the more affluent ranks^ that they 
 had believed it right for them to difcontinue keeping 
 their carriages, rather than, by a payment of the tax 
 impofed on them, contribute fo largely to the fupport 
 of war ; and this, for the fake of an article which 
 might perhaps be regarded as a luxury. The proceed- 
 ing fo far however, in confequence of thefe fcruples, 
 was not, in them, the refult of light or hafty confi- 
 deration. They were aware, that if the precepts of 
 Chrift were thus to be interpreted in the prefent in- 
 ftance, the occurrence of other inftances might re- 
 quire a fimilar conduft ; and either privation or fuffer- 
 ing would necelTarily be the refult. They had no 
 wifh to occafion unneceflTary fuffering to themfelves, or 
 to induce others to a6l as they had done, unlefs under 
 the influence of flmilar convidions. But feeling the 
 great importance of the pure principle of peace and 
 love, which they believed to be eflentially chara6terif- 
 tic of the gofpel of Chrift, they were uprightly defi- 
 rous, that no privations or fufferings might deter them 
 from maintaining a conduft, confiftent with that tefti- 
 mony 
 
A. i>. 1799- 
 
 mony which they believed themfelves called upon to 
 fupport. 
 
 Under the influence of thefe impreflions, the fub- 
 je<5t was mentioned in converfation to David Sands, 
 from whom it was natural to expedt^ that, whether he 
 might view it in the fame light or not, he would at 
 leaft feel fympathy with thofe perfons who had been 
 thus exercifed. Very different however was his con- 
 dud on this occafion. It appeared, that his own opi- 
 nions were quite contrary to thofe which have juft 
 been mentioned, and thefe opinions it was natural for 
 him to exprefs. But under the influence of them, he 
 harflily pronounced the fcruples of his confcientious 
 brethren to be " flieer nonfenfe and exprelfed him- 
 felf in terms of great fpverity towards them ; adding, 
 contrary to what was known to be the fa6t in the cafe 
 of one of the parties, that if he had loved his wife, 
 he would not have aded fo as to have left her without 
 the accommodation of a carriage. 
 
 The diflatisfaftion occafioned by his converfation, 
 on thefe and other fubjeds, but ftill more by his con- 
 dud as a minifter, induced repeated remonftrances, as 
 he journeyed along, from thofe among whom his lot 
 was caft. In particular, at the quarterly meetings for 
 Ulfter, and in Dublin, -opportunities were formally taken 
 by the elders to exprefs their uneafinefs with him, and 
 to advife him to defift from further labours among 
 them 5 but no fatisfadion refulted from thefe remon- 
 ftrances. Inftead of patiently liftening to them, and 
 calmly juftifying his own eondud, he difcovered an 
 
 eagernef& 
 
A. D. 1799- 
 
 87 
 
 eagernefs to cenfure others, interrogating or arraign- 
 ing them for opinions on myfterious and controverted 
 points ; and, as was his frequent pra6lice, denouncing 
 the judgments of the Almighty on thofe who differed from 
 him. Indeed the difapprobation of his miniftry was 
 fuch, that when he was on the point of leaving Ire- 
 land, and, according to the ufual pra6lice on fuch oc- 
 cafions, it was propofed in the national yearly meeting 
 of minifters and elders, that a certificate of unity and 
 approbation with his labours in that kingdom fliould 
 be given him, the propofal was openly obje^led to by 
 twenty of the minifters and elders then prefent, and it 
 was believed that a majority of the minijiers in that 
 affembly were included in the number. The propofal 
 for granting him a certificate was finally adopted. 
 
 But though it is evident that the number of thofe 
 who difapproved of the miniftry of David Sands was 
 not fmall ; yet when we reflect that their diflatisfadion 
 arofe, from the condu6t of a minifter who was not a 
 refident among them,* — .whofe ftay in any one place 
 
 could 
 
 * This ftateraent having been Ihewn to one of the per- 
 fons alluded to on this occafion, he communicated the fol- 
 lowing remarks thereon in a letter to a friend. 
 
 I cannot accord with the diftinftion which is Hated in 
 the narrative between the two cafes of difunity with a re- 
 sident and with a travelling minifter. The latter, if really 
 " unexemplary or unfound, has a more extenfive field for 
 " doing mifchief by travelling from place to place, through 
 
 " perhaps 
 
d8 
 
 A. D. 1799- 
 
 only be tranfient, and who was expelled foon to take 
 his final leave of Ireland, it is not eafy to reftrain a 
 wifh, that the emotions of difapprobation, occafioned 
 by his miniftry and condu6l, had operated lefs power- 
 fully ; and efpecially when it is further confidered, that 
 his brethren in America had fandtioned his vifit to 
 Europe by ample certificates ; that his friends in Great 
 Britain had repeatedly expreffed their unity and con- 
 currence with him ; and that, by a confiderable num- 
 ber of the fociety in Ireland he was ftill regarded with 
 cfteem and afFedion. 
 
 Greatly alfo is it to be regretted, that fimilar con- 
 fiderations fhould not have mitigated the harflinefs of 
 thofe proceedings, which the fociety deemed it necef- 
 fary to adopt on this occafion, and efpecially in the 
 cafe of fome valuable members againft whom this was 
 the only ground of offence. 
 
 The exercife of the rights of private judgment by 
 
 thofe 
 
 " perhaps an extenfive diftrid 3 and it is therefore ftill more 
 important that he fliould be admonilhed and difcou raged 
 as foon as his real charader is fairly afcertained, in order 
 to prevent further impofition. If they who live in one 
 " place are foon to be relieved from the burthen occafioned 
 " by fuch a minifter, yet it becomes them to remember a 
 " fimilar burthen would ftill remain to be felt by thofe in 
 other places, who were next to be vifited by him j and the 
 " obvious didates of brotherly regard ftiould therefore in- 
 " duce the former honeftly to difcharge the duties iucumbeat 
 " <3n them." 
 
A. D. lygg. 
 
 89 
 
 thofe who approved, and by thofe who difapproved of 
 the miniftry of David Sands, was equally entitled to 
 refpe(5l and encourageinent. And if no reftraint ought 
 to arife from the confideration, that his mind was 
 firmly perfuaded that his vifit to Ireland was a 
 fervice required from him by God, we (hould not 
 hefitate to pronounce, that it would have been the 
 part of wifdom, if not of duty, for him to have quiet- 
 ly withdrawn from that kingdom, as foon as it was 
 obvious that his ftay was operating fo forcibly in de- 
 ftroying peace and concord among his brethren there. 
 
 David Sands arrived in England in 1795, and 
 during the long period of eight fucceeding years, he 
 has been engaged, under the apprehenlion of duty, 
 in religious fervice among the members of our own, 
 and of other focieties in Great Britain, Ireland, and 
 feveral parts of the continent of Europe : and he be- 
 lieves it his duty ftill to perfevere in this arduous em- 
 ployment.* 
 
 It cannot be fuppofed that he is unmindful of the 
 important duties, which attach to the charafter of 
 hulband, father, and neighbour ; or that he is inat- 
 tentive to the feelings which thefe interefting re- 
 lations were intended to excite. In numerous 
 places, his fervfces have been accepted and valued, 
 by thofe among whom he has miniftered; ferious, 
 profitable, and it is hoped, permanent impref- 
 fions have been produced by his religious labours ; 
 
 and 
 
 * This pafl'agc is written in November 1803. 
 
so 
 
 A. D. 1799- 
 
 and by ipqany valuable characters he is regarded, both 
 as a man and a minifter, with great efteem and 
 friendfhip. 
 
 In obedience to the requirings of truth and juf- 
 tice, we have performed a painful duty, in recording 
 thofe details, which appear to have occafioned mutual 
 difiatisfa6i:ion during his ftay in Ireland. Whilft endea- 
 youring, with candour and impartiality, to ftate fa6ls, 
 we could not but feel regret at fome parts of his con- 
 du<9:^ — and of the condu<Si of thofe who approved— ^as 
 well as of thofe who difapproved of him as a minifter. 
 
 ,Upon the merits or demerits of the refpe6live par- 
 ties, it is not our province to decide, and we fincerely 
 rejoice that fuch an office is not afligned us. That the 
 
 gift of the difcerning of fpirits,'' forms any part 
 of the divine economy, among chriftians of the pre- 
 Jent day, we fee no adequate reafon to believe. They 
 who maintain the continuance of this gift, and a6l under 
 a perfuafion that they are themfelves fometimes endued 
 with a power of feeing into the ftates of their fellow crea- 
 tures, may lament our incredulity and pity our weaknefs. 
 But as we profefs our total inability to fee the hearts 
 of others, it would be highly prefumptuous in us to 
 aflign motives for their condu6lj ftill lefs fhould we 
 bejuftified in judging \ and leaft of all m cmfurhig 
 them. Whilft we admit the fallibility of all human 
 opinions, we are defirous of cheriftiing the convi<5tion 
 that this is peculiarly the cafe with our own. We 
 will therefore clofe this fubjeft in the words of an ex- 
 perienced and venerable apoftle. 
 
 For 
 
A. D. 1799. 
 
 91 
 
 " For if our heart condemn us, God is greater 
 ** than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, 
 *^ if our heart condemn us not, then have we confi- 
 I dence towards God.'' 1 John chap. iii. v. 20, 21. 
 
 In the fourth month, 1799^ the national yearly 
 meeting was again held in Dublin. At the national 
 yearly meeting in 1798, a committee was appointed to 
 take into confideration the l^ate of the fociety in re- 
 gard to " the reading of the fcriptures 5" and upon 
 the report of that committee, it was recommended 
 to the monthly meetings, with the advice and affift- 
 ance of their quarterly meetings, to proceed as in the 
 wifdom of truth they might be directed. At the 
 fame meeting fix perfons were appointed to pay a vifit 
 to the quarterly, monthly, and other meetings of 
 friends in Ireland. The reports of the faid committee, 
 and of the friends appointed to pay the faid vifit, were 
 taken into confideration at this meeting ; and the fol- 
 lowing is an extract from the minutes of its pro-^ 
 ceedings : 
 
 NATIONAL YEARLY MEETING, 1799. 
 
 An account hath been received from each pro-^ 
 " vince, that the minute of the laft yearly meeting 
 « on the fubjeft of the fcriptures, hath been under 
 " the care of the refpe6live quarterly meetings. A 
 committee was appointed to take the faid report into 
 *^ their weighty confideration 5 who reported, that 
 they met, and had a folid conference thereupon, ^nd 
 " find, on their inquiry into the ftate of our fociety in 
 
 this 
 
92 
 
 A. D. 1799- 
 
 " this TQipeSi, that there appears a Jufficient ground 
 " for the minute of lajl yearly meeting on that head^ and 
 <^ for the reBitude of iffuing the recommendation thereon^ 
 and that fome endeavours have been ufed to carry int9 
 *^ effeSl the faid recommendation. 
 
 " And this meeting recommends to the fundry 
 quarterly and monthly meetings, to keep in view the 
 faid minute, and extend a tender watchful care 
 over their members, particularly the youth, to pre- 
 *^ vent the diffemination of fentiments of dangerous ten- 
 dency. 
 
 ^' And this meeting, on mature conlideration of 
 <^ the faid report, thinks it expedient to appoint a vifit 
 " to the province of Ulster ; and the following 
 *^ friends are accordingly appointed, viz. : 
 
 THOMAS TAVERNER, JONAS STOTT, 
 " JOHN COURTNAY, and 
 " THOMAS FAYLE, " THOMAS JACOB. 
 
 " Jofeph Williams, on behalf of the friends ap- 
 pointed, at laft yearly meeting, to vifit the meetings 
 of friends in this nation, reports, that the vifit was 
 *^ generally performed by moft of the friends under 
 " that appointmnnt. And notwith (landing this meet- 
 " ing hath been painfiilly affeBed with the account of 
 •* the weak and low fituation of our fociety in fundry 
 quarters : yet, it affords fatisfaftion to underftand, that 
 " our friends were enabled to g^t through the vifit to 
 their own peace." 
 
 When 
 
A. D. 3 799. 
 
 93 
 
 When the report of the committee, appointed at 
 this meeting, to take the former report into " their 
 " weighty confideration," was brought up, fome 
 warm difcuflion took place. On the one hand, it 
 was urged, that the ftatement of the committee in 
 1798, was now confirmed by the report of the commit- 
 tee appointed at the prefent meeting On the other 
 hand, it was imputed to the committee of the prefent 
 meeting, that they had taken up the fubje6l with par- 
 tial views ; — that in fan^lioning the charges contained 
 in the minute of 1798, they were not fupported by ade- 
 quate proofs ; that they had refufed to permit fome of" 
 the perfons who were accufed, to come before them, 
 and fpeak in their own defence, though this had been 
 ftrongly urged, as a point of juftice, by one of the 
 committee itfelf. It was ftill contended that the re- 
 port now brought up contained unfounded allegations, 
 and the report underwent fome modification in confe- 
 quence of this objection, 
 
 The vifit now appointed to be paid to Ulster, 
 was likewife oppofed, as having for its profefTed ob- 
 jeft, the unprofitable and unavailing attempt to induce 
 UNIFORMITY OF OPINION refpcfting the fcnpturcs ; 
 whilfl at the fame time it was admitted, that nu- 
 merous inflances of flagrant deviation in conduct 
 from the indifpenfable duties of the gofpel, and the 
 acknowledged principles of the fociety, continued to 
 prefent f^rong claims upon the attention of fuch of its 
 members, as had the caufe of genuine piety and virtue 
 at heart. It was further ftated, that the union which 
 once fubfifted amongft the lafl-mentioned clafs, had 
 
 bee« 
 
94 
 
 A. D. 3 799. 
 
 been greatly wesikened, and was now in danger of be- 
 ing quite diflblved ; and that the painful fymptoms of 
 diflention, which were then manifeft in that affembly, 
 and which had lately appeared more generally in the 
 fociety, were in a confiderable degree imputable to the 
 fpirit which had di<3:ated the late proceedings. The 
 meeting was reminded, that it had before been warn- 
 ed that no good confequence would refult from the 
 late vilit ; and it was ftated that feveral members were 
 confirmed in the opinions which had produced that 
 warning, by the opportunities which they had of 
 judging from local obfervation and information, of the 
 manner in which the late national vifit had been per- 
 formed ; — a firm perfuafion was alfo exprefled, that fimi- 
 lar confequences would refult from the vifit now pro- 
 pofed to the province of Ulfter. Thefe declarations 
 gave great offence. It was concluded, that no pro- 
 grefs could be made in the bufinefs at that fitting, 
 and the meeting adjourned. On the next day, fome 
 of the vifitors who were appointed in 1798, informed 
 the meeting that much inquiry was made in the pro- 
 grefs of their vifit ; and that, in their opinion, the in- 
 formation which had induced the national yearly meet- 
 ing to dire£i that vifit, was well founded* It was re- 
 plied, that the condu6l of the vifitors themfelves had 
 produced the grounds of that opinion which they had 
 then given. This accufation of the national vifitors 
 gave great offence ; and it was propofed, that the per- 
 fons by whom this accufation was brought forwards, 
 (hould incur immediate cenfure for thus oppofing the 
 fenfe of the meeting. This propofal was refifi:ed by 
 two refpedable members, who declared, that they 
 
 would 
 
A. D. 1799. 95 
 
 would refign their memberfhip, if liberty of fpeech 
 were to be taken away. Finally, the appointment t6 
 vifit Ulfter was confirmed by the national yearly meet- 
 ing, and an edition of the Apology for the true 
 Chriftian Divinity, as held by the People called 
 " Quakers, by Robert Barclay," was ordered to be 
 publifhed. 
 
 In a former part of this narrative (page 65) it was 
 fuggefted, that even if diverfity of opinion fhould be 
 admitted to be an evil, perhaps the moft eligible and 
 effe^lual remedy would be by the circulation of jud't- 
 eious puhltcations . And that this appears to have been 
 the fentiment of the national meeting, now aflembled, 
 may be inferred from the propofed publication of Bar- 
 clay's apology. 
 
 The learned and indefatigable apologift, may in- 
 deed juftly be ranked among thofe diftinguifhedly 
 pious men, who have devoted much attention to the 
 ftudy of the fcriptures, from a firm perfuafion, that 
 their value to mankind depends not on blind, impli- 
 cit, and undifcriminating alTent, Wten given by indo- 
 lence, lukewarmnefs, ignorance, or credulity ; but that 
 the benefit to be derived by each individual will be 
 proportioned to the diligence and uprightnefs with 
 which he perufes thefe writings, and to the degree in 
 which his genuine love of truth predominates over 
 his attachment to all fyjlems and opinions ; the beft 
 of which are to be regarded folely as her handmaids. 
 And though they who thus ftudy the fcriptures may 
 have frequent occafion to difcrimmaie and felecfj and 
 
 fometimes 
 
0 
 
 A. D. 1799. 
 
 fometimes even to reject fome parts of them, yet 
 the pages of hiftory will abundantly fhew, that it is 
 from this clafs of readers, that we are to feled the 
 men, whofe convidion of the general truth, and pre- 
 eminent value of the facred records, has been the moft 
 iirmly eftablifhed ; whofe lives have borne ample 
 teftimony to the excellence and efficacy of their faith ; 
 who have been the unwearied, undaunted, and fuc- 
 cefsful champions of thofe great principles, on which 
 the befl interefts of mankind depend ; and whofe me- 
 morials furnifh a permanent and unanfwerable refuta- 
 tion of the prevalent notion, that a difbelief, or reje^Stion 
 of part of the fcriptures, has a neceffary tendency to 
 invalidate or induce the rejeclion of the whole. 
 
 In illuftration of the preceding remark, an inftance 
 of exemplary conduct may be produced from the works 
 of Sir Isaac Newton, tranilated by Dr. Horfley, 
 ^now bilhop of St. Afaph.) Thefe contain, an 
 
 HISTORJCAJ. ACCOUNT OF TWO NOTABLE COR- 
 
 RUPTIONS OF SCRIPTURE, in a Utter to a friend,^' 
 One of them is I. John, c. v, v. 7, and he clearly 
 {hews, that the words — For there are three that hear rc- 
 ecrdin Heaven^ the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghojl ; 
 and thefe three are one, were foifted into the fcriptures 
 about the fourth century, to favour the dodrine of 
 the trinity. The other text is in the firft epiftle to Ti- 
 mothy, c, iii, v. 16, where, inftead of the prefent read- 
 ing, Great is the myjlery of Godlinefs : God was manifefi 
 m thje flejh, the fame learned writer has fhewn 
 that the original reading was — Great is the myjlery of 
 Godlinefs which was manifejhd in the flefh* In com- 
 jnenting on the unwarrantable and fraudulent corruption 
 
 •f 
 
A. D. 1799. 
 
 of the former of thefe texts, the author remarks, 
 ,that, In the eaflern nations, and for a long time 
 in the weftern, the faith fublifted without this 
 text, and it is rather a danger to religion, than 
 an advantage, to make it now lean on a bruifed 
 " reed. There cannot be a better service 
 
 " DONE TO THE TRUTH, THAN TO PUR&E IT OF 
 
 THINGS SPURIOUS : and therefore, knowing your 
 *^ prudence and calmnefs of temper, I am confident I 
 fliall not offend you, by telling you my mind 
 plainly." (vol. v. p. 496 ) Again, Let them make 
 good fenfe of it, who are able — for my part, I can 
 *^ make none. If it be faid, that we are not to determine 
 what is fcripture, and w^hat not, by our private 
 judgments ; I confefs it, in places not controverted : 
 but in difputable places, I love to take up with what 
 I can hejl under/land. It is the temper of the hot 
 " and fuperftitious part of mankind, in matters of re- 
 *^ ligion, ever to be fond of myfteries ; and for that 
 "*« reafon, to like best what they under- 
 " STAND LEAST. Such men may ufe the Apoftle 
 *^ John as they pleafe 3 but I have that honour for 
 " him as to believe that he wrote good fenfe ; and 
 therefore take that fenfe to be his which is the bejl i 
 " efpecially fince I am defended in it by fo great au- 
 « thority." page 529, 530. He concludes his letter 
 as followeth— " You fee what freedom I have ufed in 
 this difcourfe, and I hope you will interpret it can- 
 *^ diJly. For if the ancient churches, in debating 
 *^ and deciding the greateft myfteries of religion, 
 knew nothing of thefe two texts ; I underftand not 
 " why we ihould be fo fond of them now the debates 
 
 H « are 
 
A. D. 1799. 
 
 «^ are over. And wbllft it is the character of an honeft 
 man to be pleafedy and of a man of interejl to be 
 troubled at the deteBion of frauds y and of both to run 
 moji into thofe pajjfions when the dete&kn is made 
 platneji ; I hope this letter will, to one of your inte- 
 
 " ^rz/y, prove fo much the more acceptable, as it 
 makes a further difcovery than you have hitherto 
 met with in commentators." Page 549, 550.* 
 
 It is not intended however, by inftancing the con- 
 dud oif Sir Isaac Newton, (and a hoft of other 
 names, dear to the friends of truth and virtue, might 
 be added, if the occalion required it) to encourage 
 
 or 
 
 * In further proof of the fpurioufnefs of this text, it may 
 be ftatcd that it is wholly omitted by Dr. Newcome, Bifhop 
 of Waterford, in his tranilation of the New Teftament : and by 
 Dk. Benson, in his paraphrafe on this epiftlej and, in a 
 differtation thereto annexed, he ftates fully and impartially the 
 evidence for and againft the genuinenefs of the text. It ig 
 rejeded by Dr. S. Clarke, who, alluding to it in his nincty- 
 fecond fermon, fays, I fhall not taks ('itj into confideration 
 ** at this time, for a reafon now well known to all who care^ 
 " JuUy study the scriptures.*' His biographer, the pious and 
 intrepid, though much perfecuted, Thomas Emlyn, pub- 
 lifticd a very mafterly and decifive refutation of this text. And 
 iiotwithftanding a late attempt to defend its authenticity by 
 Archdeacon Travis, it has been subsequently reje6ted by 
 Dr. Pretyman, Bifliop of Lincoln, who, in allufion to 
 this text, thus cxprcffes himfelf, " but I muft own, that 
 " after an attentive consideration of the controversy relative 
 *' to that passage, I am convinced that it is spurious." — 
 ments of Christian Theology, page 90. 
 
A. D. 1790- 
 
 99 
 
 or juftify the rejecStion of any part of the fcriptures, 
 in confequence of the hafty and incompetent criticifms 
 of ignorant, captious, or faftidious readers. To purge 
 the facred records from all errors and corruptions, and 
 thereby to render them, what they were doubtlefs in- 
 tended to be, a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto, 
 our path," is to perform the nobleft and moft im- 
 portant fervice to mankind. But this can be effe6led 
 only by able^ impartial, and mature inveftigation. By 
 fuch means the interefts of truth and virtue will affur- 
 edly be promoted ; for then would they have nothing 
 to fear from the difcuffion of fuppofed error, and by 
 the difcovery of what is really fuch, they muft always 
 be benefitted. Happily however, for chriftians of the 
 prefent day, thofe parts of the fcriptures which are of 
 the greateft importance to us, are fo very clearly ex- 
 preffed, that if we are humbly and uprightly difpofed 
 to the performance of our duties, we fliall not long be 
 ignorant wherein they confift. And though diverfity of 
 fentiment may ftill fublift, yet have we not abundant 
 reafon to believe, that this diverfity is, in wifdom, de- 
 ligned for one of the means of our improvement ; and 
 that the fault muft be our own, if we do not thereby 
 experience an advancement in knowledge, and an in- 
 creafe in love ? 
 
 We return from this long, but it is hoped not unsea- 
 fonable, digreflion ; and recur to the intended publica- 
 tion of Barclay's Apologt, as an antidote againft 
 the fuppofed heterodoxy concerning the fcriptures. 
 Now whatever be the general merits of the Apology, 
 it may be queftioned whether it was precifely fuch a 
 H 2 publication 
 
100 
 
 A. D. 1799- 
 
 publication as the exigencies of the fociety at this time 
 required. 
 
 The Apology confifts of fifteen THESES THEO- 
 LOGI or p R o pos I T I o N s , and the fubj e6t of the 
 third proportion rs exprefsly concerning the 
 
 SCRIPTURES.*'*^ 
 
 In this *^ proportion" the author aflerts, that the 
 hiftorical, prophetical, and do6lrinal accounts which 
 the fcriptures contain, have proceeded from the reve- 
 lations of the fpirit of God to the Saints ; and he adds, 
 that becaufe they are only a declaration of the foun- 
 tain, and not the fountain itfelf therefore they are not 
 to he efleemed principal ground o/" all truth 
 and knowledge^ nor yet the adequate primary 
 " rule of faith and manners. Yet hecaufe they give a- 
 true and faithful tejlimony of the frfl foundation y they 
 are and may be ejleemed a szco'ti'Dk'RY rule, sub- 
 " ordinate to the spirit from whence they have all 
 their excellence and certainty,** 
 
 Barclay admitted, and there is no doubt he 
 fully believed, that by much the greater part of thefe 
 records were divinely ififpired ; and in fpeaking of 
 them collefiively, he makes ufe of the terms, " the 
 
 fcriptures of truth," But it was no part of his plan 
 to recommend or adduce any evidence, befid'es that of 
 
 the teftimony and inward perfuafion of the Holy 
 " Spirit," in favour of the truth of the fcriptures ; or 
 to (hew the harmony and accordance of fuch parts as 
 might be deemed inconfiftent with each other ; or 
 
 to. 
 
A. D. 1799- 
 
 101 
 
 to attempt the defence of particular palTages which 
 might be thought objectionable. To obviate the dif- 
 ficulties, occafioned by thofe oije^ions to which the^ 
 fcriptures were fuppofed to be liable, fhould have 
 been the objed of the publications to be circulated at 
 this time ^ yet it muft be evident, that to ibis purpofe, 
 Barclay's Apology was not adapted, a& fuch an ob- 
 jeft did not come within the fcope of his views in 
 that work. 
 
 In one refpeCt indeed, the circulation of the 
 Apology might be deemed more likely to oppofe 
 than to promote, the views of the fociety on this occa- 
 fion. Concerning that colle6lion of writings, which is 
 at prefent regarded as the canonical fcriptures, Barclay 
 objects to the neceflity of believing that they are a 
 ^lled canon, and contends that all are forced to ac- 
 knowledge that it *^ cannot he found in any hook of the 
 fcriptures y that ihefe hooks, andjuji thefe, and no oiber, 
 *^ are canonical," It was his opinion, that the fcrip- 
 tures are to be regarded as a fecondary rule, fuhordinate 
 to tVie revelation of God's fpirit in the hearts of all 
 true believers, not only at the time when they were 
 firjl written, but in every fuhfequent age. He af- 
 ferts that there are errors and corruptions, even in the 
 laft tranflations, which therefore need to be corre6led ; 
 and he ads upon this idea fo far as frequently to quote 
 texts^ in defence of his propofitions, with meanings 
 quite different from thofe of the received verfion. He 
 inflances defeats which are fuppofed to exift in the pre- 
 fent fcriptures, occafioned by the mutilations to which 
 the original writings may have been fubjeded hy de- 
 
 figning 
 
l62 
 
 A. D. 1799- 
 
 Jtgning men ; alfo the fa(3:, that hxxtfew perfons are now- 
 able to read the fcriptures in the original languages, 
 and that the many muft tlierefbre depend on the honefty 
 and faithfulnefs of ijiterpreiers ; and further, the uncer- 
 tainty occafioned by the " numerous correAions, 
 '^^ amendments, and various eflays of fucceffive tranf- 
 lators, of whom the latter conftantly blame and cor- 
 re6l thofe who precede them, as guilty of defefts and 
 errors." He ftates the difficulty of afcertaining 
 tvhicb of the exifting manufcripfs have the beft claim to 
 be confidered as genuine^ it being admitted by all, that 
 the original copies are not now extant. And he then 
 exprefles himfelf on this fubjeiS^: in the following terms. 
 
 But further, the various leBions of the Hebrew 
 " charafter, by reafon of the points, which fome 
 " plead for as coevous with the firft writings ; which 
 *^ others with no lefs probability allcdge to be a later 
 " invention ; the dijagreement of divers citations of 
 Chrift, and the Apoftles, with thofe paflages in 
 *^ the old teftament ; the appeal to the great contra- 
 verfie among the fathers, whereof fome highly 
 " approve the Greek Septuagint, decrying and ren- 
 " dering very doubtful the Hebrew copy, as in many 
 " places vitiated, and altered by the Jews; fome 
 others, and particularly Jerom, exalting the ccrtain- 
 ty of the Hebreiu, and rejecting, yea, even deriding 
 ^- the bijlory of the Septuagint, which the primitive 
 " church chiefly made ufe of, and fome fathers that 
 lived centuries before him, affirmed to be a moft 
 certain thing. And the many various le&ions in di- 
 vers copies of the Greek, and the great altercations 
 among the fathers of the frji three centuries, (who 
 
 " had 
 
A. D. 1799. 
 
 bad greater opportunity to be better informed, tban 
 can now lay claim toj concerning the books to be 
 
 *^ admitted or reje6led, as is above obferved. I fay, 
 all thefc, and much more which might be alledged, 
 puts the minds even of the learned, into infinite doubts, 
 fcruples, and inextricable difficulties : whence we may 
 very fafely conclude, that Jefus Chrift, who promif- 
 
 *^ ed to be always with his children, to lead them in- 
 to all truth, to guard them againft the devices 
 
 *^ of the enemy, and to eftablifli their faith upon an 
 unmoveable rock, left them not to be principally 
 ruled by that, which was fubject in itself, io many un- 
 certainties : and therefore he gave them his spirit, 
 
 *^ as their principal guide, which neither moths nor time 
 can wear out, nor tranfcribers nor tranflators cor- 
 
 " rupt \ which none are fo young, none fo illiterate, 
 
 *^ none in so remote a place, but they may come to be 
 reached and rightly informed by it. 
 
 Through and by the clearnefs which that fpirit 
 gives us, it is that we are only beft rid of thofe diffi- 
 culties that occur to us concerning the fcriptures. 
 The real and undoubted experience whereof I my- 
 felf have been a witncfs of, with great admiration 
 of the love of God to his children in thefe latter 
 
 *^ days : for I have known fome of my friends, who 
 profefs the fame faith with me, faithful fervants of the 
 
 ^' moft High God, and full of divine knowledge of 
 his truth, as it was immediately and inwardly re- 
 vealed to them by the fpirit, from a true and living 
 experience ; who not only were ignorant of the Greek 
 find Hebremf but even fome of them could not read 
 
 *^ their 
 
104 
 
 A. D. 1799 
 
 iBeir own vulgar language, who being preflTed by the 
 ^* adverfaries with fome citation^ out of the Engllfli 
 tranflation, and finding them to difagree with the 
 manifeftation of truth in their own hearts, have 
 ^' boldly affirmed the fpirit of God never faid fo and 
 ^* that it was certainly wrong ; for they did not believe 
 that any of the Holy Prophets or Apoftles, had ever 
 written 50 ; whrch, when I, on this account feri- 
 oufly examined, I really found to he errors and cor- 
 " rupttons of the tranjlators : who, as in moft tranfla- 
 *^ tions, do not fo much give us the genuine fignifica- 
 tions of the words, as flrain them to exprefs that 
 which comes neareft to that opinion and notion they 
 " have of truth. And this feemed to me to fuit very 
 well with that faying of Auguftine, epift. 19, ad Hier. 
 " Tom. 2. fol. 14, after he has faid, " That he gives 
 only that honour to thofe books which are called ca- 
 nonical, as to believe that the authors thereof did in 
 *^ writing not err.'* He adds, " and if I fhall meet 
 " with anything in thefe writings that seemeth re^ 
 pugnant to truth, I (hall not doubt to fay, that either 
 the volume is faulty or erroneous ; that the expounder 
 hatb not reached what was /aid, or that / have in no 
 " wife underjlood It,'' " So that he fuppofes, that in 
 " the tranfcription or tranflation there may be errors.** 
 Apology for the true chriftian divinity, by R. Barclay* 
 prop. 3, feet. 4. 
 
 In noticing the proceedings of the national meeting 
 this year, it may be necelTary to recur to the propo- 
 rtion made by that meeting in 1797^ (page 49), for 
 ^ifcontinuing the pradice of fending rcprefentatives, 
 
 and 
 
A.'D. 1800. 
 
 105 
 
 and alfo anfwers to the queries, to the yearly meeting 
 in London. By the latter> this propofitien was re- 
 ferred for the confideration of the fucceeding yearly 
 meeting ; and the fame conclufion was repeated in 
 1798. At the national yearly meeting of Ireland in 
 1799» the fubje^ was refumed 5 but in confequence 
 of the fymptoms of tncreafing difunion and weaknefsy 
 which now appeared in the fociety, it was not thought 
 expedient to weaken its connexion with the yearly 
 meeting of Great Britain. The relu6lance which that 
 meeting had fliewn againft complying with the appli- 
 cation from Ireland, was regarded as wife and provi- 
 dential ; and this bulinefs was terminated by the fol- 
 lowing minute ; 
 
 Yearly meeting held in London, 5th Month 30th, 1799. 
 
 Th o m a s Fa r l e, the reprefentative from Ireland, 
 " who is now prefent, having requefted on behalf, and 
 by inftru6lion of the yearly meting of that nation, 
 that their propofition in 1797 may be withdrawn, 
 and their requeft being acceptable to this meeting, 
 " the fame is agreed to.*' 
 
 At the national yearly meeting, held in the fourth 
 month, 1 800, the following minute was made : 
 
 Account is given by one of the friends nomi- 
 nated at the laft yearly meeting to pay a vilit to 
 the province of Ulster, that mod of the friends 
 under that appointment paid a vifit to the different 
 *^ monthly meetings, and the quarterly meeting in that 
 
 province ; 
 
io6 
 
 A. D. 1800. 
 
 *^ province ; that they were kindly received by their 
 " friends, and favoured to return with a degree of 
 " peace in their own minds/* 
 
 It docs not appear that much difcuffion refpe^llng 
 the prefent ftate or profpe£ls of the fociety, took place 
 at this meeting. Moft of the members who difap- 
 proved of the proceedings of the national yearly 
 meetings in 1798 and 1799, were fatisfied with the 
 oppofition which they had then made. It appeared 
 clear to them, that the current of public opinion in 
 the fociety, or at leaft in the national yearly meetings, 
 was in favour of meafures which they could not ap- 
 prove, believing thofe meafures to be — inexpedient in 
 themfelves — an infringement on the rights of private 
 judgment— and incompatible with a fincere defire to 
 recommend to primary attention the leading and fun- 
 damental principle of the fociety. To have been pre- 
 fent, and by lilence, induce their brethren to believe 
 that they tacitly approved of fuch meafures, would 
 have been neither open nor candid. To have oppofed 
 thofe meafures, would have induced unprofitable dif- 
 cuffion, without producing any adequate good : and as 
 there was no rational profpeiSt of benefit, either to the 
 fociety or themfelves, from their attendance in meet- 
 ings of difcipline, fome of thefe perfons had already 
 declined the attendance of thofe meetings, and others 
 were faft verging to a fimilar conduct. 
 
 But although the erihodox members were now ge- 
 nerally left to purfue their own meafures, in matters 
 of difcipline, yet we do not find that any fymptoms 
 of improvement in the ftate of the fociety were yet 
 
 apparent. 
 
A. D. 1800. 
 
 107 
 
 apparent. Of this fome judgment may perhaps be 
 formed from the following circumftance. 
 
 At die feleft national yearly meeting, held in the 
 intervals of the fittings of the prefent national yearly 
 meeting for difcipline, the minifters and elders were 
 informed by Hannah Barnard, a minifter from 
 the monthly meeting of Hudfon in the State of New 
 York, that fhe had then nearly compleated her reli- 
 gious vifit to Ireland. And as fhe expe6led foon to 
 embark for England, in the further profecution of 
 her religious duty, (he communicated this informa- 
 tion to the members then aflembled. They appointed 
 a committee to take the fubje£l into confideration, 
 conformably to the ufual praftice on fuch occafions ; 
 and voluntarily prefented her with the following cer- 
 tificate. 
 
 " From our yearly meeting of minifters and elders, 
 for the nation of Ireland, held in Dublin by adjourn- 
 " ments from the 26th day of 4th month, to the 4th of 
 5th month, 1 800. 
 
 '* To Friends of ihe mojitbly meeting of Hu dson, the quar- 
 ierly tmeting of Ni'S^E Partners, and j early meet- 
 *^ ff New York. 
 
 *• DEAR FRIENDS, 
 
 *• Our dear friend and fifter, Hannah Barnard, 
 " for whom we received your certificate, having in- 
 formed us at this meeting, that fhe apprehends the 
 time is now nearly come for her leaving this land : 
 
 wc 
 
108 
 
 A. 1800, 
 
 we may therefore inform you, that fhe hath vifited all 
 the meetings of friends in this nation, excepting 
 two, which it is expeded fhe will be at, before ftie 
 " takes her departure. 
 
 ^' In the courfe of her religious labours amongft us, 
 we believe it was her concern, by example, and pre- 
 cept, to inculcate the doctrines of the gofpel, and to 
 
 ^' excite friends to be, not only in profeffion, but in 
 
 <^ pradice, the humble felf-denying followers of Chrift. 
 She had meetings with thofe of other focieties, in 
 fevcral parts of this nation, we believe to general fa- 
 tisfa6lion. With defires (he may be favoured to con- 
 tinue, and conclude her rehgious labours in Europe, 
 
 ^' confiftent with the divine will, and (if permitted 
 thereby), to return to her native land, and near 
 
 ^' connexions with the incomes of peace, we conclude, 
 
 *^ your friends, brethren, and fillers. 
 
 Signed in, by order, and on behalf our aforelaid 
 meeting, by 
 
 Joseph Strangman, Clerk." 
 
 At th€ feleft yearly meeting of minifters and elders, 
 held in London, within lefs than a month after the date 
 ef this certificate, an accufation was brought forwards 
 againft Hannah Barnard, for maintaining opinions 
 not confonant with thofe of the fociety ; and cfpe- 
 cially concerning the diviiie authority for the Jewijh 
 <ivarsy as ftated in the Old Teftament. Much difcuf- 
 fion took place in confequence of this accufation ; and 
 the refult was, that it was the judgment of the fele6l 
 yearly meeting, that it was highly improper for Han- 
 nah 
 
A. D. 1800. 
 
 nah Barnard to continue to travel in the capacity of 
 a minifter ; and it was the advice of that meeting 
 to her, to return home. Upon this it was remarked, 
 that if Hannah Barnard fhould comply with the ad- 
 vice which had then been given her^ her friends in 
 America, muft conceive that there was, in appearance 
 at leafl:, great inconfrftency between the conduft of 
 the felect yearly meeting held in London, and the fe- 
 le6l yearly meeting which hadjuft preceded it in Dub- 
 lin ; for fhe was then in pofleffion of as good a certifi- 
 cate from the laft mentioned meeting as any perfon could 
 defire.* To this remark it was replied by a reprefen- 
 tative from Ireland, who was confeffedly, with refpe6t 
 to matters of difcipline, one of the moft a6live, influ- 
 ential, and intelligent members of the fociety in that 
 kingdom, " that he could wifh that certificate had 
 not been brought into view, or even mentioned, 
 for the fociety in that land was in fuch a flate that no- 
 *^ thing which eame from them was of any account J' 
 
 At the prefent national yearly meeting, fome al- 
 terations were agreed upon 4n the "Rules for pro- 
 " ceeding in relation to Marriage:*' and it may- 
 be not uninterefting to ftate fome of the reafons which 
 induced thefe alterations. 
 
 Th(fc 
 
 * The fele6t yearly meeting held in London, confifted of 
 the affociated reprefentatives of the whole body of minifters- 
 and ciders, throughout Great Britain and Ireland : and the 
 fele6t yearly meeting held in Dublin, confifted of the affoci- 
 ated reprefentatives of the whole body of minifters and cldei* 
 throughout Ireland. 
 
110 
 
 A. D. iSoa 
 
 The foclety hath uniformly profefled confcientious 
 fcruples, againft complying with the modes of marri- 
 age pradifed by other focieties : and in confequence of 
 thefe fcruples, it adopted a mode of marriage pecu- 
 liar to itfelf, and prefcribed rules in relation thereto, 
 at an early period of its eftablifhment. By thefe rules 
 it was enjoined, that ftri6l inquiries fhould always be 
 made, whether the parties intending to marry, were 
 clear from all former engagements in relation to mar- 
 riage ; and whether they had the confent of parents or 
 guardians. If there were children by a former mar- 
 riage or marriages, a care was to be exercifed that the 
 children's rights were legally fccured. And in every 
 ca^fe, timely notice of the intentions of the parties 
 was required to be publiihed. For the efFedual attain- 
 ment of thefe objefts, the fociety required the repeated 
 perjonal appearance and public declaration of the parties, 
 in its meetings for difcipline. The time and expence 
 of travelling, &c. requifitc for complying with thefe 
 regulations, were indeed in frequent inftances very 
 inconvenient ; and the neceffity of repeated perfonal 
 appearances and public declarations, efpecially by the 
 female, was exceedingly diftreffing. The comforts of 
 entering into the marriage covenant, in a manner con- 
 fonant with the confcientious feelings of the parties ; 
 and the importance of adopting regulations which, 
 by fecuring a -deliberate and honourable procedure 
 on their part, might merit the fan6lion of govern- 
 ment, were, however, objefts to compenfate for fonie 
 facrifices : and the rules originally prefcribed, were 
 therefore more numerous and ftri6l, than might per- 
 haps haY^ otherwife been deemed neceflary. 
 
 Ih 
 
A. D. 1800. 
 
 HI 
 
 In 1 753, the Britifh Leglflature paffed " An A£t 
 for the better preventing of Clandeftine Marriages j*' 
 and it was then provided ; 
 
 " That nothing in this aS: contained, (hall extend 
 " to that part of Great Britain called Scotland, nqr 
 " to any marriages amongft the people called 
 
 Quakers, or amongft the perfons profeffing the 
 
 Jewish religion, where both the parties to any 
 *^ fach marriage fhall be of the people called Quakers, 
 
 or perfons profeffing the Jewifh religion refpedtively, 
 " nor to any marriages folemnized beyond the feas.** 
 26/^ of George IL anno 1753 
 
 The marriages of Quakers were thus completely 
 fanctioned by law ; and the experience of more than a 
 century, has fhewn that they have not been undeferving 
 of that fanction. Of later time, however, it has been 
 conceived, that a relaxation of the repeated perfonal 
 appearances and public declarations of the parties 
 might be permitted, and produce great fatisfaction to 
 them, without any injury to the objects for which the 
 regulations were eftabliflied. A relaxation in thefc 
 refpects was therefore granted, and fome other alterati- 
 ons in " the rules for proceeding in relation to mar- 
 
 riage," took place at the yearly meeting, held in 
 London in 1790; and in 1801, a further relaxation was 
 granted, and further alterations took place.* In confe- 
 
 quence 
 
 * The rules in relation to marriage, are publilhed in the 
 
 book of " extracts, from the minutes and advices of the 
 
 yearly meeting, &c." under the head^ marriage, No. 8, 
 page, 64. 
 
112 A. D. 1800. 
 
 quence of thefe alterations, if the parties intending t0 
 marry are members of the fame monthly meeting, 
 only two perfonal appearances and public declarations 
 by each of them — viz : once in the women's, and 
 once in the men's monthly meeting for difcipline, are 
 now prefcribed ; whereas, by the original rules, fix 
 perfonal appearances and public declarations by each of , 
 the parties, were required previoufiy to the folemniza- 
 tion of their marriage. By the original rules, if the 
 parties were not members of the fame monthly meet- 
 ing, it was requifite for the man to appear in perfon, 
 and to repeat in public his intentions of marriage, at 
 twelve diftinct meetings for difcipline. The intentions 
 of the parties were to be announced twenty times, prior 
 to the folemnization of the marriage.* Where the re- 
 fidence of the man was fixty miles diftant from that of 
 his intended wife, and where each of their refidences 
 were ten miles diftant from the place were their refpec- 
 tlve monthly meetings were generally held, (and it very 
 frequently happens that the diftances are confiderably 
 greater,) it was requifite after he had obtained her 
 confent, and prior to the folemaization of marriage, 
 that he ftiould travel two hundred and twenty miles y 
 in order to comply with the regulations of the fociety,\ 
 
 With i 
 
 * Thefe confequences, under the operation of the original 
 rules, took place throughout moft of Ireland, and in all the 
 counties in C^J'eat Britain, where the parties intending to 
 marry were required, in the firft inftance, to prefcnt their 
 intention before their rcfpcctive preparative meetings. 
 
 f Thefe facts may appear extraordinary to fome member* 
 •f our fociety, efpccially thofc among whom the practice of 
 
 prefentioj; 
 
A. D. 1800. 
 
 113 
 
 With fuch clrcumftances attendant upon the origi- 
 nal rules for proceeding in relation to marriage, " we 
 
 1 " cannot 
 
 prefenting intentions of marriage in preparative meetings 
 did not cxifl. The following illuftration is therefore annexed : 
 
 Each of the parties intending to marry, is fuppofed to 
 have belonged to a diftinft monthly meeting. In this cafe 
 it was required that they ihould proceed as follows : 
 
 Theman to declare publicly his intentions of marriage. 
 
 a. 3 S 
 
 At the preparative naeet-r before the women's meeting for difciplinc i 
 inR to which he bclonged-X men's do.- - - i 
 
 , , , , . r women's meeting do. - - - i "1 
 
 At the monthly meet- I ^^^.^ ^ ^ j. 
 
 .ng to which he bc-<^ do a znd time i \ 
 
 ''^"g*^'^- . I men', do. do. I / 
 
 The man and the woman each to declare 
 publicly their respective intentions, 
 
 At the preparative meet- f before the women's meeting for difcipline, 2 
 
 ing to which the belonged. \ men's do.- - - 2/ 
 
 . , , , f women's do. - - - z~\ 
 
 At the monthly mctt- \ , }> 
 
 me to which me be- < , , , ■ i 
 
 , ^ J J women's do, a and time 2 1 
 
 ^^"Se'i. ( ^en's do. do. 2/ 
 
 By the parties themfelves ----- 18 
 
 One of the four friends appointed in tach^ 
 monthly meeting, (viz. two men and two women) 
 for making the requifite enquiries, were to give I 
 public notice of the intended marriage at the dole | 
 •of a firft day meeting for worfliip, to which the I 
 jparties refpectively belonged 
 
 60 
 
 In all - - - 20 220 
 
 After 
 
114 
 
 A. D. 1800. 
 
 cannot wonder that ^ a revifion of them fliould be 
 deemed neceflary. The fubjed was taken into confi- 
 deration by the national yearly meeting, during its 
 fittings in the prefent year of our " Narrative 
 and regulations, nearly fimilar to thofe which now 
 exift in Great Britain, were then prefcribed for the ufe 
 of the fociety in Ireland. 
 
 NINTH MONTH. 
 
 James Nicholson of Belfaft, who had been for 
 fome years in the ftation of a minister, declined the 
 attendance of meetings for worfhip ; and declared, 
 firft at a meeting in Lifburn, and afterwards at a 
 public meeting of the quarterly meeting in Lurgan, 
 that he fhould no longer confider himfelf as a member 
 of the fociety. Not long afterwards, the monthly 
 meeting of Lifburn, recorded a minute upon his cafe, 
 difuniting him from the fociety on account of his 
 aforefaid public declarations. 
 
 tenth 
 
 1^ 
 
 After which, the parties were enjoined, openly and folemnly 
 to pronounce their marriage covenant, in a meeting for wor- 
 fhip, which is always held on fuch occafions. 
 
 The niarriage might be accomplifhed at the place where 
 the laft monthly meeting was held, and therefore the diftance 
 thence to the woman's rcfidence is not computed. The 
 diftance home is not computed, becaufe the parties had to 
 travel that journey after their marriage. And there is no 
 computation of the diftance which the woman had to travel 
 to, and from, the monthly meeting of which Ihe was a 
 member. 
 
A. D, 1800. 
 
 115 
 
 TENTH MONTH. 
 
 John Hancock of Lifburn, difcontinued the at- 
 tendance of meetings for worfhip ; and in a letter, da- 
 ted 7th months I6th, 1801,* he informed the monthly- 
 meeting " that after having faithfully warned them, 
 and teftified againft their wrong pratices, as long as 
 " he felt the requirings of duty authorifing him in 
 this painful labour, he believed his duty lay in fe- 
 parating himfelf from them." In the fucceeding 
 month a teftimony of difownment againft him was 
 publifhed by the monthly meeting of Lifburn, a copy 
 of which is as follows, viz : 
 
 " After a long and dark night of apoftacy, in 
 which the true church retired into the wildernefs, 
 it was pleafing to Almighty God, in thofe latter 
 days, to found forth the everlafting gofpel of his 
 beloved fon, Chrift Jefus, in thofe lands, making 
 
 *^ ufe of an inflrument well fitted and qualified for 
 that great and important purpofe. Many, in that 
 day, received thofe glad tidings with joy, and feel- 
 
 " ing in themfelves the living evidence of that light 
 
 <^ and truth, which he was commiffioned to preach, 
 joined in with it, and being baptifcd with the one 
 
 *^ baptifm, were thereby made one in fpirit, one in 
 faith, and in the Lord's time, and under his Almighty 
 I 2 power. 
 
 * This letter is printed in the " Additional Obferva- 
 f tions, being a Sequel to the Reafons for withdrawing, 
 &c. &c by John Hancock, page 17, Ir. ed. 2d, 
 
A. D. 1800. 
 
 " power, became one body, even a vifible church, to 
 " the praife of his great name. 
 
 " The fame divine wifdom that firft gathered this 
 people, faw meet to make ufe of the fame inftru- 
 nient to eftablifli a church difcipline among them, 
 to be as a rule in government under the influence 
 
 " of their holy head, Chrift Jefus. This has been 
 
 " with little variation obferved by this people to this 
 day, as an outward rule of condud, to inform the 
 
 " unwary, and thofe who may be inclined to take 
 liberties inconfiftent with that high and holy pro- 
 
 " feflion of religion we are making. This was our 
 beginning, and thus were we united. 
 
 " John Hancock, of Lifburn meeting, had his 
 education among us, the people called Quakers, and 
 was an acknowledged minister among us. His 
 condu6i: was orderly, a fteady attender of meetings 
 for worfliip and difcipline, and a zealous fupporter 
 
 " of the good order eftabliflied among us ; and, 
 though he ran well for a time, through unwatchfuU 
 
 " nefs^ he has latterly forfaken the attendance of 
 thofe meetings which he had contributed to fup- 
 port, and his example, influencing his children 
 
 *^ which are at home, they alfo have refrained from 
 our meetings as well as many others in divers 
 places. To hold meetings with other focieties 
 
 " without the confent and approbation of the monthly 
 
 " meeting, to which the party belongs, is advifed 
 againfl:, and is contrary to our difcipline : this he 
 has frequently pra6lifed, though tenderly advifed 
 
 againft 
 
A, D. 1800. 
 
 117 
 
 " againft it. He alfo gave encouragement by his 
 prefence, together with fome of his children, and 
 fervant, to a proceeding by tvay of marriage, be- 
 tween two of our members, in direct oppofition to 
 " our well known rules on that head, and to the care 
 " which friends had exercifed on that occafion. And 
 of late, he has publiflied in print, a pamphlet enti- 
 " tied, ^ Reafons for withdrawing from fociety with 
 " the people called Quakers/ containing animadver- 
 " lions on the fcriptures, and fome do£lrines therein, 
 " which we as a fociety have not unity with. Now, 
 " in order to bear our teftimony againft this d'lforderly 
 <^ conduB, (and as much as we can to fhut the door 
 " againft this delujive falfe liberty, that has crept in 
 " among us) do publilh this our teftimony againft the 
 faid John Hancock ; nor can we hold unity with 
 him, as a member, or minifter, till his eyes are 
 again mercifully anointed, that he may fee the 
 delufion he has fallen into, and be enabled to condemn 
 that conduct, which we, as a fociety, have not 
 " unity with/' 
 
 In addition to the Reafons for withdrawing from 
 ^* fociety with the people called Quakers," (referred 
 to in the preceding document) John Hancock af- 
 terwards publiftied a " sequel,'' containing further 
 obfervations on the fame fubjedl ; alfo two other pam- 
 phlets, viz. — A Friendly Expoftulation addreiTed to 
 " the People called Quakers/' And " Serious Con- 
 
 liderations on Revelation, the Scriptures, Religion, 
 
 Morality, 
 
118 
 
 A. D. 1800; 
 
 *^ Morality, and Superftition."* Thefe pamphlets are 
 now before the public, (the whole of them having 
 been printed in Ireland, and in London, and the two for- 
 mer in America;) and they who are delirous of com- 
 petent information refpe^ling the grounds of his fepara- 
 tion, and the opinions entertained by him, with refpe6t 
 both to the fociety and religious fubjetls generally^ 
 will perhaps deem it neceflary to perufe his pam- 
 phlets with candour. 
 
 In the teftimony of his difownment by the fociety 
 it is ftated, that though he ran well for a time ; 
 *^ through unutatchfulnefs, he has Xaii^rXy forfahen the at- 
 
 tendance of thofe meetings, which he had contributed 
 " to fupport. He is alfo charged with diforderly con- 
 " du6t.," and it is afferted that he had fallen 
 
 into a dd^ufion." This ftatement might convey 
 the idea that he had become lukewarm, or even neg- 
 ligent in the difcharge of religious duties ; whereas 
 the fa6l was, that the fame ferioufnefs and circum- 
 fpeiSlion o^ conduft, for which he had long been con- 
 fpicuous, continued undiminifhed. 
 
 Candour,, therefore, (hould have induced the fociety, 
 whilft recording his cafe in their journals for the in- 
 formation 
 
 John Hancock, has alfo lately publifhed another 
 pamphlet, entitled, " Thoughts on the abufc of figurative 
 *' Language, as applied to religious fubjecls, with feme 
 
 Obfervations, addreffed to the people called Quakers 
 This pamphlet has yet been printed only in Ireland, 
 
A. D. 1800. 
 
 119 
 
 formation of pojier'ity, to have taken fome notice of the 
 reafons alledged by himfelf for forfaking the attendance 
 of their meetings, viz. becaufe he believed his duty 
 lay in feparating himfelf from them/' 
 
 His opinions on religious fubjefts are doubtlefs 
 confiderably at variance v^'ith thofe entertained by 
 our fociety ; and fome of thefe opinions are fuch 
 as would not perhaps be admitted into the creed 
 of any denomination of profeffing chriftians in the 
 prefent day. Hence the continuance of his connexi- 
 on with the fociety, as one of its members, 
 could be productive of no advantage to either of 
 the parties, and had evidently ccafed to be the 
 wilh of both. In the Appendix (No. 4.) fome ex- 
 trafts are inferted from his writings, for the purpofe of 
 exhibiting a brief ftatement of his opinions on fome 
 important points, and a fpecimen of the temper with 
 which his pamphlets are written. 
 
 TWELFTH MONTH. 
 
 At the SELECT QUARTERLY meeting for the pro- 
 vince of Ulster, held in this month, the cafe of a 
 mlnifter, refiding within that province, came under 
 confideration ; and the members of the fele£l quarterly 
 meeting generally concurred in their difunity with 
 him. It was therefore concluded to report this dif- 
 unity to the monthly meeting for difcipline to which 
 he belonged, with the further information, that fre- 
 quent brotherly admonition had been imparted to 
 the individual, and that there had afterwards been a 
 
 patient 
 
no 
 
 A. 1800, 
 
 patient waiting, in order that the admonition might 
 produce the defired effe6l. This report was accord- 
 ingly made to the monthly meeting, which was thus 
 called upon to exercife its own judgment upon the 
 cafe. The refult was, that it did not think fit to con- 
 cur with the feleft quarterly meeting, in difapproba- 
 tion of the minifter, and its conclufion to this efFe(^ 
 was accordingly expreffed. Upon this, the feledl quar- 
 terly meeting deemed it expedient to- report its dif- 
 unity with the faid minifter to a fubfequent quarterly 
 meeting for difcipline j and the latter concurred with 
 the monthly meeting, in not admitting that fatisfac- 
 tory grounds for difunity with the faid minifter had 
 been ftated. The elders of the fele6l quarterly meet- 
 ing, finding that their condu6l, in the overfight of the 
 miniftry, was difapproved both on the prefen-t occa- 
 fion, and in the cafe of a minifter from America who 
 had lately been in that diftri(ft, they requefted to be 
 releafed from attending the fele^St meetings, and to 
 refign their offices. This requeft was complied with. 
 The quarterly meeting, continued its fan6lion of the 
 minifter in that diftriiSt, with whom the elders had 
 exprefled diflatisfa6lion, and the fele^ meetings through- 
 out the whole province o/* Ulster were thenceforwards 
 difcontinued. 
 
 Soon afterwards Thomas Boardman, of Dun- 
 gannori, Thomas Phelps, of Moyallen, James 
 Christy, of Stramore, John Davis, and Hannah 
 Davis, of Lurgan, who were all in the ftation of 
 ELDERS, and members of Ulfter quarterly meeting, 
 declined the attendance of meetings for difcipline, 
 
 becaufc 
 
A. D. 1800. 
 
 121 
 
 becaufe they could not unite In the meafures attempted 
 to be carried into effect in thofe meetings, nor with the 
 perlbns who were nozv become moft active in them. 
 
 Anna Clibborn, of Waringftown, near Lur- 
 gan, refigned the office of clerk to the women's 
 monthly meeting of Lurgan, and about nine months 
 afterwards fhe fent in the following refignation of 
 memberlLip. 
 
 To the mens and ^vomenU mvnthlj meeting of Lurgan. 
 
 Though I have, for fome time paft, believed it 
 my duty to decline the attendance of meetings, and 
 been fully perfuaded in my own mind, that many of 
 the forms and rules eftabliflied by your fociety, are 
 not of God but of Man ; a defire to a6t wkh caution, 
 and to avoid taking any ftep, without being fully con- 
 vinced of the re6litude thereof, has caufed me to for- 
 bear till now, informing you that I no longer confider 
 myfelf a member of your fociety. I have endeavoured 
 folidly to weigh my motives for withdrawing there- 
 from, and can in truth fay, I have not been actuated 
 by a defire of appearing confpicuous, nor have I dared 
 to follow any man, but aded in obedience to appre- 
 hended duty.'* 
 
 I remain your friend, 
 
 Anna Clibborn." 
 
 IVarlngJiown, 
 Otb Month, 1801. 
 
 The aforefaid Anna Clibborn finilhed her earth- 
 
112 A. D. 1800. 
 
 ly pilgrimage, in the fprlng of 1 802, being taken oflf 
 in a decline. During a long continued illnefs, her 
 mind was preferved under the influence of calmnefs, 
 refignation, and hope, and (lie looked back on the fteps 
 Ihe had taken, with fatisfaftion and peace. 
 
 James Hag an of Belfaft, was fo much diflatif- 
 fied with the proceedings of the fociety, that he had 
 for fome weeks declined the attendance of meet- 
 ings for worfhip, and in the monthly meeting of 
 Lifburn, he declared as his belief, that their fyftem 
 was degenerated into lifelefs formality, and that he 
 fhould no longer confider himfelf a member of the fo- 
 ciety. A minute was thereupon made, in that fame meet' 
 ing, to record his difmemberfhip, 
 
 Robert Hagan, (brother to James Hagan,) re- 
 moved to Wihnington, in the Jlate of Delazvare, North 
 America ; and it is ftated that he alfo has been dif- 
 owned for not ftanding up, and taking off his hat, 
 when Nicholas Waln kneeled in prayer at a meet- 
 ing there. 
 
 Isaac Haydock, of Charlemont, a minister, 
 religned his memberfhip, by publicly ftating in a meet- 
 ing for worfhip, that he could not feel unity with the 
 fociety, on account of the wrong conduct of many of 
 its members. 
 
 About two years afterwards, he was vifited with 
 ficknefs, which continued many months ; and on the 
 firft of the third month, 1603, he departed this life. 
 
 He 
 
A. D. 1800. 
 
 123 
 
 He was diftinguilhed by all who knew him, for great 
 innocence and meeknefa ; and on the day before hi-S 
 death, he addrelTed his fifter in the following terms* 
 " I am now lying here without pain or ficknefs ; and 
 ^ I have often wondered why I have been permitted 
 
 to tarry here fo long ; but I believe I have not been 
 ^ faithful enough. I might have done more, and let 
 
 this be a warning to thee, as well as to others ! 
 
 It is not with refpe6i to the leaving off the attend- 
 " ance of meetings : this I have done, and it was 
 " the greateft crofs I ever met with ; the example of 
 
 no man would have induced me to do fo ; and I 
 
 think, I have felt the love of the Almighty flow 
 
 towards me, in a greater degree, for this a6l, than 
 ^ ever I experienced in my life, except when I firll 
 
 became acquainted with it." 
 
 TWELFTH MONTH. 
 
 John Rogers, jun. and Elizabeth DoylEj 
 ^oth members of the monthly meeting of Lifburn, in- 
 tending to take each other in marriage, but feeling 
 " their minds reftrained from conforming" to the ufual 
 praftice of the fociety, they addrefled the following 
 letter to the quarterly meeting of Ulster : 
 
 To the quarterly meeting to be held at Lurgan, 1 2th montlf- 
 6t/j, 1800. 
 
 Upon mature confideration, we believed it beft, 
 ^* to lay the following before you, in preference to 
 ^* the monthly meeting, in the bound* of which we 
 
 refidc 
 
124 
 
 A D. ISOO. 
 
 *^ refide; believing it to be in a very unfit ftate to fit 
 in judgment ; moreover, apprehending that the man- 
 ner in which we are led, would be greatly mifre- 
 
 *^ prefented, concluded it fafeft, that the province (of 
 
 " Uljler) in its colledive capacity, (hould have the 
 matter immediately from ourfelves ; and we hereby 
 inform you, that we have intentions of taking each 
 other in marriage, but have to acquaint you, that 
 we feel our minds rejlrained from conforming to the 
 
 *^ ufual mode previous to, and in the accomplifhing 
 of, marriages, believing there are many forms at- 
 
 *^ tached thereto, which are by no means neccffary ; 
 
 *^ and we confider every thing, not neceffary, fuperflu- 
 ous ; and fhould have no place in minds fincerely 
 
 *^ difpofed to walk in the fimplicity, which truth 
 
 " leads thofe into, who fully and unrefervedly adhere 
 to its convictions, free from imbibed prejudices ta 
 eftabliftied cuftoms, in this or other refpe6ls ^ cuf- 
 
 *^ toms, with which \vq cannot unite, nor fupport by 
 
 *^ our example, without doing 'violence to our oivn feel^ 
 ings^ which we conceive to be of more confequencc, 
 than that of falling under the cenfure of men, or 
 bodies of men, for non-comphance with thefe cuf- 
 toms, for which we can fee no real necefiity ; fuch 
 as the perfonal appearance of the parties declaring 
 their intentions, and going through a round of for- 
 mal ceremonies ; the repairing to meeting-houfes, 
 in order to accomplifh them, which we confider a 
 fuperftitious practice ; a practice to which much 
 
 <^ unneceflary preparation and attendance are attached ; 
 a pra6lice with which we cannot unite, nor fup- 
 port by our example, believing they might as well 
 
 " be 
 
A. D. J 800. 
 
 125 
 
 be accomplilhed in a more fimple manner, before a 
 competent number of witneires. Therefore, under 
 thefe CO ml derations, and from apfreienjiojis of duty^ 
 and from no other motive whatever, we dare not 
 " but diflent from the efiabliflied mode, and are re- 
 " ftrained from going through the round of formal 
 *^ compliances to the rules of the fociety, however 
 *^ linguUr it may appear, and how much foever we 
 *^ may be cenfured for our fentiments ; believing we 
 have not been led into them through a curious en- 
 quiry after new things, nor from any defire of our 
 own to introduce novelties, neither from any previous 
 concert or converfation with any individual or indi- 
 *^ duals whatever, but by attending to the gradual un- 
 foldings thereof in our own minds, without either 
 of us knowing, how the mind of the other was 
 *^ circumftanced ; finding on mentioning it to each 
 *^ other, that the feelings of the one correfponded 
 with thofe of the other ; fo that it is no light matter 
 to us, nor the effect of rafh judgment, but that of 
 calm and deliberate confideration. We believe it 
 " necefjary^ undeniably fo, that due enquiry and publi- 
 *y cation be made in all fuch cafes, in order to prevent 
 *^ any thing dajideftinely taking place therefore we mat- 
 " ter not h©w flrift a fcrutiny be made into our con- 
 *^ duel, and we expect our intentions will be publifli- 
 " ed y but are reftrained from having them publiflied 
 among any particular fociety, but in fuch a manner 
 as to have it general, allowing fufhcient time for any 
 to make their objections, between their being firft 
 *• publifhed and the accomplifhing ef them, which wc 
 exped will not be in a meeting-houfe, but according 
 
 to 
 
126 
 
 A. D. 1800. 
 
 to the moft fimple mode, as being moll confiftent 
 *^ with the importance of the fubje6t ; apprehending 
 it beft for us to do whatever may appear right, 
 «^ without looking to confequences, at the fame time 
 wifhing to give every confideration its due weight ; 
 and however fevere and exercifing the trial to us 
 may be, thus to dilTent in fo particular a manner 
 *^ from eftablilhed modes, we are at times enabled to 
 ** rejoice under the fuftaining evidence, that we are in 
 the line of our duty^ in thus bearing our teftimony 
 againft the ufelefs forms of a fociety grievoufly en- 
 tangled in a wildernefs of cuftoms and opinions re- 
 ceived by tradition, and adopted without examining 
 the nature, tendency, or neceffity thereof. It is 
 <^ with a degree of awfulnefs we have to communicate 
 *^ thefe things to you, and are your real friends. 
 
 John Rogers, Jun. 
 " Elizabeth Doyle." 
 
 SchooUhill, near Lifhurn, 
 I2ib month 7th, 1800. 
 
 No anfwer was returned to this letter from the 
 quarterly meeting, but the monthly meeting of Lif- 
 burn proceeded to vifit the parties in confequence of 
 their intended offence againll the rules of the difcipline ; 
 and this not efFeding any change in the intention of 
 the parties, their marriage was accomplifhed the fourth 
 of the third month, 1801, at the School-houfe, where 
 Elizabeth Doyle refided as a teacher 5 and from which 
 office (he was removed, on account of the manner of her 
 piarriage. 
 
 The 
 
A. D. 1800. 
 
 The following Is a copy of the certificate figned cm 
 that occafion. 
 
 John Rogers, of Lifburn, in the county of 
 " Antrim, fon of Wm. Rogers, late of the fame, 
 *^ deceafed, and Abigail his wife ; and Elizabeth 
 Doyle, of School-hill, or Profpe6l-hilI, near the 
 fame, daughter of John Doyle, late of Ballina- 
 mona, in the county of Wexford, and Mary his 
 wife, both deceafed ; having intentions of taking 
 each other in marriage, the fame were publiflied 
 by public advertifement in the town of Lifburn afore- 
 faid, one month pre'vious to this date, and nothing 
 appeared to obftrudt the accomplifhing of their 
 faid intentions. 
 
 " Now we, the faid John Rogers, and Elizabeth 
 Doyle, this fourth day of the third month, in the 
 year one thoufand eight hundred and one, in the 
 prefence of the under-named perfons, collefted to- 
 gether for that purpofe, at the houfe at School- 
 hill, (3r Profpc6l-hill, aforefaid, take each other for 
 hufband and wife, promifing to continue faithful 
 
 ^' to each other in thofe relations, until death feparate 
 
 " us. 
 
 And in confirmation of our entering into faid 
 folemn covenant, do in the prefence of the faid un- 
 dernamed perfons, fet our hands to thefe prefents as 
 hufband and wife, the day and year above written. 
 
 *• John Rogers, 
 " Elizabeth Rogers.*' 
 And 
 
128 
 
 A. D. 1800. 
 
 Atid we the faid undernamed perfons hereby 
 certify, that in our prefence, the above engagement 
 *^ was entered into, and, as witneffes thereunto, fub- 
 *^ fcribe our names : 
 
 SAMUEL STEPHENS, " JOs. WILLIAMS, jun. 
 " MOSES CHAMBERS, " MARGARET PIKE, 
 « JOHN HANCOCK, jun. " MARY CHRISTY, 
 " MOSES MATCHETT, " WM. JAMES HOGG, 
 
 THOMAS M^ALESTER, " RUTH JOHNSON, 
 ^' JAMES HUNTER, " MARY DAWSON, 
 
 « JOHN HANCOCK, " MARTHA BAILEY, 
 
 RUTH WILLIAMSON, " J. COURTENAY, jun." 
 
 In xjonfequence of their adopting this mode of mar- 
 riage, the monthly meeting of Lilburn proceeded to 
 <lifown the parties, and iffiied the following teftimony. 
 
 " Whereas John Rogers, junior, and Elizabeth 
 Doyle, made profefTion with us the people called 
 *^ Quakers ; but having fas they alledge, through mo- 
 ttves of confcience) fo far deviated from the good order 
 and known rules eftabliflied amongft us as a fociety, 
 as to join together by way of marriage, in a man- 
 ner differing therefrom, whereby an opening might 
 be made for much diforder^ improper^ and clandejline 
 *^ connexions, notwithftanding a confiderable degree of 
 labour had been adminiftered in endeavouring to 
 " dilTuade them from it. Now, in order to clear the 
 *^ fociety from fuch proceedings, as we apprehend not 
 *^ warranted by truth, we hereby difown the faid 
 John Rogers and Elizabeth Doyle from memberfliip 
 -^^ with us the faid people." 
 
 PreviouHy 
 
A. D. 1800. 
 
 129 
 
 Previoufly to the aforefaid marriage, a letter, dated 
 twelfth month, 1800, was written b} John Rogers, 
 jun. to one of the friends, appointed by the monthly 
 meeting to vifit him on that occalion. This letter 
 contains fome valuable and important truths, delivered 
 in a very ferious and impreffive manner ; it alfo con- 
 tains fome exceedingly ftrong charges againft the fociety 
 for hypocrify, degeneracy, and the idolatry of forms, 
 walking agreeably to the letter of an outward law, 
 whilft their hearts are going after their covetoufnefs." 
 The letter is publifhed by John Hancock, at the con- 
 clufion of his pamphlet, entitled, " A Friendly Expof- 
 " tulation,** and is referred to in this place, chiefly, 
 as dating, in connexion with that pamphlet, the opi- 
 nions that appear to be held by feveral of the feparatifts 
 in Ireland, not only refpecting the mode of marriage 
 which fome have lately adopted there, but alfo re- 
 fpecling the ftate of the fociety, and thofe religious 
 fubjefts, concerning which the views of the fociety, 
 and of the feparatifts, now chiefly differ. 
 
 THIRD MONTH. 
 
 James Hunter, of Ballynacree, has withdrawn 
 from the Society, as alfo has John Greeves, of county 
 Tyrone. They each, in the quarterly meeUng at Lif- 
 burn, publicly afligned the degeneracy of the j'ocutj-, as 
 their reafon for leaving it. 
 
 The national yearly meeting of Ireland, was held^ 
 as ufual, in the fourth month, ISOl, and the informa- 
 tion communicated to it, was extremely painful and 
 
 K difcouraging. 
 
130 
 
 A. D. 180K 
 
 difcouraging. The feceffion of fome from memberfhip, 
 and of others from adivity in the difcipline, had produc- 
 ed ferious effects. From the anfwers to the queries, 
 and the ftatement of the reprefentatives, it appeared, that 
 in one province (Ulfter) "all the friends in the fta- 
 tion of ELDERS had been releafed from that office 
 by the quarterly meeting — that " one monthly 
 meeting of ministers and elders in the pro- 
 vince of Leinfter, had been diflblved at their own 
 requejl ; and all the elders of that meeting difcharged 
 from their office — that " in divers parts of the 
 nation, there were fome who declined the attend- 
 ance of our religious meetings, upon the grounds of 
 difunity with them^ and the manner in ivhkb they 
 were held — that fome were ftill in a difpofition to 
 undervalue the fcrtptures of truth ; — and that others 
 had fallen into the praftice of keeping their feats^ and 
 keeping on their hats, whilft acknowledged minifters 
 were engaged in public fuppUcation.'' The marriage 
 of John Rogers and Elizabeth Doyle, and the circum- 
 flance of " fundry members of our fociety, having 
 been prefent on that occafion,^' were alfo mentioned 
 as a painful inftance of diforderly proceeding.*' 
 
 The circumftances under which the members of 
 the fociety aflembled, at the prefent national yearly 
 meeting, were certainly extraordinary, and probably 
 unprecedented in the annals of its hiftory. The exi- 
 gencies of the times called for the a6live exertion of 
 the united wifdom and virtue of the body. By its 
 deliberations were now to be decided the important 
 queftions— whether the progrefs of time, or any change 
 
 in 
 
 •I 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 131 
 
 'in habits, opinions or circumftances, required a revi- 
 fion of the antient rules of difcipline ? (fee Appendix, 
 No. 5), or whether they fhould continue to be ftri6lly 
 maintained and enforced in cafes which, it may reafon- 
 ably be prefumed, had not been contemplated at the 
 time thofe rules were framed ? — And, as it would be 
 impoffible to do this, unlefs they, to whom the exe- 
 cution of the rules muft of neceflity be committed, 
 were themfclves men of exemplary lives and converfa- 
 tion, fearing God and hating covetoufnefs — whether 
 there was not caufe to fear that a competent number of 
 fuch members would not be found in fome of thofe 
 places, where the execution of the rules might be 
 deemed neceflary ; in which cafe it muft be obvious, 
 that no endeavours to convince of imputed heterodoxy, 
 or to reclaim from its efFe6ls, could be expedled to 
 produce beneficial confequences.* 
 
 And finally, whether there were not confiderable 
 K 2 reafon 
 
 * From th« information communicated to the national 
 yearly meeting, it appeared, that the anfwers to the quarterly 
 meeting queries, from one of the provinces, were compofed 
 of the anfwers of only two of the monthly meetings j that in 
 one monthly meeting no difcipline was tranfa6ted on two of 
 the usug.1 days for holding the faid meeting: other defici- 
 encies were ftated from another province y and the report of 
 the committee appointed by the faid national yearly meeting, 
 affcrts, *' that the fiate of our fociety there (Ulficr) is at a 
 " low ebb, and our chriftian difcipline but weakly maintain- 
 ed, the minds of many being enfeebled from various caufes 
 in the right fupport of it." See this report, page 139, 140, 
 
13^ ^ A. D. i8or. 
 
 reafon to apprehend, that the rules of the difcipline had 
 made fome progrefs in producing thofe confequences, 
 which, in every age of the world, it has been found 
 fo exceedingly difficult to feparate from the obferv- 
 ance of all outward and ceremonial modes and ob- 
 fervances, even the fimpleft forms of devotion not ex- 
 cepted ; whether thefe rules, inftead of being regard- 
 ed as MEANS for the attainment of an end, vv^ere 
 not themfelves trufted to, and refted in, as the ulti- 
 mate OBJECT, by too many of thofe perfons who 
 were employed in executing them ; and whether there 
 were not fymptoms of the a6lual exiftence of that 
 alarming evil, which the moft approved and enlight- 
 ened members of our fociety have always confidered 
 it as being peculiarly in danger of, from the fa'irnejs of 
 its outjide Jhew^ and the comelinefs of its external forms. 
 In proportion as thefe are fair and comely, there is the 
 greater danger of their being regarded as the ejfentials 
 of religion, and of their inducing worldly minded 
 men to deceive themfelves, and to invade the peace 
 of others, by the exercife of a rigid and coercive zeal 
 for modes, and forms, and opinions, whilft they them- 
 felves are little acquainted with, and lefs influenced 
 by, the genuine temper, and fpirit of pure religion. 
 
 With refpeft to the marriage which had been 
 alluded to, as having been contracted, contrary to 
 " the good order eftablifhed in the fociety," it wa& 
 evidently a cafe which prefented confiderable diffi- 
 culty. The almoft general practice, and the concur- 
 rent advices of the fociety for upwards of a century,^ 
 had ftamped this an offence which (hould fubjeft ta 
 
 cenfur© 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 133 
 
 'Cenfure and difownment, not only the parties who fo 
 married, but alfo parents and guardians that may 
 I be confenting to, or encouraging fuch marriages 
 and, whilft fuch a rule exifted, no choice could re- 
 main, but either to reconfider the propriety of conti- 
 nuing the rithj or timely and impartially to put it 
 in pra6lice. The latter alternative involved a further 
 difficulty ; for it was poflible at leaft that the afore- 
 I faid marriage might be fucceeded by others of the 
 j fame kind, and that the parties, thus marrying, 
 might continue to prefer, as witnelfes to their marri- 
 age contradl and proceedings, perfons who were look- 
 ed up to as refpedlable members of the foclety.* Now 
 the latter, by thus giving their fan6lion to a difor- 
 *^ derly marriage^^ mull be deemed accomplices in the 
 ■offence; and, by the laws of the fociety, they alfo 
 would become fubje<5l to cenfure and difownment. 
 And as a very fmall number of ivitneffes could hardly 
 be thought fufHcient, on an occafion of fuch unquef- 
 tionable importance and folemnity, it muft follow, 
 that the praftice of difowning every member, pre- 
 fent on fuch occafions, might involve very ferious con- 
 fequences both to them, and to the fociety itfelf. 
 
 There was another confideration of much importance. 
 The lately adopted mode of marriage had been prac- 
 
 tifed 
 
 * And, by thofe who entertain any doubts of the legality 
 of fuch marriages, it will be admitted, as a reafon oj addi- 
 tional importance, that the accomplilhment of them fhould 
 be attefted, not only by a competent iiumler of v;itnesses, but 
 that their characters fhould be of acknowledged respectability. 
 
134 
 
 A. D. 1801. 
 
 tifed by perfons of exemplary condu6l, who folemnly 
 profefled, that " upon mature confideration, and from 
 *^ apprebenjions of duty, and from no other motive what- 
 ever, they dared not hut dijfent from the efiahlijhed 
 mode of the fociety.''*^ By this declaration we are 
 called upon to confider them as placed in the very 
 fame fituation as the fociet)'- itfelf, on \t$ Jirji eftahlifh- 
 ment : and as it had then aflerted and exercifed the 
 right of private judgment on this very point, it would 
 furely require much ferious deliberation, before its 
 defcendants fhould refolve to cenfure and difown their 
 brethren, for doing the fame thing.\ 
 
 Confidered 
 
 * See the preceding letter from John Rogers and Eliza- 
 beth Doyle, page 123 ; and for a further account of the feel- 
 ings and fcruples which appear to have occafioned diffatis- 
 fa6tion with the forms in relation to marriage, pra6tifed by 
 the fociety, the reader is referred to " A Friendly Expoftu- 
 " lation, by John Hancock," page ly, &c. 
 
 f The follqwing ftatement of the opinions and pradice 
 of the fociety, foon after its eftablilhment, was given by 
 William Penn, in 1694 : 
 
 ** Their way of marriage is peculiar to them j and fhews 
 " a diftinguilliing care, above other focieties, profeffrng 
 " chriftianity. They fay that marriage is an ordijiance of 
 " God, and that God only can rightly join man and woman 
 " in marriage. Therefore they ufe nejther priest nor ma~ 
 gistrate; but the man and woman concerned, take each 
 other, as hulband and wife, in the prefence of divers 
 
 " credible 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 135 
 
 Conildered as an offence againft the rules of the 
 fociety, or againft its authority as a chriftian church, 
 
 the 
 
 *' credille witTiesses, promising to each other, with God's 
 assistance, to le loving and faithful, in that relation^ 
 till death shall separate them. Bat antecedent to this, 
 they firft prefent themfelves to the monthly meeting for 
 " the affairs of the church where they refide ; there declar- 
 *' ing their intentions to take one another as hufband and 
 " wife, if the faid meeting have nothing material to objed 
 " againft it." PENar. vol. i. p. SQg. He then proceeds to 
 defcribe other particulars of the procefs, which we omit to 
 notice here, for the fake of brevity, and becaufe this procefs 
 has been confiderably altered fuice that time. See page 113. 
 
 The ad for preventing clandeftine marriages, which 
 -wai pafTed by tlie Britilh Parliament, in 1753, does not ex- 
 tend to Ireland 3 and as no limilar ad has been palfed by 
 its Legiflature, it is conceived that the common law of 
 Ireland refpeding marriages, is now the fame as it was in 
 England, before the pafling of the marriage ad, excepting fo 
 far as the common law of Ireland has been altered by par- 
 ticular ftatutes, aifeding Roman Catholics, and Proteftant 
 DifTenters in that kingdom. Hence the mode of marriage 
 which the feparatifts in Ireland have adopted, is held by 
 many to conftitute an engagement, equally valid in law, fo 
 far as it refpeds the contrading parties, with the marriages 
 of Quakers or any other fociety. On this fubjed, how- 
 ever, a contrary opinion is maintained by fome. 
 
 During the time of Cromwell's adminiftration, marri- 
 ages were folemnized before the civil magiftrate, and in this 
 
 way 
 
136 
 
 A. D. 1801. 
 
 the diffent of the modern separatists, in relation 
 to marriage, was from the practice of one of the Jmallejl 
 focieties of profefiing chriftians in Europe ; whereas 
 the diflent of the primitive ciuakers was in 
 dired oppofition to the pradice, and the opinions, 
 of the whole country in which they lived. Now 
 as they had, on various occafions, experienced, 
 firft the persecution — then the lenity — and 
 
 laftly 
 
 way fixty-fix couple were joined together at Knarelborough, 
 in YorklhirCj during the fliort fpace of four years. The bans 
 were publiflied on three feparate days before the marriage, 
 fometimes at the market-crofs, and fometimes in the church. 
 The following is a copy of one of the certificates : 
 
 " March 30, 1651. Marmaduke Inman, and Pru- 
 DENCE LowcocK, both of the parifh of Knarefborough, 
 " were this day married together at Ripon, having firft been 
 " publilhed three feveral market-days, in the market-place 
 " of Knaretborough, according to the a6t of parliament, and 
 <f no exceptions made. In the prcfence of Thomas Davies 
 *' and Anthony Simpson." History of Knareslorough, hj 
 E. Hargrove, pat^e 6l. 
 
 By the common law of Scotland, at the prefcnt day, it 
 is the consent of the parties which conftitutes a marriage, 
 and this without any religious ceremony. 
 
 In the year l6o3, an inefFe6tual attempt was made to 
 invalidate the marriage of two members of our fociety, and 
 the caufe was tried before Judge Archer, at Nottingham . 
 of which an interefling, though very brief account is given 
 in Sewell's Hifiory of the Quakers, page 283, of the 2nd 
 edit, printed 1725. 
 
A. D. 1801- 
 
 137 
 
 laftly the sanction of government, whilft acting 
 in obedience to what they believed to be their duty, 
 it became very important for their defcendants to 
 confider, how far the proceeding to the utmoft limits 
 of their power, on this occafion, would indicate that 
 the LENITY, and ultimately the sanction which 
 their anceftors had prayed for, and obtained from the 
 government of thai day, were, by the fociety in the 
 frefent day, deemed improper to be granted to its 
 equally fcrupulous and confcientious members ; and, 
 how far the proceeding to cenfure and difown the lat- 
 ter, under circumftances of peculiar fimilarity, would 
 now deferve to be regarded as an imitation of that 
 part only of the conduct of government, which con- 
 lifted in the persecution of their anceftors See 
 Appendix, No. 6. 
 
 But the point of view in which this fubje£t ap- 
 pears moft of all important, is that which is conneded 
 with, what is deemed, the difcriminating and fun- 
 damental tenet of the fociety. The great end and 
 objeft of their do6lrine, their difcipline, their minif- 
 try, their filent worfliip — nay, the very ground of 
 their original feparation from other focieties, and of 
 their exiftence as a diftin6l fe6l, are, profeftedly, all 
 for the purpofe of more effeclually direfting the atten- 
 tion of the mind to the inward, individual teachings 
 of DIVINE GRACE, as the alone, all-fiifficient, infal- 
 lible, and univerfal guide in all that relpefts faith and 
 praftice. Compared with this, the fcriptures them- 
 felves, are deemed a fecondary and fubordinate rule ; 
 and the decrees of popes or councils, the authority of 
 
 churches, 
 
138 
 
 A. D. 1801, 
 
 churches, or priefts, and the laws even of civil go- 
 vernments, are held to be of no obligation, if oppofed 
 to the requirings of this inward guide. It muft then 
 evidently conllitute a moft interefting confideration-r- 
 whether, for a diverfity of opinion and conduct, about 
 forms relating to marriage, the fociety could with 
 conliftency, proceed deUberately to difown and cenfure, 
 not only individual members, but colle6live families, 
 of unimpeachable moral condu6l ; whilft, with indica- 
 tions of unqueftionable fincerity and uprightnefs, they 
 not only retain and declare a ftedfaft belief in this difcri- 
 minating and fundamental principle, but moreover, 
 profefs, that, in obedience to the dictates of this very 
 principle, they have been led into that conduct, for 
 which the fociety deems it neceflary to exclude them 
 from religious communion. 
 
 With thefe, among other fubjecSls for its deliberation, 
 the national yearly meeting was held in Dublin ; and it 
 might have been interefting, if the particulars of what 
 paffed in that meeting, could be given in this narrative. 
 It is probable however, that no memorial of thefe is 
 preferved, except what the journals of the fociety fur- 
 nifli ; and the following minutes are therefore fubmit- 
 ted to the ferious and attentive perufal of the reader. 
 
 NATIONAL YEARLY MEETING, 1801. 
 
 Written anfwers to the queries of this meeting 
 have been brought in, from the three provinces, 
 and read at this time ; from which, and verbal re- 
 ports from the reprefentatives, it appears, that the 
 
 anfwers 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 139 
 
 anfwers from Ulster quarterly meeting, are com- 
 pofed of thofe of only tzi/o of the monthly meetings, 
 
 the others not having returned any anfwers to the 
 quarterly meeting. Account was alfo received, that 
 in one monthly meeting in that province, friends 
 did not tranfa6t any affairs of the difcipline, on two 
 of the ufual days for holding faid meeting. This 
 meeting has alfo been informed, that in that pro- 
 vince, all the friends, in the fiation of elders, have 
 been releafed from that office, hy the quarterly meeting j 
 fo that, of courfe, the quarterly and monthly meet- 
 ings of minifters and elders have been difcontinued 
 
 " there : and alfo that a friend, in the ftation of a mi- 
 nifter, has proceeded to travel in that line, and ap- 
 point meetings, without a certificate from the 
 monthly meeting to which he belongs. From the re- 
 port of areprefentative of Leinster province, itap- 
 pears, that one monthly meeting of min'ijlers and elders y 
 has, at their own requeft, been diffolved ; and all 
 the elders of faid meeting difcharged from their office ; 
 and that, from another feled meeting, there has 
 been no anfwers returned to the queries, at the two 
 
 " laft quarterly meetings. 
 
 The foregoing accounts being caufe of painful 
 " exercife and concern to this meeting, and feeling 
 defirous of endeavouring in the ability afforded, for 
 the refloration of harmony, and good order amongft us 
 as a religious fociety, that fo all may be preferved 
 in the unity of the fpirit, which is the bond of true 
 *^ peace ; a committee was appointed to take the fore- 
 going communications into their weighty and deli- 
 
 " berate 
 
140 
 
 A. D. 1801, 
 
 berate confideration, who brought in the following 
 *^ report, in writing, which, being twice read, was 
 agreed to 
 
 To the yearly meetings 
 
 We your committee, appointed to take into 
 confideration the Hate of our religious fociety, 
 *^ in this nation, met, joined by a committee of the 
 w^omen's yearly meeting ; and being, we truft, fa- 
 voured to have our minds centered in a good degree 
 of folemn quiet, the ftate of Ulster province came 
 feelingly before us, both as reprefented by the an- 
 fwers to the queries from that quarter, and from 
 *^ verbal accounts given to the yearly meeting. We 
 *^ are of the judgment, that the ftate of our fociety 
 there is at a low ebb, and our chriftian difcipline bid 
 *^ weakly maintained ; the minds of many being enfee- 
 bled, from different caufes, in the right fupport of 
 it ; for whofe help, and the reftoration of others, we 
 have felt earneft engagement of mind ; and are defi- 
 *^ rous, that the yearly meeting may fee the neceffity 
 of making a fuitable appointment of friends, to 
 vifit the quarterly and monthly meetings of that 
 " province, leaving them at liberty to vifit particular 
 " meetings, families, or individuals, as they may feel 
 *^ their minds drawn in love ; and, as they may feel 
 engaged, to extend their vifit to other parts of the 
 nation. 
 
 And as it appears, that, in divers parts of the 
 ^* nation, there are fome who decline the attendance 
 
 of 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 141 
 
 of our religious meetings, upon the grounds of dif- 
 unity with them, and the manner in which they 
 are held ; that feme are ftill in a difpofition to un- 
 
 *^ dervalue the fcriptures of truth ; and others have 
 fallen into the practice of keeping their feats, and 
 keeping on their hats, when acknowledged minif- 
 
 ^ ters are engaged in public fupplication. 
 
 In thefe particulars, and in other refpedls, we are 
 " forrowfully affe(Sled to find the prevalence of a fpirit, 
 which appears to foar above that path of humility 
 and rectitude, into which we are fully perfuaded 
 truth led our worthy predecelTors, and ftill leads its 
 faithful followers in this day. We therefore feel 
 delirous, that friends of the three provinces, who 
 " have the caufe of truth at heart, may be encou- 
 *^ raged, on the firft appearance of deviation in any, 
 from the principles and pra«Slice of friends, to ex- 
 " poftulate with them in brotherly love ; and, if fuch 
 *^ continue therein, that the monthly and quarterly 
 meetings labour, in the fpirit of meeknefs, in order 
 ^ to reclaim and reftore them. 
 
 " We are alfo informed of a painful inftance hav- 
 ing occurred in Ulster province, of two of their 
 
 *^ members having proceeded, in a manner contrary /a- 
 the comely order eftablifhed among us, to tahe each- 
 other as hujhand and wife ; and that fundry members 
 of our fociety were prefent on that occafion. We. 
 
 " propofe to the yearly meeting, that the monthly 
 meeting, wherein fuch diforderly proceeding has 
 taken place,, may be recommended to be careful^ 
 
 that 
 
142 
 
 A. D. 
 
 " that our chriflian difcipline be properly fupported, 
 
 in the right line and fpirit, 
 
 " Signed on behalf of the committee, 
 
 " Isaac Jacob.'' 
 
 And, agreeably to the recommendation contained 
 in faid report, this meeting appoints the following 
 friends, in conjun6lion with fuch women friends as 
 *^ their meeting (hall nominate, to pay a vilit to the 
 quarterly and monthly meetings in Ulfter province; 
 with liberty to vifit particular meetings, families,, 
 or individuals, as they may find their minds drawn 
 in love ; and alfo, as they may feel fo engaged, to 
 extend their vifit to other parts of the nation, viz. : 
 
 " JAMES ABEL, " JOHN MORRIS, 
 
 ISAAC JACOB, AND 
 
 THOMAS HARVEY, JONAS STOTT." 
 
 The national yearly meeting having been thus 
 minutely informed of the various cafes of imputed de- 
 linquency, adverted to in the preceding minutes, 
 it would naturally be aware, that its advices, on 
 this occafion, would be applied, not only to cafes 
 then exifting, but to others which were likely to 
 occur : that the attention of the fociety was particu- 
 larly directed to the conclufions which would then be 
 adopted ; and that the advices iffued, would be regard- 
 ed as clearly indicating, not only the temper and fpi- 
 rit, in which the national yearly meeting had a£led, 
 but alfo as pointing out, to the fubordinate meetings, 
 that line of condue% in the exercife of the difci- 
 pline 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 143 
 
 pline towards delinquents, which the reprefentativb 
 aflembly of the whole fociety in Ireland had then con- 
 cluded to recommend. The following minutes are 
 therefore inferted, for the purpofe of fhewing what 
 fpecies of condud, it is apprehended, the national year- 
 ly meeting had chiefly in view, when it recommended 
 that " our chriflian difcipline be properly fupported in 
 the right line and fpirit/' 
 
 And it is the fenfe and judgment of this meeting, 
 that where any marry by the prieft, or in any other 
 manner, contrary to the ejlahlijhed rules of the fociety, 
 they fhall be dealt with, in a fpir'tt of chrijlian love 
 and tendernefs, agreeably to our known difcipline ; 
 and that, after the commiffion of fuch offence, their 
 colledioji^ (hall not be received, nor Jhall they he re^ 
 *^ lieved in the manner of poor friends, nor be admitted 
 to Jit in meetings of difcipline, until they be reftored 
 into unity with the monthly meeting to which 
 they belong. 
 
 And we earneftly advife, that you watch dili- 
 gently over one another for good, and that you deal 
 *^ in due time with fuch offenders, endeavouring to 
 <^ reclaim and reftore them by brotherly admonition 
 and counfel ; but where, after patient waiting, you 
 
 find 
 
 * The meaning of this is, that no contribution iliall be 
 received by the fociety from fuch delinquents, for the pur- 
 pofe of adminiftering to the nccefhties of its indigent mem- 
 bers, who are affifted out of a fund raifed by means of thefc 
 voluntary colle6tions. 
 
144 
 
 A. D. 1801. 
 
 find that your continued labour of love hath not its 
 defired effe6l, that you negled not to tejitfy agatnjl 
 " and difown fuch perfons 5 that the end and defign 
 of friends in fettling a wholefome difcipline among 
 us may be anfwered'' — 1744 — 1783. — Extracts from 
 the minutes and advices of the yearly meeting, &Ci 
 under the head MARRIAGE, No. 12, page 70. 
 
 This meeting being forrowfuUy affedled under 
 " the conlideration of divers in our fociety, entering 
 into marriage with fuch as are not of the fame 
 faith ; or being married, in a manner contrary to 
 *^ our ejiahlijhed rules, with fuch as are in profefjlon 
 " with us ; to prevent which, many minutes, directing 
 " dealing with fuch offenders, have from time to time 
 been made 5 but the faid minutes not appearing to 
 *^ extend to parents and guardians, that may 
 be confenting to, or encouraging fuch marriages ; it is, 
 <^ therefore, the dire6lion of this meeting, when that 
 appears to be the cafe, that fuch parents or 
 guardians, fo offending, be dealt with in a 
 " fpirit of chriflian love and meehiefs ; and unlefs fatis- 
 " fa6lion be given to the monthly meeting in which 
 fuch circumflances may fall out, that a tefiimony go 
 forth for the clearing of truth againfl fuch offen- 
 DERS--1752/' Extra6i:s" &c. No. 13, page 70. 
 
 If there be any fuch grofs errors, falfe doc- 
 " trines, or miflakes, held, by any profefTmg truth, as 
 are either againfl the validity of Chrifl's fufferings, 
 " blood, refurre6lion, afcenfion, or glory in the Hea« 
 *^ vens, according as they are fet forth in the fcrip- 
 
 tures 5 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 143 
 
 " tures ; or any ways tending to the denial of the 
 heavenly man Chrift ; fuch perfons ought to be 
 *^ diligently inJlruBed and admonijhed, by faithful 
 friends, and not to be expofed, by any, to public 
 reproach ; and where the error proceeds from igno- 
 ranee and darknefs of their underftanding, they 
 ought the more meekly and gently to be informed; 
 but if any fhall wilfully perfift in error in point of 
 faith, after being duly informed, then fuch to be 
 further dealt with according to gofpel order ; that 
 the truthy church, or body of Chrijl, may not fuffer by 
 ^' any particular pretended member that is fo corrupt,'-' 
 " 1694/' W. E. ««£xtraas," &c. under the head 
 DISCIPLINE, and mletings for discipline. No. 
 20, page 50. 
 
 The minutes of 1744, 1752, and 17S3, relate folely 
 to marriage, and ftate, that delinquents are to be 
 dealt with in a fpirit of meeknefs, tendernefs, and 
 " chrijlian love'' The minute of 1694 relates to of- 
 fences in point of dodrine, but it may, perhaps, be re- 
 garded, as pointing out that line of conduft, which 
 ought to be obferved towards thofe who are fuppofed to 
 undervalue the fcripturesj" It dire<:^ls that perfons, 
 who imbibe erroneous opinions, ought to be dili- 
 gently instructed, and admonijhed by faithful 
 friends^ and not to be expofed by any to public re- 
 proach, and where the error proceeds from igno- 
 ranee and darknefs of their underjlanding, they ought 
 " the MORE meekly Qx^d. gently to be informed." 
 
 For the purpofe of fhewing the nature of that temper 
 T. ani 
 
! 
 
 146 A. D. 1801. 
 
 and fpirit in which the difciplinc of our fociety was in- 
 tended to be conduded, the excellent and important 
 advice, contained in the following minute of the yearly 
 meeting of 1735, is here inferted. 
 
 It is earneftly recommended, as a means very 
 conducive to the prefervation of friends, a people of 
 " one heart and one way, for the good of themfeiVes, 
 *^ and their children after them, that the difcipline of 
 *^ the church, in the feveral meetings for that purpofe, 
 be kept up and managed in a fpirit of love and wif- 
 dom. Let all things in thefe meetings be done 
 with charity ; let the love of God, in an efpecial 
 " manner, rule in your hearts ; and therein, though 
 fometimes different fentlments may arijey yet will 
 every member have the fame thing in view, viz. the 
 <^ glory of God, and the good of his church and people ; 
 and, in this finglenefs of heart, will beft promote 
 the great end and fervices of thofe meetings. We 
 *^ advife, therefore, upon this occafion, that nothing 
 *^ be done through ftrife and contention, or from any 
 *^ private views, or by the influence of numbers ; but 
 in lowlinefs of mind let each efleem another better 
 than himfelf,'' Extra6ts, &c. under the head dis- 
 cipline, and MEETINGS of DISCIPLINE, No. 12, 
 
 page 46. 
 
 As the deviation from uniformity of condud, dur- 
 ing the time of public prayer, appeared to have occa- 
 fioned much pain to the fociety, and had been deemed 
 an oflence of fuch magnitude, as even to have been 
 made a caufe of dlfoivnment ^ it was deemed important 
 
 to 
 
Jk. D. 1801. 
 
 147 
 
 to afcertain the fentimeiit of the prefent national yearly 
 meeting on this point, and the following paper was 
 prefented by John Bewley; but the meeting did 
 not choofe to take up the confideration of the fubje^i. 
 
 To the yearly meeting of Ireland, 
 29tb of 4th month, l8oi. 
 
 The great offence that has been taken, on ac- 
 " count of fome friends not ftanding up, while others 
 " were at prayer ; and the uncertainty that appears as 
 to the origin, as well as expediency of the practice, 
 " induces an individual to query of the meeting, why, 
 " and how far it (hould be infifttd on ? 
 
 " He hopes the meeting will give fuch directions 
 refpedling it, as may flop the over rigorous coercion 
 that is attempted to be pradifed in fome places. 
 
 " And as an anfwer to the inquiries at foot feems ne- 
 ceffary, to enable friends to judge of the degree of 
 criminality attendant on particular inftances, it is 
 
 *^ hoped that the meeting will not refufe it. And 
 moreover, it is become important to fever al confcien" 
 tious perfons. 
 
 Is the ftanding up at prayer time, an a6l of re- 
 *^ verence to the great Being addrefled ? 
 
 Is it dn a6t of approbation of the matter and 
 MANNER of the addrefs ? 
 
 Is it an approbation of, and unity with the per- 
 
 £0N ADDRESSING? 
 
 T. 9 Or 
 
us 
 
 A. D. 
 
 Or is it a form, for which we cannot very well 
 « account P'* 
 
 Onthefubje6t of uniformity of conduct, during the 
 time of public fuppli cation, our anceftors have left 
 fome minutes containing advicesy but none that go 
 the length of dire6ting pofitwe dtfownment ;* and it 
 feems probable, that it was not contemplated by then* 
 that fuch extreme cafes would occur. The fociety, in 
 the prefent day, are not hereby limited, in framing 
 whatever rules may appear to them to be rendered ne- 
 eeffary by exifting circumftances ; but it will be ad- 
 * mitted that more deliberation is required in the framing 
 
 of new rules, than in direding the obfervance of thofe 
 that previoufly exift ; and furely it required peculiar 
 caution before any new rules fliould be framed, or 
 any encouragement given, whereby the exscinding 
 POWER of the fubordinate meetings (hould be further 
 brought into a6lion, conftdering the weak ftate of the 
 fociety, as it was at this very time, reported to the na- 
 tional yearly meeting. It may alfo be remarked, that, 
 with regard to any deviation from the general pra6lice, 
 during the time of public fupplication, it would be 
 important to afcertain, whether fuch deviation was 
 founded on flight or frivolous pretences, by perfons 
 whofe charadlers and condudl, in other refpefts, wer© 
 not entitled to refpeft ; whether it proceeded from per- 
 fons of acknowledged piety, who had been appointed 
 \ by 
 
 * See extra6ts from the minutes and advices of the yearly 
 meeting, under the head, " Minifters and Elders, and their 
 meetings." No. 2, page 89, and No, I7> page 97. 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 by the fociety itfelf to fill tiie moft important ftaticns ; 
 and believed themfelves called upon to manifeft their 
 difapprobation of particular minifters, after having firft 
 difcharged their duty to them, by private reprefenta- 
 tion, or more public remonftrance, in the manner 
 directed by the rules of the difcipline for fuch cafes ;* 
 
 whether 
 
 * It may be afked how an Elder can poffibly a€t fo as to 
 avoid giving pain to the Society, and at the fame time to do 
 juftice to his own feelings, if the non-compliance here fiated 
 muft be deemed a crime } If the Elder, after mature deli- 
 beration^ cannot approve the miniftry of a gifen individual, 
 it becomes his duty to ftate his difapprobation, firft to the 
 minifter, and, if this be without efled, then to the feled: 
 meeting ; and, if the latter concurs not in judgment with 
 the Elder, or if it fhould concur with him, and on the re- 
 port of their concurring judgment to the monthly meeting, 
 the latter (whofe deliberations ought certainly to be free and 
 cmfettered by the judgment of any, or of all the Elders 
 united) fhould ftill fandion the minifter in quefiion — furely 
 it muft necelTarily follow, that an Elder, under fuch cir- 
 cumftances, ought to resign his office ? But further, after 
 refigning his office, how is he to a«ft in the charafter of an 
 individual memheTy whilft a minifter of whom he difap- 
 proves appears in public prayer ? If he outwardly conform, 
 have not the audience a right to conclude that he approves 
 and can join in with the fupplications of the minifter^ and 
 could he thus a6t without hypocrify r How much better 
 to difpenfe with lifelefs, unavailing, and uneffential forms, 
 •and leave every man's confcience open and free, on fuch oc- 
 calions, rather than, by the adoption of rigour and compul- 
 iion, weaken thofe feelings of brotherhood and affection, 
 
 which 
 
150 
 
 A. D. 1801. 
 
 whether this deviation, from the cuftomary obfervance 
 of the hat or pojlure in time of prayer, did really pro- 
 ceed from a confcientious fcruple againft complying 
 with thofe obfervances ; or laftly, whether, indepen- 
 dently of the tendernefs and refpe6l always due to the 
 confcientious fcruples of others, fuch obfervances could 
 be deemed of fufficient importance to conflitute an ef- 
 fential, indifpeniible qualification for church fellowfhlp ; 
 and efpecially in a fociety, whofe anceftors believed 
 themfelves, in a peculiar manner, redeemed from the 
 fpirit, and called out of the pracSlice of thofe various 
 forms and ceremonies, refpe6ting religious worfhip, by 
 which, they were of opinion, other focieties were fub- 
 jugated and mifled ; and for their oppofition to which 
 forms and ceremonies, they had themfelves fuffered 
 cruel and manifold perfecutions, to the fpoiling of 
 goods, imprifonment, and even death. 
 
 In the " Grounds of a holy life, by Hugh Turford,'' 
 (which book has repeatedly received the fandion of 
 our fociety, by whom feveral editions in Englifh and 
 
 Welfh 
 
 which, as proofs of the exiftence of genuine chriflianity, 
 are far more valuable than all that conformity or unijormity has 
 ever yet produced. 
 
 If non-compliance vi'ith the cuftomary forms in time of 
 public prayer, fliould continue to be followed by expullion 
 from the fociety 3 perhaps, for thofe who are anxious to re^ 
 tain memberflnp, the ieaft objeftionable mode of exprelling 
 difapprobations, would be quietly to withdraw from the 
 sLlfembly on fuch occafions. 
 
A. D. J 801. 
 
 151 
 
 Welfh have been circulated) there are fome valuable 
 remarks on the danger to which the profeflbrs of reli- 
 gion are liable, from an undue attachment to modes and 
 formsy in confequence of vs'hich the proper bufinefs and 
 real duties of life come to be undervalued, and fome- 
 times negle6led. Nay, a further evil enfues. That dif- 
 cipline of the heart, and that regulation of the affec- 
 tions, which can alone produce genuine piety and vir- 
 tue, are commuted for the obfervance of modes and 
 forms. And fuch perfons, not only invert the right order 
 of things in their own conduft, but are generally the 
 imoft forward to irapofe their peculiar opinions and prac- 
 tices on others, under the influence of ignorant and un- 
 profitable :zea],. 
 
 And now my advice to all profefTors of chriftanity, 
 is, that, inftead of contending about forms of godli- 
 nefs, they take heed to that in ihemfehes which leads 
 to godlinefs ; inftead of fearching the fcriptures for a 
 
 *^ right form, they would labour to live under the go- 
 vernment of a right fpirit ; for fuch are delivered 
 
 " from the power of darknefs, 8cc. 8cc. page 31* And 
 
 again^ 
 
 And of this true felf-denial, I am apt to think 
 we have much Jefs than former generations had ; 
 " for we fee, though preaching abounds, pride, coye- 
 tous praftices, with many other vices fuper-abound ; 
 and the reafon to me is this, conformity to outward 
 firms of worfhip, being more taking with people 
 " than the ftrait gate and narrow vi^ay of felf-denial, 
 " hath, in our prefent age, gotten the name of religion-, 
 
 chriftianity., 
 
152 
 
 A. D. 1801. 
 
 chriftianity, and true godlinefs ; infomucb, that 
 fhould a man add to his faith, virtue, and all other 
 graces, by which an entrance into the everlaftmg 
 kingdom of Chrift, is abundantly miniftered, if 
 there be not withal a conformity to Jome outward way 
 of worjhipy he fhall not pafs for a godly man. Nay, 
 though his converfation be never fo heavenly, 
 though he be humble, lowly, meek, patient, 
 peaceable, though truth be in all his words, equity, 
 and faithfulnefs in all his deeds, though he vifits the 
 fatherlefs and the widow, and keeps himfelf unfpot- 
 ted from the world, if he be not in the exercife of 
 Jome outward form of godlinefs he fliall not be 
 " counted religious, nor hardly a chriftian.* 
 
 " Conformity, in every fe6t, opinion, or per- 
 
 fuafion. 
 
 * A NOTE upon this paflage was inferted, ybr the first 
 timej in the gth.. edition of The Grounds of a Holy Life," 
 printed in 17^9? it has been continued in eight suhse- 
 qucnt editions, the laft being the 17th. There ii nothing ob- 
 jeftionable in the notej but, if it was not introduced by H. 
 Turford's own direction, the editor was reprehenfible for not 
 having so stated it. At prefent, it leads the reader to con- 
 clude, that the author had deemed it neceffary to infert thig 
 note, for the purpofe of guarding againft misapprehension . 
 
 Cafes may ptrhaps occur, wherein additions or omiffions^ 
 in the works of authors, may be juftifiably made by editors- 
 But as thofe works are hereby rendered lefs genuine, does it 
 not merit ferious attention, whether any unauthorized addi- 
 tions or omilTions ought ever to be made in the works, cither 
 of living 01 deceafed authors, unlefs there be fome appropriate 
 notice thereof, for the information of the reader 9 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 153 
 
 fuafion, is become the character of a religious man, 
 and the only band of unity and brotherhood ; if this 
 fail, there foon comes an ejirangednefs ; and fo there 
 is m7ich preffing into conforimttes, but little minding 
 
 " the mortification of Jin^ in order to a life of righteouf- 
 nefs. But let our zeal for conformity be never fo 
 
 *^ much, it is he that order eth his eonverfation aright, 
 
 " that {hail fee the falvation of God,'* Page 62, 63, 
 
 64, edit. 1785. 
 
 See alfo fome admirable refle^lions on this fubje^l, 
 in a difcourfe, entitled, Diverfity of Opinion, no 
 *^ juft caufe of Difcord." Sermons by John Balguy, 
 M. A. vol. 1, page 39, edit 3rd. 
 
 We proceed now with the events of this narrative. 
 It will be reco]le£led, that the notification to the 
 quarterly meeting of Ulfter, from John Rogers, jun. 
 and Elizabeth Doyle, of their intention not to proceed 
 according to the ufual mode of the fociety, was dated 
 the feventh of twelfth month, 1 800, and the marriage 
 took place on the fourth of the tJnrd month following. 
 The advices of the yearly meeting had been iffiied fub- 
 fequently to that event, and it remains now to be feen 
 in what manner they were afted upon, and what ef- 
 fe6ls were thereby produced. 
 
 NINTH MONTH. 
 
 FIVE members of the fociety, (one of whom had 
 recently been CLERK to the monthly meeting of Lur- 
 gan) who were prefent as witnefles, and had thereby 
 given a fandion to th« aforefaid marriage, between John 
 
 Rogers, 
 
A. D. J801. 
 
 Rogers, jun. and Elizabeth Doyle, were, on that ac- 
 count, difowned by the following minute of the 
 monthly meeting of Lurgan, held the nineteenth of 
 ninth month, 1801. 
 
 The cafe of thofe friends whofe condu£l in af- 
 fifting to join together, under the form of a mar- 
 *^ r'lage ceremony, two members of our fociety in 
 " Lifburn, has long been caufe of painful exercife to 
 this meeting, hath again at this time occupied our 
 ferious attention ; and after having folidly, and we 
 truft, in a degree of brotherly fympathy, deliberated 
 thereon, we are of the judgment, that they, viz. 
 " JOs. WILLIAMS, jun. " MARGARET PIKE, 
 " JOHN COURTENAY, jan. akd 
 «' MARY CHRISTY, MARY DAWSON, 
 
 have diflblved the bond of unitj^^ with us, by a6iing in 
 violation to our known rules, and perfifting, contrary 
 to the advice of their friends, to plead for a conduct, 
 evidently tending to introduce irregularity and con- 
 fufion into our fociety ; and that we no longer con- 
 fider them as members thereof, until they manifeft 
 a difpofition to fubjeft themfelves to that difcipline 
 and good order which, we believe, has been eftab- 
 lifhed amongft us, in the love and wifdom of truth,** 
 
 A fhort time after the date of the preceding mi- 
 nute, Mary (the wife of James) Christy, and 
 one of the perfons named therein, was vifited by fick- 
 nefs, during the progrefs of which flie not only mani- 
 fefted no uneafinefs at the ftep for which the fociety 
 had difowned her, but repeatedly exprefled the con- 
 trary. 
 
A. B. 1801. 
 
 155 
 
 trary. She enquired of a beloved medical friend, who 
 attended her, what he thought as to the event," and 
 faid he need not be afraid of fpeaking plainly, for 
 *^ though the profpe6l of eternity was awful, and flie had 
 " nothing to boaft of, yet flie felt no difmay." At i.no- 
 ther time, {he faid flie had no wifli to live, except on 
 her hufband's and children's account, and, exprefling 
 refignation as to lierfelf, added, perhaps fhe could not 
 " go in a better time." The night before her deceafe 
 (he exprefled herfelf repeatedly, with much ferioufncfs : 
 faying, (among other things) how *^ watchful and care- 
 ful we ought to be to have our conduft regulated/' 
 She mentioned our predeceffors, and added, but we 
 have fomething better to look to ; for all have their 
 ozun feelings, all have aright, an undoubted right to 
 attend to their own feelings, from the highed to the 
 meaneft, and even children ; and it is dangerous to 
 go in the footfteps of others." Through life (he 
 had been diftinguiOied for benevolence, meeknefs, and 
 gentlenefs of manners ; and, at the approach of death, 
 her mind was mercifully preferved, under the influence 
 of much fweetnefs and ferenity. 
 
 Samuel Sttpkens of Dublin, who was mentioned 
 before, Martha Bailfy of Lifburn, William 
 James Hogg then refiding in Belfaft, Moses 
 Match: TT, near Richill, and Ruth Johnson, of 
 Antrim, have alfo been difowned by the monthly meeU 
 jngs to which they refpedively belonged, for attending 
 the aforefaid marriage ; and, in the cafe of William 
 James Hogg it was added, for withdrawing from the 
 attendance of meetings. Mofcs Matchett had appeared 
 
 repeatedly 
 
156 
 
 A. D. 1801. 
 
 repeatedly y as a minifter ; but bad not been admittedy in 
 that charaBer^ a member of the JeleB meeting of mmtflers 
 and elders. And having travelled as a minifter, and 
 appointed meetings for public worfhip, without pre- 
 vioufly obtaining the concurrence of the fociety, this be- 
 came one of the grounds on which he was difowned, 
 it being contrary to the eftablifhed rules. 
 
 Thus were ten perfons difowned for being prefent 
 at the marriage of John and Elizabeth Rogers, belides 
 the parties married^ and they had all been previoufly 
 regarded as refpe6lable members of the fociety. 
 
 Some time after the difownment of Martha Bailey, 
 fhe was married to a perfon, luho was aljo not a member 
 ef our fociety ; and they adopted a mode, fimilar to that 
 ufedby J. and E. Rogers. On this occaiion, Robert 
 Trail, of Belfaft, (being a nepbew to M. Bailey) at- 
 tended the marriage, as a witnefs, and read, in the 
 prefence of the parties and of the other witnefles, a 
 certificate of the marriage contract, then Cgned. For 
 this a6^: he was difowned by the monthly meeting of 
 Lifburn. 
 
 It may here be remarked, that Martha Bailey could 
 not marry according to the rules of our fociety, be- 
 caufe none but its members are permitted fo to marry. 
 She muft therefore of neceffity, either marry by a 
 prieft, which her confcience forbade ; cohabit with the 
 obje6l of her afFe6lions, without any ceremony at all, 
 which her virtuous feelings forbade; forego a con- 
 nexion, from which {he had the profped of deriving 
 
 comfort 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 157 
 
 comfort and happlnefs ; or finally, adopt, that form of 
 marriage which, after mature deliberation, fhe con- 
 ceived to be a ftriclly proper and folemn one; and 
 which flie knew was confidered in the fame light, by 
 perfons of upright and confcientious minds, whom 
 fhe had been accuftomed to regard with refpe6l and 
 efteem. Under fuch circumftances, fhould it have 
 
 I been deemed culpable, by any religious fociety, for 
 one of its members thus to countenance a relation and 
 friend, who was preparing, in this ferious manner, to dif- 
 charge the interefting and important duties of domeftic 
 life ? It may indeed be queftioned, whether fuch a 
 proceeding, on the part of the fociety, was confonant 
 to, or could be juftified by, cither the letter or the fpi- 
 
 I lit of any of its exifting rules. 
 
 James Clibborn, a minister, much and de- 
 fervedly efteemed and beloved by all who knew him, 
 addrelfed the following letter to the monthly meeting 
 •f which he was a member. 
 
 To Friends of Moat monthly meeting,'" 
 
 I feel fo much love and afFe6lion for you, that I 
 " may fay, nothing (hort of a fettkd perfuafion that it 
 is the will of Him whom it is my duty and intereft 
 " to obey, could induce me to inform you, that I do 
 not any longer confider myfelf a member of your 
 fociety ; becaufe I believe, and I exprefs my belief 
 " forrowing, that the fociety has generally departed 
 from their profefled principle, and are creeling other 
 things as flandards in the room thereof. I have 
 
 " weighed 
 
158 
 
 A. D. 1801. 
 
 " weighed and confidered thefe things ferioufly, and 
 *' the refult thereof is heartfelt d'lfunity with Jeveral 
 a3s of the general meetings of this foctety, and with 
 much of the minijlry and conduB of many of their 
 aSiive members, Notwithftanding my withdrawing 
 from your fociety, I continue to profefs to be 
 ^' led by that inward principle of light and grace, 
 which is gracioufly beftovved on all mankind ; and 
 though I have no profpe^ft of uniting with any fe6l 
 or party, or regularly attending any place appropria- 
 ted for worfhip, yet I humbly hope to be found in 
 the performance of that worfhip, which Jefus Chrift 
 pointed the attention of the woman of Samaria unto, 
 *^ when he informed her, that t4ie hour cometh when 
 *^ ye fliall neither at this mountain, nor yet at Jerufa- 
 " lem, worfhip the father — for the hour cometh^ and 
 *• now is, when the true worfhippers fhall worfhip 
 Him, in fpirit and in truth : and I know that this 
 acceptable fpiritual worfhip is not confined to time, 
 " to place, nor to form. 
 
 " My withdrawing from your fociety is the refult 
 *f of folid, difpaflionate confideration : — with real afFe6ti- 
 on I fubfcribe myfelf your friend in fincerity, 
 
 (Signed) *f James Clibborn.'* 
 
 Hall^ thirtieth of fixth month , 1801. 
 
 Extra^ from the proceedings of the mens monthly meet' 
 ing, held in Moat, ffth of eight month, 1801. 
 
 *^ The confideration of the cafe of James Clib- 
 BQRN, referred by laft monthly meeting to this, 
 
 being 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 159 
 
 " being refumed ; and the letter, addrelTed by him 
 
 to this meeting, read and deliberately conjidered ; the 
 " reafons therein given, and the manner in which 
 *^ they are exprefled, appearing to leave no room for 
 
 labour of love with bim, we are concerned to tef- 
 " tify, that in as much as the faid James Clib- 
 
 BORN has withdrawn hinifelf from our religious 
 " fociety, and refigned his right of memberfhip 
 
 therein, on the alledged principle of duty ; that it 
 " is the united judgment of this meeting that his 
 
 refignation be accepted of, that he no longer be 
 *^ confidered a member, nor we in any refpe6t ac- 
 
 countable for his future conduct among men. 
 
 A true copy, per order, 
 
 " John Russel, Clerk/' 
 
 And the following is an extracl of a letter, dated 
 thirteenth of the fifth month, 1802, from James Clib- 
 born, on his being applied to, by a friend, for a copy 
 ©f the preceding minute : 
 
 " I received thine of the 9th inl^:. and am difpofed 
 to comply with thy defire, by relating the conduct 
 " of Moat monthly meeting, in my cafe, lb far as I 
 know. ^ 
 
 " My notification was read on the day it was firft 
 " prefented ; receipt acknowledged by minute, and 
 ** further confideration deferred till next monthly 
 " meeting. Next meeting it was read again, and the 
 " minute, which I now fend thee, was made. Some 
 *• time after, a copy wag fent to me I never zuai 
 
 «^ vifted. 
 
i6o 
 
 A. D. 1801. 
 
 vi/itedf officially or other wife, by ANY memher of Moat 
 monthly meeting on the occafion, or even spoke to 
 *^ on the fuhjeB by one of them. 
 
 Of late I am ignorant of the proceedings of 
 
 " the fociety any where : my defire to know their 
 affairs decreafes. I am quietly, and I hope grate-' 
 fully content with my lot. I am nothing ; yet, 
 
 *^ through adorable, unutterable, unmerited, iov- 
 ing kindnefs, my foul, at times, is afFe61:ed, under 
 the fenfible enjoyment of lying down low and con- 
 tent, befide the ftill waters ; yea, even partaking of 
 the water of that river, the ftreams whereof make 
 
 " glad the whole heritage of God. Unmerited fa- 
 your, conferred on an unworthy worm ! What {hall 
 I render to the Lord for all his mercies and bene- 
 
 <^ fits ? I feel the pure love renewedly flied abroad in 
 my heart ; it overflows all man-made limitations ; it 
 embraces all ; it rejoices in its liberty, and cafts 
 a look of pity at thofe who are galled with the cor- 
 roding chains of bigotry and fupcrftition.** 
 
 EIGHT MONTH, 
 
 Ann Robinson, of Moate, who had occajlonally 
 appeared as a minister, refigned her memberfhip, 
 and fent in the following paper : 
 
 " Ann Robinfon informs the men's and women's 
 monthly meeting of Moate, that, nothing fliort of 
 " believing it a duty, influenced me to withdraw 
 " from fociety with the people called quakers ; and I 
 requefl: to be no longer confidered a member of 
 
 " them 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 I6l 
 
 *^ them ; believing that true religion doth not confift 
 merely in any form, but that true vvorfliip proceedeth 
 " from the heart, independent of time or place ; thai 
 the Lord looks at, who feeth not as man feeth 5 and 
 *^ I believe your fociety, with confiderable individual 
 exceptions, are as deficient as others, in attending to 
 this infpeaking word j though you profefs no leCs 
 than to be led thereby, yet live far from this faving 
 wifdom, having loved this prefent world, its honours 
 and profits, and refted in a form that cannot make 
 perfect. We may be daily convinced outward rule 
 doth not preferve from evil, but an implicit atten- 
 tion to the divine gift in the mind. That, all have 
 received, and are accountable for, and if fiithfully 
 " attended to, it would fliew the blefTed efFefts of 
 " true religion, in oppofition to man's contrivance, 
 " and wlll-worfliip, let it be ever fo fpecious, the pre- 
 tention ever fo high. The fociety, inftead of exalt- 
 ing this truly nuble Jiandard, are defirous only of en- 
 *^ forcing obedience to its rules, and to the bible ; not di- 
 reeling to this alone true Jlandard, the ^uitnefs for 
 *^ God in the mind. And though I believe the bible 
 " contains much injlru3ive communication, I alfo believe 
 " it has wrong fentiments ; and has been accommo- 
 *^ dated to party views ; therefore, inftead of being fet 
 higher, needs to be brought to the true rule, that 
 will, I believe, approve of many things it contains, 
 and oppofe others. That the Almighty Being, per- 
 fe6l in wifdom, who chTvngeth not, did, in any age 
 / *^ of the world, command war, I do not believe ; 
 but that it proceeded, then as well as now, from 
 evil. T have often thought the contrary opinion, 
 M much 
 
162 
 
 A. D. 1801. 
 
 much tended to fofter the evil practice, againft 
 which I know of no fociety that lifts up a pure 
 ftandard. 1 have been charged, under the fuppofed 
 influence of revelation, with deijikal and atheijiical 
 opinions. I deny both, in the common acceptation 
 of the terms ; as fimply deijl only means god-tji ; 
 for I fully believe in the revelation of God's will in 
 the hearty necelTary for falvation. And that there is 
 a God, all nature abundantly and beautifully con- 
 firms. IVho then can be an atheifi ; or where can be 
 " the atheiJVs hope P Nor (hall truth be filent becaufe 
 *^ folly frowns 5 but will ultimately prevail over all 
 <^ oppofition. If I fall, that will be my own great 
 condemnation ; I know I am far from perfeft y 
 for truth will ftand, though all forfake it ; and the 
 *^ term is not applicable to any religious affociation 
 that I know ; for this is truth, to do juftly, love 
 mercy ^ and walk in humble obedience to the divine law, 
 revealed in the mind; they that forfake this rule, d© 
 indeed forfake truth." 
 Sth Month, 1801. 
 
 SIXTH MONTH. 
 
 Abraham Shackleton of Ballitore, who had 
 been for fome years in the ftation of an Elder, was 
 vifited by diredion of the monthly meeting of Car- 
 low ; and, in confequence thereof, he addreffed to that 
 njecting the following letter. 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 163 
 
 To the Monthly Meeting of Carlow. 
 
 " Abraham Shackleton had a vifit from T. W. and 
 W. L. on behalf of your meeting, he fuppofes, 
 in confequence of an order from laft quarterly 
 
 " meeting, to deal with defaulters in attendance of 
 religious meetings (fo called). As the manner of 
 this vi{it to me was not comfortable, and the vifit 
 did not refult agreeably, I am difpofed to inform 
 the meeting of my decided fentiment on matters 
 
 " urged at that time. 
 
 Firft, I do not difown the fociety, nor any fociety 
 " of men, nor any man ; I am a man, fubjeil to like 
 " paffions as other men, and like frailties ; I cannot 
 therefore d'ljown any, but would rather feek the good 
 " of all men^ continually whiljl 1 live, 
 
 " To difown, is to give over to a reprobate ftate ; 
 *^ it has the darknejs and malignity of 'perjecution in 
 <^ it. 
 
 Secondly, though T difown not men, I difown 
 the principle of congregated focieties, of religion 
 houfed up, which has a tendency to feparate the af- 
 feftions of man from man, operating like political 
 diftinftions in civil fociety, and very much tending 
 to lay waftc thofe brotherly fympatbies, by which all 
 *^ the fons of men are, or ought to be, united in com^ 
 mon inter ejis. 
 
 Thefe diftinctions, whatever good they may 
 Ms hav* 
 
A. 13. 1801 
 
 have produced to individuals, in the days of igno- 
 ranee, and the gloominefs of religious bigotry and 
 blindnefs, I am perfuaded the day is come for their 
 
 *^ annihilation ; and that they ought not to be found 
 any more at all : but that all men every where love 
 
 *^ as brethren^ and own no man nearer or dearer for 
 any outward ckcumftance (of this kind) than ano- 
 ther 5 feeing that all men are created of one blood, 
 
 " and all are children of one heavenly benig- 
 NANT FATHER, all the world over. 
 
 Hiftory difplays the injury this miferable policy 
 and plan of diftin6lion has heretofore made ; what 
 *^ is profanely called sacred history, difplays in- 
 ftances of one man flaying another, on this vain and 
 unreafonable pretence ; 'till the people, abfurdly 
 *^ calling themfelves the Lord's people, became as 
 *^ marked with violence and blood as any people, 
 " which, what is called, profane hiftory has on re- 
 cord ; wars on account of religion, that is, this arro- 
 gant and frivolous pretence to divine partiality of 
 favour, being commonly the bloodieft of all. 
 
 " Thirdly, hence my fentiment is, that as no 
 " DISTINCT SOCIETY ought to cxift, fo neither ought 
 there to exift any book, having particular dogmas 
 " of belief, by which that fociety is to be diftin- 
 guifhed ; the ahfurdities contained in your bibles, being 
 ^ fufficient indication to any unprejudiced mind for 
 their annihilation', that religion may flow, as freely 
 " as the light of day, from man to man, from heaven 
 to earth ; that, according to the prediction, truth 
 
 ^/ may 
 
A. D. 180U 
 
 16$ 
 
 may fpring out of the earth/' which hath hitherto 
 borne the curfed crop of weeds and deformity ; and 
 that, thus peculiarly blefled, righteoufnefs may 
 " look down on it from heaven/ As an inftance of 
 " incongruity in the bible, I refer you to Pfalm, chap. 
 « 136, V. 15. 
 
 Fourthly, as you profefs kindnefs for me, fo my 
 friendfhip for you fuggefts a warning to you, that 
 you be very cautious of attempting to withftand the 
 work of omnipotence : which if ye do, ye will 
 receive injury in your feveral individual flates, as 
 he who attempts to flop the flowing of the ocean. 
 It is my fentiment, that the fpirk of judgment is 
 
 " departed from you and your meetings of difcipline, 
 and that all your exertions is a vain labour, and a 
 
 <^ groping in the dark, and a work of errors ; and 
 that, out of the life, ye will only frame images, 
 and end in confufion ; yea, that every founder will 
 be more and more confounded. 
 
 I warn you then to avail yourfelves of the wife 
 ^* advice of Gamaliel in A6ls 3, ^ left haply y« 
 be found even to fight againft God.'' 
 
 " Abraham Shackleton." 
 <l^th Qth Month, 1801. 
 
 The preceding letter was prefented to the month- 
 ly meeting ; and the previous perufal of it was re- 
 ferred to a committee of the members then prefent. — 
 Their report was made ^ the letter was deemed im- 
 proper 
 
dV 1801. 
 
 proper to be read in that meeting 5 and the following 
 minute of difownment was iffued. 
 
 Carlow monthly meeting, held the tenth of feventh 
 month, 180K 
 
 Account is returned to this meeting, that two 
 " of the friends, appointed to vifit fuch as decline the 
 attendance of our religious meetings, did vifit feve- 
 ral of that defcription : and this meeting being fur- 
 ther informed, by one of faid friends, that an op- 
 portunity being taken with Abraham Shackleton, 
 he declared to him, thxit he renounced the Jociety, — 
 And his cafe being maturely confidered by this 
 meeting ; and the brotherly labour, that has been 
 extended to him, proving inefFe6i:ual, we no longer 
 confider him as a member of our fociety, or an- 
 fwerable for his conduct.** 
 
 A copy of the preceding minute was delivered td 
 Abraham Shackleton, and he addreffed the follow- 
 ing letter to the clerk of the monthly meeting of 
 Carlow. 
 
 Joshua Haughton, 
 
 " I write to thee, as clerk to the monthly 
 meeting, on the fubjeft conveyed in thy letter 
 " of the 18th; the whole of which is new and un- 
 precedented. Apprehenfive that your meflengers 
 would not convey a juft report, as their com- 
 munication was vague and undefined, I put my 
 fentiments in writing, in which I ftated what I 
 repeatedly faid to W. L. that / would not dijown the 
 
 " fociety . 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 v67 
 
 " focieiy. Strange to tell^ you refufed the report, 
 
 " written and figned by my own hand, and took the 
 report from your delegate, contrary to my real fen- 
 timent, and proceeded upon it : founding your con- 
 clufion on this falfe evidence, you declare me fepa- 
 rate and difunited from you. I do not wifli to re- 
 verfe this fentence : but, on your account, I am 
 forry. Pretending, as you do, to be a people, 
 judging for the truth, I thought I could do no 
 lefs than fignify to thee, the adive perfon in this 
 bufinefs, my fcnfe of the injuftice of this proceed- 
 ing and teftify againft it. I again enclofe thee my 
 
 *^ paper, which I again defire may be read in the 
 men's and women's meetings. It contains matter 
 that truly belongs to them, and which ought not 
 to be withheld. The prefent extraordinary pro- 
 ceedings convince me that my paper is applicable 
 
 " to the ftate of the fociety. If, as I expedt, in your 
 next meeting, you confirm the injuftice of your 
 proceedings, and refufe to read my paper, then let 
 it be returned to me. 
 
 I wifti you to confider, whether you, in your 
 " own will, or in the will, of the friends fent by the 
 quarterly meeting to affift in your counfels, or other 
 " larger body, afting asm difcipline, and judging as 
 *^ in the capacity of a religious fociety, can poflibly 
 feparate from the unity of the fpirit, which is bound 
 up in the bond of precious peace, Confider what you 
 " are doing. Are you in the capacity of judging for 
 God ? or will not one or two, a6ling really in 
 i'i^ fpirit, in his pozucr, and in his love, over-rule all 
 
 f( your 
 
A. D. ISOI. 
 
 your church cenfures, and confound your church 
 government, which you uphold in formality, and 
 not in the precious life. If this be your principle of 
 a£lion, what will fet limits to your ufurped power ? 
 or can any girdle, but the truth, ftrengthen and 
 give activity to the ffiritual man ? 
 
 ABRAHAM ShACKLETON." 
 
 ^th month, 1801. 
 
 Upon the receipt of this letter, the monthly 
 meeting a6led in the fame manner as it had done 
 with refpeft to the preceding letter, which was a^ain 
 prefented. Both were deemed improper to be read in 
 the meeting. 
 
 It would not comport with, either the limits^ or the 
 defign of^ this Narrative, to enter upon the difcuf- 
 lion of dddlrinal opinions, refpefting which, the So- 
 ciety, and thofe who have feparated from it may 
 differ.* 
 
 To 
 
 * Of the feparatifts it may be remarked, that they have 
 not dlfTociated as a lody^ nor formed a new sect, neither have 
 they, as yet, joined thcmfelves to any other fociety. The 
 confiderations and circumftances, which have led to their fe- 
 paration, have been various. Under the influence of thefe, 
 they have aded as individuals, independent of each other, 
 and refponfible folely, each for his own condu6t and opini- 
 ons. As their feparation from the fociety may reafonably be 
 
 prcfumed 
 
A. I>. 1801. 
 
 To every individual belongs the sacred right, 
 and upon every individual devolves the important 
 DUTY, not only to think, compare, and conclude for 
 HIMSELF, in matters of religion; but alfo, according 
 to his ability, to inftru6l, to affift, and to encourage 
 his brother, in this effential employment. *^ To his 
 
 OWN MASTER HE STANDETH OR FALLETH ^" 
 
 and it is incumbent on all, in the difcharge of both 
 their individual and their fecial duties, not only to 
 attend to this momentous truth them/elves, but to re- 
 member, that in the application of it, every other human 
 heing is equally interefted. 
 
 There are doubtlefs many ferious and well in- 
 flru6led perfons, to whom, fome of Abraham Shac- 
 kleton*s opinions will occafion conliderable pain. And 
 though, on the grounds already ftated, we forbear to 
 inquire whether thofe opinions could be juftified at the 
 bar of impartial reafon, yet it is impoflible not to re- 
 gard the ftrong and unqualified terms, in which fome 
 of his aflertions are expreffed, as a direft invafion of 
 the RIGHT of PRIVATE JUDGMENT in Others, and 
 to a degree of which, it is probable that, himfelf was 
 not aware. 
 
 He may believe that it would be profane for him to 
 call the Scriptures /acred* Others differ from him on 
 
 this 
 
 prefumed to have been connected with much ferious reflec- 
 tion, it is, from this very circumstance, probable, tliat no in- 
 eonfiderable diversity nf opinim may exift among themv 
 
1/0 
 
 A. D. 180U 
 
 this point. He does not mean to impute profanenefs 
 of intention to them ; and to affert, that their opinions 
 are profane, is to affume the very point at iffue between 
 the parties ; and, in the place of an advocate, to ufurp 
 the province of a. judge. 
 
 Again — He may believe that the abfurdities con- 
 tained in the Bible are a fufficient indication to any 
 unprejudiced mind for their annihilation." Other 
 perfons are not only convinced that the Scriptures are 
 a RECORD of the revealed will of God; but, having 
 experimentally knov^^n them to be the beji guide to virtue 
 and happiness, they would regard the annihilation of 
 the Scriptures, if indeed it were polTible to efFe61: it, 
 as one of the moji lamentable events that could befal the 
 huvian race. 
 
 Were vjq, however, to admit that even numerous 
 errors and abfurdities are contained in the fcriptures, 
 Hill it may be afked, — " would the annihilation of the 
 book be a proper mode of refuting them ?*' We know 
 that, in the days of great bigotry and fuperftition, the 
 fuppreffion of the tranjlated fcriptures was a favourite 
 expedient with the interefted advocates for implicit 
 fubmiffion to ecclefiaftical tyranny ; but furely the ge- 
 nuine friends of truth will not now attempt to imitate 
 Juch examples*. 
 
 It 
 
 * In the Rgman Catholic Church, it has long been 
 the pradice to publiili an expurgatory index, or catalogue 
 of PROHIBITED books. All pcrfons who printed, imported. 
 
 bought- 
 
4. B. ISOi. 171 
 
 It is pofTible Indeed, that by the annihilation of 
 the Bible/' Abraham Shackleton might intend only 
 
 to 
 
 hought, fold, or had in their pofTeffion, any of thefe books, 
 were liable to fine, imprifonment, banifhment, and eccle- 
 £aftical cenfare. Bookfellers were required to deliver to the 
 Inquifitors, or deputy CommifTary, once every year, an in- 
 ventory of all the books in their pofTeffion, and to preferve a 
 copy of fuch inventory, constantly ready for inspection. In 
 the year 166/ , was publiftied at Madrid, " Index Librorum 
 " prohibitorum et expurgandorum noviffiraus, pro Catholicis 
 
 Hifpaniarum regnis Philiippi IV." Sixteen introductory 
 rules, and alfo feveral mandates to printers, bookfellers, &c. 
 are printed with this index. The fifth rule (tranflated) begins 
 thus. — Since experience has fhewn, that from the temerity, 
 
 ignorance, and malice of mankind, more of injury than 
 " advantage, hath arifen from the permiffion of the facred 
 " books in the vulgar tongue: — the Bibles in the vulgar 
 
 tongue, with all the portions of them, either printed or 
 *' written, are prohibited, together with all fummaries and 
 
 abridgements, though hiftorical only, of thofe Bibles or 
 " books of facred fcripture in the vulgar idiom or tongue." 
 
 In the twelfth Rule, is the following edia. " But pro- 
 " hibited arc all books, which may in future be compofed 
 or publilhed, in which fhall be contained Errors of Faith, 
 " or any thing contrary to what is taught and approved by 
 " the Holy Roman Church " 
 
 Long experience has now confirmed this important truth, 
 that — " a. FREE PRESS is the grand bulwark of all our 
 f Liberties, civil and religious." Yet, while the prefent 
 generation, and cfpecially the fubjecls of the British and 
 
 American 
 
lf% A. D. 1801'!"' 
 
 to exprefs his opinion that its authority ought n 
 longer to cxift, as the supreme criterion, stan 
 
 DARD 
 
 American governments, ought to feel grateful to Providenci 
 for the bleffings derived from this fourcc, it would perhaps b( . 
 both uncharitable and unjuft, to attribute wholly to arhitrarjt ^ 
 or mercenary views, Lhefe expurgatory regulations of th< 
 darker ages. From the chara<5lers of fome of the Pontiffs, 
 and of many eminent and pious men, in the Romifh church; 
 it may rcafonably be fuppofed, that thefe regulations were 
 framed and carried into effect, from, in part at leaft, mo^ ^' 
 tives of pious and benevolent, though unenlightened zeal. 
 Indeed there exifts a minute, upon the records of our own 
 fociety, which may be thought to have originated in motives, 
 not altogether unlike thofe, which operated in the Romifli 
 Church J tliough altogether unlike the policy of that Church, 
 in enforcing the obfervance of its canons by pains and PEr 
 NALTiES. There is no injun6tion to inflid either cenfure or 
 difownment, upon thofe who do not comply with the direc- 
 tions of the following minute. And as every rule re- 
 quires fome fanftion for fecuring its obfervance, it would 
 feem that this minute ought to be regarded, not as one of the 
 RULES of the fociet}^, but as tlie judgment or advice of 
 the yearly meeting, held in London, 1801. Even in this 
 point of view, however, it may be hoped that the good fenfe 
 cf the fociety will not long continue its fandion to a regulay 
 tion, fo evidently refembling the policy of tlie darker ages. 
 
 The antient and approved pradice of our religious 
 *' fociety, refpe6ting the revifion of manufcripts by the 
 *' fecoud day's morning meeting, and the minutes on that 
 " fubjed, having beea Goafidered> it is the Judgment of 
 
 « tlais 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 jDAUD, or CANON, by which the truth of religious opi- 
 nions fhould be determined. On this^ as well as on 
 all other religious fubje6ls, his right to maintain his 
 own opinions, and to publifli thofe opinions to the 
 w^orld, with the reafons which to his mind appear to 
 be evidences of their truth, ought to be respected 
 \nd preferved inviolate. Equally sacred 
 Irbuld be the fame right, on the part of thofe ivbo 
 iiffcT from him. And for either of the parties to affert, 
 :hat the other muft be under the dominion of prejudiccy 
 NOxAdi indicate, at leaft, the temporary abfence of thofe 
 |/irtues which are effential in the inveftigation of truth. 
 Humility and candour are feldom afTociated with a con- 
 ident perfuafion, that any of the opinions, refpefting 
 vhich their advocates differ from other ferious and re- 
 !k(51:ing perfons, are absolutely and infallibly 
 rue. Whenever,' amidil oppofing opinions, the impor- 
 :atice of arriving at truth is mutually admitted, it muft 
 je by upright inquiry and temperate difcuffion, that 
 :his objed is to be attained. Let thefe b»i conduiSled, 
 )y both parties, with candour, liberality, benevolence, 
 md a fincere deiire of the improvement of mankind ; 
 
 and 
 
 ' this meeting, that the faid pradice be invariably ob- 
 ' ferved : viz. That no boohs, concer?iifig tht principles of 
 
 * friends le printed, without being carefully read, and coR- 
 
 * RECTED, if necelfary, by the Morning Meeting in Lon- 
 ' don. Ertracts from the Minutes and Advices of the 
 ' Yearly Meeting, t?fc. under the htad Books, No. 5, 
 ' Page 12." See fome interefling remarks refpeding this 
 •ninute in *^ An appeal to the fociety of Friends on the Prim. 
 ' Simplicity," kc. 1801, part 3, page 136. 13;. 
 
174 
 
 A. D. 180U 
 
 and although the abettors of sects and sys- 
 T&Jris may dread and deprecate the agitation of fuch 
 queftions, yet the votaries of truth and of 
 PURE CHRISTIANITY Will rejoice that the human 
 faculties are employed on fubje6ts worthy the attention 
 of rational and immortal beings. They reft with un- 
 fliaken confidence on the perfuafion, that " truth is 
 " great, and will finally prevail." They afk only that 
 her peaceful triumphs may not be retarded by the op- 
 pofition of penal lazus, nor by, either the allurements^ or 
 the rejlraints, of any extraneous influence. They behold, 
 without difmay, even the moft hoftile efforts of he- 
 resy, INFIDELITY, SOPHISTRY, and ERROR, fo 
 
 long as the friends of undefiled religion are equallt 
 vigorous in their efforts to do juftice to their own caufe. 
 Their chief difcouragements arife from the thraldom of 
 
 BIGOTRY, SUPERSTITION, and IMPLICIT FA ITH ; 
 
 from that fupine indifference to all intellectual and mo- 
 ral improvement, which is produced by sensual 
 PLEASURES and WORLDLY PURSUITS^ — and from 
 that indolent temperament, which can be rouf- 
 cd to mental adivity by no concerns, either of time, 
 ^r of eternity. 
 
 Although, however, the rights of private 
 .judgment feemed to require the preceding ftriClures 
 upon the language employed by Abraham Shackleton,r 
 justice requires that we do not affume the particular 
 opinions which he, or any other man, may exprefs, as 
 grounds for imputing to them other opinions, which 
 may appear t9 us to be the legitimate iaferences of 
 
 thofe 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 173 
 
 thofe which they have avowed ; but which, if impu- 
 ted to them, they might lincerely dilclaim. 
 
 Indeed this condu6l becomes the more neceffary, 
 from the apparently hafty and unguarded manner in 
 which he has exprefled himfelf, in the two preceding 
 letters. The ftatement of fome of his opinions, given 
 in other parts of this narrative, and in the appendix, 
 (fee No. 2) as well as thofe which he has frequently 
 and publickly avowed, furnifh no grounds for believing 
 that he regards the fcriptures as' deferving of indif- 
 criminate cenfure. On the contrary, it is well known, 
 that he (incerely efteems many parts of thofe records, 
 for the important fafts, pious exhortations, and wife 
 councils, with which they abound ; and, with refpeft 
 to the chriftian religion, he has declared his firm be- 
 lief in it, as the moft pure revelation which the infi- 
 nitely wife God has ever communicated to mankind. 
 Candour therefore requires us to aflfume, that Abraham 
 Shackleton has not mtentionally advanced any opinons 
 -which he conceived would militate againft the genuine 
 interefts of piety and virtue. He appears to have 
 largely imbibed the do6lrine of an inward, immediate, 
 and univerfal revelation from God, manifefi:ed in the 
 heart of every individual human being ; — to the didlates 
 of this revelation, he is of opinion, that the fcriptures, 
 and every other tradition, tenet, or fyftem, ought to be 
 fubjected ; — and, under the influence of this tenet, he 
 believes himfelf juftified in rejedling feveral paflages in 
 the fcriptures, as deftitute of legitimate claim to divine 
 revelation. Now it happens, that the very fame paf- 
 fages are, by many other chrifiians, regarded, as evi- 
 dently 
 
176 
 
 A. D. IdOl, 
 
 dently proceeding from divine revelation. They vene- 
 rate the fcriptures as an authentic record of reve- 
 lations, communicated pure from the infalubliI 
 God, but recorded by fallible men. And al- 
 though, from the imperfections of thofe by whom 
 thefe revelations have been recorded, the inaccuracy of 
 tranfcribers, the want of competent knowledge on the 
 part of tranflators, the frauds and interpolations of de- 
 figning men, and various other circumftances, fome 
 important truths may have been omitted, and fome 
 important errors, or even abfurdities, introduced, dur- 
 ing the lapfe of fo vaji a 'period of time ; yet (till, as the 
 evidences for the truth of the revelations, and 
 for the general authenticity of the record, are 
 clear and fatisfa6lory to the minds of that clafs of 
 chriftians to which we now refer, they fuffer not their 
 veneration for thofe grand truths and important dif- 
 coveries, which are moft clearly contained in the fcrip- 
 tures, to be lefTened by the imperfe6lions and errors 
 with which they are blended. They obferve, with 
 thankfulnefs, that many of thefe errors and imperfec- 
 tions have been detefted by pious and learned men ; 
 and they rejoice in the expeftation that, by the con- 
 tinued labors of thefe dene factors of mankind, 
 every remaining important error and imperfeftion will, 
 in time, be alfo dete<3:ed. It is their opinion, that 
 right reafon and fober criticifm are the proper tefts by 
 which the true meaning of the fcriptures is to be afcer- 
 tained, and the genuinenefs and authenticity* of them 
 
 to 
 
 * " A book may be genuine, without being authentic ; 
 and a book may be authentic, without being genuine" 
 
 Sec 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 177 
 
 to be determined, and they feel a confidence that all 
 the eflential parts will ftand the fevereft examination. 
 They have no wifh to control any of their chriftian 
 brethren, who believe it right to form opinions con- 
 cerning either the meaning or the truth of the fcrip- 
 tures, or concerning other religious fubjedls, from the 
 diftates of inward feeling or of apprehended individual 
 revelations. But unlefs the exiftence of the individual 
 revelation be demonftrated by adequate evidence^ the 
 rational friends of the facred records maintain, that it 
 is by an appeal to the genuine fcriptures, interpreted 
 by the fame means which have been prefcribed for 
 eftablifliing their truth, that fubjedls of religious con- 
 troverfy, among chriftians, are to be decided. They 
 contend that right reafon can never fail to approve 
 every divine revelation, and that nothing ought to be 
 admitted, as divine revelation, but that which is eit- 
 tefted by fuch evidence as right reafon approves. 
 
 MuNGO Bewley, of Mountmelick, refigned his 
 office as an eld'^.r, and his wife, Mary BtwLEY, 
 a MINISTER, (and daughter to the late James 
 GouGH, who was mentioned page 33,) refigned her 
 memberfliip. Mary Bewley, on being applied to for 
 a copy of her refignation, and of the minute in confe- 
 (^uence thereof, wrote to a friend as follow? : 
 
 " I fhould not have the leaft objedlion to' comply 
 N " with 
 
 See this aflertion, with fome able remarks upon the diifer- 
 cnce between thofe terms, in An Apology for the 
 Bible/' addrelTcd to Thomas Paine, by Dr. Wa.tion, 
 " "Bishop of Landaff," page 34, edit. 8th, 
 
 4 
 
178 
 
 A. D. 1801. 
 
 with thy requefl, had I kept any copy of the few 
 lines I fent to the monthly meeting. As I was then 
 
 " defirous of withdrawing from them as quietly as I 
 could, believing it right for me to cultivate peace and 
 
 *^ love in my own mind, fo that I wifhed to obliterate 
 every trace of their treatment of me. However I have 
 been ftriving to recollect ; and, though imperfeOily, 
 I think it was in fubftance — That feeling my 
 
 *^ mind releafed from what is called the bonds of reli- 
 
 *^ gious fociety, I was defirous of being no longer 
 conlidered a member of theirs. This ftep, I said, 
 was from no unworthy motive ; but was on the 
 ground of fincerity, the refult of mature deliberation^ 
 and a perfuafon of its re^itude ; and concluded with 
 
 " adding fomething, that I wiflied to live in peace 
 with all mankind — My hulband fent no paper in, 
 
 *^ as he verbally expreffed his defire to refign as an 
 elder, which was readily granted. IVe were fur- 
 
 *^ nifljed with no minute from the meeting.'' 
 
 EIGHTH MONTH, 
 
 Joseph Nicholson of Eelfaft, who had been 
 for fevcral years efteemedasan acceptable Minister ; 
 and had repeatedly travelled in that capacity, both in 
 Ireland and Great Britain, with the full unity and con- 
 currenee of the Society in both countries, fent in the 
 following refignation of memberfhip. 
 
 To Friends of Li/hurn Monthly Meeting, 
 
 As I could not unite with you for fome time 
 
 " pafu . 
 
A. D. J801. 
 
 179 
 
 paft, in the fupport of fuch a minijlry as you uphold, 
 nor in your conducling the difc'ipline of fociety, and as 
 I apprehend that, by fome late decijions in more ge- 
 neral meetings, liberty of confcience has been attempted 
 to he abridged, in order to promote conformity and uni- 
 formity to unefjential tenets and pradices, wherein a 
 deviation from the Jiandard of rectitude has been evi- 
 dently manifefted, as alfo a departure in word and 
 deed, by nioft, even of thofe who appear zealous for the 
 " law, from the pure principle of light, life, and love, 
 which is the only right bond of union in the univerfe. 
 
 " On which account, as well as a perfuafion that it 
 *^ isbeft for me, though prof effing this principle with you, 
 
 to inform you, that I can no longer confider myfelf, 
 ^' as an alTociated member of your fociety, or any 
 " other, and requeft you will not in future confider me 
 *^ as fuch, though at the fame time, I remain with love, 
 " and defire for your prefent and everlafting well- 
 " being, your friend, 
 
 Joseph Nicholson." 
 
 «^ Eighth Month, 1801, 
 Upon which the following minute v^ras iffued. 
 
 Minute of the Monthly Meeting of Lifburn, held 
 " near Ballinderry, the \btb of \Qth month, 1801. 
 
 " Thomas Lamb returns account, that the vifit 
 " was paid to Jofeph Nicholfon, and that he conti- 
 " nues to think it to be his duty to recede from our 
 fociety. This meeting therefore receives his refig- 
 N 2 " nation, 
 
180 
 
 A. D. 180lr 
 
 nation, and no longer confiders him as a member or 
 minifter among us. 
 
 Signed on behalf of /aid meeting, 
 
 John Barcroft, Clerh 
 
 George Thompson, Schoolmafter, was vifited 
 by appointment of the monthly meeting of Lilburn, 
 in confequence of his opinions concerning the fcrip- 
 tures ; but as no change in his opinions was hereby 
 produced, a public teftimony, in the following terms, 
 was iflued by the faid monthly meeting againft 
 him, as one with whom they could not hold fellow- 
 fliip. 
 
 George Thompfon of Lifburn meeting, a mem- 
 " ber of our religious fociety, the people called 
 Quakers, was appointed to the important ftation of 
 mafter to the fchool near Lifburn, in which he 
 conducted himfelf, we hope, pretty orderly for fome 
 time; tiW, foaring above the path of true JimpUcity, 
 he gave evident marks, both in writing and other- 
 wife, that he was not on the fame ground of belief, 
 " refpe6ling the fcriptures of truth, that we are of; 
 *^ holding majiy important parts of them as erroneous, 
 " which eventually tends to irivalidate the whole, and 
 fuhvert the faith of many. Sundry vijits were paid 
 to him, and endeavours ufed, to prevail on him to 
 " break off from thefe his errors, but to no purpofe, 
 he ftill perfifting in acknowledging them. 
 
 Now, in order to teftify our difunity with this 
 fpirit, which has forrczvfully gone abroad to the 
 
 defilement 
 
 4: 
 
A. r. 1801. 
 
 181 
 
 defilement of many in this day. We do hereby bear 
 " our public teftimony againft the faid George Thomp- 
 fon ; nor can we hold fellowfhip with him, till he is 
 mercifully favoured to fee the fallacy of thefe rea^ 
 fomngs he has embraced, and in the true light be 
 enabled to condemn them." 
 
 In confequence of the preceding teftimony, the 
 following letter was addrefied to the monthly meet- 
 ing by George Thompfon. 
 
 To the Monthly Meeting to he held in Lijhurn, Qti 
 Month \1th, 1801, 
 
 A copy of your paper of denial was handed to 
 me fome time ago, by John Barcroft ; in which 
 you infinuate that my condu6l in the School was not 
 fo orderly of late, as it had formerly been. To 
 what you allude I know not. Was it becaufe I 
 
 " could not join with you in upholding an unfoundy 
 
 " formal, and lifelefs miniftry ? 
 
 " You fay, / hold many important parts of the 
 fcripture as erroneous, zvhich eventually tends to 
 invalidate the whole, and fuhvert the faith of many J* 
 " What thofe important parts are, you have not 
 thought proper to inform me, neither did your dc- 
 puties point them out to me. Are they thofe parts, 
 which hold up the doBrine of atonement} One of 
 your deputies has denied that do£lrine alfo. But I 
 deny, that believing a part of them to be erroneous, 
 " has a tendency to invalidate the luhole ; for, though 
 
 a diamond 
 
182 
 
 A. D. 1801 
 
 a diamond may be hidden in a dunghill, it neverthe-r 
 <^ lefs continues to be a diamond, though furrounded 
 " by rubbifli, and thus it is with many truths in the 
 " fcriptures. — But I am firmly convinced, that hold- 
 ing up, and deifying books, as you are attempting, 
 to do, is that which, in reality, fubverts not only the 
 faith^ but alfo the souls of many. With refpe6b to 
 the uncertainty, not only of the common tranflation 
 of the fcripture, but alfo of every other, Robert 
 Barclay has clearly pointed it out, Prop. 3d, Se6t. 4th 
 of his Apology. For my part, I cannot believe 
 that a God of infinite goodnefs would appoint fuch 
 an uncertain rule, to lead mankind to happinefs, 
 as the book called thQ Bible is : — a book, many 
 parts of which contradict each other. 
 
 *^ With refpe6t to thofe fo much extolled vifits, in 
 which you fay endeavours were ufed to prevail on 
 me to break off from, what you call, my errors ; I 
 abfolutely deny that to have been the intention or 
 
 " tendency of them ; they were not to advife, but to 
 catechife ; not to admonifh, but to condemn ; in order 
 to which, they afked me every enfnaring quejiion 
 
 " that they could invent, to draw fomething from me, 
 if poflible, on which they could ground an accuja^ 
 
 *^ tion, , But you may judge how competent they, 
 were to pay a religious vifit, when I inform you, that 
 one of them had Jlept a conjiderahle time in the meet- 
 
 " ing (for worfhipj juft before they came to me. This 
 
 " I could prove by the teftimony of feveral. 
 
 When my letters to George Nettleton were 
 
 <^ fhewn 
 
A. D. 1801. 
 
 183 
 
 " ihevvn to me by John Conr AN and Thomas Lame^ 
 " I defired them to make their objections to them, 
 " and I would anfwer them candidly ; but John Con- 
 
 ran's reply was^ " IV^ have no obje^ions io make 
 " and, what are you now doing but condemning me 
 for thofe letters to which he had no ohjeBto7i to make ? 
 The argument he ufed to convince me that I was 
 wrong, was, that by being fo unwife as to promul- 
 gate thofe letters, I had loft, what he looked upon, 
 *^ as a comfortable livelihood. What was this, but blam- 
 ing me for not ailing the hypocrite ? Oh ! bafe 
 unworthy motive ! Oh ! the depravity of the 
 mind that could advance it ! Surely it muft be 
 dead to every fenfation of religion ! i God for- 
 bid that I lliould ever a6l on fuch an unfound prin- 
 ciple. 
 
 I long ago exprelTed my difunity with the chief 
 " of the fynagogue ; no wonder, therefore, that you 
 
 cannot hold fellowfhip with me ; but you can hold 
 
 fellowfhip with wine-bibbers and libertines, fom^ of 
 " whom are, among you, a£live members. For the truth 
 
 of this, I appeal to the juji witnefs which God has 
 
 mercifully placed in the hearts of all, 
 
 " After laying the above before you, for your 
 " confideration, I feel my mind perfectly unanxious as 
 <^ to the event. Defiring that you may fee your true 
 ftate, fo as to profit thereby, I am your well-wiftier. 
 
 " George Thompson.'' 
 Belfafly 9th month \6th, 1801. 
 
 This 
 
184 
 
 This letter was permitted to be read in the monthly 
 meeting, but produced no change in its conclufiori 
 refpe(fting him The fchool, mentioned in the teili- 
 mony of difownment, vt^as eftabliftied by the quar- 
 terly meeting of Ulfter ; and the committee, to whom 
 the fuperintendance of it was entrufted, difmiffed the 
 faid George Thompfon from his office of School- 
 mafter, in confequence of the opinions for which the 
 fociety had difowned him. 
 
 Anna Hill, Ruth Hill, and Elizabeth 
 Bell, fent in a joint letter of refignation of their mem- 
 berfhip to the monthly meeting of Lifburn ; held 12th 
 of 11th month, 1801. Bknjamin Thompson, of 
 Derrymecafh, alfo refigned his memberfhip, by let- 
 ter, dated I4th 2d month, 1802, addreffed to the 
 monthly meeting of Lurgan. In both thefe letters, 
 the feparatifts ftate their diflfatisfaftion \^ith the for- 
 mal and lifelefs fpirit in which the meetings of the 
 fociety appeared to them to be held ; and in the for- 
 mer of thefe letters it is added, we cannot have 
 our minds bound by any mode or fyftem, which 
 does not allow liberty of confcience.'* 
 
 FIRST MONTH, 
 
 William Jamfs Hogg, (who had been dif- 
 owned for attending the marriage of John Rogers, 
 jun.) and Mary Ann Wood, were married at the 
 houfe of Jam IS Christy, of Stramore, in the pre- 
 fence of fifteen witnefles, of whom fourteen then were^ 
 or frevioujly had been memhers of the fociety 5 and a 
 
 copy 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 185 
 
 copy of the certificate of this marriage is Inferted in 
 " A Friendly Expof^ulation, by John Hancock," page 
 28, Irifli edit. 
 
 For this offence again ft the rules of the fociety, 
 the aforefaid Mary Ann Wood, was publicly difowned 
 by the monthly meeting of Lurgan in the following 
 terms. 
 
 Mary Ann Wood was educated In profeffion with 
 us, the people called Quakers, and for a confider- 
 " able time after fhe came into the bounds of this 
 meeting, was a diligent attender of our meetings 
 both for worjhip and difcipUne ; but, for want of at- 
 *^ tending to that principle of grace in the heart, which 
 has, in every age of the world, led the religioufly 
 difpofed of all perfuafions, to unite in public worjhip 
 to the Supreme Being, and in a particular manner 
 *^ engaged our worthy predeceflbrs to keep up their 
 *^ religious meetings, through much oppolition, trials 
 " and afflictions, and which we believe would ftill 
 " lead thofe, who attend to its pointings, in the fame 
 path — (he became lax in the performance of this ge- 
 nerally acknowledged duty, and at lajl altogether ab^ 
 *^ fented herfelf from our public aflemblies, and as one 
 wrong Jlep generally leads to another ; {he has fmce 
 departed from the good order ejlahlijhed among us, 
 " by entering into fonie kind of marriage contrail, with 
 a man not in memberftiip with us, and in a manner, 
 which, we believe, has a tendency to encourage 
 " private and clandejiine connexions. 
 
 " Wc 
 
186 
 
 A. D. 1802, 
 
 We therefore think it right for us, thus pub- 
 " licly to teftify our d'lfapprobation of the condud of faid 
 *^ Mary Ann Wood, and that we do not any longer 
 " confider her a member of our fociety.'* 
 
 The preceding teftimony of difownment was ftiewn 
 to Mary Ann Hogg, previoufly to its being finally 
 ifTued, by the direftion of the monthly meeting of Lur- 
 gan, and (lie then objected to that part, which imputes 
 her fuppofed delinquency to the want of attending to 
 
 tbat principle of grace in the heart, ivhicF* &c. &c.j 
 remarking, that if the ferious and fettled convictions 
 
 of her own mind were to be relied on, flie had not 
 *^ afted CONTRARY to the principle of grace in the 
 
 heart, but in obedience to it, in thofe very in- 
 
 fiances which formed the grounds of the fociety's pro- 
 " cee dings againfl her^ 
 
 It is ftated as a part of the charge, that (he he- 
 came lax in the performance of this generally ac- 
 " knowledged duty, and at laft altogether abfented 
 " herfelf from our public aflemblies, and as one wrong 
 " ftep generally leads to another, fhe has lince," &c. 
 &c. — On this (he alledges, that, in point of fad, {he 
 *^ did not decline the attendance of meetings occafion- 
 " ally or gradually, as the expreffion {lax) feems to 
 " imply, but that flie retired from them at once, and 
 then becaufe fhe believed it her duty fo to do. 
 
 It is to be regretted, that thefe circumftances fliould 
 not have induced a revifion of the teftimony of dif- 
 ownment in this cafe ; for furely the fabftance, tern - 
 
 per. 
 
A. D. 1802, 
 
 187 
 
 per, and language of it, appear to be ill adapted to the 
 occafion ; and are far from indicating that fpirit of can- 
 dour, meeknefs, and love, which is eflential to the 
 right condu6l of all Chriftian difcipline. The cha- 
 TaSiev and condu6l of Mary Ann Hogg were fuch, as 
 to afford no ground for doubting the linearity of heraf- 
 fertion, that fhe had a6led according to her beft appre- 
 henfion of duty, in thofe cafes which were regarded 
 as offences by the fociety. Whether fucb conduct be 
 the refult of rigbl fteps, or of wrong ones — whether it 
 proceeds from attending to, or from the want of at- 
 tending to " the principle of grace in the hearty^ fliould 
 not be haftily pronounced by frail and fallible mortals, 
 ^is this is beft, and fometimes only, known to that 
 GREAT Being, who is reprefented in the awful cha- 
 ra£ler of the Searcher OF Hearts. The aflertion, 
 that the principle of grace has, in every age of the 
 world, led the religioufly difpofed, of all perfuajions, U 
 unite in puhlic worfhip to the fupreme Being,"' cannot 
 poffibly be fuppofed to proceed from any wilful inten- 
 tion to mifreprefent or miflead ; but furely it is liable 
 to the imputation of blameable ignorance. And the 
 allufion to private and clandeftine connexions,'' to- 
 gether with the defignation of the party by her mai- 
 den NAME, fome time after fhe had been married^ 
 feem intended to convey infinuations pointedly inde- 
 licate, and injurious both to the feelings and charac- 
 ter of virtuous women. 
 
 That the marriages of the feparatlfts have, thus far^ 
 been conducted with i\x\X.'d}Q\Q publicity and decorum, 
 wiill, probably, not be denied. Indeed this is no more 
 
 than 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 than might reafonably be expelled from perfons, ail- 
 ing under the influence of confcientious feelings, 
 fully imprefled with the unpopularity of their con- 
 duct on this occafion, and, therefore, naturally de- 
 firous of furnifliing no jujl caufe for cenfure. Still 
 however, the mode of marriage which they adopt 
 may be deemed liable to obje6lion, in that no definite 
 mode or degree of publicity is prefcribed ; — nor 
 IS there any reference to a competent tribunal 
 to inquire and decide, whether the parties intending 
 to marry are free from fimilar engagements to other 
 perfons ; — nor, whether there is any other reafonable 
 IMPEDIMENT or OBJECTION to their intended union. 
 Whilft fuch marriages continue to take place between 
 perfons of refpe6lable chara<^ers and upright inten- 
 tions, no adual inconvenience may refult from the ob- 
 je6iions now ftated. But it muft be obvious that 
 refpe£lability of chara6ler, and uprightnefs of inten- 
 tion, may not always exift in parties defirous of mar- 
 rying \ and therefore, under circumftances where the 
 judgment is peculiarly liable to be biafled by the af- 
 fections, prudence may require that it fhould not be 
 left to individuals to decide for themfelves, or for 
 thofe relatives who are often tenderly interefted in the 
 refult of fuch connexions — what mode or degree of 
 publicity fliall be fufiicient, or what confideration may 
 be due to the claims or obje6tions of others ? If the 
 lately adopted mode of marriage fhould be more gene- 
 rally adopted, it may be prefumed that thefe objec- 
 tions will be properly obviated; and in the mean 
 time, it wall be admitted that it is of the higheft 
 importance^ that focieties as well as individuals fhould 
 
 exercife 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 1S9 
 
 exercife a fultable care to dlfcourage and prevent private 
 and clandeftinc connexions. It may be queftioned, 
 however, whether the wifh of the fociety to prevent 
 fuch connexions would not be more likely to prove 
 eflre(Slual, if, inftead of reforting to censure and 
 DisowNMENT On thcfe occafions, it fhould be allowed 
 for monthly meetings to permit fuch a deviation from 
 the prefcribed mode of marriage, as might fatisfy the 
 fcruples of the truly confcientious members, and at 
 the fame time fecure all the important barriers againfl 
 private and clandeftine connexions. 
 
 But, if the idea of conceding thus far, be totally 
 inadmiffible, and if the ejcifting rules of difcipline are to 
 continue to be enforced, it will furely be admitted, that, 
 for condu6l, refulttng ^rom fcruples confcience, the fo- 
 ciety cannot confiftently do more than Jimply record the 
 fad^ as an offence againfl its rules, and flate thh as the 
 caufe of exclufion from memberfliip, without fpeaking 
 of the parties in terms of cenfure, or pafling judg- 
 ment on the motives to their condu6l. However 
 remote from a tendency to encourage private 
 
 and clcindejiine connexions'' the condu£l of the 
 feparatifls might have been — nay, if the greatly im- 
 proved mode of proceeding, in relation to marriage, 
 which the national yearly meeting had itfelf adopted 
 in the year 1 800, had happened to be adopted by the 
 feparatifls, before it had been thus fan6tioned—\s it not 
 obvious that they would flill have incurred difown- 
 ment and cenfure, for ading contrary to the rules of 
 the fociety, although they had adopted an improve- 
 ,«ient upon thofe rules ? 
 
 Mari:; 
 
A. D. 1802 
 
 Mart Hogg, for being prefent at the marriage of 
 her fon, William Hogg, was difowned, as no longer 
 a member of the fociety, by the monthly meeting of 
 Lifburn. 
 
 And, for the fame offence, connected with the 
 charge of not attending our religious meetings, six 
 friends were alfo difowned by the following minute 
 of the monthly meeting of Lurgan, held at Grange, 
 near Charlemont, 13th of 5th month, 1802 : 
 
 This meeting having refumed the confideration 
 of the conduct of Thomas Phelps, Jamls 
 Christy, William Dawson, Samuel Sin* 
 
 " TON, Hannah Davis, and Sarah Dawson,- 
 who have been under dealing for being prefent, 
 and aiding at a diforderly union of a member of our 
 
 " fociety, with a perfon not in unity with us ; and who 
 have been in the pra(Slice of ahfenting themf elves 
 
 " from the attendance of our religious meetings ; and 
 although, through tendernefs to the individuals, 
 
 " and a difpofition to avoid the danger of a hajly dect- 
 Jion, we have hitherto deferred teftifying againft 
 them, hoping they might be favoured to fee where 
 
 *^ they had Jlepped afide from that good order into which 
 our predeceflbrs at the beginning were led ; and iii 
 which we believe many of thefe, at times, have been 
 concerned to walk ; yet, as there appears no ground 
 
 *' to hope, that the further care of this meeting could 
 be attended with the good effe6l of convincing them 
 of their error ^ we think it right at this time to 
 
 clear 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 clear ourfelves from the imputation of encouraging 
 fuch irregular conduB \ and declare that we cannot 
 hold unity with them therein, nor con fid er them as 
 *^ members of our fociety, until they experience and 
 exprefs condemnation therefor. 
 
 Joseph Gough^ Clerk/' 
 
 With refpedl to the charge of having ^- been in 
 •* the pracSlice of abfenting tbemfelves from our reli- 
 *^ gious meetings it may be remarked, that, though 
 fuch was the facl, yet there is reafon to believe that 
 it did not proceed from any abatement of religious 
 zeal in the parties thus difowned : but from dilTatis- 
 fatlion v/ith the minlftry of the fociety, and with the 
 general temper and fpirit, which influenced its pro- 
 ceedings ; and ffom a perfuafion, that, in order to 
 avoid the appearance of fanclioning this miniflry, tem- 
 per and fpirit, it was nsceffkry to decline the attend- 
 ance of meetings. 
 
 Three of the perfons thus difowned, had been in 
 the Ration of Elder's ; and as it is peculiarly their 
 province to have the overfight and care of the miniftr}'', 
 the office of an cider is juftly regarded as the mojl Im' 
 portunt of any in the fociety. Hence it is deemed 
 eifential, that they fhould be perfons who rule well 
 their own houfes, whofe lives and converfation are ex- 
 emplary, who have happily experienced the work of 
 religion in their own minds, and, having thus given 
 fuitable proofs of the Jlalility of their attainments^ 
 manifefl their qualifications for the duties of this im- 
 portant 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 portant office.* Now if the elders among us are, in 
 reality, thus qualified, it will furely be admitted 
 
 that 
 
 * The following minutes, refpe6ting the qualifications 
 of ciders, are inferted from Extra6is from the minutes and 
 " advices of the yearly meeting of friends held in London." 
 
 " This meeting recommends, that in the appointment 
 ** of elders, age or wealth may not be inducements to 
 ** your choice ; but that fuch as fear God, and love his 
 truth, in linccrity, may be nominated for that fervice, 
 who, being of clean hands, may comfort the feeble 
 " minded and reprove the unruly with proper weight 
 " 1761." — Discipline and meetings for discipline, No. 18, 
 page 50. 
 
 " As to the elders among you, and thofe whom God, 
 " having endued with knowledge, and experience of th« 
 " cleanfmg operations of his fpirit, hath concerned to minif- 
 " ter unto others, let them adorn the do6trine of the gofpel, 
 by (hewing, out of a good converfation, their works with 
 *' meeknefs of wifdom. Such as thefe being clothed with 
 *' humility, and exemplary to the flock, are worthy of dou- 
 " BLE HONOUR, and to be highly esteemed in the Churclfc 
 " of Chrift." 1751, P. E. Ministers and elders, and their 
 7neetings, No. 8, page 92. 
 
 " You that are ciders and overfeers in the church, and 
 " concerned in the maintenance of good order, and prefer- 
 ** vation of difcipline, keep your own hands clean, and gar- 
 " ments unfpotted j that you may rebuke with authority ; 
 ** and, being clothed with the meeknefs and gentlenefs of 
 
 the 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 that their condufl, on occafions like thofe which 
 had recently occurred, fpeaks a language which is enti- 
 tled to ferious attention. The previous refignations of 
 their offices, by the elders, whofe difownment has 
 been referred to, had been rendered abfolutely una- 
 voidable by the conduft of the quarterly meeting of 
 Ulster ; for how could they, with any confiftency, 
 retain the overfight of, and be deemed refponlible 
 for, the miniftry, in their refpe6live meetings, if 
 the deliberate and repeated reprefentations of their 
 diflfatisfaftion continued to be not merely difre- 
 garded, but oppofed? It will be recollefted that 
 this diffatisfadlion was not confined to the three el- 
 dersy juft mentioned; but that the reprefentati- 
 ons of dilTatisfadlion, which they had made, were, 
 with the exception of only two individuals, concurred 
 in by the fele^ meeting of minijlers and elders for the 
 luhole province of Uljler, at two d'lftinB quarterly meet- 
 ings. Either then this diffatisfa^tion fhould have been 
 fandlioned by the quarterly and monthly meetings, or 
 it muft follow that thofe meetings had appointed and 
 retained, in the ftation of elders, throughout a whole 
 province, perfons, who, in the judgment of the fociety 
 itfelf were not fit for that office. 
 
 Thefe elders cannot be charged with precipitancy y 
 O in 
 
 " the lamb, may ftedfaftly perfevere in the fupport of that 
 " teftimony committed to you : that when the great fliephcrd 
 "** fhall appear, you may come before him with reverent aflii- 
 *' ranee, and receive the reward of, * Well done, good and 
 " 'faithful fervant; enter into the joy of thy Lord.' 1753. 
 W. E." iVo. 10, page Q3. 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 in thofe proceedings which led to their feparation from 
 the fociety. And however we may regret their refig- 
 nation as elders, and their withdrawing from the at- 
 tendance of meetings for difcipUne, yet how could 
 they have a6led otherwife, under the very peculiar cir- 
 cumftances, in which they flood ? How could their 
 meetings for worfliip and difcipline be regarded as op- 
 portunities, either of edification or of comfort^ if a 
 miniftry, which they difapproved, was to contipue to 
 be impofed on them ? How could they take " fweet 
 council together," or harmonife in tranfa6ling the 
 affairs of the church, with thofe who not only thus dif- 
 fered from them in fentiment, but who could not be fatis- 
 fied without publicly difowning and cenfuring their bre- 
 thren, for conduct refpedling marriage; although that 
 very condu6l was flated to be in flri6l conformity with 
 what the parties confcientioufly believed to be their duty . 
 
 They vi^ho are acquainted with what ufually be- 
 longs to the temper and chara6ler of Elders in our 
 fociety, will, indeed, eafily believe, that much ferious 
 refle6lion and felf examination would naturally take 
 place, before they could be induced to adopt and per- 
 fevere in fuch open avowal of difunity with the body. 
 The poffible effe6ls of fuch conduct on their own minds, 
 and its obvious influence in the way of example on 
 others, and efpecially on their own children^ and the 
 youth in general, were confiderations to which it can- 
 not be fuppofed they could be inattentive. Twelve 
 months had elapfed fince the three elders lafl men- 
 tioned, had refigned their offices, and, not long after- 
 wards, they alfo declined the attendance of meetings^ 
 
 for 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 for difcipline. The preceding marriage, In a manner 
 contrary to the rules of the fociety, was in contem- 
 plation -J and they were fully aware, that, if this 
 marriage fliould be fanftioned by their concurrence, 
 the recommendation of the preceding national yearly 
 meeting, that our chriftian difcipline be properly 
 fupported in the right line and fpirit,*' would be 
 regarded, by the monthly meeting, as an injun£lion 
 to feparate them from memberlhip. In the cafe of 
 one of thefe elders, it is further to be remarked, 
 that he had recently experienced an affli6ling dif- 
 penfation of Providence, in the death of a faithful^ 
 affedionate, religioufly difpofed, and tenderly beloved 
 wife ; who had herfelf, a very fhort time before her 
 deceafe, pafled through the fame procefs of difown- 
 ment, and for conduct fimilar to that which had now 
 occafioned the difmemberfliip of her hufband. Does 
 not candour then require us to paufe, and to be well 
 alTured, that we poflefs competent information, before 
 we impute to the influence of felf-deception, or the 
 impulfe of ivayzvard paj/ions, the conduct of men of 
 upright minds, under circumftances peculiarly fa- 
 vourable to ferious and difpafTionate reflexion ? 
 
 Let it not however be fuppofed, that the preceding re- 
 marks, or any inferences, which are reafonably deduci- 
 ble from them, are intended to juftify the whole of the 
 conduct and opinions, either of the elders who have 
 juR been mentioned, or of the feparatifts generally. 
 They were men, and confequently imperfect 
 beings; fuch alfo were thofe who judged them; and 
 EFvR IS HUMAN. Of the moft WISE and pious 
 O 2 men 
 
10 
 
 A. D. 1802. 
 
 men whom the world has ever known, it may fafely 
 be affirmed, that feme of their opinions are erro- 
 neous, and others inadequate or imperfect. 
 Yet, whilft the fuperior attainments of fuch men are 
 juftly regarded by us with efteem and veneration, 
 the efFeft on themfelves is, that the farther they ad- 
 vance in KNOWLEDGE, the more fenfible are they 
 of their remaining ignorance ; and the more hum- 
 ble and diffident do they daily become. They 
 are always unwilling to prescribe or dictate to 
 their fellow- creatures, for though defirous of in- 
 structing, yet are they alfo fearful of mislead- 
 ing others. From experimental eonvidlion they well 
 know that infallibility belongs not to man; and 
 that mutual forbearance, condescension, and 
 love^ beft become frail and erring mortals in 
 their condu6l towards each other. 
 
 fourth month. 
 
 We are now arrived at the time when the nati- 
 onal yearly meeting was again held. The important 
 events, which had taken place fince its laft fitting, 
 formed indeed a very interefting, and a very affefting 
 comment on its former determinations ; and the im- 
 preflions produced by them, are recorded in the fol- 
 lowing minute : 
 
 NATIONAL YEARLY MEETING, 1802. 
 
 The following report in writing l]as been received 
 from moft of the friends appointed by the laft yearly 
 meeting, to vifit the province of Ulster, and fuch 
 other parts of the nation, as they might find their 
 " minds drawn to, viz. : 
 
 That 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 i97 
 
 " That, foon after the yearly meeting, feveral of 
 the friends under appointment, and fome of the 
 women appointed by their meeting, proceeded to the 
 province of Ulster, and attended the monthly, 
 " quarterly, and moft of the par'ticular meetings. 
 
 That in Leinster province, they attended the 
 monthly, and moft of the particular meetings, 
 ^' alfo the autumn quarterly meeting. 
 
 That in Munster they likewife made fome 
 
 " movements under that appointment, and that the 
 fpring quarterly meeting for Ulster and Lein- 
 
 *^ STER provinces, were attended by fome under faid 
 nomination. They alfo paid viiits to many fami- 
 
 *^ lies and individuals in the three provinces, as they 
 found their minds engaged. During the.fe vifits, 
 
 " they were often made fenlible, that there was 
 great occafion for the reprefentatioo jnade to the 
 yearly meeting, of the offeStmg Jlate cf the fociety ; 
 and that there are various caufes of difcouragementy 
 exijiing in divers parts of the nation; but notwithftand- 
 ing this appears to be the cafe, they are apprehenfive 
 that divers well difpofed friends, give way too 
 
 *^ much thereto ; and, inflead of making ufe of the abi- 
 lit-y afforded, feem too prone to fink under the prefent 
 gloom. The province of Ulster appeared to them 
 particularly to require the foftering care of the 
 
 " yearly meeting ; and they vvifh that friends of the 
 
 " other two provinces, may feel themfelves engaged 
 to attend that quarterly meeting; in order that 
 thofe who are rightly bound to the maintenance of 
 
 *^ good 
 
A. D. 1802^ 
 
 good order, and fupport of our chrijlian tejimonies 
 there, may be encouraged and ajjifted^ 
 
 " A verbal report was alfo received from a friend of 
 Ulster province, whereby we are informed, that 
 the different inftances of diforder, mentioned at laft 
 yearly meeting to have occurred there, have been un- 
 der the care of the monthly and quarterly meetings, 
 and that the rules of our difcipline have been in a 
 good degree carried into effedl, Jo as to reach moji or 
 all of thoje cafes " 
 
 Of the verbal report from Ulster, it may be re* 
 marked, that it chiefly relates to the events which 
 have taken place, in that Province, during the memo^ 
 rable interval between the national yearly meetings of 
 1800 and 1801 ; and by referring to thefe, fome judg- 
 ment may be formed of the nature of " the different 
 
 injlances of diforder'' which had occurred there, and 
 alfo of what is meant by the rules of our difcipline 
 
 having been, in a good degree, carried into effeB fo as 
 
 to reach mofl or all of thefi cafes,*' 
 
 And, whilft the events of the pafl year are thus 
 noticed, it is alfo important to remark in what manner 
 the views of the fociety, refpe£ting the future, are 
 exprelTed. The preceding report ftates, that " though 
 " there are various caufes of difcouragement exifting 
 in divers parts of the nation, yet that divers well- 
 difpofed friends give way too much thereto, and 
 inftead of making ufe of the ability afforded, feem 
 
 " toa 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 too prone to fink under the prefent gloom." And 
 it proceeds to recommend that a " foftering care'* 
 may be extended to Ulster, and that thofe who 
 
 are rightly bound to the maintenance of good order 
 
 and fupport of our chriftian teftimonies there, may 
 
 be encouraged and affifted." 
 
 Alas, poor Ireland ! Is this the temper, fplr it ^ 
 and fyjlem under which the church government of 
 our fociety in that kingdom, is in future to be admi- 
 niftered; and is its final doom this sealed? Surely 
 the memorable events which had occurred within the 
 laft four years ; and the re€olle<Stion, that thefe had 
 been repeatedly predi<Sled, and the fociety emphati- 
 cally warned that fuch muft be the neceflary confe- 
 quence of its proceedings, afforded abundant reafon to 
 paufe, before it fhould thus recommend a perfeverence 
 in meafures from which fo many lamentable confe- 
 quences had already refulted. 
 
 Weak, low, and progreffively declining, as 
 the ftate of the fociety, for feveral preceding years, 
 had been conftantly reprefented ; — deprived, as it now 
 was, of the counfels and afliftance of many of thofe, 
 who, in the ftation of ministers and elders, and 
 and in various a6live fervices in the discipline, had 
 been as nurfing fathers and mothers to the 
 church ; — its hope and support in feafons of diffi- 
 culty and difcouragement ; — exemplars, to which 
 the attention of its youth had been direfted with 
 pious and affe6lionate folicitude ; — the partners of 
 its LABOURS, and the helpers of its joy; — how na- 
 turally 
 
200 
 
 A. D. 1802. 
 
 turally would it follow, that divers well difpofed 
 friends fhould indeed be fenfibly affected by the 
 *^ various caufes of difcouragement which had been 
 reported to the late national yearly meeting Well 
 might they be prone to fink under the prefent 
 gloom/* whilft they refleded, either upon the 
 events which were already paffed — or upon thofc 
 which might reafonably be expedled to fucceed. For 
 unlefs thefe " well difpofed friends'* are roufed from 
 their defpondency, and fhould happily fucceed in giving 
 a more falutary diredion to the zeal of their active 
 brethren, it requires not the aid of prophecy to forefee 
 the refult, which, a perfeverence in fuch meafures^ muft 
 neceffarily produce ♦ 
 
 They who are rightly bound to the " maintenance 
 of good order,'* and the " fupport of chriftian tefti- 
 ^' monies," have indeed important duties to fulfil ; and 
 earneflly will it be the wifh of every ferious and be- 
 nevolent mind, that fuch perfons may, at all times, be 
 " encouraged and aflifled," It is of importance, 
 however, to afcertain whether the language, adopted 
 on this occafion, is flri6lly applicable to that condu6t 
 which it was the object of the fociety to recommend. 
 
 The deceivablenefs of the human heart, and the 
 fecret, continual workings of self-love, frequently 
 under circumflances which render its agency the 
 hajl-jufpe6ied, and fometimes under the guife even of 
 benevolence —Sire, juf^ly deemed powerful obftacles to 
 that moft difficult, yet mofl important, of all human 
 attainments~THE accurate knowledge of ou r- 
 
 SELVES, 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 201 
 
 SELVES. Hence, great circumfpe£llon and frequent, 
 felf- examination are eflential, and efpecially for thofe 
 who fill the leading ftations in fociety, left, from mif- 
 taken apprehenfions refpecling themfelves and their 
 duties, they become of that clafs, who have " a zeal 
 for God, but not according to knowledge."' The 
 prejudices of education — an undue attachment to the 
 reputation of our feft, or to the eftablifhment of our 
 favourite fyftem, are motives, which, in all ages, have 
 operated with fuch extenfive influence, that none, but 
 thofe who are jealous of themfelves, can poffibly expe<St 
 to prefer ve their minds unvvarped by fuch caufes. The 
 purity of our motives, the fuitablenefs of our qualifica- 
 tions, and the genuine nature and tendency cf our condu6l, 
 fhould therefore be zvell afcertained, before we engage 
 in fecial duties for the " maintenance of good order," 
 and the " fupport of chriftian teftimonies and in 
 an efpecial manner, under fuch peculiar circumftances 
 as thofe which we have now been relating. Without 
 great attention to thefe confiderations, whenever we 
 engage in the fervice of religion, we are in conftant 
 danger of injuring inftead of Jerving, that caufe which 
 we may believe ourfelves mojl defirous of premoting, and 
 even of deftroying our own peace. 
 
 It cannot be doubted, that among thofe who have 
 been active in the meafures v^hich have led to the dif- 
 ownment, or voluntary feparation of their ferious and 
 confcientious brethren and fifters, there are many, 
 v/hofe lives and converfation evince much that is truly 
 refpeftable and exemplary. There is abundant reafon 
 to believe that this clafs includes a confiderable num- 
 ber 
 
202 
 
 A. D. 1802. 
 
 ber who have been fincerely deiirous of difcharging 
 their duty, under circumftances, to them, peculiarly 
 difficult and painful ; and they may not have been 
 fully aware of all the confequences which the mea- 
 fures, in which they have taken part, were calculated 
 to produce. 
 
 It is alfo poffible, that fome of thefe perfons, know- 
 ing that they had been appointed by the fociety to 
 execute its rules, in fupport of the difcipline, and in 
 eonformity with the recommendations of the national 
 yearly meeting, may hence, have been too eafily fa- 
 tisfied with their own conduft, and not fuitably im- 
 preffed with the importance of that ferious inquiry 
 into the grounds on which they were then a6^ing, 
 which was fo peculiarly called for, by the new and in- 
 terefting fituation of affairs at this time. How often, 
 and how emphatically, have the rightly concerned mi- 
 nifters among us, been engaged to imprefs upon our 
 minds, that in all our movements for the good of our 
 fellow creatures, it is of great importance not to a61: 
 under the fan<9;ion of mere human appointment } but to 
 have a clear convidion, that the fervice propofed to 
 us by our brethren in the church, is that which is re- 
 quired by, and will be acceptable to, God. 
 
 In whatever point of view, the events, which form 
 the fubjefts of this narrative, may be conlidered, it 
 will be admitted by all, that they are pregnant with 
 inftrudion. To thofe who have taken an aftive part 
 in them, thefe events muft frequently form the fub- 
 je6ls of interefting review 3 and, if any of the feelings, 
 
 under 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 203 
 
 under the influence of which they have a6led, or any 
 of the impreffions, under which their opinions have 
 been formed, were too ftrongly excited by the con- 
 comitant circumftances of the day, the " lenient hand 
 " of time," and the opportunities for fubfequent re- 
 fie6lion, may, it is hoped, have affifted them in form- 
 ing a more mature and unbiafled judgment. They 
 are now enabled more fully to afcertain the aggregate 
 number and importance of the events which have taken 
 place, and to judge, in what degree the rejloraiion of 
 harmony and good order amongjl us, as a religious fo- 
 ciety, (that fo all may le preferved in the unity of the 
 fpirit, which is the bond of true peace J'^ *J has been ef- 
 fe<Sled by the meafures, which are relu6lantly recorded 
 in this narrative ; and to compare the confequences, 
 hereby produced, with thofe which might poffibly have 
 been the rcfnlt, if a different fyftem had been a6^:ed 
 upon. 
 
 They cannot be fuppofed to be ignorant of thofe 
 events which, ecckfiaftical hiftory informs us, have oc- 
 curred in every religious fociety, whenever the bulk 
 of its members have become devoted to the world. 
 The certain confequence of this is, that the religious 
 opinions of fuch are thenceforward retained, merely as 
 efFe(5ls of education or tradition ; the inclination, and 
 €ven the power, to inveftigate for themfelves, fcarcely 
 exifts ; the rights of private judgment and the exercife of 
 individual inquiry, in others, are difcouraged, or at leafl 
 
 regarded 
 
 * See Minute of the National Yearly Meeting, 1801, 
 Page 139. 
 
<20'i A. D. 1802. 
 
 regarded with a jealous eye, the very grounds on 
 which the fociety firft claimed a diftinft exiftence, 
 become unpopular among its own members ; and an 
 appeal to thofe principles on which it was originally 
 founded, is regarded as a fymptom of the dangerous 
 fpirit of innovation * But the confequence, moft of 
 
 all 
 
 * One of the moft important of thofe principles, under 
 the influence of which, confcientious individuals detach 
 themfelves from the community at large, in order to form a 
 diftin6t religious fociety is, " that the end for which they af- 
 *' fociate, fhall at all times be aimed at solely by virtuous 
 MEANS," Their primary object is to alTert and maintain 
 important rights, or to promulgate and give eifeft to impor- 
 tant truths, by which they believe their own beft interefts, 
 and thofe alfo of their fellow-creatures, are likely to be pro- 
 moted. The forming and preserving of a society is a se- 
 condary OBJECT J it is folely the means, of which the 
 primary objcft is the end. It muft therefore follow that, to 
 this primary OBJECT, the secondary object fhould be at 
 all times, not merely subordinate, but subservient 3 and 
 it is elTential to the right condu6l of every religious fociety, 
 that its members fhould be irapreffed with the importance of 
 this diftin£tion. If they be ignorant of or inattentive to it, 
 they will often be in danger, not only of, forgetting the pri- 
 mary OBJECT for which they were at firft affociated, but 
 even of counteracting its attainment. Indeed there is al- 
 ways reafon to be apprehenfive of this confequence, when 
 the PREDOMINANT wifh, or LEADING obje6i of any fociety, is 
 to fupport its exiftence and reputation as a distinct sect, 
 Meafurcs may be well adapted to the purpofe of keeping up 
 M ssct, and preserving respect to its rules and reputation; 
 
 and 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 205 
 
 all to be dreaded, is, that, whilft the mind becomes 
 thus debafed by the god of this world, the influence 
 of bigotry and ignorance is fatally increafing. Unim- 
 portant forms and uneflential tenets are infifted upon, 
 as the indifpenfable requifite for memberfhip, although 
 to the certain diminution of peace and concord ; and 
 the profeflbrs of the gofpel, in their conduct towards 
 each other, feem too frequently to have been un- 
 mindful of the ONLY teft by which Jefus Chrift au- 
 thorifed man, in judging of his fellow -man, to afcer- 
 tain what it is that conftitutes the essential quali- 
 jication for true dtscipL] ship. By this 
 
 " SHALL ALL MEN KNOW THAT YE ARE MY 
 " DISCIPLES, IF YE HAVE LOVE ONE TO ANO- 
 
 THER." John, chap. 13. v. 35. 
 
 Children of Erin ! what have ye not fuffered, 
 through fucceffive ages, from the baneful fpirit of 
 enmity and diflention ; and is the cup of your afl?lic- 
 tions not yet full ? Whilft your hiftory records, in 
 direful fucceflion, the perfecutions of Proteftants, by 
 Catholics— of Catholics, by Proteftants— and of Dif- 
 fenters, by the Eftablifhed Church, even before the 
 wounds, which the latter had itfelf fufFered, were 
 yet healed. What (hall confole the weeping friend of 
 the gofpel, opprefled by the mingled feelings of 
 {hame and anguifh, when his own teft is held up to 
 
 him 
 
 and yet thofe mealures may be diredly oppofed to the ge- 
 nuine interefts of truth and virtue, and the confequent Ac/j^, 
 piness of mankind. Sec an inftancc of this in the Appendix 
 No 5. 
 
209 
 
 A. D. 1802. 
 
 hira, by the infidel, with this infulting taunt, Bf 
 " their fruits ye fhall know them ?'* 
 
 And fliall they, who deem themfelves the pro- 
 feffors of a purer faith ; they, who believe themfelves 
 peculiarly favoured with clear dlfcoveries of the truth, 
 as it is in Jefus ; they, on whofe minds it has been 
 long and feduloufly inculcated, that, in their firft 
 eftablifhment as a religious fociety, they were fet 
 apart by the Almighty, to be as lights to the 
 world," and that they have fince continued to be 
 the priviledged people, whom God has exprefsly cho- 
 fen, to hold up the ftandard of truth and righteouf- 
 nefs to furrounding nations (hall they be unmindful 
 of the folemn declaration of their heavenly mafter, 
 and inattentive to thofe lefTons of inftruftion which 
 his example, and the uniform tenor of the gofpel, fo 
 powerfully inculcate ? Did he fan6lion the eftablifh- 
 ment of human tribunals, for the cognizance of modes, 
 and forms, and opinions, refpe6llng religion ? or did 
 he not, on the contrary, leave this folemn injunftion 5 
 judge not that ye be not judged ; for with what 
 judgment ye judge, ye (liall be judged ; and, with 
 what meafure ye mete, it lhall be meafured to you 
 again Matthew, chap. 7, v. 1, 2. 
 
 Even, on an occafion of heinous and acknowledged 
 immorality, inftead of giving countenance to that 
 yeftlefs difpofition to judge and condemn, by which 
 the ecclefiaftical zealots of thofe days were actuated 3 
 our Lord pronounced a fentence, which, whilft it 
 happily fucceeded in convicting their confciences of 
 
 guilt 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 207 
 
 guilt for their own offences, is replete with delicate 
 and pointed inftruftion to all fucceeding ages. " He 
 " that is without fin among you, let him firft caft a 
 *^ a ftone at her." John, chap. 8. v. 7. 
 
 The condudl of the heavenly Mefliah, leaves no 
 room for doubt, that he cordially approved the ob- 
 fervance of the Sabbath, as having been, with 
 views worthy of the divine goodness, ordained by 
 the Almighty not only to be a day of reft to his 
 animal creation, but as thereby affording, to his ra- 
 tional OFFSPRING, opportunities peculiarly fuited 
 to the purpofes of grateful commemoration, ferious 
 reflection, and religious inftruClion. Yet notwith- 
 ftanding this, when the Pharifees, who were zealous 
 for the letter which killeth," although ftrangers to 
 the influence of *^ the fpirit which giveth life,'"' 
 prefTed our Saviour to the fupcrjlitious ohfervance of 
 this day, he replies to them in terms of merited 
 reproof, the Sabbath was made for man, and not 
 *f man for the Sabbath.'' Mark, chap. 2. v. 27. 
 
 How pregnant with inftru6lion was his condu6l, 
 on that memorable occafion, when John came to 
 him, faying, " Matter, we faw one cafting out devils 
 in thy name, and we forbad him, because he 
 " FOLLOWETH NOT WITH US. And Jcfus faid 
 " unto him. Forbid him not, for he that is 
 " NOT against us, IS FOR US." Luke, chap. 9, 
 V. 49, 50. Now, if the mind, even of John, the 
 friend and favourite difciple whom Jefus loved, was » 
 aduated with an unrighteous zeal to rebuke a bro- 
 ther,- 
 
208 
 
 A. D. 1802. 
 
 ther, thus benevolently employed^ and that, folely 
 becaufe he Jolloweth 7iot zuitb us^* how much 
 reafon is there for the profeflbrs of the gofpel, in 
 every fubfequent age, to beware, left a fimilar temper 
 fhould induce in them, an unreafonable defire to fub- 
 je6t the opinions, and the condu6t of others, to a con^- 
 formity with their own ? 
 
 Days fliould fpeak, and multitude of years 
 fhould teach wifdom Job, chap. 32, v. 7 and 
 furely, to the attentive mind, their language would 
 be both intelligible and inftru£live, on the fubjedls 
 now before us. May it not then, at length, be hoped 
 that the period is not diftant, when even the secta- 
 rian, will become convinced that, though greatly 
 defirable in the fundamentals of religion, yet, in its 
 forms and fubordinate opinions, unity, if it be at- 
 tainable at all, cannot poffibly long fubfift ; and that, 
 even if it did prevail to any confiderable extent, it 
 would by no means prove a bleffing ? Where is the 
 fociety whofe hiftory does not illuftrate this remark ? 
 Let our inquiries be dire6led to thofe periods, in which 
 UNITY has been fuppofed to have had any fettled and 
 long continued exiftence, and we fhall difcover, that 
 in whatever degree this has really been the cafe, it 
 has been the refult, not of zeal, but of fupinenefs ; and 
 that a lifelefs formality, and hikewarmnefs to religious 
 iruthy are the infeparable attendants. 
 
 Whenever men have become eminently devoted to 
 the caufe of truth and righteoufnefs, the ardent afplra- 
 tions of their minds, and the predominant occupation 
 
 of 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 209 
 
 of their faculties have, almoft uniformly, induced fome 
 peculiar views and opinions^ refpedling which, they 
 have differed from each other, and from themfelves, 
 in the earlier periods of life. Their great andconftant 
 concern is, that, " by giving all diligence, they may 
 "add to their faith, virtue, and to virtue knowledge;" 
 2nd Pet. chap. 1. v. 5 ; and as the divine blefling 
 never fails to reward the upright endeavours of thofe 
 who are thus employed, their minds are not unfre- 
 quently enlightened and enlarged by the difcovery of 
 interefting and important truths ; and they are hereby 
 animated to a perfeverence in their labours of benevo- 
 lence and love. In this clafs, the late John Wool- 
 man, and Job Scott, two members of our fociety, 
 not to mention many others both within and without 
 its pale, were confpicuous and bright examples. And 
 though, in fome of their views and opinions, and even 
 in the condu£i of the former, there was a ftriking pecu- 
 liarity, yet had this no tendency to lejfen, nay, it 
 might perhaps be fafely ftated, that it even increajed 
 the fympathy, affedion, and efteem of their brethren, 
 to many of whom, who yet furvive, they were inti- 
 mately known ; and to thefe, their memory continues 
 to be precious. * 
 
 P Inftances 
 
 * A very fmall pofthumous trad, entitled, a Word of 
 « Remembrance and Caution to the Rich," by John Wool- 
 man ^ firft prints in America, has fmce been re-printcd in 
 Dublin and London. This valuable traa is yet, however, 
 by no means generally known, even among our own fociety, 
 in proportion to the great excellence and importance of its 
 ct^ntents, 
 
210 
 
 A.D. 1802- 
 
 Inftances of cordial and long cemented friendfhip, 
 between liberal and virtuous minds, who neither 
 hold Jimilar opinions j nor practice fimilar forms in mat- 
 ters of religion, are fufficiently frequent to fhew, that 
 UNITY IN FORMS and OPINIONS, is by no means ef- 
 fential to that bond of union. The nature of wisdom 
 and FOLLY, TRUTH and falsehood, virtue and 
 VICE, are indeed irreconcileably oppofed to each other ; 
 and the neceflary refult is, that among their refpective 
 votaries, whether of the fame or of different focieties, 
 UNITY muft be unknown. But among thofe, who 
 are happily habituated to regard the glort of God, 
 and the good of mankind, as the predominant 
 objects of their purfuit, is it not obvious, that there 
 can be no differences about forms and opinions, 
 refpe6ting which they are likely to feel, or, would be 
 jujlified in feeling, great anxiety, on behalf of each 
 other ? There is indeed one point, beyond all others, 
 pre-eminent in importance, concerning which their 
 labours and their prayers, for each other, can never be 
 unneceflary or unfeafonable ; and this is, unity in 
 that fentiment which reprefents the favour of our 
 merciful creator, and an increasin^g partici- 
 pation of his divine nature, through all the 
 fucceffive periods of eternal existence, by means 
 of a progressive improvement in intellect 
 and virtue, as objects infinitely more momen- 
 tous than any which this world can prefent ? 
 
 Were we indeed united in a praftical, conliftent, 
 animated, and lledfaft belief in this unfpeakably im- 
 portant fentiment, its genuine efFe6l would be deeply 
 
 to 
 
A. D. J802. 
 
 211 
 
 to imbue our minds with the love of god above 
 ALL, and of OUR neighbour as ourselves* Com- 
 pared with thefe two great^ and alone funda- 
 mental principles, how uneflential, how fubordinate, 
 would all sectarian differences of opinion appear? 
 Arrayed in all the grace and dignity, in all the fim- 
 plicity and lovelinefs of her native chara6ler — Chris- 
 tianity would then delight to become the aflbciate 
 of the children of men. Inftru6led by her counfels, 
 invigorated by her confolations, animated by the glo- 
 rious profpe£ls to which fhe would exalt our views — 
 we fhould lean upon her as our friend and compa- 
 nion along the dubious journey of life j and, like a 
 guardian angel from the immediate prefence of 
 the ALMIGHTY, fhc would unceafingly point our foot- 
 fteps to the regions of bliss. The expectations in- 
 fpired by antient prophecy would thus indeed be hap- * 
 pily fulfilled. 
 
 Then ftiall fhe wolf take up his abode with the lamb. 
 
 And the leopard fliall lie down with the kid j 
 
 And the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling Hiali 
 
 come together. 
 And a little child Hiall lead them j 
 And the heifer and the fbe-bear lhall feed together. 
 Together (liall their young ones lie down j 
 And the lion lhall eat ftraw like the ox j 
 And the fuckling ftiall play upon the hole of the afpici 
 And upon the den of the bafililk fhall the new-weaned 
 
 child lay his hand : 
 They iliall not hurt, nor deftroy, in all my holy mountain; 
 
 P 2 Fo* 
 
212 
 
 A. D. 1802. 
 
 For the earth fliall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, 
 As the waters that cover the depths of the fea. * 
 
 Surely neither this ftate of things, nor arty near 
 approach to it, has _>'^/ taken place on the earthy and 
 to what caufe can we, who rely with unfliaken confi- 
 dence on the truth of this prophecy, afcribe its long 
 frotraBed fulfilment? Is it not, in pari, that self is 
 the IDOL which the great bulk of mankind worfhip, 
 and that their views extend not beyond the obje6ls of 
 time and fenfe ? And may it not be ftated, as a further 
 caufe, that, even among thofe who have been mea- 
 fureably acquainted with the ineftimable value of 
 truth and virtue, and enabled to rejoice in the contem- 
 plation 
 
 * The preceding is quoted from Bifhop Lowth's tranfla- 
 tion of Ifaiah, chap. 11. v. 6. to 9, inclufive, and the an- 
 nexed is an extrad from " Refledions" on this palTage, 
 taken from " a ihort and plain expofition of the Old Tefta- 
 " ment, by Job Orton." 
 
 " How folicitous Ihould we be to anfwer the defign of 
 his Gofpel, and to have thefe illuftrious prophecies of its 
 " good effeds fulfilled in us ! Let us make it appear that we 
 " are chriftians indeed, by the peaceablenefs and gentlenefs 
 " of our difpofition, the foftnefs and fweetnefs of our tem- 
 " pers ! let nothing malicious, revengeful, four, conten- 
 " tious, or unkind, be ever found in us. Let us cultivate 
 " peace j labour to promote each others happinefs ; and in 
 " this, follow on to know the Lord j and by increafing in our 
 acquaintance with him, who is love, be conformed to his 
 image, and walk in love, even as Chrift hath loved us." 
 
 / 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 plation of that Immortal inheritance which is the 
 appointed reward of thefe heavenly attainments, there 
 are too many, who fufFer their attention to be diverted 
 irom the only means by which this rich inheritance 
 can be fully enjoyed ? Inftead of active and unre- 
 mitted EXERTIONS in the caufe of piety, in- 
 Tf:GRiTY, and benevolence, are there not fome of 
 the ferious and well-difpofed profeflbrs of the gofpel, 
 who fail in rightly appreciating the value of their pe- 
 culiar opinions, and not only give evident proofs of a 
 deficiency in the great virtues of brotherly kind- 
 ness, and CHARITY, but feel an unreafonable degree 
 of anxiety, whenever the reputation or the prevalence 
 of their opinions are likely to be affe6led by the zeal 
 and aftivity of men, upright and confcientious, like 
 themfelves ; agreehig with them, in all that refpedls 
 the nature and importance of the ohjeds to he at- 
 tained, and differing only concerning fome of the fub- 
 ordinate opinions or means for attaining them. Hif- 
 tory, experience, and obfervation, have abundantly 
 Ihewn, that inquiry and difcuflion may not only be 
 fafely left to their own unfettered operation, on all 
 fuch points, but that it is abfolutely effential to the 
 beft interefts of mankind, that this fhould be done ; 
 that one of the appointed tefts of charity and 
 PURE RELIGION Is hereby brought into a(Elion ; and 
 that, by fuch means only, will truth and virtue 
 finally prevail. It is by the adoption of a contrary 
 fyftem, that the profefTors of the gospi:l of peace, 
 and LOVE, and joy, have been fo often and fo af- 
 fli^lingly difunited and dlfgraced. Alil nation, 
 persecution, uncharitableness, are the na- 
 tural 
 
214 
 
 A. D. 1802. 
 
 tural, the inevitable confequences of that lamentable 
 fpirit of domination, fe6larifm, and ft rife, which is 
 hereby produced. Thefe are indeed deplorable " fpots 
 in the chriftian's feaft of charity;" thefe caufe the 
 weak to ftumble, the profane to blafpheme it is 
 thefe which keenly fliarpen, cruelly barb, and fatally 
 envenom the fhafts of irreligion and infidelity. 
 
SUPPLEMENTv 
 
 In addition to the tranfa6iions recorded in the pre- 
 ceding Narrative, the following fads have alfo oc- 
 curred : 
 
 CoRRY Fowler and Jane Haughton were 
 married, on the 13th of the 12th month, 1802, at the 
 boufe of her mother, in Carlow ; for, as he was not a 
 member of the fociety, the parties were, by its law, 
 prevented from marrying according to the prefcribed 
 forms. Their marriage was therefore folemnized in 
 the prefence of twelve witneffes, two of whom had 
 been in the ftation of Elders, and the annexed is a: 
 copy of the marriage certificate. 
 
 There having been for fome time paft an Inten- 
 *^ tion of marriage, between Corry Fowler, fon of 
 " John Fowler, now of Cork, and Elizabeth 
 " his wife, and Jane Haughton, daughter of 
 *^ Benjamin Haughton, late of Profpe6l, in the 
 
 Q " county 
 
A. D. 1802. 
 
 " county Kildare, and Abigail his wife ; and their 
 
 *^ fald intentions being publicly known, and confented to 
 by their parents, and feveral of their near connexions. 
 Now thefe are to certify all whom it may concern, 
 that for the full accomplifhment of their faid in- 
 tentions, this 13th day of December, 1802, in the 
 town of Carlow, at the houfe of Abigail Haughton, 
 
 " aforefaid, and in prefence of the undernamed per- 
 fons, they the faid Corry Fowler, and Jane Haugh- 
 ton, did feverally and folemnly declare, that they 
 
 ** took each other for hufband and wife, and did pro- 
 mife to continue faithful to each other in thefe rela- 
 
 *^ tions until death (hould feparate them. In confir- 
 mation whereof, they have hereunto fubfcribed 
 their names as hufband and wife. 
 
 Corry Fowler, 
 " Jane Fowler." 
 
 *^ And we the faid undernamed perfons, aflembled 
 for the purpofe of witneffing the above engagement, 
 do hereby certify, that this marriage contract was 
 entered into in our prefence, the day and year be- 
 ^' fore written 
 
 " SAM. HAUGHTON, " ABIGAIL HAUGHTON, 
 " BARC. HAUGHTON, MARTHA FOWLER, 
 
 ABM. SHACKLETON, <' SAMUEL HAUGHTON, 
 " ELIZA SHACKLETON, MARY HAUGHTON, 
 " MARY WHITE, " ELIZ. HAUGHTON, 
 
 « WM. BARRINGTON, " JONAT. HAUGHTON." 
 
 For this ofience againft the rules of the difcipline, 
 
 the 
 
A. D. 1803. 
 
 217 
 
 the monthly meeting of Carlow publiftied the fol- 
 lowing teftimony of difownment againft Jane Fowler.* 
 
 " Jane Haughton, daughter of the late Benjamin 
 *^ Haughton and Abigail his wife, who has been 
 
 educated conformable to the religious principles of 
 *^ the people called Quakers, and made profeflion 
 
 thereof, hath notwithftanding been perfuaded fo far 
 *^ to deviate from our known rules^ as to enter into 
 
 contrail by ivay of marriage^ with a young man not 
 " of our religious profeflion. Wherefore, that we may 
 
 clear the truth that we profefs, and fupport the 
 
 good order of our difcipline, from the reproach of 
 Q 2 " fuch 
 
 * It will be obferved, that in this, as well as in the cafe 
 mentioned page 18/, the monthly meeting continues to de- 
 nominate the party by her maiden name, and by that only^ 
 although the difownment took place nearly fix months after 
 the marriage. It appears that the adlive members of the fo- 
 ciety have been delirous of imprelTmg the idea that connexi- 
 ons thus formed could not, with any propriety, be regarded 
 as marriages And it may seem extraordinary that, for efFe6t- 
 ing this obje6t, the more zealous difciplinarians fhould in 
 modern times have ftigmatized the condu6t of perfons fo 
 marrying, by the fame difgufting allufion, which William 
 Sew ELL, in page 283 of his hiftory, dates to have been 
 " bluntly and indecently" employed, in order to difparage 
 the early marriages of their own anceftors, by one of the 
 council, at the aflizes in Nottingham, in \66l, whilft en- 
 deavouring, though ineffedtually, to invalidate a marriage 
 which had taken place, according to the rules of the fociety, 
 between two of its members. 
 
218 
 
 A. D. 1803. 
 
 fuch mifcondu6ii after much labour of love, which 
 ^* hath failed to convince or prevent this improper 
 
 flap, we deem it incumbent on us to difown the 
 
 faid Jane Haughton to be of our religious fociety, 
 *^ nor can we have any JeUowJhip kvith ber^ until by 
 " Jincere repentance (he be favoured to fee the error and 
 ^* pernicious tendency of tbis her out-going, and it is our 
 
 fmcere defire, that hereby (he may find a place of 
 ^* reconciliation. 
 
 " Read and approved in our monthly men's meet- 
 ing, held in Carlow, 10th of 6th month, 1803, and 
 by order, and on behalf thereof, figned by 
 
 Joshua Haughton, Clerk," 
 
 Abigail Haughton, a widowed parent, and 
 one of the perfons already alluded to, as having been 
 appointed by the fociety to the ftation of an elder, 
 approved of, and was prefent as a witnefs at, the marri- 
 age of her daughter ; and for this condu<El (he was 
 publicly difowned, in connexion with three other mem- 
 bers of the fociety, of acknowledged refpe6tability of 
 character and condu6l ; and the following is a copy of 
 the teftimony againft them. 
 
 Our known rules, concerning the honourable in- 
 ftitution of marriage, being long characterized for 
 their orderly and falutary effects, and having the 
 sanction of law the difregarding or violation 
 
 " of 
 
 * What proportion the number of Quakers in Irelanbv 
 
 bears 
 
A. D. 1803. 
 
 219 
 
 of them by any in profeffion with us, cannot fail 
 painfully to imprefs our minds as a religious fociety, 
 *^ And whereas Abigail Haughton, Samuel 
 Haughton, Mary Haughton, his wife, and 
 
 Mary 
 
 bears to the vhole population of that kingdom, is perhaps 
 not correctly known. In Great Britain, it has been fup- 
 pofed, that the members of the fociety amount to about 
 24,000, and that the inhabitants of the kingdom colledively , 
 may be einmated at 12 millions. The government, which 
 legiflates for this immenfe population, has fliewn its regard 
 towards the fcruples of the fociety, with refpeft to the pub- 
 lic eftabliflied forms relating to marriage, by permitting ii 
 to adopt the forms of its own choice, and by giving to 
 thefe forms the sanction of law. In other words — w^hen it 
 is difcovered that an eftablifhed law, for the general go- 
 vernment of the empire, is found to be opprelfive to the 
 confciences of a particular fociety, whofe number, in pro- 
 portion to the whole of the fubjefis, is (according to the 
 preceding eftimate) in the ratio of 1 to 500, the operation 
 of the law, fo far as it afreets the members of this fociety, 
 is not only fufpended by the government, but ftatutes are 
 exprefsly ena6ted for their relief and comfort. It might 
 furely be expected, that the natural effe6t of this indulgence, 
 on the part of the legiilature, Ihould be to difpofe the fo- 
 ciety to be equally indulgent to the fcruples of its confcien- 
 tious members, inflead of fubje<5ting them to cenfure and 
 dilbwnment 3 and to conne£t fuch proceedings with an allu- 
 iion to the sanction of that law, by which the fociety is 
 itself proteded in the exercife of its peculiar scruples con- 
 cerning the forms relating to marriage, muft injure, infteadl 
 of fening, the caufe which it is intended to fupport. 
 
220 
 
 A. D. 1803. 
 
 Mary White, did violate the good order ella- 
 bliflied amongft us in this refpeft, particularly by 
 being prefent, and giving their fandion as pa- 
 
 RENT, RELATIONS, AND WITNESSES, to aC0W/r£Z<5? 
 
 " hjy way of marriage, entered into between a young 
 woman, our member, and a young man not in pro- 
 feflion with us, in a manner contrary to the good 
 order, and binding folemnity of our marriages. 
 Wherefore, in fupport of our ancient eftablifhed 
 difcipline, after much labour bellowed in a fpirit of 
 
 *^ love, in order to convince them of the dangerous 
 
 <^ tendency of fuch proceedings, but which hath 
 
 *^ proved inefFe6lual, we are concerned to teftify our 
 difunity with their conduct herein, and do hereby 
 
 " difown the faid Abigail Haughton, Samuel Haugh- 
 ton, Mary Haughton, and Mary White, to be of 
 our religious fociety, nor can we have fellow/hip with 
 
 " them^ until they be favoured to fee the error of their 
 ways^ and come to a ftate of real forrow and re- 
 pentance for the fame, which we fincerely defire may 
 
 " be their happy experience. 
 
 " Read and approved in our monthly men's meet- 
 ing, held in Carlow, the 6th of 5th month, 1803. 
 Signed by 
 
 «^ Joshua Haughton, Clerk." 
 
 For the fame offence, Elizabeth Shackle- 
 ton, of Ballitore, has alfo been publicly difowned by 
 the monthly meeting of Carlow, in the following 
 terms. 
 
 Elizabeth, 
 
A. D. 1803. 
 
 221 
 
 " Elizabeth Sbackleton, daughter of Abraham 
 Sbackleton, who was educated in profeffion with 
 friends, being regardlefs of our known rules, bath 
 
 " fo far deviated therefrom, as to be prefent as a wit- 
 nefs to a contra^ by way of viarriage, entered into 
 between a young woman in memberfhip with us, 
 and a man not of our religious profeffion. And in- 
 afmuch as our labour of love, to convince her of the 
 dangerous tendency of her conduct, in fan6i:ioning 
 a mode that is contrary to the good order, and 
 
 " binding folemnity of our marriages, has proved in- 
 effectual, we are concerned, in fupport of our chrif- 
 
 " tian difcipline, to difallow all fuch practices ; and we 
 hereby difown the faid Elizabeth Sbackleton to be 
 
 ' of our religious f^ciety, until fhe manifeft fincere 
 contrition for this d'lforderly proceedings which that 
 {lie may be favoured to, do is our earneft defire. 
 
 Read and approved, at an adjournment of our 
 monthly men's meeting, held in Carlow, 6th of 
 5th month, 1803, and in, by order, and on behalf 
 thereof, figned in the abfence of the clerk, by 
 
 William Lecky." 
 
 Abraham Shackleton, and William Bar- 
 RiNGTON, two of the Other witnefles, had been previ- 
 oufly difowned, and the reft were either minors, or not 
 members of the fociety. 
 
 Fourteen members belonging to the monthly 
 meeting of Lurgan, have been difowned by the fol- 
 lowing minute. 
 
 Ahnuie 
 
222 
 
 A. D. 1803. 
 
 Minute of the monthly meeting, held in Lurgan, 11 th of 
 9th month, 1803. 
 
 *^ The committee, to whofe care it was referred, 
 " to treat with John Davis and others, on the fub- 
 " je6t of their abfenting themfelves from our religious 
 affemblies, having reported, that they vifited as 
 many as were willing to receive them, and, in 
 much brotherly kindnefs, endeavoured to convince 
 them of the impropriety of their conduct. And 
 this meeting, having exercifed a long patience to- 
 wards them, without being able to prevail on them 
 to unite with their friends, for the purpofe of per- 
 ^' forming the reafonable duty of public worfhip, and 
 being at this time impreffed with the importance of 
 '^^ the fubje6l, and the neceflity of fupporting the 
 rules of the difcipline in that refpe6l with impar- 
 tiality and fteadinefs, think it right to teftify our 
 difapprobation of their conduft, and difown them 
 to be any longer of our religious fociety, fincerely 
 ^' defiring they may yet be reftored to that principle 
 of our chriftian profeflion, which enjoins us not to 
 " negle6l the aflembling of ourfelves together. 
 
 The clerk is defired to furnifh each with a copy 
 " of the above minute." 
 
 As clerk to the monthly meeting, I am defired 
 to hand thee the above copy of a minute from their 
 proceedings, and remain thy friend, 
 
 Jos. GOUGII,** 
 
 To John Davis, Moy alien 
 
 A copy 
 
 * John Davis had been in the ftation of an appointed elder. 
 
A. D. 1S03. 
 
 223 
 
 A copy of the precedln 
 only of the name, was tr 
 the following perfons. 
 JOHN GREEVES, 
 MARGARET GREEVES, 
 JOHN GILMORE, 
 MARGARET DAWSON, 
 SAMUEL MORTON, 
 SAMUEL ADAMS, 
 ELIZABETH ADAMS, 
 
 minute, with a variation 
 iifmitted by the clerk to 
 
 DEBORAH SINTON, 
 THOMAS xMATTHEWS, 
 THOMAS UPRICHARD, 
 RUTH UPRICHARD, 
 JAMES WOODS, 
 
 AND 
 
 BEX J. THOMPSON.* 
 
 The charge dated, againft the perfons, difowned by 
 the preceding rrtinute, of abfenting themfelves from 
 our religious aflemblies," was admitted to bejuft; 
 yet it would probably be unfair, on this account, to 
 impute to them any abatement in their attachment to 
 the duties of religion. Moft, if not all of them, had 
 for a confiderable time, been greatly diflatisfied with 
 the conducl both of the fociety, and of fome of its 
 acknowledged minifters. Conceiving alfo, that the 
 exercife of private judgment had been, and was in- 
 tended to be, difcouraged, they believed it right for 
 them to manifeft their difunity with fuch proceedings. 
 They were fully aware that, according to the rules of 
 the fociety, their conduft v. ould fubjecl them to dif- 
 ovvnment, and this confequence they had no wifh to 
 oppufe. 
 
 The 
 
 * Benjamin Thompfon had, by a letter addrelTcd to the 
 monthly meeting of Lifburn, as ftated page 134, voluntarily 
 refigned memberfliip, about eighteen months previous to his 
 iifownment. 
 
224 
 
 A. D. 1803. 
 
 The following difowntnents have taken place in the 
 monthly meeting of Lifburn. 
 
 Minute of the monthly meeting of Lifburn^ held near 
 Ballinderryy the \3th of lOlh month, 1803. 
 
 ^* The committee appointed to vifit fuch members 
 as had abfented themfelves from meetings of wor- 
 {hip and difcipline, report, that they had vifited 
 fundry perfons of this defcription ; among whom 
 the following was treated with, viz. Elizabeth 
 Thompson, of Belfaft meeting. She did not give 
 
 " the committee any ground to expeft that {he would 
 in future unite with friends in publicly aflfembling 
 for worfhip, or for the maintenance of that order 
 eftablifhed among them ; flie alfo exprefled herfelf 
 fatisfied with whatever {leps friends might take on 
 
 " this occafion. 
 
 This meeting, having maturely confidered this 
 ^' report, are of the judgment that they cannot 
 any longer confider the faid Elizabeth Thompfon 
 as in memberfhip with us ; and we do hereby dif- 
 own her, the faid Elizabeth, and this conduct of 
 ** hers, as altogether inconfiftent with the pra6lice and 
 profeflion of friends, fmce they were {irft gathered 
 as a religious fociety. 
 
 By order of the faid meeting, 
 (Copy) Signed, John Bar croft." 
 
 The copy of a minute, which, in fubftance, ex- 
 fielly refemblts the preceding, has alfo been fent to 
 
 William 
 
A. D. 1803. 
 
 225 
 
 William Tucker, of Belfall, and Henry Carle- 
 ton, jun. of Hillfborough. 
 
 Lydta, wife of James Nicholson, of Belfaft, 
 Elizabeth Hancock, fen. Sarah Hancock, and 
 John Hancock, jun. of Liiburn, have been refpec- 
 tively vifited by direftion of the monthly meeting of 
 Lifburn, for declining the attendance of meetings for 
 worfhip. In the cafe of Elizabeth Hancock, fen. 
 however, the proceedings have been terminated by her 
 deceafe, which took dace on the third of the fecond 
 month, 1804. 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
4 
 
 i 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 No. I. Page 24. 
 
 Brief account of the queries framed for meetings of dif- 
 cipVins in the fociety, and of the alterations and 
 improvements zvbicb have been progrejjively made 
 therein. 
 
 Previously to the inftitution of any queries for 
 meetings of difcipline, the following recommendations 
 were iflued by the yearly meeting, held in London, ia 
 1676. 
 
 " Agreed, that friends of the monthly and quar- 
 ^ terly meetings, of each county, be reminded to keep 
 an exa6l account among themfelves ; 
 
 «^ 1. Of thofe that firft brought the melTage of glad 
 " tidings among them. 
 
 IL Of 
 
Z APPENDIX NO. 1. 
 
 II. Of the fufferings of thofe firft meflengers, 
 whether at fteeple-houfes, market-places, or other- 
 " wife. 
 
 ITT. What friends firft received them and their 
 
 meflage ? 
 
 " IV. Of the names, travels, faithfulnefs, and un- 
 blameable converfation of all the public labourers 
 that are deceafed. 
 
 V. What judgments fell upon perfecutors ? 
 
 " VI. Where the hearts of all fuch enemies have 
 been turned to God, let them and their converfation 
 be recorded. 
 
 " VII. What priefts and others have written books 
 " againft friends, and who have anfwered them ? 
 
 " VIII. Who have fuffered lofs of goods, or fus- 
 " tained imprifonment, with the caufe, time, and 
 " manner of fuch fufferings, with the names of their 
 " perfecutors. 
 
 IX. Who have died in prifon on truth's account, 
 and for what branch of our teftimony. And that 
 tythes taken away by force, be recorded as a fuffering 
 " for truth. 
 
 " X. 0f fignal living teftimonies of dying friends. 
 
 ^^XI. Of 
 
NO. I. APPENDIX. 3 
 
 "XI. Of the names of perfecutors, and the names of 
 <^ wltnefles to the fa6ls, whether friends or neighbours. • 
 
 " XIT. If any apoflatized, that their fufferings whilft 
 owning the truth be notwithftanding recorded, and 
 their apoftacy's fignified. 
 
 XIII. Of the return of any backfliders or apos- 
 tates, and of the judgments befallen any of them. 
 
 " And, that in fending the accounts of thefe mat- 
 ters, and of fufferings, up to London, care be taken to 
 begin where they left off laft, and not to fend the 
 " fame twice over, nor confufedly. " 
 
 The queries firft in ufe were framed by the yearly 
 meeting, held in London, in 1682, and they were then 
 THREE in number, viz. 
 
 I. What friends in the miniftry, in their respec- 
 " tive counties, departed this life fince the laft yearly 
 " meeting? 
 
 " II. What friends, imprifoned for their teftlmony, 
 ^' have died lince laft yearly meeting. 
 
 " III. How the truth has profpered amongft them 
 ^' ftnce laft yearly meeting, and how friends are in 
 " peace and unity ?" 
 
 In 1 696 the preceding queries were altered, and the 
 number increafcd to eight, viz. 
 
 " 1. What 
 
4 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. i 
 
 « I. What fufferings? 
 
 " II. What prefent prifoners ? 
 
 III. How many difcharged, and when ? 
 
 " IV. How many died prifoners, and the time 
 " when ? 
 
 V. How many public friends died, and when ? 
 
 *^ Vr. How many meeting houfes built, and what 
 meetings added in each county, fince laft year? 
 
 ^^VII. What lignal judgments have come upon 
 " perfecutors ? 
 
 " VIII. How truth profpers, and friends are in 
 " unity in the refpe6live counties?" 
 
 The fubftance of the 7th query had been recom- 
 mended by the following written advice from the 
 yearly meeting in 1694. 
 
 Advlfed to remember to keep a true record of 
 manifeft judgments upon perfecutors, and fend 
 up an account thereof with the fufferings yearly ; 
 that the juft judgments of God in pleading the 
 caufe of the innocent fuflferers, by fignally punifhing 
 their perfecutors, maybe taken notice of, as a warn- 
 " ing to pofterity; as the heavy judgments and fear- 
 
NO. I. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 5 
 
 ful ends of wicked perfecutors are recorded in holy 
 fcriptures and books of martyrs. " 
 
 In 1701 it was dire(!^ted that the 7 th query be now 
 fufpended. — Seeing that through the good providence 
 *^ of God, and favor of government, we have our li- 
 berties. 
 
 In 1 700 it was advifed. 
 
 That friends keep exa6t and true accounts of all 
 " their fufferings for confcience fake, both by diftrefles, 
 " fequeftrations, and imprifonments, that we may be 
 
 capable to give a true account thereof to the govern- 
 
 ment, v/hen neceffity requires." 
 
 This advice has now been complied with for up- 
 wards of a century, and in confequence thereof the 
 focrety is in pofleffion of a tolerably correal and authen- 
 tic record of the property taken from its members, 
 during that period, for ecclejiajiical and military claims, 
 with which they could not confcientioufly comply. 
 It appears that, the principal obje6l intended by thefe 
 records, has been to colle6l a body of evidence to be 
 prefented to the government when neceflity re- 
 *^ quires," for the purpofe of obtaining relief from 
 thofe claims. Hitherto, however, there appears no 
 great probability of their becoming fubfervient to the 
 attainment of this object. 
 
 In 1703 this query was inftituted. 
 
 *^ How have the feveral advices of this meeting 
 been put in pratlice ? 
 
 R And 
 
6 
 
 ArPINDI X. 
 
 NO. i. 
 
 And in 1721 the following addition was made;— 
 and particularly that aga'inji ncc'i-jing or pajing tubes?** 
 
 Prevloully to the year 17 10 the care and relief of 
 the Poor within the focietr, by its own members, had 
 been recommended as matter of advice. In that 
 year rules, refpecting removals and settle- 
 ments, were firfi eftablifhed, in order that it might be 
 thenceforwards clearly afcertained to what particular 
 diitricl-meeting each member of the fociety belonged, 
 anc^y which, if in neceflitous circumftances, he ought 
 to be relieved. 
 
 In 17-30 a query was inftituted for the purpofe of 
 rendering the care of the fociety more effe(^ual on 
 behalf of its poor; and in 1733 an addition was made, 
 extending this care to the education of their offspring. 
 
 In 1737 the rules refpectmg removals and 
 SETTLE ME NTS wcrc digcfted and confiderably en- 
 larged; all former rules on the fubject were refcinded ; 
 and the regulations, then adopted, with fome fubfe- 
 quent modifications, have continued to be aQ:ed upon 
 untill the year 1501, when thefe rules were again 
 digefted and incorporated. 
 
 In 1723 the following query was inftituted; "Do 
 yo'jr quarterly, and monthly meetings, take care 
 to fee that none under our profeffion defraud the 
 King of any of his cujioms, duties, or excife ; or in 
 " any wife encourage the running of goods, by buying 
 " or vending fuch goods : and do they feverely repre- 
 
 " hend 
 
NO. I. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 7 
 
 bend and teftify againft all luch offenders, and their 
 unwarrantable, clandeftine, and unlawful actions ? 
 
 Variations in the queries, and ccciLon^ additions 
 to them, were made till the year 174-2, when they were 
 revifed by the dire<S:ion of the yearly meecirg, held 
 in London, and the fubftance of them was framed into 
 eleven queries, which were then denominated ^^^/jr 
 meehng's queries. Thefe comprifed the fubje^-matter 
 of the queries already ftated, and alfo the following. 
 
 " VI. WTiat is the date of your meeting? Is there 
 any growth in the truths x\nd doth any :o7wvncsment 
 *^ appear Cnce laft ye^r? And is h'S7s and unUj pre- 
 ferved amongft you ? 
 
 " \^T. Is it your care by e:c?.mple 2nd precept, to 
 " train up your children in all godly converution, and 
 in the frequent reading of the hofy feriptmres, as alio 
 " in plainnefs of fpeeeb^ behaviours, and appard ? 
 
 " VIII. Do you bear a faithful and chriflian tdK- 
 
 mony againft the receiving and paying fyih^-;. ir.d 
 againft bearing arms. * And do you admoni.h i\:ch 
 " as are unfaithful therein ? 
 
 R -2 «XI. Do 
 
 ♦ By 3 fubfequent regnlatioa in 175S, ihe being in any 
 manner concerned in privateers^ letters of marque, or jr:r.ed 
 veffels, or dealing in prize goods, was prohibited: aad in 
 1761, this prohibition wai extended to the militia. 
 
8 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. 1.. 
 
 XI. Do you keep a record in your monthly and 
 quarterly meetings, of the profecutions and fufierings 
 of your refpe£live members ? And have you a record 
 for your meeting houfes and burial grounds ? " 
 
 In i 735, a difi:in<Sl lift of nine queries was framed 
 by the yearly meeting, to be anfwered only by the 
 monthly to the quarterly meetings: and thefe were 
 denominated quarterly meeting's queries. The eleven 
 yearly meeting's queries, and the nine quarterly meeU 
 ing's queries, thus arranged, continued with few alter- 
 ations until 1791, when all the queries, then in ufe,, 
 were new-modelled and arranged, by the direction of 
 the yearly meeting, held in, London, under the follow- 
 ing heads. 
 
 Fifteen queries for the men's meeting of difcipline. 
 
 Nine ditto for the womens' meeting of difcipline, 
 being in fubftance nearly the fame as a fimilar number 
 ©f the queries for the men. 
 
 One q^uery for the quarterly meetings only. 
 
 Seven queries for the meetings of minifters and elders. 
 
 Eight topics, or fubjedts, of general advice. 
 
 Twelve topics, or fubjedls, of advice to minifters 
 and elders.* The 
 
 * Thefe queries are publiftied lu, extracts from the mi- 
 
 nutcjs 
 
>0. I. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 9 
 
 The queries firft ufed in Ireland, being twent)'- 
 one in number, were adopted by the national half- 
 year's meeting of that kingdom in 1740. In 1755, 
 they underwent some modification. In 1762, they 
 were revifed and new-modelled, chiefly upon the plan 
 of thofe which had been previoufly adopted in Great 
 Britain. In confequence of this, they confifted of 
 
 Eleven yearly meeting's queries. 
 
 Eleven quarterly meeting's queries. 
 Five monthly meeting's queries. 
 
 Thefe continued till the year 1 791 j% when the ar- 
 rangement tranfmitted from England was adopted, as 
 ilated in the preceding narrative; (seepage 24) and 
 this is ftill preferved both in Great Britain and Ireland. 
 
 By thefe changes, feveral of thofe fnbjefts which 
 had previoufly formed part of the queries^ ufed in Ire- 
 land, were no longer continued as fuch. The following 
 are fome of the inftances. 
 
 Of the twenty-one queries juft alluded to, 
 
 " I. And is care taken that no unfit perfon * fit u\ 
 
 the 
 
 nutes and advices of the yearly meeting of friends, held in 
 1 ondon, under the head queries. No. II. page 142. and* 
 edition. 
 
 * It feems to have been a prevalent opinion in the fociety, 
 
 founded. 
 
10 APPENDIX. NO. 1. 
 
 the latter ?*' meaning meetings of di/cipline. 
 
 " 11. Do the large meetings afiift and flrengthen 
 little meetings that are near them ? 
 
 IV. Do friends avoid fuperfluous provifions at 
 marriages and burials? 
 
 " VII. Do friends avoid incumbrances, hindering 
 their grovi^th in the truth and the fervice of it ? 
 
 X. Are friend's children put to fchool among 
 friends, and are the fchools of friends duly infpe6led ?* 
 
 « XII. Doth 
 
 Ibunded, perhaps, more on the general praftice, than on the 
 exiftence of any eftabliHied rule, that when any member a6ts 
 in oppofition to the laws of the fociety, and the delinquency 
 of fuch member is recorded upon its journals, it is thenceforth 
 improper for him to be prefent in any of its meetings for dis- 
 cipline, even during the difcuffion of his own cafe. 
 
 Prevloufly to the year 1762, young perfons were not per- 
 mitted to lit in meetings of difcipline in Ireland, without the 
 fpecial leave, or invitation, of the meeting j and a fimilar idea 
 has alfo prevailed in Great Britain, within the memory of the 
 exifiing generation. In later time however there has been 
 110 fuch reftri^lion upon any who have a birthright in the 
 fociety. 
 
 * This relates to the care which the fociety in Ireland 
 was defn ous Ihould be exercifed over the fchools kept by its 
 members, in order that the religious improvement of the 
 
 fcholars 
 
NO. 1. APPENDIX. H 
 
 " XII. Doth each monthly meeting take care that 
 a vijit to the families of friends^ be performed by well 
 qualified friends, once a year or oftener, as occafion 
 requires? 
 
 XIII. Do friends acquaint particular-, or monthly 
 meetings, and talze their advice before they remove frojn 
 their place of fettlement 
 
 « XV. Do 
 
 Scholars might be duly kept in view. For this purpofe it ap- 
 pears to have been intended that they Ihould be infpeded, 
 under the direction of the monthly meeting, within the limits 
 of which each fchool was lituated. 
 
 Of later time a fchool has been eflabliflied in each of the 
 three provinces of Ulfter, Leinfter, and Munfter. The fchools 
 of Leiniier and Munrtcr are fupported by the quarterly meet- 
 ings to which they refpc6tively belong. The fchool belong- 
 ing to Ulller is under the care of the national yearly meeting, 
 which contributes part of the funds necelfary for its fupport. 
 Each of thefe fchools is affifted by annual fubfcriptions, dona- 
 tions, and legacies 5 and have been inftituted with viev/s very 
 fimilar to thofe which led to the eftablifliment of the large 
 fchool belonging to the fociety, at Ackworth, in Yorkfhire. 
 The price of adraiffion is low, in order to fuit the circumflances 
 of the poor and middle clalTes of the fociety. None but mem- 
 bers of the fociety are admitted to thefe fchools, at each of 
 which from thirty to fixty boys and girls are boarded and 
 educated. 
 
 * A fimilar obje6t was intended by the following, being the 
 rirft of the Rules for removals and fettlements agreed to 
 and iffued by the national half-year's meeting of Ireland, 
 fifth month, {'55. 
 
 I. If 
 
15 APPENDIX. MO. 1. 
 
 " XV. Do any purpofe marriage without firft ob- 
 taining the confent of parents and guardians ? 
 
 " XXI. Is care taken by each monthly meeting 
 that no mifufe be made of the affirmation?"* 
 
 See 
 
 If any friend, or friends, do incline to remove from the 
 " compafs of one monthly or men's meeting to another ; 
 " before they unfettle themfelves, they fhall apply to be ad- 
 vifed therein by the meeting they are about to remove from j 
 and if the faid meeting do confent to their removal, they 
 " are to give thera a certificate fpeediiy, according as they 
 " find them deferving, and none to be accepted without a 
 certificate." 
 
 The preceding query and rule have long ceafed to produce 
 any pra6tical effeft in the fociety, and may now be regarded 
 VLS obfolete. By fome it may be deemed that fuch an afTump- 
 tion of power, on the part of the church, mufl lometimei* 
 interfere with the rights of private judgment; and that, 
 unlefs it were exercifed with great wifdom and virtue, it 
 would be liable to abufe. It probably would not comport 
 with the genius of modern times in any religious fociety ; 
 but there is reafon to believe that the original obje6t was to 
 difcourage perfonsfrom injudicioufly changing their refidcnce, 
 and thereby fubje<5ling themfelves to inconveniencies, which 
 the advice of their more experienced and intelligent friends 
 might have prevented. A fmiilar regulation was formerly 
 adopted by the fociety in fome parts of England. 
 
 * This query was intended to guard againil the ufe of the 
 aiSrmation, in vexatious and trifling suits of law, or upon 
 occafions, the nature and importance of which might not be 
 fufficient to juftify the reforting to a folemn affirmation. 
 
 Alff), 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 13 
 
 The whole of the twenty-one queries, of which the 
 preceding are part, are publifhed in a hiltory of the rife 
 and progrefs of the people called quakers, in Ire- 
 land^ by Thomas Wight^ page 323. 
 
 The following quarterly meeting queries, inftituted 
 in 1762, are now difufed. 
 
 VIII. Do friends of low circumRances put out 
 *^ their children, as apprentices, or fervants? And are 
 apprentices, or fervants, placed out among friends ? 
 
 XIII. Have all friends fettled their affairs by will 
 or otherwife ? And do executors and guardians faith- 
 fully diicharge the trufi repofed in them r 
 
 The following monthly meeting query is now 
 difufed. 
 
 IV. Do any friends want fervants, or fers-ants 
 places f " 
 
 Previoufly 
 
 Alfo, to induce great care that aifirmations fliould always be 
 taken with fincerity and truth, in order to fhow to govern- 
 ment the gratitude of the fociety, and to jultify the conlidence 
 repofed in it by the fornoer, in permiting an afErmation to be 
 received in evidence, inftead of an oath, except in criminal 
 cafes, ferving on juries, or bearing any oifice, or place of 
 profit, under the government. 
 
 See alfo, " An epiftle of caution to friends in general, rela- 
 ting to the folemn affirmation, from a meeting held in 
 London, the 2nd. of the firft month, Januar)% 1/21-2." 
 
 History the people ealled Qnakers, ly John Cough, vol. iv. 
 
 fage ]Q1 
 
14 
 
 L I. 
 
so. I- 
 
 The publiilinig the extracb franr che mnnitiis 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. I, 
 
 ment of the members prefent ; and this is done, gene- 
 rally to their fatisfaftion. It may be further remarked, 
 that the frequent alterations which, from the preced- 
 ing brief hiftory of the queries, it will appear that 
 they have, from time to time, undergone, evince a 
 defire for the progreflive improvement of the rules and 
 regulations of the fociety, and that they may be con- 
 ftantly adapted to the exifling circumftances of the 
 times. And although the preceding narrative will 
 probably be regarded as furnifhing exceptions to this 
 remark, yet even thefe may be productive of profita- 
 ble eflre6ls, if they become the occafion of impreffing 
 upon the fociety the great importance of guarding 
 againft the two evils by which religious focieties have 
 been often injured, and from one or the other of 
 which they are always in danger, viz. a llavifti adhe- 
 rence to prefcription, on the one hand ; and an indif- 
 ^crcet fondnefs for innovation, on the other. 
 
 No. II. Page 51. 
 
 duERiEs propofed by Samuel Woodcock, an 
 appointed elder of a county Wexford monthly 
 meeting; and answers to them by Abraham 
 Shackleton, an appointed elder of Carlow month- 
 ly meeting. 
 
 Qur f. Did not the Almighty command his 
 chofen people, the children of Ifrael, for wife pur- 
 pofes, to do things w hich it would not be lawful for 
 
 us 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 " US to do, in this gofpel day; fuch as executing hirj 
 wrath and juftice on the inhabitants of Canaan, when 
 the meafure of their iniquity was filled up? If this 
 was not the cafe, did not Saul act a humane part in 
 fparing Agag's life, and the prophet Samuel do wrong 
 in hewing him to pieces? 
 
 "Answer. — Abraham Shackleton, in replying, 
 acknowledges to feel the awfulnefs of his lituation, 
 *^ called (as he is) to fpeak for truth, which he believes 
 binifelf bound to do, to the beft of his knowledge 
 and capacity. 
 
 " I believe the Almighty never commanded, at any 
 time of the world, any thing which he forbade at 
 *^ any other time; which would be contradictory and 
 *^ unfuitable to his charader, who thus declares of 
 ^« himfelf, "I am God, and change not." I do not 
 believe the Ifraelites were any more his chofen peo- 
 pie, than the Canaanites were, whom they came ta 
 " murder and deftroy. 1 believe the family and pof- 
 *^ terity of Abraham were called to exhibit a perfe<^ 
 " pattern of holines and purity to the nations around, 
 " in order that they (the nations) might be faved, not 
 *^ deftroyed ; and therefore (Rriclly fpeaking) thefe 
 *' natrons of Canaanites, &c. were (more) the chofen 
 people,, feeing that the whole fcheme of divine 
 goodnels was for their recovery from their lapfed 
 ftate; and thefe wife purpofes which the good God 
 " had in view, the blefled Jefus afterwards adopts in 
 his acknowledgement, where he fays, * came noC 
 ^ to deftroy men's lives, but tofave them.* I believe it 
 
 " incompatible 
 
18 APPFNDIX. NO. II. 
 
 incompatible with that charader of juftlce, which my 
 querift gives to the divine being, that men, women, 
 and children, (hould be flain, with promifcuous llaugh- 
 ter, for punifhment of the offending nations. To re- 
 prefent the divine wrath (as he is pleafed to call it) 
 *^ rifing fo high, as to overwhelm the superior attribute 
 *^ of JUSTICE, amounts, in my idea, to little fhort of 
 blafphemy ; at leaft, is lowering the ftandard of the 
 fovereign attribute, to accommodate the angry and 
 vindictive paflions of man. I do not hefitate there- 
 fore to anfwer the latter part of the query ; Saul 
 a6led a humane part in fparing Agag's life, and 
 " Samuel did wrong in hewing him to pieces." 
 
 *^ Query IT. Are we warranted, from any thing 
 exprefsed by Chrift, or his appoftles, to call in quef- 
 tion any of the commands of God, left on record in 
 the books written by Mofes, or in any other books 
 of the old teftament, notwithftanding we are now 
 
 " under a more glorious difpenfation ? If we do fo, 
 are we not wife, above what is written, and confe- 
 quently arraign the a6ls of him, whofe ways were 
 ever in infinite wifdom, and often incomprehenfible 
 
 " by man?" 
 
 Answer — My querift here makes his ufual mif- 
 " take ; confounding what was really committed to the 
 Ifraelites as the revealed will of the divine Being, 
 *f with what was the condu6t of the Jews and their 
 *^ outward leaders ; who, as can be proved from num- 
 berlefs paflages, a6led not in his counfel ; but took 
 
 counfcl 
 
XO. II. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 i9 
 
 counfel of their* own avaricious fangulnary difpofi- 
 tion, and whenever they could, (fairly, or unfairly) 
 forced in the divine command to mafic their cruel 
 " proceedings. For inftance, the divine revealed 
 " will fays, ^ thou fhalt not kill/ but they took up the 
 *^ murderous weapons, feverely reprehended by Jacob, 
 in his fons Simeon and Levi, which the Almighty 
 himfelf, in earlier times, forbade in the cafe of 
 Cain, who, of all men deferved the punifhment of 
 death, if punifhment were proportioned to the atrocity 
 ^' of guilt ; this I hope our advocates for divine juf- 
 *• tice, clothed with wrath and vengeance, will allows 
 Chrift charges the Jews with making void the com- 
 mands of God by their traditions ; their fanguinary 
 " proceedings ftill more contributed to this ; and 
 " againft thefe, did not Chrift oppofe the weight of his 
 patient meek example, which gave fo much offence 
 to the Jews, that they were ever ready to ftone 
 him. The law, given by Mofes, has ferved, in every 
 age and every nation, to bring unto Chrift 5 but 
 neither outward Mofes, nor outward Chrift is here 
 defignated ; and grace and truth, which come by 
 Jefus Chrift, have fhone on every age, every nation, 
 every clime under heaven, as univerfal as the light 
 of day. The latter part, of ' being wife above 
 *^ what is written,' is one of thofe abftrufe expreflions 
 ufed to convey a myftery, and has ferved as a cover 
 for obfcurity and ignorance. The wickednefs and 
 " ignorance of the Jews, have given birth to many 
 folemn trifles, as facrifices and ftiews, which the 
 
 " pious 
 
 * Vitlofa libido— fecerit aufpicium. 
 
20 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. ir. 
 
 <f pious credulity of after ages has puzzled itfelf in 
 <^ vain to account for." 
 
 " Query III. — Notwith (landing it be admitted, 
 there may be fome fmall errors, not only in the 
 tranflations, but probably in fome of the tranfcripts 
 of the Old Teftament, are we thereby warranted 
 to doubt the truth of the accounts therein con- 
 tained ; or that they are not a true record of the 
 principal tranfa6lions of the Lord's people in former 
 ages ? If not, is it not reafonable to believe our 
 bleffed Lord and Saviour, vi^hen on earth would 
 have teftified againft them ?" 
 
 " Answer — I believe there are fome errors in 
 the tranflations, more errors in the tranfcribing, 
 but moft of all in the original writing ; which, 
 coming through men ftrongly tinftured with rab- 
 binical myfteries and abfurdities, they were induced 
 
 " to muddy the fountain, to accommodate their dark- 
 ened ideas. Now feeing that men have written, 
 men have tranfcribed, and men have tranflated thefe 
 writings, it is confiftent with the excellence and 
 
 " dignity of truth, that they be perpetually fubjefted 
 to the ftandard of incorruptible light, and the mani- 
 feftations made thereby in the enlightened under- 
 ftandings of men, whereby thefe errors are detected : 
 for it feems not confiftent with the wifdom and good- 
 nefs of God, to fubjed the happinefs of man to the 
 
 ^' chance of conjedlure, or to the ipfe- dixit of any one 
 pretending to a divine revelation. Any thing there- 
 
 " fore on record, which, fubjeded to this teft, cannot 
 
NO. II. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 51 
 
 ftand the fcrutiny, or has not an evidence in the 
 *^ corre6l illuminated mind, is not an indifpenfable 
 « objea of faith.'' 
 
 " Query IV. — If we are warranted to call in quef- 
 " tion the truth of fome of the principal occurrences, 
 recorded in the old teftament, fuch as Elijah flaying 
 *^ the prophets of Baal, David's killing Goliah, the 
 Ifraelites borrowing of their neighbours the Egyp- 
 tians, by the Lord's command and approbation, with 
 many other accounts of (imilar nature, fliould we not 
 have a fufficient ground to doubt the truth of the 
 " whole Bible, and lay it afide, as a very falfe and dan- 
 gerous book 
 
 "Answer— It is one thing to doubt of thefe 
 " things being done, and another thing to doubt of the 
 *^ divine authority to do them. The firft is granted, the 
 latter is doubted. That they believed them/elves au- 
 thorized to perform thefe exploits may even be 
 allowed, but that they really were authorized I deny, 
 I believe that the Jews went early into the apoftacy, 
 proceeding againft the divine mind, according to the 
 " impulfe of their blind paflions; the deity fuffering 
 them thus to work out their own punifliment. I be- 
 lieve the tranfadions recorded of Elijah, David, &c. 
 were not commanded, as agreeable to the divine 
 mind, which, to aflert, is bringing an imputation 
 againft the divine chara6ler, who hereby is made to 
 " countenance cruelty, treachery, and fraud. How 
 " incompatible with the charafter which good old 
 S " Abraham 
 
22 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 NO. If, 
 
 " Abrakam draws, when he expoftulates— " Will not 
 the judge of all the earth do right Gen. xviii. 25.'* 
 
 Query V. — If the fcriptures are fo exceedingly 
 
 " corrupted, and the truth of the accounts therein con- 
 tained fo much to be doubted, muft not thofe whom 
 fome of us efteem to have been faithful followers of 
 Chrift, fuch as George Fox, Robert Barclay, and 
 
 " many others, have been influenced by the fpirit of 
 errour in entitling them holy fcriptures? Aud the 
 yearly meeting of London, very wrong in fo fre- 
 
 " quently and earneftly recommending them to the 
 perufal of friends, without pointing out to us what 
 parts of them were falfe and not fit to be read.^' 
 
 "Read yearly epiftles, 1728, &c. 8cc/' 
 
 Answer — Script-ures are of two forts, one is 
 matter of faith, whofe truths are of everlafting 
 obligation 5 thefe truths are revealed in the heart 
 of every man for his guidance, the fcriptures bear- 
 ing witnefs thereto, and ferving as collateral evi- 
 dence, Ihewing the uniformity, univerfality and per- 
 petuity of the divine communication : this is the 
 DOCTRINAL part. The other is historical, 
 
 " teaching alfo by a fort of figure, or allegory : but of 
 the literal and hiftorical acceptation, we have as 
 good a right to queftion, as of the truth of any 
 other hiftory, ftanding upon; its probability, or the 
 degree of clearnefs of its evidence. Again, fome 
 hiftories are profitable, others unprofitable to be 
 
 " read : if any hiftory contains matter which (hocks 
 the feelings of humanity j which defies credibility, 
 
 and 
 
NO ir. 
 
 APPENDI3^. 
 
 23 
 
 " and derogates from the divine chara6ler in the ge- 
 neral fcope of his economy, or divine ordering of his 
 family of the human fpecies, if that hiftory were 
 ^' fupported by all the patriarchs, and prophets, and 
 «^ Jewifh councils, by popes, conclaves, or yearly 
 meetings, yet wanted the marks and charac- 
 ters which I believe to be indicative of truth, 
 I reje6i this hiftory, I confider it unworthy my no- 
 tice, and unfuitable to occupy my laind, or my 
 time in reading it. 
 
 " Query VI. — When our primitive friends were 
 accufed by their adverfaries with denying the fcrip- 
 tures, becaufe they very properly aflerted, that they 
 were not the word of God, and confequently not 
 the primary rule to believers, whether are we to 
 " fuppofe they were in earneft, or only equivocated, 
 when they openly declared that they highly valued 
 the fcriptures, calling them the holy scrip- 
 *^ TURES, and scriptures of truth, and pro- 
 *^ fefled to find no fault with them, only fome poffible 
 *f inaccuracies in tranfcripts and tranflations, but no- 
 *^ thing fufficient to invalidate their authority, as to 
 " the relation of fa6ls and occurrences ? And have 
 *^ we not, as a people, ever held forth to the world, 
 that the fpirit is the only infallible guide, and the 
 " fcriptures the beft fecondary rule of faith and man- 
 ners ? 
 
 " Answer — The fubflantial part of a Chriftian's 
 " belief is intimately revealed, and ftands in no need 
 " of fcripture proof, which our primitive friends early 
 S a " aflerting, 
 
24 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO II. 
 
 afferting, they were taxed with difcred'iting the 
 *^ fcripturesj and very juftly, becaufe they wifhed ta 
 let them down to their proper ftandard of elevation, 
 from the extravagant eftiniation they were held in. 
 " Yet, finding, in that niafs of impurity, fomething 
 that might ferve as a coinmon meafure or ftandard 
 *^ between them and their adverfaries, they afterwards 
 magnified them too high ; as, when we would 
 ftraighten a crooked ftafF, we bend it as much the 
 contrary way. The fcriptures are (like the law 
 which they hold forth) fubje<^ to change and pafs 
 away. The law had its day ; afterwards fault was 
 *^ found with it; fo ftiall it be with thefe writings ; 
 they lhall perifli, but the word, which our primi- 
 tive friends held forth, it remaineth. Strange ! 
 that their pofterity, profeffing the fame primary 
 *f rule, fhould reft fo much on Jewifti fables, which 
 " Paul warns Timothy againft, and ftill more ftriftly 
 " Titus, in cb. i. v. 14, that the Cretans who, like us, 
 " were of heathen ftock, Ihould not be turned from 
 " the truth, following fables and commandments of 
 men, but come to be eftablifhed in the faith, at 
 ^* the fountain head of inftru^ion in their awn minds. 
 
 Query VII. — Is It not reafonable to conclude^ 
 " that to abridge the fcriptures^ would be a tacit de- 
 ** claration that the parts left out are either falfe, or 
 ^' dangerous to be read ? And would not this tend to 
 " derogate from the authority of the whole, by mak- 
 " ing them all fufpicious, and thereby ftrengthen 
 ** the hands of thofe who are endeavouring, with all 
 their might, to undermine tbe Chriftian religion in 
 
 " this 
 
NO. ir. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 25 
 
 " this generation ? Would not any ftep, likely to be 
 attended \yith fuch a confequence, be highly dan- 
 gerous ? 
 
 " Answeh — Thefe arguments 111 fuit a Quaker. 
 " If the Bible were the chief corner ftone, it might 
 " be very unfafe to meddle with it; but the founda- 
 " tion of God ftandeth fure^ and the gates of heU 
 " fhall not prevail againft it. My querift is improperly 
 alarmed. Truth never refwfed the hammer ; the 
 " more it is ftruck, the more fparks of divine illumi- 
 nation iflue from it. It will bear the ftrideft exa- 
 mination. As it is light, it is vain to expei^ that 
 " its divine myfteries can remain enveloped in dark- 
 " NESS. The fcriptures refemble the cloud, which 
 " at once owes its exiftence to the fun, and conceals 
 " him from our eyes ; but the ftronger influence of 
 his rays difpel the cloud, and difplays his all- 
 cheering vifage in unclouded power and beauty. 
 
 *^ Query VIII. — What reafon have we to believe, 
 that the holy fcriptures, which Paul alluded to, in 
 " writing to Timothy, did not include the books we 
 " call the Old Teftament, notwithftanding there 
 " might have been others then extant ? And what 
 " exceptions did Paul make to any part of thefe 
 books ? 
 
 "Answer— Paul carried much of his Rabinical 
 veneration for Jewiih monuments of tradition into 
 " chriftianity with him; fo far then as relates to thefe, 
 " he is an incompetent rule for us ; when he fpcaks the 
 
 " diaates 
 
26 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. ir. 
 
 dictates -of an enlightened mind we may fafely go 
 " with him— I will not {2iy— follow. He candidly owns 
 that he fpoke fometimes as a man: he fpoke at one 
 time as a jew — at another time as a chriftian. It is 
 equally unknown and unimportant what books he 
 deems holy fcripture. Jt may be the Pentateuch ; 
 *^ perhaps the book of Jasher, which is loft, was the 
 beft of it; or the book of ^ the wars of the Lord:' 
 in fhort this undefined appellation of Paul is not the 
 " fmalleft dire6lion to us," 
 
 " Query IX. — If the people called Quakers (hould 
 ever fo grossly err as to conclude the fcriptures to be 
 doubtful, what outward teft can we bring our princi- 
 pies to, fo as to give fatisfa6lion to people of other 
 focieties ; as, (fo far as I know) all profefling chrif- 
 tians, except fome among us, acknowledge them 
 to be true; although, for want of attending to the re- 
 velation of the holy fpirit, which gave forth the fcrip- 
 tures, they have put different meanings on them?" 
 
 Answer. — Lret the people called Quakers evince 
 the purity of their principles by the purity of their 
 " lives ; and this will do more for the caufe of truth 
 than multiplied reading and compiling. Let them 
 rely on the more fure word of prophecy, and have 
 lefs to do with do(Slrines and commandments of men; 
 the world fhall then be more curious aud inquifi- 
 tive to look into the royal law, which preferves them 
 *^ a pure upright people, without books, without 
 " clergy, and without Mofes; all which can be good, 
 *'enly fo far as they tend to bring unto Christ. 
 
 Will 
 
NO. nr. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 27 
 
 Will any pretend to (ay, that, when they have exccut* 
 ed this office, they are ftill needful ? Shall any be fo 
 foolifh as to fay, if, inflead of bringing to Chrlft, 
 they lead men away, teaching do6lrines diverfe from 
 Chrift*s do6lrine, that they are necelfary and conve- 
 nient? — furely they muft be very tenacious of the 
 law of formal commandments who fliould hold them 
 up in fuch extravagant veneration. 
 
 No. III. page 73. 
 
 Extract from an Address to the people called 
 Quakers, and others, on the fallen and de- 
 generate state of man, hy Samuel Stephens^ 
 of Dublin. 
 
 My mind hath been for years impreffed, under a 
 feeling fenfe of the fallen and degenerate flate of 
 man ; amongft whom I rank myfelf, from a confcious- 
 nefs of which, I have endeavoured to feek the caufe, 
 which I find to be, a departure in heart, from the 
 pure living principle implanted in us by a great and 
 
 " bountiful Creator; a principle which, if adhered to, 
 would gradually lead us back from the fallen ftate in 
 
 " which we are, unto that more perfedt one which 
 breathes glory to God in the higheft, and peace and 
 goodwill towards men ; a ftate that would redeem us 
 from all the * lo heres and lo theres;* one crying 
 ^Chrift is here,* another crying 'Chrift is there,' 
 
 "whilft 
 
28 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. III. 
 
 whilft they are living as without Chrift in the world ; 
 fatisfying themfelves with a name to live, and are 
 *^ dead ; dwelling under the forms and fhadows, ne- 
 glecling the one thing needful, the living fubjlance in 
 the foul, which^ if attained to, is fufficient for all things* 
 
 " Thus far I believe it neceflary for me to preface 
 what I may have to communicate, in order to put to 
 filence a vain and delufive fpirit that has gone forth 
 " into the world, faying that I and fome others deny 
 Jefus Chrift and his coming, and that we rank him 
 as an impoftor : a thing which is utterly false. For 
 I know not one, within the circle of my acquaintance, 
 " that looks on him in any fuch light; on the contrary, 
 I believe him to have been the moft perfeft character 
 that ever yet made his appearance amongft the chil- 
 dren of men. But all this is not fufficient to fatisfy 
 «f them, becaufe I cannot fwallow down the abfurd 
 doctrine that he was God ; a doclrine that they 
 themfelves acknowledge they cannot comprehend, or 
 " underhand ; a do(Si:rine they are as it were obliged to 
 believe, becaufe their church, fe6l, or party, require 
 them to do fo: and on what ground ? A few vague 
 fcripture «xpreffions, backed by the writings of men 
 as ignorant as themfelves. For we muft acknowledge 
 " that the world has been under fuch a cloud of grofs 
 darknefs, fo much fo, that the very people who 
 " claimed to be the moft enlightened of«all, took and 
 laid wicked hands on him, and put him to death, 
 ** becaufe they could not bear the purity of his doc- 
 trine, which went to fap the foundation of their fuper- 
 " ftitious building. And fo it kas fared, more or lefs, 
 
 " wi'th 
 
NO. HI. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 29 
 
 " with all thofe, before or fince his day, that have en- 
 deavoured to tread the fame path ; witnefs the pro- 
 ** phets, apoftles, and others, at different ages of the 
 *^ world, who declared againft the eftablifhed religion 
 *^ of the land, whether jewifti, heathenifh, or what is 
 called chriftian ; be it which it may, the ruling party 
 were always ready to rife up agaiaft them, and put 
 ** them to death, for daring to call in queftion their 
 mode of faith, as prefcribed by law. It would be too 
 tedious and unneceflary to enter into all the particu- 
 " lars on that head, nor do I find myfelf equal to the 
 taflc, but I (hall confine myfelf for the prefent to one 
 of the moft recent inftances, which is, that the 
 fociety of the people called Quakers, many of whom, 
 in England, Ireland, and America, not only fuffered 
 hard and grievous imprifonments^ for fake of a 
 good confcience, but fome of them were perfecuted 
 *^ even unto death, and particularly in America, by 
 the hands of men who had fled there from a violent 
 perfecution in their native land, and who in turn 
 became perfecutors themfelves. This is a matter fo 
 ** recent and fo well known, I need not defcend into 
 *' particulars, as I expe£l no one can deny it. But how 
 *' the defcendants of thofe very people (the Quakers) who 
 had flood fo nobly for the caufe of truth and righ- 
 teoufnefs in their day, fliould now traduce and vilify 
 ** others, becaufc they wifh to go a Jlep farther than 
 their forefathers have gone, may appear caufe cf 
 aftonifhment to fome : but the reafon is obvious when 
 it comes to be underftood ; for the great bulk of them, 
 ^' having departed in principle and practice from their 
 *^ progenitors, they havft fet wp the form in place of 
 
 "the 
 
30 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. III. 
 
 ** the fubftanee of true religion ; fo when they have 
 not the kernel, they are refolved to have the fhell ; 
 and in order to fupport that, they have declared war 
 
 •* againft all who call in queftion their empty form. 
 
 *^ No'cv as I believe all formSy without the power, to be 
 unavailing, fo, 1 Ukewife believe the power, without the 
 
 ^'^ form, to be of itfelf fufficient for all thofe who feel their 
 minds drawn thereunto. This feems another caufe of 
 difference ; fome plead for the outward form, as well 
 as the fubftance, and go fo far as to fay, it is neceffary 
 
 " to keep up the form, notwith (landing the power do 
 
 *' not accompany it. To all thofe I {hall fay, I do not 
 'iinjh to trefpafs on their right of judging for them [elves, 
 and by the fame rule, I hope they will grant me the fame 
 -liberty ; for I believe all men are created equal, that 
 the power of God is implanted in every human being 
 the world over, without refpeft to perfons, names, or 
 religion ; the jew, and gentile, as vi'ell as the highly 
 profeffing chriftian, who may exalt himfelf as it were 
 unto heaven, and look down with an eye of difdain on 
 
 " the furrounding multitude of God's workmanfliip ; a 
 multitude far more numerous than thofe under the 
 chriftian name ; men, equally the peculiar care of 
 heaven ; men, many of whom are as ftrongly impreg- 
 nated with that heavenly elfence of charity and love 
 as themfelves. 
 
 But to return to my fubje6l, which is to expoftu- 
 " late with thofe under the name of Quakers. I lliall, 
 in the name of wonder, alk them, how they, ajs a 
 fociety, who have pleaded for the liberty of con- 
 
 " fciencc 
 
NO, III. APPENDIX. 31 
 
 fcience, again ft the united efforts of furrounding 
 nations, can now fo far deviate from their firfl 
 principle, as to fet limits to the Holy One or his re- 
 quirings, to condemn me or another, becaufe I be- 
 
 " lieve in my confcience, I ought to do this, or re- 
 
 " frain from that or the other thing, whilft I do not 
 thereby violate any moral or religious law ; violate, 
 
 ** I fay, for furely any thing fet up by man, let that 
 man be who he may, has a right to be pulled 
 down, or laid alide by his fucceflbr. If that be not 
 the cafe, reformation c;an never go on, either in a 
 civil or religious fenfe ; therefore it muft ultimately 
 ftop, nay, turn back ; for, I am bold to declare it, 
 
 ^' that the fociety, body of men, or people who do 
 
 " not recur to firft principles, will go to decay, nay, 
 they muft go beyond firft principles, if ever they 
 
 <^ expe£l to journey forward on the road towards per- 
 feftion : for I believe there is no man hardy enough 
 to fay, that there is, or ever was, any fociety of 
 
 ^' people, under any denomination yet, perfect; there- 
 fore, if that (hould be grant,ed, which I expe<£t it 
 will be by all, our next inquiry naturally is, how 
 we are to attain to it. My anfwer is, by each indi- 
 vidual implicitly doing, and following that, which 
 he believes to be right, regardlefs of what man 
 fhall fay, think or do, or a6l towards him. Thefe I 
 know to be hard fayings, and fome may be ready to 
 query, who can bear them ? Thofe who are weaned 
 from the love of this world and its purfaits, who 
 are preferring the joyful profpedl of a far better in- 
 
 " heritance^ when time to them here, ihall be no 
 
 more ; 
 
32 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. lY. 
 
 " more ; when they fhall have to triumph in the joy 
 <* of their Lord ; when they fhall have to fit down in 
 that kingdom of reft and peace, whofe felicity lliall 
 be without end. Thefc are feelings which can and 
 " will fupport through every conflict and trial in this 
 ** life, and will lead us to an endlefs immortality." — 
 
 Page 5 to 10 inclti/ive. 
 
 No. IV. page 1 1 9. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF 
 JOHN HANCOCK, 
 
 Concerning Jesus Christ, &c, 
 
 " I treat the fcriptures as I would do any other 
 book. I receive fuch parts of them as appear to 
 me, on examination, to be di<5lated by the fpirit of 
 God, but I do not conceive them to have been 
 written throughout by infpiration. 
 
 " I cannot adopt the commonly received opinion, 
 " of the fall of Adam having had any effe£l upon 
 me. I believe that I am only refponfible for my 
 own wrong doings. I feel myfelf as an accountable 
 " creature — a free agent, with a full liberty to choofe 
 between good and evil. I admit, from a feeling 
 fenfe of my own infirmities, that though I approve 
 the things that are more excellent, I do at feafons 
 " follow the worfe; but this proceeds from myfelf 
 " joining with the evil. I rejed the du6lrine of the 
 
 imputed 
 
NO. IV. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 33 
 
 " imputed fin of Adam : and fo I rejeA the Imputed 
 <* righteoufnefs of Chrift. It appears uneflential to 
 me to bewilder my mind by a curious difquifition 
 " refpefting the perfon of Chrift : this I believe not 
 to be neceffary to falvation, but having a tendency 
 " to vi'ithdraw my attention from myfelf, and the re- 
 " gulation of my own condu6l (the one thing needful 
 " for me), and to lead me to unprofitable fpeculation 
 " on things not given us to know in this ftate, and 
 " which, after all our fearching, we can fee and know 
 but in part, while we continue tenants in mortality. 
 We fuffer great lofs, while our attention is diverted 
 from ourfelves. The power of godlinefs, emphati- 
 " cally called the kingdom of heaven, is within us. 
 
 It is there we muft look for help to overcome evil, 
 " and herein, in my judgment, confifts the fum and 
 fubftance of true godlinefs, in attending to the 
 difcoveries of divine grace (the unfpcakable gift of 
 " God;, manifefted through the confcience: and 
 " which hath appeared to all the children of men, 
 without diftin6tion of nation, clime, or colour 5 to 
 " thofe who have never heard the name of Jefus, as 
 " well as to thofe who are outwardly and profeffionally 
 called by the name of Chrift. I accept, with humble 
 «^ reverence, the holy pattern of unblemiftied excel- 
 " lence left us by Chrift. I believe the fpirit of 
 God was poured forth upon him without meafure. 
 In this fenle I acknowledge him to be the fon of 
 " God, and defire to prove my love and gratitude to 
 God, by endeavouring to follow his example. He 
 obeyed the will of his father in all things , and fo 
 ** are his linc«re followers called upon to do likewife — 
 
 « that 
 
34 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. IV. 
 
 «« that by attending to the improvable talents com- 
 ** mitted to their ftewardfhip, they may (though al- 
 moft at an infinite diftance) tread in the fame path 
 ^ to bleflednefs. This, I believe, is the religion 
 '* which the holy Jefus was the chofen meflenger of 
 God to publifli in its purity to the world. A reli- 
 *^ gion, when compared with that profefled by many 
 *^ in his name, as unlike as their fruits are elTentially 
 ** different. Under the name of the chriftian religion, 
 all manner of enormities have been committed ; 
 ** wars have been carried on, and attempts made to 
 ** propagate religion by the fvvord ; whereas the pure 
 ** and undefiled religion, taught by him, at once 
 proves the fpurious origin of its counterfeit, and its 
 " own excellence, by manifefting the fruits of holi- 
 nefs ; and, when fubmitted to by man, aflimilating 
 " into its own nature, which is, ^ Glory to God in 
 " the higheft, peace on earth, and good-will towards 
 " men.' The fcope and tendency of the miniftry of 
 * ' Jefus Chrift was to turn the attention inward ; and 
 this is ftill the tendency of that gracious principle 
 ** difcovered in the heart of man : but the prevailing 
 error of mankind is, fubftituting the (hadow for the 
 fubftance, trufting in the merits of a Saviour with- 
 ** out them, and not attending to the manifeftations 
 ** of the grace of God within them ; whofe exiftence 
 " is undeniably proved by its checks, reproofs, and 
 varied operations according to our refpe6live wants.'* 
 Reafons. for zvithdrawing from fociety with tbs people 
 called Quakers-^page 9 to II inclujive. 
 
 On 
 
NO. IV. 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
 35 
 
 On Religion and Mgrality. 
 
 ** Religion, then, in my eftimation, is not an ad- 
 ** herence, however ftrict, to creeds, opinions, or the 
 ** outward forms of a fociety, or what is called a 
 •* church ; but confifts in a clofe attention to the 
 *' frame of our minds, a ftricl watchfulnefs againft 
 ** the influence of our paflions, which, if unreftrained, 
 *' incline us to tranfgrefs the boundaries of right, in 
 ** the various bye-#ays and devious paths into which 
 ** they lead the unwary. Religion is not to be efti- 
 mated by the firmnefs, or rather the obftinacy of 
 belief, adopted without examination ; yet this is 
 *^ called faith by fome. If we examine into what 
 " properly deferves the name of faith, it will be 
 found not to confift in mere belief, uninfluential 
 *^ on the conduct, but in an unreferved obedience 
 to the divine principle maiiifefted in man, through 
 the medium of his confcience and reafon, and never 
 *^ in oppofition to the genuine found didates of either. 
 They are all divine gifts, and In harmony with each 
 other, until man abufes them, by miftaking and 
 " confounding confcience with the erroneous dreams 
 of his fancy, and reafon with the fallies and errors 
 " of his imagination : thus, he firft abufes the gifts, 
 and then calls his erroneous interpretations of them 
 " by their names ; and in his rage for making dif- 
 tinctions, which he may turn to his purpofes, as 
 party diftin^iions, he ufes divifions, and fub-divi- 
 fions for explaining his meaning, until he lofes him-' 
 felf by his diftindions in the mirt, with v\ hich he fur-' 
 " rounds himfelf. Thus, he calls a book revelation ; ' 
 
 faith, 
 
36 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
 NO. XV. 
 
 ** faith a mere belief, or opinion ; confcience, an ap- 
 prehenfion formed generally from the prejudices of 
 
 *♦ education, fometimes right, and fometimes wrong ; 
 
 ** reafon, a fenfe to enable him to comprehend what 
 
 •* he calls natural objetSts ; and above all, to aflift him 
 to make gain, which fo many confider as the 
 
 " great bufinefs of life. The idea affixed to morality 
 
 " is alfo narrowed to the mere negative qualities of 
 not acting with open fraud, and being free from 
 fome of the groffer vices ; a meaning falling far 
 
 ** fhort indeed of the comprehenfive duties which a 
 
 " found moraUty requires. 
 
 *^ On the contrary, I conceive revelation to confift 
 in a divine communication, made in the heart of all 
 
 " the children of men 5 and that confcience and rea- 
 fon are its agents, through which it operates on the 
 human mind. Faith is a pra6lical beUef in the 
 
 " operation of this principle, and a fubmiffion, on the 
 
 " part of man, to follow its leadings and difcoveries ; 
 
 *' and religion and morality (I cannot feparate them) 
 arife from that ft ate of mind, wherein we yield 
 
 " obedience to thofe impreffions of a heavenly (lamp 
 made on the mind ; not difcoverable morely in the 
 
 *^ fuperficial efFe<5ls produced by an aflent of the mh- 
 derftanding ; but operating a powerful effect on the 
 whole tenor of the life and condu£l, and producing 
 
 " the fruits of holinefs, manifefted through the gene- 
 
 «^ rai a6tions of thofe who fubmit to its blefled in- 
 flaence. It is not a dead, inadive principle, like 
 a cold belief, but becomes a vivifying principle 
 
 " always inclining us to the right, when we are wil- 
 
 " ling 
 
NO. IV. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 37 
 
 ling to Men coolly to the leffons, which it is ever 
 " ready to teach us. Morality is not that cold iyftem, 
 which fome fuppofe ; they affix an inaccurate mean- 
 ing to it, and then they find fault with it. In my view, 
 it takes in the com prehen five circle of thofe duties, 
 *' which we owe to ourfelves, and to our fellow men, 
 *^ in the various relations, by which, as members of the 
 one great family of mankind, we are conne(Sled to- 
 gether. It begins with our more immediate connex- 
 ions, of which th<j filial, conjugal, and parental duties 
 may be put in the firft clafs. I confider thefe primary 
 duties as the foundation of that benevolence, which, in 
 various gradations, we owe to all mankind. It would 
 be a deficient fpecies of morality, which would only 
 " inftrudl us to love our kind, if it did not lead us, in the 
 firft inftance, to the punctual difcharge of the duties 
 *^ which we owe to thofe moft immediately connected 
 with us. The proper difcharge of our domejTic du- 
 ties ought to be the bafis of our ^^;zfrc// benevolence. 
 Beginning in the domeftic circle, with thofe w ho, 
 " from their fituations, have the ftrongeft claims on us, 
 true benevolence proceeds from this center, and ex- 
 tending to our neighbours, our countrymen, and our 
 brethren of the human race, in their various rela- 
 tions, leads to promote univerfally, peace on earth, 
 and goodwill towards men." 
 
 On the one hand, I call in queftion the real bene- 
 volence of a character, who would profefs much 
 general good-zoill to manVind^ and yet negle(Sl to 
 " manifeft tendernefs and kindnefs in his own domejih 
 " circle', for I confider domejlic benevolence (if I may 
 
 T uf^^ 
 
S8 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 «0. IV. 
 
 ufe the expreflion) to be the only fure foundation of 
 public benevolence, and that no morofe, aujlere cha^ 
 raBer at home, can he truly poffejffed of general phi- 
 lanthropy, — So, on the other hand, a really beneficent 
 
 *^ man will not exclufively confine the fphere of his be- 
 nevolence to his own private family ; it will begin 
 there, but extend far beyond this narrow limit. Yet 
 
 " many content themfelves in this fituation ; they wifh 
 to aggrandize their families, while they are heedlefs 
 of the duties they owe to others ; and even with re- 
 gard to their families, fall very {hort of properly dis- 
 charging their real duties. Some parents think they 
 have fufficiently difcharged their duty to their chil- 
 dren if they leave them a large (hare of riches, while, 
 at the fame time, they have been Ihewing them an 
 evil example in many refpefts, training them up in 
 
 ** the fordid defire of gain, and perhaps treating them 
 with much aufterity. So deficient is the morality, 
 which pafles current in the world!" — Serious conji- 
 
 derations on Revelation, the Scriptures, page 
 
 32 /£> 34 inclitjive. 
 
 On Superstition, 
 
 It doubtlefs requires great care in removing the 
 covering, that we do not injure the tree. So, al- 
 though I earneftly wiflb to fee the removal of fuper- 
 ftition, I defire to behold it done with a cautious 
 hand; left, from the mifapplication of fubftantial 
 truths, any fhould run themfelves into confufion ; 
 and thus injure themfelves, and retard the progrcfs 
 of the caufe they wifli to promote: for it is a juft 
 obfervation, that fome of the moft important truths 
 
 " lie 
 
NO. IV. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 39 
 
 lie within an hair's breadth of moft dangerous errors. 
 " Such is the narrow path for reformers to move in, if 
 they wifti to be really ufeful to mankind ! 
 
 Infidelity on one hand, and fuperftition on the 
 other, are dangerous rocks, upon which the chriftian 
 
 " may be wrecked, in his palTage through life, if he is 
 
 " not cautioufly on his guard againft dangers on either 
 hand. Superftition is generally rather an error of 
 the judgment, while the heart retains a confiderable 
 fhare of fincerity; and in this fituation, there is a 
 
 *^ great aptnefs to receive without examination : thus 
 cuftoms are handed down from one generation to 
 another, without undergoing any inquiry. Many 
 do not look at the rational motives which might 
 
 *^ have occafioned a praftice to have been at firft eftab- 
 lifhed. Theyonly look whether it be an ancient prac- 
 tice, and then adopt it, as if a pradice, becaufe it is 
 
 *^ of fome antiquity, muft be right. 
 
 I think each generation, and every individual, 
 *^ are bound to fearch out truth for themfelves ; and I 
 
 know of no fuperior advantages, which former ages 
 
 had, to find out truth, which we may not acquire in 
 ** the prefent day, through a diligent fearch, conducted 
 " with ferioufnefs, and due caution. But taking up 
 
 matters on the fcore of tradition, accommodates the 
 *^ natural indolence of man, and leaves him at liberty 
 *^ to purfue his dreams of profit and of pleafure, free 
 " from the interruption of thinking for himfelf. Many 
 *^ fall into this fnare, and may be faid quietly to fleep 
 
 away their time, and almoft to forfeit the privilege 
 " of rational beings, 
 
 T 2 « There 
 
40 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. IV. 
 
 " There are many practices recorded in fcripture, 
 which I think would not be ufed if they had not 
 been mentioned in that book; and yet I think every 
 praiSlice fhould ftand on its own foundation : for an- 
 
 *^ cient praftice, however ufed by fome men good in 
 the main, but who yet did not fee every thing right- 
 ly, cannot confecrate error. Some may be fhocked 
 
 *^ at the aifertion, yet I believe it is neceffary to tell 
 bold truths, and I hefitate not to fay, that I believe 
 a large mafs of errors, interwoven into the various 
 
 <^ fyftems of what is called chriftianity, has had its 
 origin in receiving the fcriptures, as unmixed truth, 
 inftead of letting each part and portion of them ftand 
 on its own merit, without inlifting on receiving the 
 
 " whole in bulk. 1 think the apoftles were truly valu- 
 
 <^ able characters in moft refpefts, yet that they were 
 
 " not entirely free from fuperftition. 
 
 *^ Succeeding generations, inftead of doing away 
 
 " this fuperftition, have gradually added to the heap : 
 fo that now, by accumulation, it has increafed to a 
 prodigious fize. It has become a matter of great re- 
 
 <^ proach to attempt to point it out, or to remove this 
 rubbifti, accumulated through many generations, 
 under which truth lies buried ; and yet it is neceflary 
 
 " that it ftiould be done. Reformers," in every age, have 
 been ftigmatized with the name of heretics ; and the 
 reproach is ftill continued ; but I hope fome will, from 
 time to time, be raifed up, who will dare to fpeak out 
 with firmnefs, and expofe the abufes and corruptions 
 
 " of chriftianity wherever they may appear.'* Serious 
 
 conJideratio7iSf &c, page 40, 41. 
 
 ''1 
 
NO. IV. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 41 
 
 " I belong to no feft : nor do I want to form a new 
 " one. I feel calm peace in my feparation from all 
 outward focieties. The fentiments I exprefs are my 
 " own. Let the reader impartially judge of them for 
 " himfelf. While I feel a peaceful ferenity refpedVmg 
 the paft, I cannot but be earnefily folicitous refpe6l- 
 ing my future fteppings, well knowing the infirmities 
 incident to man, and fenfible of my own weaknefs. 
 I feel awful humility to attend my mind, in thus 
 once more expoiing my fentiments to public view. 
 Ivfy earneft wifh for myfelf is, that I may always 
 keep in this difpolition; and my delire is equally 
 fincere for my neighbours, that they may grow in 
 " grace, and in the faving knowledge of God ; and 
 *' with a ferioufnefs, becoming a fubjedl of fuch infinite 
 ^* importance, throw off the fhackles of bigotry and 
 " fuperftition, and fubmit only to the guidance oi 
 truth.*' Serious covji derations, &c, page 52. 
 
 No. V. Page 131. 
 
 " JVheiher the progress of tijjie, or any change 
 " in habits, opinions, or circumstances, required 
 a revifion of the ancient rules of discipline,''^ 
 
 Under this head it will probably be admitted, that 
 the following minutes of the national half year's meet- 
 ing of Ireland, in the years 1660, 17 '-'5, and 1748, 
 
 merit 
 
42 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. V. 
 
 merit attention. They relate to the conduft of perfons 
 in our fociety who either marry with each other by a 
 frieji, or when a member of our fociety marries with 
 one of the world" The condudl, in either cafe, has 
 always been regarded as a ferious offence againft the 
 rules of the difcipline ; and the parties, who thus marry, 
 are, in confequence thereof, feparated from memberfhip 
 with the fociety. As a further means of bringing them 
 to repentance, and alfo as a warning to others, the 
 parents of the perfons fo offending are enjoined not to 
 give them part of their fuhjlance, or any outward 
 portion,'' until the delinquents be reconciled to 'friends 
 and truth J' With the fame view, parents are advijed 
 to take the advice of concerned friends in mailing their 
 WILLS, relating to fuch rebellious children** If the 
 parents themfelves have confented to fuch marriage, 
 they are to be publickly tejlifed againjl-" and even 
 though they have not confented, yet, if they afterwards 
 receive their children in, entertain, or are familiar with 
 them, till the meeting to which they belong be fenfible of 
 their true repentance," fuch parents are to be ^' clofely 
 dealt with and excluded from men s or women s fueet- 
 ings by which is meant, not admited to fit in 
 meetings of difcipline. 
 
 NATIONAL HALF YEAR'S MEETING, 
 Third month, 1680. 
 
 " If any friends do perceive that their children are 
 under fuch a temptation, as to go to the prieft to be 
 
 married, 
 
NO. V. 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
 married, or to take one of the world to hufband or 
 wife, if they will not hear that counfel or advice, 
 " which, in the fear of the Lord, they give them : then 
 let them inform friends, that they may deal with 
 them, in the order of the gofpel ; that fo, if poffible, 
 they may be preferved out of the fnare, or the^r<f^/^r 
 weight of judgment may be laid on them, by their 
 parents in particular, and friends in general. 
 
 If, notwithftanding the advice and counfel of 
 parents and friends, any young people do fall into the 
 aforefaid evils, we defire and advife all parents to 
 keep very ftriftly to the principle of truth in them- 
 felves, in their condu6l towards their children ; 
 which, we believe, will reftrain them from paffing by 
 that of great difohedience unto them felves in par- 
 ticular, and the Lord, and his truth, in general, until 
 
 *^ fuch time that friends, through their true repentance, 
 
 *^ receive them into unity again. 
 
 And further, we believe it will beft anfwer the 
 truth, for parents to withhold giving fuch difobedient 
 
 <^ children any outward portion, until fuch time as they 
 be reconciled to friends and truth as aforesaid \ for 
 the withholding that, may be inftrumental to 
 
 " caufe them to enter into a due confideration of their 
 
 " difohedience to the Lord and their parents, from 
 whence true repentance may fpring; and not only 
 fo, but it may be an occafion to prevent others from 
 falling into the fame fnare, and may put a flop to 
 fome of the world in feeking after our children on that 
 
 ^* account,*' 
 
 NATIONAL 
 
44 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. V. 
 
 NATIONAL HALF YEAR'S MEETING, 
 Ninth month ^ 1725. 
 
 Where parents are fo indulgent (contrary to the 
 advice given forth in the third month, 1680) as to 
 recewe their children in, (who go out to he married 
 by a prleft) and give them part of their fuhjlance^ 
 without Jirjl advijing with the men's meeting they 
 belong to, &c. fuch indulgent parents are to be 
 deemed unjit to Jit in men's or women's meetings, until 
 they give fuch fatisfa£lion as the nature of the cafe 
 may require. It is alfo further advifed, that the pa- 
 rents of fuch do take the advice of concerned friends, 
 " in 'making their wills, relating to fuch rebellious chil- 
 ** dren; left, by any unadvifed a6l of that kind, others 
 Ihould be encouraged to tread the fame fteps/' 
 
 NATIONAL HALF YEAR'S MEETING, 
 Third month, 1 748. 
 
 It is the judgment of this meeting, that where 
 " parents or others concerned, confent to their children 
 
 ^oiw^ out to marry by a priejl, the^ought to be pub- 
 ** licly tejiified againjl, as fuch with whom we cannot 
 
 have unity, till they give friends proper fatisfa6lion. 
 
 And u^here they have not confented to fuch marriage, 
 " yet, if they afterward ^ii;^ portions, entertain, or are 
 
 familiar with fuch children, till friends be fenftble of true 
 ^ repentance in them, that they be clofely dealt with, pur- 
 
 fuant to the advice of the minute of 1 680 ; and that, if 
 
 they be members of men or women's meetings, they 
 
 " be 
 
NO. V. 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
 45 
 
 " be, for fuch offence, excluded from the meetings till 
 " they give friends fatisfa6lion as aforefaid."* 
 
 The preceding minutes ftill continue in full force, 
 ^nd are afted upon, as rules for the condu6l of the fo- 
 ciety in Ireland. There was a time when a fimilar 
 conduct was purfued by the fociety in fome parts of 
 England: and it is probable that the rules, upon 
 which fuch conduft was founded, have never been 
 formally abolifhed. It is hoped, however, that there is 
 no part either of Great Britain, or America, 
 where the fociety now a6l in this manner. 
 
 Indeed it is greatly to be regretted that the cruelty 
 and injuftice, infeparable from fuch an interference, on 
 the part of the fociety, with the rights of private judg- 
 ment, and with the facred and delicate ties of duty and 
 affe(3:ion, by which parents and their children were in- 
 tended to be united, (hould not have been fufficiently 
 obvious to eftabliili a convi6lion, that no religious foci- 
 ety ever was, or can be, juftified in afting in the man- 
 ner prefcribed by thefe minutes. With 
 
 * It will probably have been remarked, that in the preced- 
 ing injundlions there is no limitation of age, as to the perfons 
 thus marrying : — nor any exception relative to thofe inftances 
 wherein fuch marriages may be fandioned by the deliberate 
 and mature judgment of the parties j— or receive the counte- 
 nance and approbation of parents or guardians, after a full 
 tonsideraiion of all the circumstances ^hich sometimes attend 
 suck peculiarly delicate and difficult cases. When the parties 
 a6t from the pureft motives, and according to their beft judg- 
 ment, is it right that fuch conduft fhculd neceffarily incur, 
 either the dilinheritance of the child, or the difownment of 
 the parents ? 
 
4« 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. V, 
 
 With refyt^ to the great importance of harmony in 
 religious opinions, between thofe who are united by the 
 folemn covenant of marriage, there can be but one fen- 
 timent among ferious perfons. They, who happily ex- 
 perience this harmony, can bear ample tellimony to the 
 degree in which it endears and improves this moft in- 
 terefting bond of union It may be queftioned, however, 
 whether experience has hitherto fhewn that parents 
 can, with beneficial efFe6ls, attempt more than early to 
 imprefs upon the minds of their children, the impor- 
 tance of connecting themfelves for life with thofe by 
 whom their religious improvement is moft likely to be 
 promoted; and alfo dire<Sl their attention to the con- 
 fequences, where this confideration has not been made a 
 primary obje6l by others. If more than this be attempt- 
 ed, it has often been known, not only grievoufly to add to 
 the unhappinefs of fuch injudicious marriages, but alfo 
 to excite in the minds of, perhaps, all the parties con- 
 cerned, difpofitions which are even more repugnant to 
 the mild and benevolent fpirit of the gofpel, than any 
 thing in the condu6l by which thofe difpofitions were 
 occafioned. 
 
 No. VI. Page 137. 
 
 On the Connexion hetiueen Disownment and 
 Persecution. 
 
 Of thofe perfons who are a<^ive in the difcipline of 
 •ur fociety, there are many who are unqueftionably 
 pious, upright, liberal, and humane. To injuftice or 
 
 opprefllion 
 
NO. VI. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 opprelTion they feel a rooted abhorrence. As men, and 
 as chriftians, they would equally revolt from the inflic- 
 tion of confcious perfecution, fully perfuaded that it is 
 utterly repugnant to the mild and peaceable principles 
 of the gofpel, and to all the benevolent feelings of hu- 
 manity. To their confideration it is therefore earneftly 
 and affeftionately recommended, whether^ if our fellow 
 creatures hiftid upon us any evil, or deprive us of any 
 good, folely on account of our religious opinions, fucb con^ 
 duSt can be regarded in any other light than as Persecu- 
 tion ; — and whether this appellation is not JlriSily appli- 
 cable to thofe fufferings to which confcientious members of 
 our fociety may be fubje&ed in confequence of DISOWN- 
 
 MENT ? 
 
 To aflift us farther in this inquiry, let us contem- 
 plate the fituation of a perfon who has been educated 
 in the fociety, and is afterwards difowned, for diflent- 
 ing from fome of its peculiar opinions or regulations, 
 although he ftill continues to retain a ftrong attachment 
 to moft of its diftinguifliing principles and habits. 
 
 Should ficknefs, age, or infirmity, difable him from, 
 fupplying his own wants by honeft induftry, he is de- 
 barred from the aid of thofe funds, for the maintenance 
 of the poor belonging to the fociety, which are raifed, 
 in fome places, partly from the bequefts of the dead, 
 but more generally from the charity of the living.— 
 And this hardfhip muft be peculiarly felt in Ireland, 
 where there is no legal provifion for the maintenance of 
 the poor. 
 
 The 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 NO VI. 
 
 The peculiar principles and habits of his own edu- 
 cation, differ confiderably from thofe of other religious 
 focieties, and he confiders the education of his chil- 
 dren in the fame principles and habits, as a matter of 
 great moment. If thefe children were born before his 
 difownment, and he is unable to educate them, the fo- 
 ciety takes upon itfelf the whole expenfe neceffary for 
 this purpofe.* But, if the children are born after X\\q 
 parents' difownment, they are not only without any 
 claim to education by the fociety, but they are not even 
 admiffible into fome of thofe fchools, w4iich are eftab- 
 liflied under its patronage, and, in part, fupported at 
 its expenfe ; and to which the terms of admiffion are 
 low, for the exprefs purpofe of accommodating the 
 children of members in limited circumftances.f 
 
 He cannot confcientioufly take an oath, nor can 
 he ferve in the militia, or take part in any mili- 
 tary OPERATIONS. Towards thefe fcruples, the 
 
 legiflature 
 
 * In Great Britain, if either of the parents is a member 
 of the fociety, at the time when their child is born, fuch 
 child becomes a member, by lirthright, excepting only in the 
 cafe of the parents having been married contrary to the laws 
 of the fociety. But in Ireland, a child does not gain mem- 
 berfliip by birthright, in any cafe, unlefs both the parents are 
 members when the child is born. 
 
 -f The three fchools eftabliflied by the fociety in the pro- 
 vinces of Ulfter, Leinder, and Munfter, and alfo the fchool 
 at Ackworth, in Yorkfliire, are of this defcriptlon. 
 
NO. VI. 
 
 APPENDIX* 
 
 49 
 
 legiflature has been particularly indulgent, in franning 
 cxprefs provifions for the relief of thofe who are mem- 
 bers of our fociety. But he has now no legal claim to 
 the benefit of thefe provifions, and whilft ailing up to 
 his fenfe of duty, he is in danger of incurring fevere 
 penalties. 
 
 To be prefent at thofe periodical meetings, in 
 which the members of the fociety are afiembled, for 
 the exprefs purpofe of tranfa6ling their discipline, to 
 take a part in the conduiSl of it, and to be one of the 
 obje6ls for whofe benefit the difcipline is then, as 
 well as at other times exercifed ; has been regarded 
 as an efficient means of promoting the religious im- 
 provement of every clafs in the fociety. Of thefe ad- 
 vantages, however, he is now wholly deprived. 
 
 Nor lliould the efFe6l on c h a r A cte r be overlooked. 
 To difown, is an expreffion which admits not of being 
 ufed otherwife than in an unfavourable fenfe. The fe- 
 paration from memberfhip, is almoft always accompa- 
 nied with exprefs cenfure of the perfon difowned ; and 
 throughout all the rules of the difcipline, it would be 
 difficult to find a fingle provifion for difownment, in 
 which demerit is not previoufly fuppofed. Now the 
 opinion of an efi:ablifhed fociety, outweighs that of an 
 individual. His d'lfownment by the fociety, becomes 
 a matter of public notoriety, but the caufe of the dif- 
 ownment is frequently mifreprefented and exaggerated 
 by vague and ignorant rumour. Hence the fituation 
 «f perfons, in limited and dependant circum fiances, 
 
 fubfifting, 
 
50 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. VI. 
 
 fubfifting, perhaps chiefly, by the patronage of the 
 members of the fociety, is fometimes rendered preca- 
 rious and afFedling,* 
 
 * There is alfo a fpecies of condu6t, which has been 
 too frequently maintained towards individuals, when, in 
 the exercife of the right of private judgment, they adopt a 
 conduct or opinions difapproved of by the church. An in- 
 ilance of this kind occurred in the cafe of John Rogers, 
 jun. and the following note is inferted from a letter pub-,, 
 lilhed by him nearly twelve months after his marriage, and 
 referred to in page 1 29 of the preceding Narrative. 
 
 " Another manner of dealing was handed forth to us, 
 " in order to deter us from purfuing the line of apprehended 
 " duty J which was pronouncing woes and judgments againft 
 us, if we would not conform to the eftablifhed mode of 
 " proceeding, by fome whofe zeal overcame their knowledge i 
 " as if all other modes, but theirs, were excluded from the 
 " favour of God. It may not be amifs here to obferve, 
 " that upon a ferious review of our condud, with refped to 
 ** the manner of our procedure, we feel no condemnation, 
 ** but are favoured with that peace which this world can 
 *« neither give nor take away." — See Friendly Expostulation, 
 ly John Hancochj page 51. 
 
 Prophecy and denunciation have indeed been lamenta- 
 bly too frequent, in every period of the hiftory of our fociety. 
 Inftances of this may be referred to in the journals publiihed 
 by feveral of its members, and in the conduct of too many 
 gf its approved minifters and zealous difciplinarians. From 
 
 thif 
 
ISO. VI. APPENDIX. 51 
 
 But the cafe, moft of all perhaps to be compaflion- 
 ated, is that of an upright and confcientious indivi- 
 dual, who has been, from infancy, taught to regard 
 the judgment of the fociety as di6lated by the infalli- 
 ble fpirit of God, and at the fame time to regard the 
 inward and individual dictates of the divine fpirit in 
 his own mindy as the primary rule of condud, and the 
 unerring guide to truth. Now, if he (hould afterwards 
 diflent (perhaps reluctantly diiTent) from the fociety 
 on fome particular points ; and knowing that peace 
 of mind always depends on a faithful obedience to 
 the di<9:ates of duty, he fhould be honeftly defirous of 
 a(Sling confiftently with his own convictions, it will be 
 eafily conceived, that the doubts and fears occafioned 
 by the oppofing dictates of two principles which have 
 been thus early and powerfully imprefled on his mind, 
 may produce very embarraffing and diftreffing conflicts. 
 
 Thefe 
 
 this mifapplication of talents, by pcrfons, whofe ftations give 
 them a more than ordinary degree of influence in the fo- 
 ciety, fome very forrowful, not to fay fatal, effeCts have 
 refulted. It may^ however, with great fatisfaCtion, be re- 
 marked, that this pradiice is obvioufly diminifliing, and it 
 is devoutly hoped, it will continue to be ftill further dif- 
 countenanced. The pious prayer of a poet of the Roman 
 Catholic Church, well deferves the attention of many Pra- 
 teflants : 
 
 Let not this weak, unknowing hand^ ^ 
 
 Prefume thy bolts to throw ; 
 Or deal damnation round the land. 
 
 On each I judge thy foe. 
 
 Pope's Univer8al Prayer. 
 
52 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO VI. 
 
 Thefe confli<Sts muft be greatly increafed, if it ftiould 
 happen that the points on which he diflents, although 
 by no means of effential importance in themfelves, 
 fliould yet be thofe upon which memberfliip with the 
 fociety, as a chriftian church, may depend. In this 
 cafe, it would be natural, that under the influence 
 of diffidence, and of that dependance of mind which 
 well difpofed perfons frequently feel, he fhould endea- 
 vour to weaken or fupprefs his con visions of duty, 
 and to.cherifh the defire of conforming to the pra6tice 
 and opinions of the fociety. 
 
 By fuch conduft, however, would he not be in 
 danger of undermining the influence of that principle, 
 which the fociety, as well as himfelf, profefs to regard 
 as of primary importance 3 and which alone can give 
 value to every religious a£i: or fervice ? And would it 
 not alfo follow, that the fame condu6l muft incur the 
 cenfure of his own mind, as proceeding, in part, from 
 flavifh fear and temporifing policy ; fubftituting external 
 authority, in the place of internal conviction ; and 
 permitting the fear or the favour of men to become 
 more influential than an unreferved obedience to the 
 diiStates of duty, and a fupreme regard to the approba- 
 tion of the Almighty ? 
 
 To avoid thefe confequences, he calmly and feri- 
 rioufly confiders the fuggeftions of his brethren. He 
 endeavours to diveft himfelf of all partiality, and of 
 all prejudice, and maturely weighs the points whereon 
 he differs from them. The refult is, that they ftill 
 fail "to convince him that his own conclufions upon 
 
 thofe 
 
NO. VI. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 53 
 
 thofe points are erroneous. What then remains for 
 him, but to endeavour uprightly to perfevere in the 
 path of duty, and to commit his way unto the 
 Lord.'' And will not his religioufly difpofed bre- 
 thren encourage him in this pious refolution^ Shall 
 they, by whofe counfels he has been inflru^led, and 
 by wiiofe example he has been encouraged, to regard 
 the teachings of divine grace in his own heart, as the 
 only guide which will never forfake him, and on which 
 he may at all times rely, fhall thefe be the perfons to 
 Itrew his path with difficulties, and to obflruft his 
 profpecSls with difcouragements ? How affe6lingly are 
 we reminded of the imperfe6lions of human nature, 
 when we difcover, that the condu6l, of even good 
 men, is fometimes manifeflly at variance with their 
 own principles, and that they are unconfcious of it ! 
 And where, but in that perfe6l example which is ex- 
 hibited throughout the whole condu6l of our Saviour, 
 fhall we find the pureft principles and the moft con- 
 fident pra6lice mutually recommending, and reflecting 
 luftre on, each other ! 
 
 The confcientious difTenter from the fociety is, how- 
 ever, fo far from receiving encouragement from his 
 brethren, or even from being calmly left to attend to 
 the genuine diftates of his inward guide, that he has 
 now to fuftain a further trial, — the public cenfure of 
 the church ; and, unlefs poflefling a vigorous and 
 independent mind, he may believe himfelf expofed 
 to the hazard of thofe momentous confequences, 
 which neceflarily refult from combining the attribute 
 of infallibility with (what is not unfrequently termed) 
 
 U tht 
 
$4 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. Tl. 
 
 the fundamental tenet of the fociety ; and which con- 
 fequences have been explicitly and repeatedly afferted 
 by its approved writers, viz. that the fentence pronounced 
 hy its faithful members on earth, is recorded, and will be 
 trnfirined at the folevtn tribunal of heaven,* 
 
 Now if difficulties and fufferings, like thefe, are the 
 neceffary eonfequences of difownment, (hall we not be 
 compelled to admit, that disown me nt is intimately 
 connected with persecution? And can any thing 
 lefs than a pofitive and explicit divine command, or 
 fome abfolute and invincible necessity, juftify a re- 
 ligious foeiety in framing thofe rules from which fuch 
 eonfequences flow ? 
 
 Let it not be conceived that the reafonings, fuggeft- 
 cd by this view of the fubject, would go to the total 
 overthrow of difcipline in our fociety. Far different is 
 the intention with which they have been adduced, and 
 it is hoped that, by no candid conftruction, can they be 
 proved to have that tendency. 
 
 To the orderly exiftence of every religious fociety 
 /fl»i<f regulations muft be neceffary. Thefe may reafon- 
 aibly be fuppofed to be fuch as the general body of the 
 fociety approve, and the wifh to become, or to continue, 
 a member of fuch fociety, neceffarily prefuppofes either 
 an approbation of the exifting regulations generally, or 
 a willingnefs to comply with them, fo long as they arc 
 deemed important by the fociety. 
 
 Witk 
 
 * For the note, here referred to, see page 62. 
 
NQ. VI. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 55 
 
 With refpect to the regulations, however, and 
 efpecially for a fociety, in which the bulk of its mem- 
 bers become fuch by birthright, and are thereby fub- 
 ject to laws, in the forming of which they have had no 
 concern, and from /ome of which they may diflent, al- 
 though cordially approving the principal part, it will 
 furely be admitted that the regulations, upon a confor- 
 mity to which ffuinherjhip is made dependant, fhould 
 never be multiplied or retained, beyond what the strict 
 
 NECESSITY OF THE CASE REQUIRES. 
 
 This NECESSITY clcarly extends to all regulations, 
 which are eflentially connedied with the folemnity of 
 the public worfhip of the fociety, and the edification of 
 its members; and with thofe parts of its difcipline, 
 which are fubfervient to thefe obje(Sls. It may alfo in- 
 clude thofe regulations which have a tendency to dif- 
 courage immorality of condudl, and, in cafe of their 
 failing to produce this effedt, to prefcribe that fuch 
 conduct (hail be brought under the more immediate 
 cognifance of the fociety. 
 
 And, as It may be important to the fociety that it 
 fhould be correiSHy known, who are its members, it 
 will follow that the terms of memberfhip ought to be 
 clearly underftood ; and that proper regulations muft 
 be neceflary, in the cafe of perfons becoming, or ceafing 
 to be, members.* 
 
 U 2 But 
 
 * If difference of opinion between the fociety and any of 
 its mcmberg is coofcientioufly felt, and if this difference ex- 
 tend* 
 
56 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. VI, 
 
 But if thofe regulations of the Ibciety, on which 
 niemberlhip is made to depend, (hould extend to fucji 
 matters of opinion or of condu6l as have no concern 
 with the preceding objetSls ; if conformity is to be exafted 
 upon points, with refpe^l to which every individual can 
 freely attend to the dictates of his own reafon and con- 
 fcience, without fuffering any effential difad vantage by 
 not acting in concurrence with his brother; and if the 
 regulations for exacting this conformity are found to 
 limit a brother, in the exercife of his private judgment, 
 and to impofe a painful reftraint upon him, with refpe6l 
 to points which he deems important ; can fuch regula- 
 tions be either expedient or necessary ? 
 
 Every regulation, upon which memberfhip is made 
 to depend, and which has not the unanimous fan£lion 
 of the fociety, neceflarily impofes a difficulty upon thofe 
 by whom the regulation is difapproved of. To a cer- 
 tain extent this difficulty is unavoidable ; but if the 
 
 regulation 
 
 tends fo far that a full perfuafion is entertained, by each, that 
 the opinions of the other are erroneous and injurious, and the 
 continuance of a fociety-connexion between them becomes 
 undefirable and burthenfome,.on account of the refponfibility 
 fuppofed to be attached to it — in this cafe it is equally com- 
 petent to either party to announce, that fuch connexion no 
 longer exifts. And, as the feparation hag b^en mutually 
 VOLUNTARY AND FREE, it is not j uftly liable to the imputa- 
 tion of PERSECUTION, cvcn though fome hardlliip or fuffering 
 fhould be occafioned by it. The cafes of John Hancock, and 
 Abraham Shackleton, and perhaps fome others, mentioned in 
 ;^the preceding narrative, are of this defcription. 
 
NO. YI. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 regulation itfelf be unnecessary, then the difficulty, 
 which it occalions, is alfo unneceflary. 
 
 By maintaining that great and important do6lfine, 
 that although it is our duty to proilt by whatever infor- 
 mation we can derive from the fcriptures — from re- 
 velations of the divine will, whenever it may pieafe 
 God to favour us with them, through the medium of 
 our fellow- creatures — and from every other external 
 means which may be afforded us — yet that, to every in-- 
 dividual perfon, the dictates of duty in his own mind are 
 the ultimate and paramount rule of all condu<9:, in mat- 
 ters of religion — the fociety muft feel liMi pledged in the 
 highejl polJihle degree, to refpedl r.nd to eherifh the exer- 
 cife of the rights of private judgment in all its fincere 
 and confcientious members. If, however, the judg- 
 ment or conduct of fuch members becomes fhackled by 
 decifions or regulations of the fociety upon points, with 
 which its exiftence, as a chriftian church, has no ne- 
 cessary connexion^ it will follow that the primary 
 objetl:, for which the fociety has profelfedly been form- 
 ed, is counteracted, and may even be fruftrated, by 
 other objects of inferior importance. 
 
 Let us attend to the feveral defcriptions of perfons, 
 affe6led by thofe regulations which extend to matters 
 of opinion or condu<3:, upon a conformity to which 
 memberfhip is made to depend, but concerning which 
 diversity of opinion is likely to exift, and we (hall find, 
 that this view of the fubjeCl furnifhes few recommen- 
 fllations in favour of compulfory regulations, beyond 
 
 what 
 
5S APPENDIX. NO. yi. 
 
 what the strict necessity op the case re-t 
 auiREs. ^ 
 
 First — They who, after mature examination, 
 ploufly and confcientioufly approve and maintain all 
 the principles and habits, which are peculiar to the 
 fociety, have a much better foundation for their faith 
 and condudl than can be derived from any human 
 regulations. The concurrence and co-operation of their 
 brethren would be very pleafant and defirable, but 
 they are not essential. Thefe perfons would con- 
 tinue to ad confiftently with their own apprehenfions 
 of duty, although no compulsory regulations exifted. 
 All regulations, therefore, extending to matters of 
 opinion or conduct, which are not elTentially connected 
 with the exigence of the fociety, as a chriftian church, 
 are, to perfons of this clafs, altogether unnecessary. 
 
 Second — In every religious fociety, it is to be 
 feared, that there is a confiderable proportion of its 
 members who have adopted, or rather perhaps have 
 liftencd to, the opinions by which it is diftinguifhed, 
 without adequate examination 5 and they have there- 
 fore no rational conviction of their truth. They may 
 indeed conform to the regulations of the fociety, but 
 it muft be evident that no religious fociety can derive 
 Arength, for any valuable purpofey from the conformity 
 of this clafs of its members. They are Formalists ; 
 and with equal confiftency they would have been Ma- 
 hometans in Arabia, Hindoos in India, or 
 Catholics in Spain, if they had been born and 
 t?ducated in any of thofe countries. 
 
 There 
 
NO, VI. 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
 59 
 
 There is a third clafs, who are frequently incited 
 to a6tivity, by that i'pirit of inquiry which is generally 
 found in virtuoufly difpofed minds, and efpecially in 
 the early and middle periods of life. It fometimes 
 happens, however, that thefe perceive that the ten- 
 dency of inquiry concerning fome of the tenets or 
 regulations of their fe6i, is to create doubt, and that 
 doubt may terminate in difapprobation. Now if this 
 confequence fhould take place, and if it fliouid produce 
 a confiftent efFe6l upon their conduft, they are aware 
 that their reputation may be a(re6led, and that the plea- 
 fure of fome of their focial intercourfes may be inter- 
 rupted. They have not virtue enough to facrifice the 
 gratification vvhich they derive from thefe fources, at 
 the flirine of truth ; and yet they feel an honeft defire to 
 be her votaries. Under this influence, the fpirit of in- 
 quiry is again awakened, and again their doubts ap- 
 proximate to difapprobation ; but ftill, the fear of man 
 recurs, and at length prevails. The integrity of their 
 minds becomes weakened by thefe repeated defeats ; 
 and, if they do not incur the guilt of abfolute diffimu- 
 iation, they merge into the charafter of the double- 
 minded man," and are, like him, unftable in all 
 their ways." 
 
 Compulfory regulations, beyond what the strict 
 
 NECESSITY OF THE CASE REQUIRES, CXpofc the 
 
 virtue of perfons of this clafs to temptation and to de- 
 feat, which they would otherwife have efcaped : they 
 become ftumbling block and an occafion to fall in a 
 brothers way." By fuch conduft, a fociety multiplies 
 the obligations to which its members are fubjedt, but 
 
 it 
 
6o 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. VI. 
 
 it fatally diminiQies its real ftrength, and induces a 
 premature dijjolution. Whenever human inftitutions 
 multiply duties, beyond thofe which God and nature 
 have evidently prefcribed, the certain effed is to 
 weaken the obligation, and corrupt the excellence of 
 the genuine principles of religion and morality ; and 
 the hiftory of all ages may be fafely appealed to, for 
 the lamentable impolicy of fuch conduft. 
 
 By a FOURTH clafs of perfons, the regulations of 
 religious focieties are, like every thing elfe connected 
 with religion, regarded with utter contempt. The ex- 
 preffions of this contempt, however, are ftudioufly 
 fupprefled, and the regulations are ftriclly complied 
 with. By an external conformity to thefe regula- 
 tions, their genuine character is concealed ; they af- 
 fume the garb, and imitate the demeanour, of perfons of 
 acknowledged piety and virtue ; and they are thereby 
 enabled, with riiore fuccefs, to prey upon the credulous 
 and the unfufpe(^:Vmg. Thefe men have indeed abun- 
 dant reafon for being the advocates of regulations, by 
 which, memberfliip with a religious fociety is made to 
 depend on prefcribed modes of conduft, or the profef- 
 fion of abftraft and indefinite opinions. But what ad- 
 vantages can the genuine friends of religion and virtue 
 derive from a coalition fo dangerous and unnatural ? 
 
 There remains one other class — (in feveral 
 refpedls refembling the^ defcription first men- 
 tioned) Men who are the fincere, upright, and in- 
 trepid friends of truth. They know her worth, 
 they revere her excellence, and they faithfully 
 
 maintain 
 
NO. VI. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 64 
 
 maintain their attachinent to her, undifmayed by the 
 terrors of poverty, ignominy, exile, or death. With 
 refpe<5l to this clafs, it has frequently happened, and 
 it is naturally to be expe6led, that it wiii continue fre- 
 quently to happen, that fome of the exifting tenets or 
 regulations of the fe(St, with which they have affoci- 
 ated, may not comport with their individual opi- 
 nions. A6iuated, however, by a fincere delire to fol- 
 low truth whitherfoever fhe may lead, they will not 
 hefitate, on all proper occafions, to avow their opinions, 
 and by them, at all times, to regulate their conduct. 
 And can any human ref!:ri6lions oppofe a barrier to the 
 inquiries of minds like thefe ? Do the points, on which 
 they differ from their brethren, bear any comparifon, 
 in certainty or importance, with thofe on which they 
 are mutually agreed? And is it for the exclufion 
 of Juch members that the regulations of a religious 
 fociety {liall be multiplied or maintained beyond what 
 
 the STRICT NECESSITY OF THE CASE REaUIRES? 
 
 We conclude in the pathetic language of a 
 pious, benevolent, and enlightened man, one of the 
 brighteft ornaments of our own fociety, and whofe 
 name is held in grateful remembrance by thofe of 
 every fociety, who enjoy the bleflings of that mild and 
 equal government of which he was the firft founder, in 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 " Oh, the day will come, wherein one act of ten- 
 ^* DERNESS, about matters of confcience, fhall find a 
 better reward, than all the severity by which 
 men ufe to propagate their perfualions in the world ; — 
 
 and 
 
6^ 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 KO. VI. 
 
 ^« and there is great reafon for it, fince the one flows 
 from the Saviour, the other from the Destroyer 
 of men." IV, Penn*s letter to the Senate and Council 
 
 «/" Embdsn, See SeivelVs Hi/iory, page 540, 
 
 Note, fee page 54. 
 
 A sincere desire to state^ with perfict fairness ^ the opinions of 
 the writers, who are mentioned in the Jollowing note, has 
 unavoidably extended it to sueh a length, as precludes its 
 insertion in the page which refers to it. 
 
 On the fubjed of infallibility; Isaac Penington 
 
 thus cxpreffes himfelf : 
 
 " Laftly, here. In the light, I meet with certainty, af- 
 " furance, fatisfaftion, yea infallibility. I meet with the 
 " evidence and demonftration of God's fpirit, which is in- 
 " fallible. I meet with God's witnefs, which is an infallible 
 " witnefs. I meet with God's fpirit which is an infallible 
 " fpirit, who infallibly leads into all truth, and infallibly 
 " guides in the truth. I meet with an infallible fbepherd 
 
 who hath an infallible voice, and gives to his llieep an in. 
 " fallible ear, wherewith they infallibly hear. He opens an 
 " infallible eye, and gives to it an infallible fight of God, 
 . and the heavenly myfleries of his kingdom. The fpirit 
 ^' breathes infallibly, begets infallibly, leads infallibly, creates 
 " a new heart, a right fpirit j which heart, which fpirit is, of 
 " God's infallible nature, like him j for that which is born of 
 " the fpirit is fpirit. That which is born of man's fallible 
 ** fpirit and wifdom is fallible ; but that which is born of 
 
 God's fpirit and heavenly wifdom, is of the nature of his 
 " fpirit and wifdom j and hence it is that wifdom is juftified 
 
 of 
 
NO. VI. 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
 63 
 
 " of her children. The apoftle fpeaks to the Galafians of 
 " having begun in the fpirit, chap. 3. v. 3. and did they 
 " not begin in that which is infallible ? And, if tbej'- went 
 " on in the fpirit, did they not go on in that which is infal- 
 
 lible ? 1 NEVER FOUXD THE LIGHT DECEIVE ME, NOR DID 
 " I EVER FIND THE BIRTH OF God's SPIRIT, THE HOLT 
 
 " ELECT SEED, DECEIVED IN ME. And the HCw and living 
 " way, wherein this birth walks, is infallible, in which there 
 " is no erring, by thofe who eye the Lord and follow his 
 *' fpirit therein." See Some Experiences," &c. &c. 
 Peningtons Works vol. ii. p. 6/4. 
 
 A fimilar opinion was maintained by Robert Barclay, 
 and the fubje6t is difcufled at fome length in his work, en- 
 titled, " The anarchy of the Ranters, and other Libertines, 
 ** the hierarchy of the Romanifts, and other pretended 
 " Churches, equally refufed and refuted, in a two-fold 
 " Apology for the Church and People of God, called in de- 
 " rifion Quakers ; wherein, &c. &c. &c is alfo the ancient 
 *' Apoftolic order of the Church of Chriil re-eflabliflied 
 " among them, and fettled upcn its rip^ht bafis and founda- 
 " dation." This work has been lately republifhed by the 
 fociety, with an additional title page prefixed to it. The 
 author alTerts, that in the true church, there will, in cases 
 of differences and controversies, still he an infallible judg^ 
 ment from the spirit of God, (page 84 and 8S) which ought 
 to be submitted to (p. 85) And for the purpofe of proving 
 the infallibility of this judgment, and of vindicating the 
 order and government of the church, the following pofitions 
 are advanced : 
 
 *' Firft, That Jefus Chrlft, the king and head of the 
 " church, did appoint and ordain that there Ihould be order 
 " and government In it. 
 
 " Secondly 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. VI. 
 
 Secondly, That the apoftles and primitive chriftians, 
 'f when they were filled with ihe Holy Ghoft, and immedi- 
 *' atcly led by the fpirit of God, did pra6tife and commend 
 " it. 
 
 " Thirdly, That the same occasion and necessity now 
 ** occurring^ ivhioJi gave them opportunity to exercise that 
 authority^ the church of Christ hath the same power 
 sow as ever, and are led ly the same spirit ifito the 
 " same practices.'' — Page 12. 
 
 The author next ftates the importance of not being 
 fcandalized by names and founds, and of diftinguifhing be- 
 tween the ufe and abufe of church power, and he then 
 proceeds : 
 
 For that Jefus Chrift did appoint order and government 
 to be in the church, is very clear from his plain words,- 
 Matt. c. 18. V. 15, 16, 17, 18. Moreover, if thy brother 
 fliall trefpafs againft thee, go tell him his fault between 
 " thee and him alone j if he fhall hear thee, thou haft 
 " gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thed, then 
 " .take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of 
 
 01; 
 
 two or three witnefles every word may be eftabliflied. And 
 if he fhall negleft to hear them, tell it unto the church : 
 
 " But if he negled to hear the church, let him be unto 
 thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I fay unto 
 you, whatfoever ye fliall bind on earth, fhall be bound in 
 
 " heaven 3 and whatfoever ye lhall loofe on earth, fliall be 
 loofed in heaven. From which fcripture it doth mani- 
 feftly and evidently follow. Firft, That Jefus Chrift in- 
 
 " tended there fhould be a certain order and method in his 
 
 " church, in the procedure towards fuch as tranfgrefs. Se- 
 condly. That he that refufeth to hear two, is become more 
 
 guilty 
 
NO. IT. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 65 
 
 *' guilty, (as hardened) than in refufing to hear him that 
 " firft reproved him alone. Thirdly, That refufmg to hear 
 " the judgment of the church or whole aflembly, he doth 
 " thereby exclude himfelf, and Ihut out himfelf from being 
 " a member ; and is juftly judged by his brethren, as an 
 " heathen and a publican. And laftly, that the church, ga- 
 
 thcring or aflembly of God's people has power to examine 
 " and call to an account, fuch as appearing to be among theoj, 
 " or owning the fame faith with them, do tranfgrefs ; and 
 " in cafe of their refufing to hear or repent, to exclude 
 " them from their fellowfhip. ^nd that God hath a special 
 " regard to the judgment and sense of his people, thus 
 
 orderly proceeding, so as to hold such bound in heaven 
 
 " WHOM THEY BIND ON EARTH; AND SUCH LOOSED I>f 
 HEAVEN WHOM THEY LOOSE ON EARTH." — Page 13. 
 
 A quotation to the fame purpofe, from the preceding 
 work, is given ftill more largely in a treatife concerning 
 the difcipline of the people called Quakers, by John 
 RuTTY, M. D. — Pag€2\. 
 
 Both Penington and Barclay faw, however, the nc- 
 ceflity of guarding againll the inferences, which it was ob- 
 vious would be made from their opinions concerning in- 
 fallibility, as conne6ted with the pretenfions of both indi- 
 viduals and the church. For efFe6ting this obje6t, a poftfcript 
 was added by the former, which contains the following pallage : 
 
 I do not fay that I, as a man, am infallible, or that 
 any of us, as men, are infallible ; but God's light, God s 
 " grace, God's truth, God's fpirit, God's wifdom and power 
 " is infallible j and fo far as we partake of that, are ga- 
 " thered into, and abide in that, we partake of that whi^ 
 *' is infallible, and are gathering into and abide in tfiat 
 
 wiic> 
 
66 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. vi. 
 
 which is infallirble. And oh ! let not men reft in or be 
 contented with that knowledge which is fallible, but 
 " prefs after unity and fellowfhlp \vith the Lord in his in- 
 " fallible fpirit, there being no true union nor fdlowlhip 
 with him in any thing that is fallible." — Page 675, 
 
 And with limilar views, Barclay alfo has endeavoured t» 
 qualify his pofilions by the following limitation : 
 
 " Next again, infallibility in the church, (according a» 
 ** we hold it, and I have above defined it) no man, upon our 
 *♦ fuppofition, can deny it. For fince we firft aflert as a 
 •* principle, that no gathering, no church, nor aflembly of 
 
 people, however true their principles, or exaft their form 
 " be, are to be accounted the church of Chrift, except the 
 *' infallible fpirit lead and guide j what can be the hazard ta 
 
 fay that, in such a church, , there is ftill an infallible '}ndg- 
 
 ment?"— 
 
 Some perfons may, however, be of opinion, that the doc- 
 trine of infallibility, although thus limited and qualified, is 
 ftill as open to objection, and, under the influence of credu- 
 lity and enthufiafm, as liable to mifapplication and abufe, a» 
 the doftrine of absolute infallibility ; that it is impalpable to 
 all grafp, eludes all inquiry, acknowledges do definite cori- 
 nexion with perfons, place, or time, prefcribes no teft by 
 •which the validity of its claims, whether afferted by ourfelves 
 or others, can be fairly afcertained 5 and finally refolves itfelf 
 into an accommodating truifm, which admits not of any ufe- 
 ful or practical application to the duties of life, via. — that 
 they who are infallible must necessarily he right, and thai 
 the competmi judges of their conduct or opinions, are those 
 •nly who concur iyi opinion with them. 
 
 To 
 
NO. VI. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 ©7 
 
 To thofc who arc acquainted with the lives, and 
 writings of Penington, and Barclay, it is unneceffary to fay 
 that they were men of eminent piety and devotednefs to* 
 what they believed to be, the caufe of troth. Confidering; 
 the age, and the very peculiar circuinftances of the times, 
 in which they lived, they are defervedly regarded as men of 
 liberal and enlightened minds. On various fubjedts tlieir 
 opinions are corred and inflruftive; they were not adopted 
 from education or imitation j but were the refult of ferious and 
 diligent inquiry; and if in any of them, the flighteft appre- 
 hen/ion of error had been entertained by these men, we have 
 ample reafon to believe, that their opinions would have been 
 afrelh fubjefted to a fevere fcrutiny with firmnefs and inte- 
 grity. In Ihefe refpeds their example is highly worthy of 
 imitation. Surely, howe>'er, neither their opinions, nor thofe 
 of any other man, are to be adopted on the fandion of a 
 name, or upon any human authority whatever, but muft iland 
 •r fall by their own intrinfic evidence. 
 
 On the fobjeft of this lengthened note it may further 
 be briefly remarked, that although there be countlefs gra- 
 dations of animated beings, fome of whom may arrive at 
 degrees of intelligence, of which we cannot form even the 
 mofl diflant idea, yet it may furely, without prefumption, 
 fee affirmed, that to "God, only wise," belongs the attri- 
 bute of INFALLIBILITY. Equally reaibnable is it to con- 
 ceive that, the nearer the approach which the highefl orders 
 of created beings make to this sovereign perfection 
 of the Deity, the more clearly do they difcover how infi- 
 nitely beyond even their attainment infallibility muft ever 
 remain. Shall man then, frail and finite man— fhall any 
 aflcmbled church, and leafl of all any proteflant chriftian 
 church, perfuade themfelves that infallibility, even in any 
 qualified fenfc of the «xpreirion, belon|;s to them ? The 
 
 fefllefui 
 
68 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. VI, 
 
 baleful efFe6^:s of fdch an opinion have been obvious in - every 
 religious fociety by which it has been maintained ; and fo 
 long, as the laws, by which the Almighty has hitherto been 
 pleafed to preferve and govern the world, fhall continue, it 
 may be fafeiy predicted that the fame caufe will continue t© 
 produce the fame. effect. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
Date Due 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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