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ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE

RULES OF DISCIPLINE,

ADVICES

BALTIMORE

YEARLY MEETING

FRIENDS,

HELD ON LOMBARD STREET.

BALTIMORE:
JOHN W. WOODS, PRINTER,
Over No. 12 Soath Street.
1881.

Note. — In order to avoid repetitions, the masculine
gender is generally used herein, and is meant to apply
to either sex, as tbe case may require.

IS8-1

INTRODUCTION.

1. The Apostles and Disciples of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, found it necessary to meet
together for the consolation and strength one of
another; when, pursuant to the design of the
Gospel, the nature of which is to produce peace
on earth, and good-will to men, a care arose for
the edification of the Church, and, that all being
of one family, might be of one mind.
2. And, as it hath pleased the great Head of
the Church to inspire us with degrees of the same
universal love and good- will, we are engaged,
not only to meet together for the worship of God,
but also for the affectionate exercise of a Chris
tian care over each other, in accordance with the
declaration which He, the ever-blessed Shepherd,
gave of his flock : "By this shall all men know
that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to
another." John xiii, 35.

INTRODUCTION.
/

3. For this important end, and as an exterior
hedge of preservation to us, against the many
temptations and dangers to which we are ex
posed, the following rules, which have been from
time to time adopted by the society, now form
our Code of Discipline. In the exercise whereof
it is to be observed, that if any member be found
in conduct subversive of its order, or repugnant
to the testimonies with which we believe we are
entrusted, for the promotion of truth and right
eousness, it becomes our indispensable duty to
treat with such in christian meekness and broth
erly compassion, without unnecessary delay or
improper exposure, according to the direction of
our Lord : "If thy brother shall trespass against
thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and
him alone : if he shall hear thee thou hast gained
thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then
take with thee one or two more, that in the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may
be established. And if he shall neglect to hear
them, tell it unto the Church ; but if he neglect
to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a
heathen man and a publican." Matt, xviii, 15,
16, IT.

INTRODUCTION. 0
4. This is the extent of the censure of the so
ciety against irreclaimable offenders; and, whilst
we disown them from being members of our
religious community, it is recommended to be
done in such a disposition of mind as may con
vince them that we sincerely desire their recov
ery and restoration.
5. For the more regular and effectual support
of the order of society, it will be observed, that
besides the usual meetings for the purpose of
Divine worship, others, for the exercise of our
Discipline, are instituted, subordinate to each
other, all of which are either immediately or
remotely accountable to the Yearly Meeting.
These meetings have distinct allotments of ser
vice, and experience has abundantly shown, that
when this service is attended to, in uprightness
and dedication of heart, with a single eye to the
honor of our Holy Head, and the benefit and
edification one of another, in. the love wherewith
He hath loved us, our assemblies are favored
with His aid and direction.
6. Whilst we earnestly recommend this work
to the notice and regard of Friends, we are con-
1*

6 INTRODUCTION.
vinced that an acquaintance with the letter of
our Discipline, will be insufficient, unless, in the
exercise thereof, we are careful to move and act .
under the immediate influence of the pure love
of the Gospel.
7. May we, therefore, in our meetings for the
exercise of the Discipline, humbly seek to be
clothed with the spirit of wisdom and charity ;
this will divest the mind of a dependence on our
own strength and abilities, endue us with pa
tience and condescension towards each other,
and, being preserved in fellowship agreeably to
the declaration of our Lord, "one is your master,
even Christ, and all ye are brethren," a qualifi
cation will be experienced in our several stations
and movements, to build up one another in that
faith which works by love, to the purifying of
the heart.
8. In conclusion, we desire, in an especial
manner, that our youth, of the present and suc
ceeding generations, may be early and fully in
structed in our religious principles, and in the
nature and design of our Christian Discipline;
and through Divine assistance, be enabled to

INTRODUCTION. 7
adorn our holy profession, by a conversation and
conduct consistent with godliness and honesty;
thereby avoiding the mournful consequences
which many, through a defection in principle,
or a degeneracy in practice, have brought upon
themselves, to the reproach of the religious body
of which they professed to be members.

BALTIMORE YEARLY MEETING OF
FRIENDS.

1. From ancient records it appears, that the
first General Meeting, in Maryland, was held on
West River, in the year 1672. That for many
years, the' Meeting was held, alternately, at
West River, on the western shore, and at Tred-
haven, on the eastern shore of Maryland. That,
agreeably to an arrangement which took place
in the year 1790, it was decided to hold the
Yearly Meeting in Baltimore only, and to be
composed of Representatives from the Quarterly
Meetings on the western shore of Maryland,
and the adjacent parts of Pennsylvania and
Virginia, to which was afterwards added the
state of Ohio. But in the year 1812, Friends
west of the Alleghany mountains, were separa
ted from it, and authorized to establish a new

BALTIMORE YEARLY MEETING. i»
Yearly Meeting in the state of Ohio. Again, in
1866, Prairie Grove Quarterly Meeting, in the
state of Iowa, was included and remained a
constituent part of Baltimore Yearly Meeting
until 1875, when, by the joint action of that
Quarter and Blue River Quarterly Meeting, in
Indiana and Illinois, under minutes of approval
from the Yearly Meetings of Baltimore and
Indiana, the new Yearly Meeting of Illinois
was established.
Baltimore Yearly- Meeting is now composed
of Friends on the western shore of Maryland,
and the adjoining parts of Pennsylvania and
Virginia. 2. The Yearly Meeting is to be held on the
last Second day in the Tenth month ; a public
meeting for worship, at 10 o'clock, in the morn
ing of the day preceding, and another at three
o'clock, in the afternoon. The meeting for Dis
cipline is opened at 10 o'clock on Second day
morning ; the Yearly Meeting of ministers and
elders, on the Seventh day of the week preced
ing, and is also to be opened at 10 o'clock, in
the morning.

10 BALTIMORE YEARLY MEETING.
3. The representatives from the Quarterly
Meetings, are, at the close of the first sitting of
the meeting for Discipline, to meet and propose
a clerk and an assistant, whose names are to be
reported at the opening of the next sitting.
4. Representatives having the care of the re
ports from the Quarterly Meetings, are to put
them into the hands of the clerk to the meeting
for the preceding year, before the opening of
the meeting for discipline, in order that time
may be saved to the meeting, by a previous
entry of the names of the representatives. No
representative ought to withdraw from, or leave
the meeting, before the Yearly Meeting ends,
without permission being first requested and
granted. 5. All communications directed to the Yearly
Meeting, except from such meetings as corres
pond regularly therewith, are to be previously
perused by a special committee of Friends*
appointed for the purpose, who are to consider
and report, whether the same be proper to be
read in the Yearly Meeting.

BALTIMORE YEARLY MEETING. 11
6. The design of our annual meetings, in
their first constitution, being to extend 'a gen
eral oversight and care of the churches, pertain
ing to our Christian communion, it remains to
be our fervent desire, that good order, unity,
and concord, may be maintained amongst us.
We know that love and unity, founded upon
Christian principles, are promotive of truth and
righteousness amongst ourselves; and we be
lieve, also, that when conspicuous in us, they
have their influence upon those around us.
Under these considerations, we fervently desiref
and humbly hope, that He who hath, to the
present day, preserved us a people, highly favor
ed, will be graciously pleased, still to animate
us with a zealous concern, that love and good
will may predominate in us individually, and
that union, peace, and concord, may prevail, in
every department of the family. And finally,
dear Friends, collectively and individually, may
all our meetings be held, as in the immediate
presence of the Head of the Church j may the
aged amongst us be examples of every Christian
virtue, and evince, by the calmness of their

12 BALTIMORE YEARLY MEETING.
evening, that their day has been blessed. May
the middle aged not faint in their stations, but,
together with their elder and younger brethren,
firmly support, yea, exalt, the several testi
monies which we are called to maintain. And,
may the beloved youth, bend early and cheer
fully under the forming power of Truth, that
each, standing in his allotment, the harmony of
the building may be preserved, and we truly
grow up, a holy temple for the Lord.

ADMINISTRATION

OF

DISCIPLINE.

It is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting,
that the inherent rights and privileges of Men's
and Women's Meetings, are, and should be co
equal, and that this privilege pertains to all
matters of common interest, which may claim
the attention of the Body or either branch there
of. Either Meeting may originate any measures,
that in its judgment, the welfare of the Society,
and the common cause for which we are associ
ated may seem to demand : but the final ratifi
cation thereof, must be by concurrent action.

14 APPEALS.

APPEALS-
1. Whilst the Yearly Meeting, in granting
the liberty of appeal, considers it as a just privi^
lege, it is affectionately desired, that all may be
careful not to encourage persons to avail theui'
selves of it, from improper motives.
2. If any be dissatisfied with, or think them--
selves aggrieved by the judgment of a Monthly
Meeting, they may, after a copy of the testimony
of disownment is delivered to them, notify the
first or second Monthly Meeting following, (but
no other,) of their intention of appealing to the
ensuing Quarterly Meeting; which notification
the Monthly Meeting should enter on its min
utes, and it should appoint four or more friends
to attend the Quarterly Meeting, with copies of
the proceedings relative to the case, signed by
the clerks thereof, to show the reasons whereon
that judgment was founded. The Quarterly
Meeting is then to refer the subject to a com-

APPEALS. 15
mittee, (omitting the members of the Monthly
Meeting appealed from,) who are carefully and
deliberately to consider the case, and report their
judgment respecting it; and the Quarterly Meet
ing shall confirm or reverse the judgment of the
Monthly Meeting, as, on impartial deliberation,
shall appear to be right; taking care to inform
the party of the result. But in those cases where
the judgment of a Monthly Meeting cannot be
approved, because of informality in its proceed
ings, the Quarterly Meeting may remand the
case to the further attention of the Monthly
Meeting, and, if it shall be deemed advisable,
appoint a committee to assist such meeting in
reconsidering and determining it.
3. An appellant, on being informed of the
judgment of a Quarterly Meeting, if dissatisfied
therewith, may notify either that or the next
Quarter, (but no other,) of an intention to apply
to the Yearly Meeting for a further hearing.
The said Quarterly Meeting, after recording
such notification, is, in like manner, to appoint
at least three Friends to attend the Yearly
Meeting, with copies of the records of both

16 ARBITRATION.
Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in the case,
signed by their clerks ; here it is to be finally
determined ; and a copy of the determination
is to be sent to' the Quarterly Meeting from
which the appeal came. Notices of appeals are
to be forwarded from subordinate to superior
meetings, in the regular reports of such meet
ings. 4. Appellants shall have a right to be present
during the appointment of the committee in
their cases, and all reasonable objections, which
they may then make to persons nominated on
the committee, are to be duly regarded.

ARBITRATION.
1. When differences arise between our mem
bers, in regard to their property, they are to
proceed in the following manner :
2. The party who thinks himself aggrieved,
should, in the first place, calmly and kindly

ARBITRATION. 17
request the other to comply with the demand,
and, if this be disputed, the complainant, or if
residing at too great a distance, some Friend
whom he may authorize, should take with
him one or two of the overseers, or other
discreet Friends, and in their presence repeat
the demand.
3. If this step also fail of the desired effect,
the parties should be advised to choose a suitable
number of Friends as arbitrators, and mutually
engage, by bond or other written instrument
adapted to the occasion, to abide by their deter
mination. 4. Should this proposal be acceded to, and ar
bitrators accordingly chosen, they ought, as
speedily as circumstances will admit, to appoint
a time and place, and attend to the business
without unnecessary delay ; giving the parties a
fair and full hearing, in the presence of each
other, but listening to neither of them apart, nor
suffering their own sentiments to be known
abroad, till they have fully digested the subject,
and come to a clear decision; which they should
be careful to do within the time agreed upon.
2*

18 ARBITRATION.
5. But, if either of the parties refuse to sub
mit the matter in dispute to arbitrators, or,
when they shall have submitted it, neglect to
give his attendance when desired, without
assigning a sufficient reason, or not abide by
their award when issued ; in either of these
cases, the person so offending, should be com
plained of to the Monthly Meeting of which he
is a member ; and if the brotherly endeavors
and admonitions of society in this capacity,
fail to produce a conformity to justice in the
case, the said meeting should proceed j;o disown
the offender, unless such person make it evident,
to the satisfaction of the meeting, that the award
or proceedings have been erroneous or unjust.
In which case, the matter in dispute may be
referred to the same, or other arbitrators, as
the meeting shall judge best ; and their award
shall be final. After which, if either of the
parties at variance, prove so regardless of peace
and unity, as not to acquiesce in such confirmed
or corrected determination, the Monthly Meeting
to which he belongs, should proceed to issue a
testimony against the person so refusing.

ARBITRATION. 19
6. When arbitrators are at a loss for want of.,
legal knowledge, it will be proper for them,
at the joint expense of the parties, to take the
opinion of counsel learned in law, in order to
qualify them for giving a proper judgment in
the matter referred to them. And that they
may the better answer the^end of their appoint
ment, and be helpful in conciliating the minds
of the parties, they ought not to consider them
selves as advocates for those by whom they are
chosen, but as men whose duty it is to judge
righteously. They should shun all previous in
formation respecting the case, or, having heard
anything in regard to it, remain as much as pos
sible unbiased thereby. They should not refuse
to hear any evidence which may be offered, nor
receive any but in the presence of both parties ;
and, in their award, they need not assign any
reason for their determination.
7. And as there may, be some circumstances,
even in disputed matters, wherein the foregoing
equitable mode of proceeding cannot be com
plied with ; such as, the party absconding, or
leaving the country with design to defraud his

20 ARBITRATION.
creditors; or apparent danger of bankrupt
cy, or being overloaded with debts, and other
creditors so pressing their demands as to occa
sion manifest damage to the claimant, by the
time which would be taken in pursuing the
above method ; or, where there may be danger
of future damage, as in cases of executors, ad
ministrators, agents, or trustees, it may, therefore,
be necessary, and it is directed that the Month
ly Meetings, where such cases happen, do hold
excused, such as shall in the two first mentioned
cases in this paragraph, proceed at law ; and
in the latter case, of executors, administrators,
agents, or trustees, where it shall appear to the
meeting, that the matter is of importance, and
that our friendly way would be unsafe, such
may be permitted to have the matter tried at
law, with this caution, however, that the parties,
on both sides, behave towards each other in
brotherly love, decency, and moderation, without
anger or animosity. But, if any member of our
religious society, disregarding the gospel order
prescribed by our Discipline, shall arrest or sue
at law, any other member, (not being under

ARBITRATION. 21
such necessity as before stated,) it shall be deem
ed a departure from the peaceable principles of
which we make profession ; and, if on being
treated with by the Monthly Meetings to which
they belong, they cannot be prevailed on to
withdraw the suit, and pay the costs thereof,
they should be disowned.
8. As it may sometimes occur that a member,
either for want of a clear understanding of the
business, or through an improper influence, may
present a complaint against another member,
wherein the overseers, after fully hearing both
parties, shall be decidedly of opinion that the
case does not require a reference, they are to
advise a speedy settlement thereof; which being
ineffectual, and the complainant remaining dis
satisfied therewith, he may have liberty to
inform the Preparative Meeting of which the
other party is a member, (without mentioning
any name,) that having a matter in dispute
with one of its members, the assistance of that
meeting is desired, in order to procure a settlement
thereof. The said meeting is then to appoint a
committee to inquire into the propriety of leav-

22 BIRTHS AND BURIALS.
ing the matter to arbitration ; and if it should
judge that the complaint ought to be referred,
it is to advise that it be submitted accordingly ;
but if the said committee concur in judgment
with the overseers, the complaint is to be dis
missed. 9. It is directed that Friends in the ministry,
be excused from serving as arbitrators.

BIRTHS AND BURIALS,
1. That burials may be accomplished in an
orderly manner, Monthly Meetings are directed
to appoint a committee or committees, to be
taken out of their several branches as occasion
may require, to attend the burial of those of our
Society, and also of others not in membership
with us, who are to be interred in our grounds.
Permission for the interment of the latter is
to be obtained from this committee, which is to

BIRTHS AND BURIALS. ' 28
gee that the services are conducted in a manner
becoming the solemnity of the occasion, and ac--
cording to the order of Friends. The committee
may allow the meeting to be held at the Meeting
House, if so desired by the friends of the deceas
ed. This committee is also to take care that
our burial grounds are properly enclosed and
kept in good order.
2. Friends are affectionately admonished to
be careful to avoid costly caskets or coffins and
other unnecessary expenditures. We believe if
those in affluent circumstances would attend to
the limitations of truth in these respects, the
example would be most salutary on those less
able to bear these unnecessary expenses.
3. It is further desired,. as becoming the so
lemnity of the occasion, that at all interments,
time be allowed for a pause, both before and
after the corpse is put into the ground, in order
that the impressive influence of an occasion so
solemn, may have its propel effect upon the
minds of those present.
4. Friends are also enjoined, to maintain our
testimony against affixing monuments for the

24 BIRTHS AND BURIALS.
purpose of distinction, to graves, in any of our
burying grounds that would involve our testi
mony for the maintenance of simplicity and
plainness in this direction. This is not intend-
ed, however, to prevent the erection of modest
memorial stones or tablets to mark the resting
place of the departed ; which are to be of such
dimensions only, as to admit of placing thereon,
the name, and date of the birth, and death of
the deceased ; and that they avoid the custom of
wearing, or giving, mourning habits, on account
of the interment of the dead.
5. As great inconvenience may arise from a
Want of due attention to keeping a regular record
of births, deaths and burials, it is enjoined upon
each Monthly Meeting, to appoint a careful
Friend, whose duty it shall be to keep such a
record, in a book provided for the purpose.
And in order to engage the attention of
Monthly Meetings more closely to this subject,
it is further enjoined, that committees be ap-
pointed, at least once in three years, to examine
and correct the records.

BIRTHS AND BURIALS.

25

6. The following form for the records is pro
posed, as being both simple and explicit.

BIRTHS.

Names of the
Children.

When Bom.

Nam es of the
Parents.

Their
Residence.

Occasional Notes.

BURIALS.
Names of the
Deceased.
When
Deceased.
Where
ASe- Buried.
Late
Residence.
Occasional Notes.
26 BOOKS.

BOOKS.
1. Any member desiring to publish a book,
pamphlet or paper upon the Religious principles
or profession of the Society, should lay the sub
ject before the Representative Committee, for its
counsel and advice, or be well guarded in caus
ing it to appear upon each copy printed, that it
is done upon the responsibility of the writer
alone, and not by permission or authority of the
Society. The Representative Committee and
the Yearly Meeting alone, have the authority to
publish official statements of our Principles, and
their publications should always have the im
print of their authority.
2. It is considered incumbent on parents, and
beads of families, to prevent, as much as possible,
all those under their direction, from perusing
those pernicious publications, which are written
for the purpose of weakening the authority of

CERTIFICATES. 27
the Christian religion, or exciting doubts con
cerning the authenticity of those saving truths
declared in the Holy Scriptures, lest the imma
ture minds of such be poisoned thereby, and a
foundation laid for the greatest evils. It is also
enjoined on the members of our religious society,
that they discourage and suppress the reading
of plays, romances and novels, which have a
tendency to awaken and invigorate those im
pure propensities "which war against the soul,"
and which it is the duty and interest of every
Christian mind, to keep in a state of suppression.

CERTIFICATES.
1. Quarterly and Monthly Meetings are to
take care that all certificates or minutes which
may be given to any Friend, traveling in the
service of the ministry, be recorded, and, upon
the return of such Friend, seasonably delivered
back to the meeting : and that all certificates of

28 certificates.
removal, brought by Friends intending to be
come residents, shall be lodged in the Monthly
Meeting where the same are accepted ; and also,
that every meeting keep a record of all certifi
cates issued by it. Also, that each Monthly
Meeting have entered in a book, to be furnished
by the Representative Committee, a list of all its
members, alphabetically arranged, entering there
in, from time to time, all additions, and showing
whether they were by birth, certificate, convince-
ment, or application by parents, and if the latter,
their ages ; also the loss of membership, stating
whether by death, disownment, resignation, or
if by removal, to what place.
2. It having been observed, that the dissolv
ing of old, and forming of new connections, have,
in some instances, been attended with effects
prejudicial to a growth in the truth, both in the
elder and younger branches of families, it is af
fectionately desired, that both young and old
give close attention to the pointings of Divine
Wisdom ; and also, timely to consult expe
rienced Friends, previously to their determining
to change their residence.

certificates. 29
3. When certificates of removal from one
Monthly Meeting to another are received, they
should be accepted, and the persons recommended
are to be considered members of the meeting to
which such certificates are directed ; provided
they are known to reside within its limits, un
less there be a manifest impropriety in so receiv
ing them ; in which case the certificate should be
returned to the meeting sending it, with due
reasons for such return. But no Friend who is
under such circumstances as to require the aid
of the meeting shall be removed to another
Monthly Meeting, by certificate, without the con
sent of such meeting.
4. All members removing beyond the limits
of their Monthly Meetings, are to apply to their
respective meetings for certificates, directed to
those within the limits of which they propose to
sojourn or settle. But if any shall remove with
out so applying, the overseers of the Monthly
Meeting of which they are members, shall re
port the case to the meeting ; which, after
making the usual inquiry, and finding no ob
struction, should, without unnecessary delay,
3*

30 CERTIFICATES.
send certificates for them, to the Monthly Meet
ing within the limits of which they have re
moved ; but if their previous conduct requires
that they be dealt with, and the distance be
6uch as to render it inconvenient for the meeting
from which they removed, the Monthly Meeting
within the verge of which they have settled,
should be requested to treat with them, and re
port the* result of their care; on which, if it
prove satisfactory, certificates of removal may
be directed ; but, if otherwise, and testimonies
of disunion be issued, the meeting where they
reside should be furnished with copies thereof,
to be delivered to the parties, with information
of their right of appeal.
5. Where minors are under the necessity of
going from one place to another, their parents,
or those who have had the care of them, should
apply for certificates for them, recommending
them to the care and oversight of the Monthly
Meeting whereunto they have been removed.
6. If any persons, appearing as Friends, come
within the compass of any Monthly Meeting,
not being recommended by certificates, and be

CERTIFICATES. 31
of disorderly conduct, the overseers, or other
concerned Friends, should inquire whether or
not they are members of our Society ; and, if
they prove so to be, admonish them, or, if the
occasion require it, report the case to the Pre
parative, and from thence to the Monthly Meet
ing, which should thereupon inform the Month
ly Meeting of which they are members, of the
circumstances, and take the direction of said
meeting for dealing further with them, agreeably
to our rules in cases of that nature.
7. Monthly Meetings are to take due care,
that certificates of removal be seasonably for
warded, directly to the Monthly Meeting to which
they are addressed, they being the exclusive
properly of such meetings.

32 charity and unity.

CHARITY AND UNITY.
Where there is any appearance of dissension,
or of resentment and shyness, amongst our mem
bers, the parties should be timely and tenderly
apprised of the danger to which they expose
both themselves and others, and earnestly ex
horted to mutual condescension and forgiveness,
becoming the followers of Christ ; and if any,
notwithstanding such endeavors for their wel
fare, continue to manifest an implacable enmity
to others, the overseers of the Preparative or
Monthly Meeting to which they belong, should
be informed thereof, who are to labor further
with them ; when, if they still prove inflexible,
they ought to be complained of to the Monthly
Meeting, which, after laboring with them with
out the desired effect, ought to testify against
them, as out of the unity of the body, the pri
mary object of which is, to promote peace on
earth, and good-will amongst men.

civil government. 33

CIVIL GOVERNMENT,
1. We have ever maintained, that it is our
duty to obey all the requirements of Civil Gov
ernment, except those by which our allegiance
to God is interfered with.
Liberty of conscience being the common right
of all men, and particularly essential to the
well-being of religious societies, we hold it to
be incumbent upon us, to maintain it inviolate
amongst ourselves ; and, therefore, exhort all in
profession with us, -to decline accepting any
office or station in civil government, the duties
of which are inconsistent with our religious
principles ; or, in the exercise of which, they
may be, or apprehend themselves to be, under
the necessity of exacting from others, any com*
pliances against which they are themselves con
scientiously scrupulous.
2. It is also our judgment, that Friends ought
not, in any wise, to be active or accessory in

34 civil government.
electing, or promoting to be elected, their breth
ren or others, to offices or stations in civil gov
ernment, the execution whereof tends to lay
waste our Christian testimony, or subject their
brethren or others to sufferings, on account of
their conscientious scruples. The principle of
truth calls us out of contention ; it even seeks
not its own ends by means productive of ani
mosity ; much less, therefore, should its profess
ors indulge themselves in strife, for objects of a
perishing nature.
3. Friends are advised to bear themselves
circumspectly, towards all men, in the peaceable
Spirit of the Gospel, to avoid excited political
controversies, or giving just occasion of offence
to those in authority, striving to live in the daily
practice of the principles of justice, truthfulness
and love, preferring our testimonies to every
temporal consideration.

CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 35

CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION.
1. Such are to be treated with, who are con
cerned in lotteries of any description, however
speciously disguised under the pretence of chari
ty or philanthropy, or in wagering, or any other
kind of gaming or immoral practices, and, if
they be brought to a sense of the iniquity there
of, such offenders are without improper delay to
remove the reproach, and clear, as much as
possible, our Christian profession therefrom, by
acknowledging and condemning the offence, in
writing, under their hands, to the satisfaction of
the Monthly Meeting. But, if after earnest,
patient efforts by the Committee to convince
them of their error, they still persist in these
shameful indulgences, they ought to be dis
owned. 2. If any in membership with us shall deny
the Divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, the immediate revelation of the Holy

36 CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION.
Spirit, or the authenticity of the Scriptures, it
will thereby be manifest that they are not one in
faith with us.
If any shall blaspheme or speak profanely of
Almighty God, Christ Jesus or the Holy Spirit,
they should be timely and earnestly treated
With for the convincement of their understand
ing, that they may experience repentance and
forgiveness ; but should they, notwithstanding
such brotherly labor, persist in their error, the
Monthly Meeting to which they belong ought to
declare the same and issue its testimony accord
ingly. 3.. It is the earnest concern of the Yearly
Meeting, that in all our dealings and transac
tions amongst men, strict justice may be ob
served, and that no motives of pecuniary inter
est may induce any of our members to impose
upon any with whom they may have commer
cial intercourse ; and it is directed, that Month
ly Meetings be careful to extend suitable admo
nition against all deviations in these respects,
for the help and recovery of delinquents; and,
as it is obvious that there can be no just preten-

CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 37
tions to religious rectitude without a conformity
to moral justice, Monthly Meetings are author
ized to disown those who Will not be reclaimed
by their brotherly endeavors in these respects.
4. Under a tender solicitude for the preser
vation of its members in purity and simplicity,
the Yearly Meeting earnestly and affectionately
cautions them against joining in vain, ostenta
tious processions and entertainments, inconsist
ent with our Religious profession, against prac
tices such as fortune-telling, claiming to reveal
hiddeu things by supernatural agency, which are
calculated to lead the mind from the enjoyment
of a holy life ; or any alliance with the various
associations having that tendency, and requiring
of their members a pledge of secrecy. It is not
the characteristic of goodness to seek conceal
ment. The Divine Master himself has plainly
declared, that no man lighteth a candle and
putteth it under a bushel ; • and overseers and
other concerned Friends are encouraged to ex
tend timely counsel and admonition in all cases
where any of our members have been thus led
astray. 4

38 CONVINCED PERSONS.
5. Believing that meekness, moderation and
mercy, are among the distinguishing traits of
the Christian character, we are concerned to cau
tion our members against the indulgence of pas
sion, or the exercise of cruelty, even towards the
brute creation, which a beneficent Providence
has made subservient to our comfort and conve
nience.

CONVINCED PERSONS.
1. It is directed, that the following order be
observed, respecting persons who make applica
tion for admittance into membership. They are
to, apply to the Overseers, who, when they be
lieve it proper so to do, are to lay the case be
fore the Preparative Meeting, and after that
meeting is fully satisfied, by paying a visit or
otherwise, it should be forwarded to the Month
ly Meeting, which meeting shall appoint some
suitable Friends to inqure into the lives and
conversations of the applicants, and also to take

CONVINCED PERSONS. 39
opportunities of conference with them, in order
the better to understand whether their motives
for such request be sincere, and on the ground of
convincement, and report their judgment there
on; and if the meeting be satisfied to receive
such, a minute should be made, signifying the
same, and appointing a Friend or two to ac
quaint the persons thereof.
2. But, in all cases, Friends are exhorted to
attend carefully to the advice of the apostle :
"Lay hands suddenly on no man." The neglect
of such caution having often been injurious, both
to the individuals and to society ; to them, by
settling them in a false rest ; and to society, by
adding to its members, without increasing its
strength ; both of which being circumstances of
acknowledged importance, Monthly Meetings
are desired to be weighty in their deliberations
and results, on all such occasions.

40 DAYS AND TIMES,

DAYS AND TIMES,
1. As we are persuaded that no religious act
can be acceptable to God, unless produced by
the influence and assistance of his Holy Spirit,
it is our judgment, that our members cannot,
consistently, join with any in the observance of
public fasts, feasts,' or what are termed holy
days, or such injunctions and forms as are de
vised by the will of man, in regard thereto ; for,
though exterior observances 'of a similar kind,
were once authorized under the law, as shadows
of things to come, yet, they who come to Christ,
will, we believe, assuredly find, that in Him, all
shadows end ; that "He hath obtained a more
excellent ministry, by how much also is He the
mediator of a better covenant, which was estab*
lished upon better promises." Heb. viii, 6. "Let
no man therefore, judge you in meat, or in drink,
or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon.

DAYS AND TIMES. 41
or of the sabbath days, which are a shadow of
things to come ; but the body is of Christ." Col.
ii, 16, 17. The same apostle also thus expostu
lated with some, who it appears, had fallen from
the true faith in these respects: "But now,
after that ye have known God, how turn ye
again to the weak and beggarly elements, where
unto ye desire again to be in bondage. Ye ob
serve days, and months, and times, and years.
I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon
you labor in vain." Gal. iv, 9, 10, 11.
2. Wherefore, under an humble and grateful
sense of the abundant mercies and favors of our
Heavenly Father, let us, as a religious society,
not be found "bowing the head like a bulrush
for a day," nor indulging in those tumultuous
demonstrations of joy, and nightly illuminations,
which are generally attended with rioting, drunk
enness, and many other excesses, incompatible
with true holiness ; but let us continually feel
our hearts filled with thanksgiving and praise to
God ; an aspiration which is ever His due, and
to be acknowledged by His creatures, with the
deepest reverence.
4*

42 DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION.
3. Whilst, therefore, it is the earnest concern
of the Yearly Meeting, that we may be found
worshipers in the inner temple, it is affectionate
ly desired, that our members maybe individually
cautious, not to give occasion of additional suf
fering to the truly conscientious amongst us, by
any compliance with observances not owned by
the truth.

DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION.
1. As the manifest tendency of the mischiev
ous spirit of tale-bearing and detraction is to
lay waste the unity of society, by disseminating
discord and strife amongst brethren and neigh
bors, Friends are enjoined to watch over them
selves, and each other, in order to discourage
and suppress, every appearance of such disposi
tions. The order prescribed by Jesus, should
be strictly observed, in every case of apprehend
ed injury, viz. "If thy brother shall trespass

DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION. 43
against thee, go and tell him his fault between
thee and him alone : if he shall hear thee, thou
hast gained thy brother. But if he will not
hear thee, then take with thee one or two more,
that, in the mouth of two or three witnesses,
every word may be established. And, if he shall
neglect to hear them, tell it unto the Church."
2. It is further directed, that in whomsoever
this weakness appears, it may be immediately
checked ; and if any give way to it, to the obvi
ous injury of the reputation or interest of others,
let them be faithfully admonished, by elders,
overseers, or other concerned Friends: and if
they persist, and cannot be prevailed with to
give due satisfaction, the Preparative, and, if
expedient, the Monthly Meeting, should be in
formed of it, and deal further wifh them ; when,
if this also fail to produce the desired effect, they
should be testified against.
3. Should any offenders, in these respects, shel
ter themselves under a pretence, that they say
no more than they have heard from others, but
refuse to discover who those are, such should, in
like manner, be dealt with as tale-bearers.

44 DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.

DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS
FOR DISCIPLINE.
1. The existence of our meetings for Discip
line, having, on experience, been found exten
sively beneficial, it is earnestly recommended,
that these meetings may be maintained in that
authority wherein they were established; .for
where any have been negligent in attending, or
opposed to them, it has been perceived, that the
usefulness of such has ceased, and a tendency to
spiritual death, has been the consequence.
2. The connection and subordination of our
meetings for Discipline, are thus: Preparative
Meetings are accountable to the Monthly ; —
Monthly, to the Quarterly; — and Quarterly, to
the Yearly Meeting; — so that, if the Yearly
Meeting be at any time dissatisfied with the pro
ceedings of any inferior meeting ; or a Quarterly
Meeting, with the proceedings of any of its

DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 45
Monthly Meetings ; or a Monthly Meeting, with
the proceedings of any of its Preparative Meet
ings; such meetings ought, with readiness and
meekness, to render accounts thereof, when re
quired. 3. No Quarterly Meeting, should be set up, or
laid down, without the consent of the Yearly
Meeting ; no Monthly Meeting, without the con
sent of the Quarterly M eeting ; and no Prepara
tive, or other meeting, for business or worship,
until application to the Monthly Meeting be first
made, and, when there approved, the consent of
the Quarterly Meeting also obtained.
4. No meeting for worship, intended to consist
of Friends belonging to two or more Monthly
Meetings, shall be established, until the proposal
be offered to, and approved by, those Monthly
Meetings, and the consent of their respective
Quarterly Meeting or meetings, be obtained.
When the meeting proposed is opened, it shall
be attended by a few Friends, deputed by each
of the said Monthly Meetings. And, if it be
thought expedient that a Preparative Meeting
should be held at the same place, the consent of

46 DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
the said Monthly and Quarterly Meetings should
be, in like manner, applied for and obtained ;
and the said Preparative Meeting, should be an
nexed to either of those Monthly Meetings, as
may appear most likely to conduce to the benefit
and convenience of the individuals who compose
it, and the advantage of Society.
5. When the Preparative and Monthly Meet
ings are composed of. the same members, and
hence are practically the same body, the Month
ly Meeting may discontinue the Preparative
Meeting, if so desired by its members, without
application to the Quarterly Meeting. When
the members of a meeting shall so elect, the bus
iness meeting of men and women Friends, may
be held together as one body.
6. It is directed, that a book be provided by
every Monthly and Quarterly Meeting, and full
and correct records kept therein, of all their pro
ceedings. Monthly Meetings particularly, are
advised to attend to, and finish, all such busi
ness, with care and dispatch, that it may at no
time suffer by improper delay. And if any case
under consideration, prove too difficult for them

DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 47
to determine, they should apply to their respect
ive Quarterly Meetings for assistance, or, if the
circumstances be such as to require it, refer it
thereto by minute. .
7. Where any Monthly or Quarterly Meeting,
has occasion for, and requests copies of any pa
pers, minutes, or records of another Monthly or
Quarterly Meeting, the same should be accord
ingly granted.
8. When any difference happens among
Friends, and the same be entered in any Month
ly or Quarterly Meeting book, if the parties, or
either of them, think that copies of such entries
may be useful or necessary for them, and request
the same, such Monthly or Quarterly Meetings
shall have a discretionary power, to give or
refuse such copies, according to' the circum
stances and motives attending.
9. Where any transgress the rules of our Dis
cipline, they should, without partiality, be ad
monished, in the spirit of love, so that it may be
seen by all, that the restoring dispositions of
meekness and Christian affection abound, before
church censure takes place; and that a Gospel

48 DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
spirit is the spring and motive to all our per
formances, as well in discipline, as in worship.
10. After a complaint against a member, for
disorderly conduct is entered on the minutes of
a meeting, he should not be permitted to sit in
any of our meetings for Discipline, until the
case is determined, and the meeting satisfied.
11. It is directed, that a suitable number of
Friends be appointed in each Preparative Meet
ing, to attend the Monthly Meeting, and in each
Monthly Meeting, representatives to attend the
services of the Quarterly Meeting, with such re
ports in writing, signed by the clerk, as may be
given them in charge; also, that at least four
Friends of each sex be appointed, for the like
service, in each Quarterly Meeting, to attend the
Yearly Meeting. And it is earnestly advised,
that all Friends who submit to these important
services, may be punctual in their attendance,
or, if prevented by sickness, or any other una
voidable occurrence, that they be careful to send
information thereof; also, that those who are
under appointments to attend meetings as rep
resentatives, do not withdraw therefrom, before

DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 49
the conclusion of such meetings, without obtain
ing the consent thereof.
12. It is also directed, that Friends keep an
account of such sufferings to which they may be
subjected, for maintaining those testimonies of
truth which we believe it is our duty to bear ;
and that Monthly Meetings use suitable en
deavors to collect and transmit such accounts
to Quarterly Meetings, and, when there ap
proved, that Quarterly Meetings forward them,
annually, to the Representative Committee.
13. As to the rights of children, born hereaf
ter, they are not to be considered members, un
less at the time of their birth, both parents shall
be in membership. Application may be made,
either by themselves, or by their parent, parents,
or guardians, on their behalf; and, if the Month
ly Meetingwhich is applied to, on consideration
of the case, be easy to admit them, they are at
liberty to do it.
Children who. have but one parent a member
of Society, may have the right of membership,
at the discretion of the Monthly Meeting, during
their minority, if approved by both parents ; and
5

50 DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
when minors are thus received into membership,
the Monthly Meeting is to have their ages re
corded, and when they attain the age of twenty-
one years, the overseers are to report to the
Monthly Meeting whether or not they have
chosen to remain members.
14. A committee should be annually appoint
ed, in each of our Quarterly, Monthly and Pre
parative Meetings, to nominate clerks; which
may afford opportunity for their being season
ably changed, and more of our qualified mem
bers exercised in those services.
15. As the design of Preparative Meetings, is,
in genera], to digest and prepare business, as
occasion may require, which may be proper to be
laid before Monthly Meetings, Friends ought to
be careful therein, not to cause unnecessary de
lay, or undertake to decide on any business
which properly belongs to Monthly Meetings.
16. if any of our members shall become mem
bers of any other religious organization, the
overseers should inform the Monthly Meeting
thereof, when a committee should be appointed
to give proper attention to the case ; and if they

DIVERSIONS. 51
report that in their judgment further care would
not be profitable, the Meeting should direct that
such person be released from membership with
us, and the party informed thereof.
17. When any of our members absent them
selves from our Meetings for a period of five
years, without assigning a sufficient reason for
such absence, Monthly Meetings, having extend
ed the needful care in such cases, may then have
the privilege of discontinuing them as members.

DIVERSIONS.

It is the earnest desire of the Yearly Meeting,
that all our members duly consider the danger
and injury to the spiritual growth that necessa
rily result from frequenting theaters, horse
races, dancing, musical entertainments, and other
corrupting amusements; it being abundantly
evident that these perishable enjoyments, when
they obtain stiong hold of the affections, tend to

52 DIVERSIONS.
alienate the mind from the counsel of Divine
Wisdom, and nip the tender buddings of the
soul-life. Any of our members, therefoie, who
it may be apprehended are in danger in this
direction, should be labored with in the spirit
of love, to the end that they may be induced
to cultivate a taste for higher enjoyments, and
seek pleasure in channels less liable to spiritual
injury. But, as regards the whole subject of
Diversions, all are exhorted to remember that
there are various conditions of growth in the
household ; that each must learn from the things
which he suffers, and, after being advised by
those of greater experience, must, in a measure,
be left till the call is extended, "come up
higher." But if, notwithstanding the foregoing brother
ly admonitions, any of our members fall into
these practices, early and earnest efforts should
be made to convince them of their error; when,
if they cannot be reclaimed, the Monthly Meet
ing may proceed to disown them.

FAMILY VISITS. 53

FAMILY VISITS.
As the visiting of Friends, in their families,
in the openings of Heavenly wisdom, is a service
which hath often been blessed to the minds of
the visitors and the visited, it is desired that con
cerns of this nature may be tenderly cherished,
and those who are rightly exercised therein en
couraged to move forward in due season, and in
humble dependence on the Shepherd of Israel,
who not only puts forth His own, but goes be
fore and secures to all who are faithful to His
appointments the enriching reward of comfort
and peace.

54 INDIAN AND AFRICAN RACES.

INDIAN AND AFRICAN RACES.
The past efforts of our Society to elevate and
improve the condition of these classes of our
fellow-men, and the beneficial results thereof,
encourage the Yearly Meeting to recommend to
our members generally to consider attentively,
from time to time, what further help it may be
right for us to extend to the Indian and African
races. It should not be forgotten that the soil
which yields so bountifully to us was once the
home of the Indians, and furnished their rude
support, and we may yet be justly their debtors.
In relation to the descendants of the African
race, we earnestly desire that those under the
care of our members may be treated with kind
ness, and instructed in the principles of the
Christian religion, as well as in such branches
of school learning as may fit them to become
useful members of society,

MARRIAGES. 5 5
Whilst we rejoice that property in man is no
longer recognized by the laws of our country,
we tenderly solicit Friends, on all proper occa
sions, to bear our testimony against all human
bondage and forms of oppression.

MARRIAGES.

1. Marriage, being a Divine ordinance, and
a solemn engagement for term of life, is of great
importance to our temporal and spiritual well-
being ; yet it is often too inconsiderately entered
into, and from motives inconsistent with the evi
dent intention of that unerring wisdom by which
it was primarily ordained.
2. Where the parties differ in their religious
sentiments, an interesting bond of union is
wanting ; even that which should increase and
confirm their mutual happiness, and render them
helps and blessings to each other. Under these
unhappy circumstances, the reciprocal obligation

56 marriages.
into which they have entered may become their
burden. 3. The perplexed situation of the offspring of
such alliances is also to be lamented ; attached
by nature to both parents, their confusion often
renders them unfixed in principle, and unsettled
in practice ; brothers and sisters are trained up
in lines diverse from, and in some instances
opposite to, each other; thus differing in prin
ciple, they are frequently divided in affection,
and, though so nearly related, are sometimes
at the greatest distance from that love and har
mony which ought continually to subsist between
them. 4. To prevent falling into improper engage
ments, it is requisite to beware of the paths that
lead to them — the sordid interests and ensnaring
friendships of the world, the contaminating
pleasures and idle pastimes of earthly minds ;
also, the various solicitations and incentives to
festivity and dissipation. Let our dear youth,
likewise, avoid the frequent and too familiar asso
ciation or intimacy with those from whom may
arise a danger of entanglement.

marriages. 57
5. For want of due watchfulness and obedi
ence to the convictions of Divine grace in their
consciences, many have wounded their own souls,
distressed their friends, injured their families,
and done great disservice to the church, by their
unsuitable connections ; which have proved an
inlet to much degeneracy, and mournfully af
fected the minds of those who feel a living con
cern for the good of all, and the prosperity of
Truth upon earth.
6. We earnestly advise and exhort all persons
in membership with us, previously to their mak
ing any procedure in order to marriage, to seri
ously and humbly wait upon the Lord, for His
counsel and direction in this important concern ;
and, when favored with satisfactory clearness
therein, they should seasonably acquaint their
parents or guardians with their, intentions, and
wait for their consent; thus preservation from
the dangerous bias of forward and uncertain
affections would be experienced, to the real
benefit of the parties, and the comfort of their
friends. And it is earnestly recommended to
Friends that they tenderly and carefully watch

58 marriages.
over the youth, and extend seasonable caution
and admonition, as occasion may require, rela
tive to this interesting subject.
7. All persons about to marry at a distance
from home, should procure, from the Monthly
Meeting to which they belong, certificates of
their right of membership, and clearness from
other marriage engagements; they should also
obtain the consent of their parents or guardians ;
and none should be permitted to join themselves
in marriage until such certificates and the con
sent of their parents or guardians be also pro
duced in person, or by writing where it is prac
ticable or can be reasonably obtained. But, as
there is tenderness due to children and wards,
as well as to parents and guardians, it is not to
be understood that marriages are to be prohib
ited, on account of improper objections on the
part of the latter, but that Monthly Meetings
exercise righteous judgment, in such cases.
8. On application for certificates of clearness
from other marriage engagements, the -name of
the woman must be furnished to the Monthly
Meeting.

marriages. 59
9. No Monthly Meeting is to permit any mar
riage to be proposed therein sooner than one
year after the decease of former husband or
wife. 10. The Yearly Meeting directs that no mis
demeanor be treasured up against a person until
the time of proposing marriage to the meeting,
and then disclosed, though perhaps long before
known to those who so object to it at that
time. 11. It is earnestly directed, that, on the occa
sion of marriages, Friends be careful to set a be
coming example of moderation ; it being the
judgment of the Yearly Meeting that expensive
and superfluous entertainments, and large com
panies, are inconsistent with Christian gravity
and the solemnity of the occasion ; and that the
parties themselves, their parents, and others con
cerned, do take care on these occasions, that no
reproach arise, or cause of offence be given ; but
that all behave with such sobriety as becomes a
people fearing God ; and that the company re
tire to their homes in seasonable time. And if
any thiDg to the contrary be observed, the com-

60 marriages.
mittee or other concerned Friends present, ought,
as speedily as they conveniently can, to take
such aside who make any breach upon good
order, and, in an affectionate manner, admonish
them to a better behavior; and the said com
mittee are to make report to the next Monthly
Meeting whether good order has been observed ;
and take care that the marriage certificate be re
corded. 12. It is further recommended, that parents
exercise a religious care over their children, and
endeavor to guard them against improper con
nections in marriage ; that they be hot anxious
to obtain for them large portions and settle
ments ; but that they be joined with persons of
similar religious inclinations, suitable disposi
tions, and diligence in their business, which are
necessary to a comfortable life in a married
state, 13. The breaches of our testimony in the impor
tant engagement of marriage, being, we fear,
often for want of due care in parents, and those
who have the charge of educating youth, timely
to admonish and instruct them in the principles

MARRIAGES. 61
of Truth, and impress their minds with the duty
of religiously observing them ; as much as possi
ble restraining them from such company as will,
be likely to entangle their affections improperly ;
we, therefore, tenderly exhort Friends to increase
their care over the youth, that the consistency of
our principles may, with the nature of true re
ligion, be impressed on their tender minds by
upright example as well as by precept ; and that,
where there is apparent danger of the affections
of any being improperly entangled, and the care
of parents, guardians, or those who have the
oversight of them, appears insufficient to prevent
their taking imprudent steps in the accomplish
ment of marriage, care be taken timely to apply
for the assistance of their Friends.
14. For the accomplishment of marriage, the
following order is to be observed : The parties
are to inform the Monthly Meeting, under the
care of which the marriage is to take place, of
their intention, by a written proposal under
their hands, in substance as follows :

62 MARRIAGES.

To the Monthly Meeting of  .
We, the subscribers, purpose taking each other
in marriage ; which we hereby offer for the ap
probation of Friends.

15. The notice should be minuted in both
the men's and women's meeting, and two women
Friends are to be appointed, to make inquiry
concerning the clearness of the woman in regard
to any other marriage engagement; and, if the
parties are both members of the same Meeting,
two men Friends should also be appointed, to
make a like inquiry respecting the clearness of
the man.
16. If the woman be a widow, having children,
two or more Friends should be appointed in the
Meeting of which she is a member, to see that
the rights of her children be legally secured.
At the next Meeting, if the committees report
that careful inquiry has been made, and no ob
struction to the further proceeding of the parties

marriages. 63
appears, they being present in their respective
Meetings, unless prevented by reasons clearly
satisfactory to the Monthly Meeting, they are to
be left at liberty to accomplish their marriage,
according to our rules ; and a suitable number of
Friends of each sex should be appointed to
attend and see that good order is observed.
17. Marriages are to be solemnized at the
usual midweek Meetings for worship, or at a
public meeting held for that purpose, in the
solemnity due to the occasion, at such other time
and place as the Monthly Meeting, in its discre
tion, may appoint, not later than four o'clock in
the afternoon ; when, at a suitable time, the
parties are to stand up, and, taking each other by
the hand, declare m an audible and solemn man
ner, to the following effect, the man first, viz. —
"In the presence of the Lord, and before this
assembly, I take F. G. to be my wife, promising,
with Divine assistance, to be unto her a loving
and faithful husband until death shall separate
us." And then the woman, in like manner: "In
the presence of the Lord, and j before this assem
bly, I take A. B. to be my husband, promising,

64 marriages.
with Divine assistance, to be unto him a loving
and faithful wife until death shall separate us."
18. After this declaration, the marriage certifi
cate, being first signed by the parties, should be
audibly read by some suitable Friend, named by
the overseers appointed to attend the marriage.
19. Marriage certificates, previously to their
being read and signed, should be examined, and
if necessary, corrected by the attending commit
tee; the form of which certificate shall be as
follows :
20. Whereas, A. B., of  , in the county
of  , in  , son of C. and D. B., of
 , and F. G. daughter of H. and 1. G., of
 , having, in writing, laid their intentions
of marriage with each other before the Monthly
Meeting of the religious society of Friends, held
at  , (where the parties are under the care
of parents or guardians, unless in the case of un
reasonable objections add,) and having consent
of parents or guardians concerned, (as the case
may be,) their said proposal of marriage was al
lowed of by the said Meeting. Now, these are
to certify whom it may concern, that for the full

marriages. 65
accomplishment of their said intentions, this
 day of the  month, in the year of
our Lord  , they, the said A. B. and F. G.,
appeared in a meeting of the said people, held
at  ; and the said A. B., taking the said
F. G. by the hand, did openly declare that he
took her, the said F. G., to be his wife; promis
ing, with Divine Assistance, to be unto her a
loving and faithful husband until death should
separate them. And then, in the same assem
bly, the said F. G. did, in like manner, declare
that she took him, the said A. B., to be her hus
band ; promising, with Divine assistance, to be
unto him a loving and faithful wife until death
should separate them. And moreover, they, the
said A. B. and F. G., (she, according to the cus
tom of marriage, assuming the latter name of
her husband,) did, as a further confirmation
thereof, then and there, to these presents set
their hands.
A. B.
F. B.
Ax.d we, being present, subscribed )
our names as witnesses. j
*6

66 MARRIAGES.
21. If any member of our Society accomplish
his or her marriage without the approbation of
the Monthly Meeting, a committee shall be ap
pointed to visit the party so deviating; and if
it should appear, by the report of such com
mittee, that no immoral conduct, or breach of
our testimonies, has taken place in the accom
plishment of said marriage, and the party is de
sirous of retaining his right of membership, and
the committee report favorably thereto, Monthly
Meetings are left at liberty to retain such mem
bers of society, and to permit their marriage
certificates to be recorded in the record book
of the Monthly Meeting of which one of the
parties is a member, in cases where the marriage
has been accomplished by our ceremony ; and
that meeting should appoint a committee to
see that the certificate is recorded within the
time required by law, and also take care that
the time at which the record was made has been
endorsed on the certificate ; all of which should
be duly reported to the Monthly Meeting. If
the parties, however, make a voluntary written
acknowledgment of their deviation, before the

MARRIAGES. 67
case is brought forward by the overseers, Month
ly Meetings may accept the same without refer
ence to a committee.
22. Since our Religious Society has ever deem
ed the assumed power to join people in marriage,
derived from any and every ecclesiastical source,
as a usurpation unsanctioned by the Scriptures,
and opposed to our plain testimonies in support
of a free Gospel Ministry, as required by the
Great Head of the Church ; it is the judgment
of the Yearly Meeting, that, if any of our mem
bers accomplish marriage by the assistance of
any person clothed with such assumed authority,
they shall be deemed offenders, having violated
our testimony in favor of a free Gospel Ministry,
and Monthly Meetings are required to labor
with such in love and tenderness, in order to con
vince them of their departure from this great
fundamental principle as professed by us, and if,
after patient labor, they cannot be convinced of
their error, and give satisfaction to the meeting,
they should be disowned. The committee ap
pointed to visit the offender is to be the medium
of communication between them and the Monthly

68 MARRIAGES.
Meeting, without requiring a written acknow
ledgment. 23. That marriages of persons nearly related
by consanguinity may, as much as in us lies, be
prevented, this meeting concludes that no mar
riage between any so near akin as first cousins
shall be permitted amongst us. The term first
cousins fully applies to every description of
grand-children, descended from one common
parent. When it is known that such cases of
marriage are likely to occur, overseers and other
concerned Friends should timely endeavor, by
persuasive measures, to prevent their consum
mation. In case persons so related should, not
withstanding, accomplish marriage, they should
be treated with as other offenders.
24. If any one not a member of our Society
desires to marry one in membership with us, he
or she shall make application to the men or
women overseers, as the case may be, of the
Monthly Meeting to which the member belongs ;
when, if the overseers are satisfied, the proposal
may be laid before that Meeting in the usual
form, and the said Meeting shall have the same

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 69
care and oversight of the marriage, and proceed
in the same manner as prescribed by the Dis
cipline when both parties are members ; but in
no case shall these proceedings confer the right
of membership upon such person or their off
spring.

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP.
1. It is the fervent concern of the Yearly Meet
ing to press upon the consideration of our mem
bers the indispensable duty of pure and spiritual
worship. It is not enough that, after the exam
ple of our forefathers, we meet together in one
place, in outward silence ; rejecting those forms,
ceremonies, and modes of outward worship, in
vented by the wisdom, and performed only in the

70 MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP.
will of man ; it is not enough that, with a com
mendable diligence, we attend all our religious
meetings, unless also, like them, we wait, in
humble reverence^ for spiritual ability to wor
ship, acceptably, the Lord of heaven and earth.
May we, therefore, humbly and diligently wait
for that Divine anointing, without which we can
do nothing; that we may experience the influence
of the Holy Spirit, to enlighten and quicken the
soul to a true sight of its condition ; and, ap
proaching the throne of Grace, under a renewed
sense of our Heavenly Father's mercy and good
ness, be enabled to offer the tribute of worship
and the sacrifice of praise.
2. This is the important purpose of our assem
bling together in silence ; and though, at times,
there may be amongst us but little vocal min
istry, or even none, let not this produce any
abatement of diligence in the duty. Vocal min
istry, in the life and power of the gospel, is a
great favor to the Church; but the distinguishing
excellence of the Gospel is the immediate com
munication with our Heavenly Father, through

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 71
the inward revelation of the spirit of Christ.
May, therefore, the deportment of our members,
while engaged in this most solemn duty, be such,
as to demonstrate, that they are earnest in wait
ing upon, and worshiping God, in Spirit; that
serious tender hearted inquirers, may be encour
aged to come and partake, in our assemblies, of
that inward, spiritual refreshment and consola
tion which the Lord is graciously pleased to
impart to the souls of such as are humbled in
His sight, and approach His presence with rev
erence and love.
3. It is directed, that those who come late to
meeting, or when there fall asleep, or are rest
less, or do not stay in the meeting but go forth
unnecessarily, or otherwise demean themselves
on those solemn occasions unbecoming our Holy
profession, be tenderly treated with, and season
ably admonished ; and that Friends who are
exercised in the discipline pay early attention,
in the love of the gospel, to such as neglect the
attending of our religious meetings, a willful
negligence in this respect being a manifest evi
dence of ingratitude to the Divine Author of all

72 MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP.
our mercies, and contrary to the practice of the
primitive believers in Christ, and of our religious
testimony. 4. It is further desired that Friends endeavor
to keep their children and such members as are
under their care to a constant, seasonable, and
orderly attendance of meetings, both on First-
days and on other days of the week ; instructing
them, as the ability may be received, to wait, in
stillness, upon the Lord, that they may receive a
portion of His spiritual favor; and, from the ten
dering influences of His holy spirit, be engaged,
in heart and mind, to walk worthy of so great
grace ; and, in a holy zeal for his honor, submit
to bear the cross, and become dedicated witness
es for him among men.

MEMORIALS. 73

MEMORIALS.
Inasmuch as the commemoration of the lives
of the righteous may prove an incentive to the
living to imitate their virtues, should any
Monthly Meeting, upon due consideration, be
lieve that it would be profitable to prepare a
memorial concerning a deceased member, such
memorial is to be sent to the Quarterly Meeting,
where it is to be further considered ; and, if ap
proved, is from thence to be forwarded to the
Representative Committee, in order for inspec
tion and approbation, previously to its being laid
before the Yearly Meeting.

74 MINISTRY.

MINISTRY.
1. Let us keep in remembrance that it is
only under the immediate teaching and influence
of the Holy Spirit that acceptable worship is
performed, and a true gospel ministry supplied ;
that this pure and powerful influence, in vessels
prepared and sanctified by the Divine hand, is
the essential qualification to that work. We
also believe that the giving and receiving of a
stated and continued salary as a Minister to be
contrary to the Spirit and freedom of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, and, therefore, dangerous to the
cause of true righteousness, working as a hin
drance to the faithful minister, and a great temp
tation to such as are not thoroughly grounded
upon the Rock, Christ, the Spiritual Son and
power of God in the soul. We do not question
the propriety, however, of supplying whatever is
necessary for the fulfillment of any Gospel ser
vice. Yet we consider the gift of the ministry

MINISTRY. 75
to be of so pure and sacred a nature that no
payment should be made for its exercise, and
that it ought never to be undertaken for pecu
niary consideration. And, seeing that this gift
of the Holy Spirit cometh from God only, the
Ministry ought not, in our apprehension, to be
demanded at stated times of human appointment;
but it should be exercised in that ability which
God giveth on the occasion, and which He
graciously renews from time to time. As the
gift is free, the exercise of it ought to be free
also, in accordance with the precept of our Lord,
"Freely ye have received, freely give." Matt, x, 8.
2. Where any of our members are so regard
less of this testimony as to contribute to the sup
port of a paid Ministry, they ought to be tenderly
admonished, to convince them of their error; such
conduct being opposed to our testimony for the
free Ministry of the Gospel, which is "without
money and without price;" after which, further
action in any case shall be left to the discretion
of the Monthly Meeting.

76 MINISTERS AND ELDERS.

MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
1. Persuaded, as we are, that gospel ministry
is not of man, but by the revelation of Jesus
Christ, agreeably to that apostolic charge : —
"As every man hath received the gift, even so
minister the same one to another, as good stew
ards of the manifold grace of God. If any man
speak, let him speak as the oracles of God ; if
any man minister, let him do it as of the ability
which God giveth : that God in all things may
be glorified." 1 Peter iv, 10, 11. Holding it,
therefore, to be a doctrine truly Christian that
the Spirit of God is the fountain of all true
knowledge in relation to that duty which we owe
to Him, and to one another, we earnestly exhort
those amongst us who apprehend that they are
called to the ministry of the gospel, in their pub
lic services especially, to attend closely to their
several and peculiar gifts; waiting for that
Divine ability by which they may faithfully
and availingly minister the Word.

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 77
2. We also desire, with earnest solicitude,
that those who are placed in the important de
partment, as elders in the church, may evince a
correspondent qualification rightly to judge of
the ministry, and manifest a concern for the sup
port of our religious testimonies, and the preser
vation of our Discipline, as well as for the ad
vancement of truth and righteousness ; such,
being clothed with Christian meekness and wis
dom, may rebuke with authority, and therein
will be realized that expression of the royal
Psalmist : "Let the righteous smite me ; it shall
be a kindness : and let him reprove me ; it shall
be an excellent oil." ,Psal. cxli, 5.
3. Ministers and elders, thus united, become
useful to each other, and are as nursing fathers
and mothers in the church, particularly to those
who are young in the ministry ; for this class
we earnestly desire that they may, with all care
and diligence, be advised and admonished ; and
if occasion appear, reproved in a tender and
Christian spirit ; let them also be exhorted fre
quently to read the Holy Scriptures, and earnest
ly attend to the spirit of truth, which alone can
7* '

78 MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
open the mysteries contained in them. Ministers
thus abiding in a simple and patient submission
to the will of God, and keeping to the openings
of Divine life in themselves, may witness a
growth in their gifts ; and will also be preserved
from extending their communications further
than they find the power of Truth to accom
pany them.
4. As the occasion of our religious meetings is
solemn, a care should be maintained to guard
against anything that would tend to disorder or
confusion in them ; when any think they have
aught against what is publicly delivered, they
should speak to the party privately ; and if any
shall oppose a minister in his or her preaching
or exhortation, or show any remarkable dislike
to such when engaged in prayer, let them be
speedily admonished in such manner as may be
requisite, unless the ministry of the person
against whom the uneasiness is expressed has
been disapproved by the Monthly Meeting.
5. Every Monthly Meeting is to select two or
more Friends, of each sex, to sit with the minis
ters; and they together are to compose a meet-

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 79
ing, to be denominated a Preparative Meeting
of ministers and elders. Care should be taken
that those chosen for this service be prudent,
discreet Friends, and that they duly discharge
the trust reposed in them.
6. Monthly Meetings are enjoined to appoint
committees for the purpose of proposing Friends
for the Station of Elders, at least once in three
years ; and when the nomination is approved by
the Monthly Meeting, a minute should be made
expressive thereof, and their names forwarded to
the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders,
which shall receive and record them as members,
and they shall be so considered until their suc
cessors are appointed.
7. Monthly Meetings are to inform the Quar
terly Meeting of ministers and elders when an
Elder is released from that' station.
8. Ministers and Elders should be excused from
acting on committees to propose the names of
Friends to serve as Elders.
9. Certificates of removal are not to convey
the right of eldership ; but the division of a
Monthly Meeting is not to render the reappoint-

80 MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
ment of elders necessary. When a Monthly
Meeting is divided, should there not be a suffi
cient number of ministers and elders to compose
a Select Meeting within each of those Monthly
Meetings, the members in both shall continue to
compose one Preparative Meeting until the num
ber shall be sufficient to compose two.
10. When any Friend has frequently appeared
in our religious meetings as a minister, and the
Preparative Meeting of ministers and elders ap
prehends that it is seasonable the subject should
claim the attention of the Monthly Meeting for
Discipline, of which the person is a member,
they are at liberty to mention the matter there
in; and if the Monthly Meeting of men and
women Friends, after deliberate consideration,
should unite in believing that a gift in the min
istry has been committed to him or her, a min
ute, expressive thereof, signed by the clerks,
should be forwarded to the Quarterly Meeting
of ministers and elders ; where the case being
carefully considered, and the sense of the Month
ly Meeting concurred with, information should
be furnished to the Preparative Meeting of min-

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 81
isters and elders and to the Monthly Meeting to
which such Friend belongs, of the judgment of
the Quarterly Meeting of ministers and elders
therein. And until the approbation of the
Quarterly Meeting of ministers and elders is ob
tained no such Friend is to be permitted to sit
in the meetings of ministers and elders, nor be
allowed to travel abroad as a minister. When
an approved minister apprehends it to be a duty
to travel in the service of truth, beyond the limits
of his or her Quarterly Meeting, such are to open
their prospect in the men's and women's Month
ly Meeting to which they belong, and obtain a
certificate or minute of their unity and concur
rence, directed to Friends within the parts pro
posed to be visited. And it is required that when
the service is accomplished the said meeting be
informed thereof, and the minute or certificate
returned without unnecessary delay.
11. No ministers are to appoint a meeting,
either within or beyond the limits of the Quar
terly Meeting to which they belong, without the
concurrence of their respective Monthly Meet
ings, unless to wait for the approbation of the

82 MINISTERS .AND ELDERS
Monthly Meeting appears to interfere with the
proper time for appointing such meetings; in
which case the approval of one or more of the
Elders of the Monthly Meeting of which he or
6he is a member, or of those of that within the
compass of which such appointment is proposed,
may be accepted as a sufficient privilege.
12. When any minister is concerned to make a
religious visit, either within or beyond the limits
of the Yearly Meeting, and has obtained a certifi
cate for that purpose, it must also be laid before
the Quarterly Meeting ; and if the concern is
concurred with, an endorsement must be entered
upon the certificate, and signed by the clerks.
13. In all cases where certificates are granted
for Friends concerned to travel in the service of
the ministry, the meeting last engaged in delib
erating upon the subject is to take due care that
such be provided, if necessary, with suitable
companions and the needful accommodation for
the comfortable accomplishment of the journey.
14. The ministers and elders of each Monthly
Meeting are required to meet once in three
months, at such time and place as the Monthly

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. bd
Meeting may direct, in the capacity of a Prepar
ative Meeting of ministers and elders; when,
after a time of retirement, the queries addressed
to such meetings are to be read and considered,
and distinct answers made to them in writing ;
which, when signed by the clerk, are to be con
veyed to the ensuing Quarterly Meeting of min
isters and elders by two or more Friends, to be
mentioned in the report as representatives; here
also, if in the course of inquiry any deficiency
has appeared care should be taken that it be
remedied. 15. And in the Quarterly Meetings the same
queries are also to be read, together with the
answers which are brought from their Prepara
tive Meetings. In these meetings, the state of
the members is to be considered, that, where oc
casion requires it, advice and counsel may be
seasonably extended ; and once in the year, those
answers, comprised in a written report, and sign
ed by the clerk, are to be forwarded to the
Yearly Meeting of ministers and elders, by four
or more Friends appointed as representatives.
In this meeting the queries are also to be read

84 MINISTERS AND ELDEES.
with the answers from the several Quarters ;
and the state of this part of the society as report
ed, being considered advices adapted thereto,
may, if requisite, be issued to the subordinate
Select Meetings. Here, all such ministers as
apprehend they are required to go in truth's
service beyond the sea, after obtaining a certifi
cate of the concurrence of the Monthly Meeting,
endorsed by the respective Quarter, are to com
municate their prospects of duty relative thereto,
and produce the said certificate, and if, upon
mature consideration, the same is united with
by the said meeting of ministers and elders, a
certificate thereof, signed by the clerk, should
be granted.
16. None of the said meetings of ministers
and elders are in any wise to interfere with the
business of any meeting for Discipline ; nor is
the Yearly Meeting of ministers and elders to
suffer its adjournments to interfere with the sit
tings of the Yearly Meeting for Discipline.
17. Friends who are not members of the Meet
ing of ministers and elders, but who are travel
ing with minutes from their Monthly Meetings,

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 85
as companions of ministers, may have the privi
lege of sitting in such meetings ; and nothing
herein contained shall be so construed as to pre
vent the Meeting of ministers and elders from
allowing any Friend to sit with them who may
express a desire to do so.
18. And, finally, if any member of our Meet
ings of ministers and elders shall, at any time,
be thought, by negligence, unfaithfulness, or
otherwise, to have lost his or her service in that
station, so as to become burthensome and the
subject of uneasiness, yet not so as to be under
the care of a meeting for Discipline on that ac
count, or for misconduct, it is advised that a
timely and tender care be extended to such per
son according to gospel order; first, by con
cerned individuals ; and then by the Preparative
Meeting of ministers and elders to which he or
she may belong : should these labors prove un
availing, report of the case should be made by
that meeting to the Quarterly Meeting of min
isters and elders, where a few Friends should
be deputed to assist the Preparative Meeting in
a further extension of labor with the party; if

86 MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE.
this also prove unavailing, and, on report there
of to the said Quarterly Meeting it appears that
the said Preparative Meeting has fully discharg
ed its duty to the individual, the case should
then be transmitted to the Monthly Meeting for
Discipline of which the party is a member, and
left under its care : and he or she ought, from
that time, to refrain from attending any Meet
ings of ministers and elders until again recom
mended or appointed as at first.

MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE.
1. It is a consideration claiming our serious
regard, that our worthy ancestors,, having their
views directed towards an enduring inheritance,
and their affections established upon things above,
sought not after the splendor of this world. In
minds thus bent upon seeking a more glorious
inheritance the love of this world had but little
influence, and they were conspicuous examples

MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE. 87
of temperance and moderation. A defection
from this simplicity of heart and heavenly mind-
edness, leading into the inordinate love and pur
suit of the things of this world, hath prevailed
with too many amongst us, and produced the
fruits of pride and ambition. These have intro
duced many imaginary wants, from which our
ancestors were preserved by their simplicity.
To satisfy these wants, some have been drawn
to enter into a larger extension of trade and
commerce than they had capital or ability to
conduct. Vain ambition, and an emulation in
consistent with the truth, have led many into
extravagant expenses. Reduced by these means,
in their circumstances, yet unwilling to lessen
their appearance in the world, some have resorted
to improper methods to procure a temporary
support, which have frequently ended in failures
and bankruptcies.
2. We hold it to be an indubitable truth, that
moderation and temperance are inseparable from
the Christian religion ; and we affectionately be
seech our members to abstain from all appear
ance of evil in relation thereto, particularly as

88 MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE.
respects the use of intoxicating liquors of every
description, as a drink. Is it not affectingly to
be observed that a baneful excess in drinking
intoxicating liquors is prevalent amongst many
of the inhabitants of our land % How evident
are the corrupting, debasing, and ruinous effects
consequent upon the importation, distillation,
and retailing of them ; whereby intemperance is
greatly encouraged, to. the impoverishing of many,
the distempering of the constitution and under
standing of many more, and increasing vice and
dissoluteness in the land ; with which many re
ligions minds have long been painfully exercised.
3. It is earnestly desired that Friends may be
induced to allow the affecting importance of this
evil religiously to impress their minds; and
Monthly Meetings are directed to labor in the
spirit of love, in order to convince those of our
members of the impropriety of their conduct
who may be engaged in importing, manufactur
ing, vending of, or trading in, intoxicating
liquors as an article of drink, or who use it as a
drink themselves, or offer it for that purpose to
others.

MODERATI0N AND TEMPERANCE. 89
Our members are also enjoined against per
mitting property, owned or controlled by them,
to be used for any of the above named purposes.
If, after Monthly Meetings shall have patient
ly labored with such as continue in either of
these practices, they cannot be prevailed upon
to desist from the same, such meetings are left
at liberty to disown them.
Friends are earnestly advised to abstain from,
and to discourage, the cultivation and sale of to
bacco, as well as the pernicious habit of using it.
Our youth, in an especial manner, are ear
nestly exhorted to refrain from this unnecessary
practice, which is so liable to become habitual
and injurious to health.

8*

90 OATH8.

OATHS.
1. Our testimony against the imposition of
oaths is founded upon the immutable basis of
Eternal Truth, and is sustained by the following
express and positive command of the Author of
the Christian religion, viz : "Ye have heard that
it hath been said, by them of old time, thou shalt
not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the
Lord thine oaths ; but I say unto you, swear not
at all : neither by heaven, for it is God's throne;
nor by the earth, for it is His footstool ; neither
by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great
King ; neither shalt thou swear by thy head, be
cause thou canst not make one hair white or
black. But let your communication be yea, yea,
nay, nay ; for whatsoever is more than these,
cometh of evil." Matt, v, 33 to 37.
2. This testimony, we also find, was clearly
held up and emphatically enjoined by the apos
tle, James, upon his Christian brethren : "But

OATHS. 91
above all things, my brethren," says he, "swear
not ; neither by heaven, neither by the earth,
neither by any other oath ; but let your yea be
yea, and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into con
demnation." Jas. v, 1 2.
3. Believing, therefore, that no sophistry or
argument can invalidate prohibitions thus clear
and positive, we are bound religiously to regard
them ; and whilst we feel gratitude for the con
tinuance of that indulgence by which our affir
mation is accepted, let us evince our sincerity in
relation to this testimony by faithfully main
taining it.
4. And when any of our members, either iu
• courts or elsewhere, violate it, either by taking
or administering oaths, Monthly Meetings are
desired to extend brotherly labor towards them ;
and if they cannot be prevailed upon to give the
necessary satisfaction, such should be disowned.
5. We also believe that a proper regard to
the obligations of this testimony would lead our
members to endeavor to procure persons as wit
nesses to instruments of writing, who will attest
them by affirmation.

92 OVERSEERS.

OVERSEERS.-
1. It is the recommendation and desire of the
Yearly Meeting, as productive of very beneficial
consequences to society, that in every Monthly
Meeting a proper number of judicious men and
women Friends, belonging to each of the Par
ticular or Preparative Meetings, be appointed to
the station of overseers within the same ; whose
duty it shall be to exercise a vigilant and tender
eare over their fellow-members, that if anything
repugnant to the harmony and good order of the
Society appears amongst them, it may be timely
attended to. And to prevent the introduction of
all unnecessary and premature complaints into
meetings of business, it is advised that .if any
member shall have cause of complaint against
another it be mentioned to the overseers, who
are to see that the party complained of has
been treated with according to gospel order,
previously to the case being reported to the

OVERSEERS. 93
Preparative or Monthly Meeting. And it is
desired that in treating with any it be done
in meeknebs and love, patiently endeavoring to
instruct and advise them, which, if ineffectual,
the Preparative Meeting should be informed
thereof, that, if needful, the case may then be
laid before the Monthly Meeting, of which notice
should be given to the party when it can be
conveniently done.
2. It is further recommended to our Monthly
Meetings that a committee be appointed at least
once in three years, or as much oftener as the
occasion may require, to consider the propriety
of changing the overseers, and bringing forward,
to the improvements of their gifts, other Friends
on whom a concern for the welfare of the Society
may rest. And we tenderly exhort all our mem
bers who may be rightly called to this or any
other service of the church not hastily to excuse
themselves tbex-efrom, but seriously to consider
the advice of the apostle: "Feed the flock of God,
which is among you ; taking the oversight there
of, not by constraint, but willingly ; nor for filthy
lucre, but of a ready mind ; neither as lords over
God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."

94 PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
1. As, next to our own souls, our offspring are
thevvery immediate objects of our care and con
cern, we entreat all who are parents, or governors
of families, that they lay to heart the great and
lasting importance, to the youth, of a religious
education. This would lead them to be solici
tous that their tender and susceptible minds may
be impressed with virtuous principles and a just
sense of the Divine Being, His wisdom, good
ness, power and omnipresence. They should be
concerned to impress them with just sentiments
in relation to the vanity and fallacy of merely
transitory enjoyments ; directing them to seek
after that peace and serenity of mind attendant
upon true religion, as the pearl of great price.
2. The importance of an early instruction in
the law of righteousness is set forth with peculiar
strength, clearness, and solemnity, in Deut. vi, 4,
&c. : "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one

PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 95
Lord ; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God,
with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy might ; and these words which I
command thee this day shall be in thine heart,
and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy
children ; and shalt talk of them when thou sit-
test in thine house, and when thou walkest by
the way, and when thou liest down, and when
thou risest up." We know that virtue does not
descend by lineal succession, nor piety by inher
itance, yet we trust that the Almighty gracious
ly regards the sincere endeavors of those parents
whose early and unremitting care is over their
offspring for good. Be ye, therefore, examples
to them, in your meetings, your families, and em
ployments. Keep them, while young, out of vain
fashions, corrupt customs, and unprofitable con
versation ; laboring to convince their young and
tender minds of the propriety of restraint when
necessary; exhorting them in meekness, and
commanding in wisdom. And, as they advance
in age, guard them against the reading of licen
tious publications and of plays and romances of
a nature prejudicial to the promotion of Chris-

96 PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
tianity ; likewise, against pernicious diversions
which have a tendency to draw the incautious
mind from a sense of religious duty, bring it into
a state of alienation from the Divine life, and
deprive it of that inexpressible comfort and de
light attendant upon the daily exercise of re
ligion and virtue.
3. In much love to the rising generation, we
exhort them to avoid the many vanities and
ensnaring corruptions to which they are exposed.
Bear in mind, dear young people, that "the fear
of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Take
the advice of godly parents, guardians, and
friends ; ever remembering that children ought
to obey their parents in the Lord ; and that dis
obedience therein is a breach of the moral law,
and is always offensive in the Divine sight.
4. With tender solicitude we press it upon
you: — flee from everything which may have a
tendency to despoil you of your innocence, and
to render your minds less obedient to that holy
influence which your enlightened judgment de
monstrates to be truth. We beseech you, attend
to this Heavenly Instructor, and dutifully yield

PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 97
to the correspondent tender advice of your friends.
Shrink not from the cross of Christ, in your garb,
language or manners, but, through a subjection
of your wills to the Divine will, in these, and all
other respects, walk answerably to the purity of
our profession, and -the simplicity and spirituality
of our worship ; that you may be instructive ex
amples to serious inquirers after Truth, and not
of those, who, under a profession thereof, are
preferring their own evil ways, and turning others
aside from the footsteps of its followers.
5. When the pious exercise of parental care
and authority is disregarded, and any of our
youth, departing from that simplicity correspond
ent with our profession, have obstinately run
into and copied after the vain and extravagant
fashions of the world, in their dress and address,
and have also exposed themselves to the corrupt
ing influence of evil company, and a consequent
irregularity of conduct, such ought to be timely
and tenderly expostulated with, to convince them
of the dangerous tendency of their conduct ; and,
if they cannot be prevailed on to amend their
ways, they ought to be treated with by the re-
9

98 PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
spective Preparative or Monthly Meetings, as in
other cases of offense; and if, after due labor
and forbearance, they prove irreclaimable, they
may be disowned.
6. And if any parents in membership with us
willingly indulge their children, or youth under
their care, in such extravagance and excesses,
they ought to be treated with on that account.
It is our desire that Friends may bring up the
youth under their care in habits of industry,
placing them, when practicable, with exemplary
members of the Society, for instruction in such
occupations as are consistent with our religious
principles and testimonies ; so that they may be
preserved in a becoming conduct and demeanor.
Also, that those whose circumstances may furnish
them with ability for instructing in useful and
suitable employments, the children of members
who are in situations less affluent, may receive
them into their families upon terms so moderate
and equitable as to remove every plausible reason
for placing them with those not in membership
with us. '

PLAINNESS. 99

PLAINNESS.
1. Let moderation, simplicity and utility be
our principal motives, and not to conform to
vain and changeable fashions; though we may
occasionally adopt alterations which appear con
venient or useful. This is a principle, the pro
priety of which, we apprehend, no serious Chris
tian will deny; and whilst, in ages of pride and
extravagance in dress, the adoption of this rule
may make us appear singular, yet in relation to
us this singularity is not without its use. It is
in some respects like a hedge about us, which,
though it does not make the ground enclosed
rich and fruitful, yet it frequently prevents those
intrusions by which the labor of the husband
man is injured or destroyed.
2. The conduct which our society has adopted
in this respect is supported by many passages in
Holy Writ. "Be not conformed to this world :

100 plainness.
but be ye transformed, by the renewing of your
minds," was the advice of the Apostle to the
Christians who dwelt at the seat of Roman -gran
deur and luxury. And again, in relation to
woman : "I will," says he, "that women adorn
themselves in modest apparel." The apostle
Peter, also, is very full in his exhortations upon
this subject: "Whose adorning," saith he, "let it
not be that outward adorning, of plaiting the
hair, and of wearing of gold, or putting on of
apparel, but let it be the hidden man of the
heart, in that which is not corruptible; even the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is, in
the sight of God, of great price : for, after this
manner, in old time, the holy women also, who
trusted in God, adorned themselves."
3. It is, however, highly important to main
tain more than the form of godliness ; and, whilst
we avoid a conformity to this world, it is neces
sary we should be careful to seek after that
Divine power by which we may be transformed
by the renewing of our minds, and prove what
is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God.

PLAINNESS. 101
4. In our address, also, we differ from the
world in several respects, such as our using the
singular number in speaking to a single person ;
our disuse of the appellation of master, mistress,
&c, in a complimentary manner, to those who
do not stand in these relations to us; and our
calling the months and days of the week by their
numerical names, instead of those which are de
rived from the heathen deities, etc. From these
and other erroneous and corrupt practices the
Spirit of Truth, in which we profess to believe as
guiding into all Truth, led our predecessors in
religious profession, and we believe will lead us
as we faithfully follow it. Our conduct in these
respects is supported by the examples furnished
in Holy Writ, as well as by the simplicity and
reasonableness of it.
5. The origin of applying the plural number
to an individual, and of giving complimentary
titles to one another, is to be traced to vanity
^,nd pride. Besides this consideration, the appli
cation of the singular number to a single person
is both more correct and more perspicuous, to
say nothing of its consistency with that form of
9*

102 PLAINNESS.
sound words recommended by Paul to Timothy.
This is also the case with respect to our names of
days and months; nevertheless, it is not by
reason and propriety alone that our conduct in
these things may be supported. The practice
and precepts recorded in the Scriptures also jus
tify our conduct. It was, no doubt, in allusion to
the complimentary, and not to the proper use of
the appellations of Rabbi, Father and Master,
that our Lord prohibited the practice amongst
his followers. Speaking of the disposition of the
Scribes and Pharisees, He says, "they love the
uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats
in the synagogues, and greetings in the mar
kets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi;
but be not ye called Rabbi, for one is your
master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren ;
and call no man your father upon the earth, for
one is your Father, which is in Heaven ; neither
be ye called master, for one is your master, even
Christ." 6. Friends have always, as a people, avoided
the use of the customary titles for the months of
the year and days of the week; originally

PLAINNESS. 103
because they were mostly adopted in honor of
mythical deities or idols, and because the few
numerical names were no longer correct.* While
there is, at the present time, no purpose of deifi
cation or superstition regarding the use of the
usual terms, nor any reason of this character
why we should not use them as well as the
names of planets chosen in the same way, we
think the simplicity and truthfulness of our
numerical titles for the months and days fully
justify us in maintaining our distinct language
in these cases; and, therefore, advise our mem
bers to adhere to the custom, as a testimony to
the correct principles upon which we believe it
to be founded.
7. From religious scruples, also, we cannot bow
the body and take off the hat in order to express
our respect to man. The reason for this is that
it is a token of reverence, enjoined and used in
our solemn approaches to the Supreme Being,
-when exercising the religious duties of preaching
or prayer. On this account, and not from any
0 See Appendix.

104 PLAINNESS.
disrespect, we think it right not to confound this
solemn act of reverence to the Almighty with
the marks of respect to our fellow- creatures.
True civility and due respect may be better
shown by conduct than by compliments, and
we are far from desiring to dismiss those social
duties from our attention and regard in our
salutations. 8. We, therefore, tenderly exhort all, serious
ly to consider that plainness and simplicity which
the Gospel enjoins, and to manifest it in their
habits, speech and deportment. A declension
herein, we fear, is attended with hurtful conse
quences, in opening the way for some of our
youth more easily and unobservedly to attend
places of public resort, for the exercise of sports,
plays and other pernicious diversions, from which
truth taught our ancestors, and still teaches us,
to refrain.
9. We also tenderly advise that -Friends take
heed that they adhere to plainness of speech,
without respect of persons ; and that they do not
mar their testimony by varying their language
according to their company. The apostle cau-

poor. 105
tions this when he admonishes Timothy, "that
the deacons be grave and not double tongued ;"
plainly importing that it is inconsistent with the
gravity of the Gospel.

POOR.
1. As mercy, compassion and charity are em
inently required by the Gospel, it is desired that
the condition of our members who are in indigent
circumstances be duly inspected, in order that
advice and relief may be seasonably extended,
and assistance afforded them in such business as
they are capable of. To defray the expenses
which their support, and the education of their
children, will necessarily occasion, it is recom
mended to each Monthly or Preparative Meet
ing of men and women Friends to be liberal in
subscriptions for raising and continuing funds
for these purposes. And, in the exercise of this
benevolent care, it is desired that we may always

106 poor.
guard against unnecessarily exposing the names
or situation of our fellow-members. Those who
require pecuniary aid ought to accept the delib
erate advice of their friends, and manifest a be
coming disposition to conform to their judgment;
remembering that it is said, "in the multitude
of counsellors there is safety." Prov. xi, 14.
2. Where there is an obstinate refusal to con
form to such advice, committees are to be gov
erned, in the distribution of the intended" liber
ality, by a prudent discretion.

PROPERTY AND CASH FUNDS. 107

PROPERTY AND CASH FUNDS.
1. A cash fund having, by experience, been
found useful for the exigencies of the society, it
is desired by the Yearly Meeting that the same
be occasionally renewed by a collection from each
Quarter, in the proportions which may, from
time to time, be determined by the Yearly Meet
ing ; and that it be continued in the hands of
the treasurer appointed by the meeting, and be
subject to be drawn out by its direction, or by
the Representative Committee, as may be re
quired. 2. Monthly or Preparative Meetings are also
directed to raise and keep a fund, to be used for
such purposes as their respective occasions may
render necessary.
3. Quarterly, Monthly and other meetings are
directed to make proper examinations into the
titles of meeting houses, burial grounds and
other real or personal property, the possession or

108 PROPERTY AND CASH FUNDS.
custody of which has been vested in Trustees, or
otherwise, for the use of said meetings or of our
members ; so that in the event of the death or
disability of such Trustee, or from any other
cause vacancies may occur, the same may be
filled by the appointment of others, so that all
difficulties in the future possession or custody of
any property may be avoided.
It is also directed that all Quarterly or other
meetings of record keep accurate accounts of all
trusts and conveyances of property, and deposit
the evidences of the same in some safe place.
We believe there is no place so suitable to de
posit these valuable records as in the fire-proof
vault provided by the Yearly Meeting for that
purpose, and Friends are advised to place all
such books, title papers, and other documents of
interest as are not in use, under the care of the
custodian appointed by the Representative Com
mittee.

queries. 109

QUERIES.
1. In order that the Yearly Meeting may be
clearly informed of the state of Society, the fol
lowing Queries are directed to the subordinate
meetings ; and, in desiring answers to them, the
design of the Yearly Meeting is, not only to
be informed of the due observance of the several
branches of our Christian testimonies, but also
to impress upon the minds of our members a profi
table individual examination of themselves, how
far they act consistently with their religious pro
fession ; and, likewise, to excite elders, overseers,
and other concerned Friends, to discharge their
duty faithfully, in administering counsel and
admonition, when necessary.
2. It is concluded that the following twelve
queries be read, deliberately considered and an
swered, in each Preparative and Monthly Meet
ing, once in each year, in order that an explicit
10

1 10 QUERIES.
account may be conveyed, in writing, to their
Quarterly Meetings next preceding the Yearly
Meeting, and from thence an account is to be
forwarded to the Yearly Meeting.
3. Also, that the first, second and ninth, of
those queries, be read and considered, and ex
plicit written answers to them be prepared, in
the two Quarterly Meetings preceding the one
before mentioned, and also in the Preparative
and Monthly Meetings which report to those
Quarters. But none of the queries are to be read
or answered in the Quarterly Meetings for Dis
cipline which immediately succeed the Yearly
Meeting; nor in the Preparative or Monthly
Meetings which report to them.
4. And, further, it is not obligatory on meet
ings to read any other of the queries than such
as are to be answered. Nor is the reading and
answering of them enjoined on any Preparative
Meeting where the members of that and the
Monthly Meeting are the same.
5. First Query. Are all meetings for Wor
ship and Discipline duly attended ? Do Friends

QUERIES. Ill
avoid unbecoming behavior therein ? And is
the hour of meeting observed ?
6. Second. Do Friends maintain love towards
each other becoming our Christian profession ?
Are tale-bearing and detraction discouraged 2
And when differences arise are endeavors used
speedily to end them ?
7. Third. Do Friends endeavor by example
and precept to educate their children in plain
ness of speech, deportment and apparel ? And
are all other children in Friends' families suitably
provided for? Do they guard them against per
nicious reading and from corrupt conversation ?
And are they encouraged frequently to read the
Holy Scriptures ? to
8. Fourth. Is our testimony against intox
icating liquors maintained agreeably to our Dis
cipline? Do Friends avoid frequenting taverns,
or attending places of diversion ? And do they
observe moderation and temperance on all occa
sions ? Are they careful to discourage the cul
tivation and use of tobacco ?

112 QUERIES.
9. Fifth. Are the circumstances of those of
our members who may appear likely to require
aid inspected, and is relief afforded ?.
10. Sixth. Do Friends maintain a faithful
testimony in favor of a free Gospel Ministry,
resting upon Divine qualification alone?
11. Seventh. Are Friends careful to live
within the bounds of their circumstances, and to
avoid involving themselves in business beyond
their ability to manage % Are they just in their
dealings,, and punctual in complying with their
engagements ? And when failures occur, or
reasonable grounds for fear in these respects are
given, is due care extended to them agreeably to
our Discipline ? «
12. Eighth. Do Friends bear a testimony
against oaths, military services, clandestine trade,
prize goods and lotteries ; and also against all
forms of oppression ?
13. Ninth. Is care taken to deal with offend
ers seasonably and impartially, and to evince to

QUERIES. 113
those who will not be reclaimed the spirit of
meekness and love, before they are disowned ?
14. Tenth. Is due care taken to keep a reg
ular record of births, deaths and membership ?
15. Eleventh. What new meetings have been
settled in the past year, and what discontinued ?
What changes have been made in the times
or places of holding any of them ? What addi
tions have been made to membership during the
year by births, certificates or convincement, and
what loss in membership and from what causes ?
16. Twelfth. Are Friends careful, as far as
practicable, to place their children for tuition
under the charge of suitable teachers in member
ship with us ?

10*

114 GENERAL ADVICES.

GENERAL ADVICES.
It is further desired that in the Preparative
and Monthly Meetings in which all the fore
going queries shall be read and answered, the
following advices may also be read, with a suit
able pause after each of them, in order that those
present may be excited to a consideration whether
there be any occasion for an extension of care in
these respects in relation either to themselves or
others.
FRIENDS ARE ADVISED:—
1. To observe due moderation in the furniture
of their houses, and to avoid superfluity in their
manner of living.
2. To attend to the limitations of Truth in
their temporal business.
3. To be careful to place their children amongst
Friends, preferring those whose care and exam
ple will be most likely to conduce to their pre
servation.

GENERAL ADVICES. 115
4. To inspect the state of their temporal affairs
once in the year, and to make their wills whilst
in health.
5. To apply for certificates when about to
remove, and to pay proper attention to those
coming from other places who appear as Friends,
without producing certificates.
6. It is further recommended, that when occa
sions of uneasiness appear in any, such may be
treated with in privacy and with tenderness,
before the matter be communicated to another ;
thus the hands of those concerned in the further
exercise of the Discipline will not be weakened
by a consciousness on their part of a departure
from the true order of the Gospel.
7. Also. that friends endeavor to manage the
affairs of our meetings in meekness and wisdom,
with mutual forbearance and love to each other,
laboring to maintain the "unity of the spirit in
the bond of peace."

116 QUERIES FOR MEETINGS OF

QUERIES FOR MEETINGS OF MINIS
TERS AND ELDERS.
It is directed that of the following four
Queries, formed for the use of the meetings of
ministers and elders, the first three be read and
distinctly answered in writing three times in
the year by each Preparative Meeting of that
body, to its respective Quarterly Meeting ; and
that all the said four queries be in like manner
read and answered by the Preparative to their
Quarterly Meetings next preceding the Yearly
Meeting of ministers and elders, in order that
the Quarterly Meetings may be enabled to trans
mit a clear and distinct statement of those
answers to that meeting. QUERIES.
1 . Are ministers and elders diligent in the at
tendance of meetings for worship and discip
line ? Arid do they encourage their families to
that religious duty ?

MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 117
2. Are ministers, in the exercise of their gifts,
careful to wait for Divine ability ?
3. Are ministers and elders in unity one with
another, and with the meetings to which they
belong, manifesting a religious concern for the
advancement of Truth and the support of our
discipline ?
4. Are ministers and elders good examples in
uprightness, temperance and moderation ; and
careful to educate their families in plainness of
dress and simplicity of manners, becoming our
religious profession ?

118 ADVICES TO MINISTERS AND ELDERS.

ADVICES TO MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
1 . It is also desired that the following advices
be deliberately read in each subordinate select
meeting, at least once in each year.
2. Let all in their testimonies be cautious of
using unnecessary preambles, and of asserting,
too positively, a Divine impulse ; the baptizing
power of Truth accompanying their words be
ing the true evidence.
3. Let all read the Holy Scriptures frequent
ly ; and be careful neither to misquote nor mis
apply them.
4. Let ministers be careful how they enter
upon disputed points in their testimonies, or of
making such objections as they do not clearly
answer.

ADVICES TO MINISTERS AND ELDERS. 119
5. Let all be cautious of interrupting the so
lemnity of meetings by unnecessary additions
towards the conclusion.
6. Let all be careful not to hurt their service
by tones, avoiding all affectation and those
gestures which do not comport with Christian
gravity. 7. And lastly, let all dwell in that which
gives ability to labor successfully in the church
of Christ ; adorning the doctrine they deliver to
others, being examples of the believers in word,
in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith,
and in purity.

120 REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE.

REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE.
1. In order that the Yearly Meeting, with its
several branches, might be properly represented
during the recess thereof, a meeting was institu
ted, in the year, 1778, by the name of the "Meet
ing for Sufferings ;" which was changed, in the
year 1870, to "the Representative Committee."
That Committee is to be constituted as follows :
Each Monthly Meeting is directed to forward,
through its Quarterly Meeting, with the annual
report to the Yearly Meeting, the name of a
suitable member of each sex, who, with fifteen
members of each sex to be appointed by the
Yearly Meeting, shall constitute this Committee
for the ensuing year, or until their successors are
appointed. They shall meet and organize at
such time and place as the Yearly Meeting may
direct, and may also meet on their own adjourn
ments, or when called at the request of not less
than four of their number, and notice for this

REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE. 121
meeting should, if practicable, be given to all the
members by the clerk of the Committee.
2. The said Committee shall keep full and
correct minutes of all its proceedings, and annu
ally lay them before the Yearly Meeting.
3. No less a number than twelve of the mem
bers shall constitute a meeting capable of trans
acting business.
4. The said Committee is not to interfere with
any matter of faith or discipline which may not
have been determined by the Yearly Meeting.
5. It is, in general, to represent the Yearly
Meeting, and- to appear on its behalf in cases
where the interests or reputation of our religious
Society may render it needful.
6. To take the oversight and inspection of all
writings proposed to be printed, relative to our
religious principles or testimonies, and to pro
mote or suppress the same at their discretion;
also, to print and distribute any writings already
published by the Society, or which may be of
fered for their inspection and be approved ; and,
in all cases where expenses are incurred in the
execution of the duties assigned them, they are
11

122 REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE.
to draw on the treasurer of the Yearly Meeting
for such sums as may.be necessary.
7. To inspect and ascertain titles to lands or
other estates belonging to any of our meetings ;
also to attend to the appropriation or disposition
of charitable legacies and donations, or to give
such advice respecting the same as may appear
necessary. 8. To receive from the several Quarterly Meet
ings their annual accounts of sufferings and
such memorials concerning deceased Friends as
those meetings may have concurred with, that,
when examined and approved, they may be laid
before the Yearly Meeting.
9. To extend such advice and assistance to
any individuals under suffering for our testimo
nies as their caseB may require, and, if necessary,
to apply to the government, or persons in author
ity, on their behalf.
10. To correspond with such other similar
bodies as are, or may be established by any
other Yearly Meeting of our religious Society.
11. Approved ministers and members of any
other Representative Committee may be per
mitted to attend its sittings.

RESIGNATIONS. 123

RESIGNATIONS.
When members of our Religious Society shall
desire to relinquish their right of membership,
they are at liberty to offer the same, in writing,
directed to the Monthly Meeting of which they
are members ; the Meeting to use discretion as
to appointing a committee to visit them ; said
Meeting taking care to enter the information on
its minutes, and inform the parties of the result.

124

SCHOOLS.

SCHOOLS.
The important subject of the education of our
youth in piety and virtue, and giving them use
ful learning under the tuition of- religious, pru
dent persons, having for many years engaged
the attention of the Yearly Meeting, and advices
having, from time to time, been issued to the
several subordinate meetings, it isrenewedly de
sired that Quarterly, Monthly and Preparative
Meetings may be excited to proper exertions for
the establishment and support of schools ; there
being but little doubt that as Friends unite and
cherish a disposition of liberality for the assist
ance of each other in this interesting work, they
will be enabled to make such provision as would
encourage well qualified persons to engage in
this arduous employment ; for want of which, it
has been observed, that children have sometimes
been committed to the care of persons of doubt-

SCHOOLS. 125
ful character and corrupt minds, by whose ex
ample and influence they have been betrayed
into principles and habits which have had an in
jurious effect on them through life. It is, there
fore, indispensably incumbent on us to guard
against this danger, and endeavor to procure
tutors of our own religious persuasion ; who may
not only be capable of instructing them in useful
learning, to fit them for business in relation
to temporal concerns, but to train them up in
the knowledge of their duty to God, and one
towards another.

U*

1 26 SCRIPTURES.

SCRIPTURES,
OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS.
The Holy Scriptures being the external means
of preserving and conveying to us. an account of
things; most, surely believed,, concerning the com
ing of Christ our Lord, in the flesh, and the
fulfilling of the promises relating thereto, it is
the earnest concern of the Yearly Meeting to
press upon Friends a diligent acquaintance with
the sacred records ; and that parents and heads
of families would, both by example and advice,
impress upon the susceptible minds of the youth
a reverent esteem for the doctrines and precepts
of the Christian religion contained therein ; in
ducing them to believe that the same experience
of the work of sanctification, through the opera
tion of the spirit of God, to which the Holy
Scriptures abundantly bear testimony, has been

TAVERNS. 127
and is to be witnessed by believers in all genera
tions. Our dear youth, thus educated in the
belief of these important truths, may be prepared
to receive the spiritual appearance of God in
their hearts, according to our holy profession.

TA VERNS.

1 . It is the concern of the Yearly Meeting to
caution our members to avoid the frequenting
of public places at which intoxicating liquor
is sold, and other places of unprofitable resort,
in order that they may not be exposed to evil
company and demoralizing conversation, or be
betrayed into the use of intoxicating liquors, by
which many have been corrupted, both in prin
ciple and practice, to the ruin of themselves and
their families. And, if any be in danger on
these accounts, it is desired that they be- timely
and tenderly treated with, in order to convince
them thereof.

128 TESTIMONIES
2. Friends are earnestly advised not to pro
mote, in any manner, the establishment of public
houses, or engage therein as a means of gaining
a livelihood, unless such be conducted in a man
ner to the exclusion of the sale or use of all
intoxicants upon the premises.

TESTIMONIES
OF DENIAL AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
1. It is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting,
that offenders under dealing, or who may be
disowned, and who incline to acknowledge and
condemn their offences, shall do the same in
writing ; which ought to be shown, if under
dealing, to the committee appointed in their
case ; or if disowned, to the overseers. And if
the purport be judged suitable, it may be for
warded to the Monthly Meeting, which is to
consider the case, and appoint two or more
Friends to inform the party of the result.

OF DENIAL AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 129
2. In all cases those who are under dealing
for offences, and who offer acknowledgments to
Monthly Meetings, ought to particularize in
such offerings the matter or matters charged
upon them.
3. And in relation to acknowledgments from
those who have been disowned, the ground upon
which they ought to be accepted, being a belief
on the part of the Monthly Meeting of their
sincerity and contrition, when these are apparent,
it is not expedient to oblige such to recite the
particular misconduct with which they have been
charged, and which has been specified in testi
monies of denial against them.
4. When disowned persons remove without
the verge of the Monthly Meeting of which they
had been members, and become concerned to be
again united to the society, they may make ap
plication to the Monthly Meeting within the
compass of which they reside, giving information
of their disownment and by what Monthly Meet
ing; of the particular occasion of disownment
such Monthly Meeting is not enjoined to inquire.
But if, upon noticing the application, the Month-

130 DENIALS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
Iy Meeting believes in the sincerity of Buch indi
viduals, and finds nothing to prevent, inquiry
must be made of the Monthly Meeting by which
the applicants have been disowned, provided
such Monthly Meeting exist, concerning its con
sent to the reception of such persons, and after
information that nothing appears to obstruct,
such applicants may be received.
5. In all cases when a Monthly Meeting ap
prehends itself under a necessity to disown mem
bers, it is desired that such members, if their
situation will admit of it, be previously informed
thereof; and when a testimony of disownment
is issued against them, a copy should be offered
to the parties testified against, with information
of their right of appeal.

TRADE. 131

TRADE.
1. It being evident that where the manifesta
tions and restraints of the spirit of Truth are
duly prized and regarded, it leads out of a bond
age to the spirit of this world, and preserves the
minds of its followers from many fettering and
disqualifying entanglements. But, because an
inordinate love and pursuit of worldly riches
often betray those who are captivated by them
into many difficulties and dangers, to the great
obstruction of the work of Truth in the heart,
we affectionately desire that the counsel and
promise of the blessed Jesus, to His followers,
may be borne in remembrance by us : "Seek ye
first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you."
2. The Yearly Meeting, being earnestly con
cerned that the service of our religious society
may not be obstructed, nor its reputation dis-

132 TRADE.
honored, by any imprudence of its members in
their worldly engagements, recommends to all
that they be careful not to venture upon business
they do not understand, nor to launch into trade
beyond their abilities, and at the risk of others ;
but that they bound their engagements by their
means ; and when they enter into contracts or
agreements, whether written or by words, that
they endeavor, on all occasions, strictly to fulfill
them, that no occasion of reproach may be given
to Truth and the Society.
3. We particularly exhort that none engage
in any such concerns as depend on the deceptive
probabilities of hazardous enterprises, but rather
content themselves with such a plain and mod
erate way of living as is consistent with the self-
denying principle of which we make profession :
whereby many disappointments and grievous
perplexities may be avoided, and that tranquil
lity of mind obtained which is indispensable to
the right enjoyment even of temporal things.
And it is advised that when any amongst us err,
or are in danger of erring, in these respects, they
be timely and faithfully admonished.

TRADE. 133
4. It is further recommended that Friends fre
quently inspect the state of their affairs, and
keep their accounts so clear and accurate that
they may at any time easily know whether they
live within the bounds of their circumstances or
not ; and in case of death that these may not be
perplexing to survivors.
5. If any of our members be complained of for
withholding a just debt, they should be tenderly
urged to payment; and, if this be unavailing,
they should be treated with as in other cases of
disorderly conduct, and disowned ; but if any
appear unable to satisfy their creditors, they
should be advised to call "them together, without
loss of time, and submit the state of their affairs
to their inspection, when, if the creditors appre
hend a surrender of the debtors' effects to be neces
sary they ought to consent; and if they refuse, the
Monthly Meeting of whieh they are members
should be informed thereof; when, if the parties
still persist in refusing, they should be disowned
without too long delay.
6. But, however, if any in such difficult cir
cumstances manifest an honest intention, and
12

134 TRADE.
shall offer all their property to their creditors
without preference, let compassion and aid be
extended to them as brethren, objects of Christian
charity. Having done what they could, no more
for the present can be justly expected from them.
Yet, if persons so failing in their circumstances
should at any time thereafter be favored with
ability to pay off their deficiencies, justice will
require it of them, notwithstanding a legal dis
charge may have been obtained. This is, how
ever, not meant to furnish any with a pretext
for advancing such claims while persons so de
ficient are honestly laboring to retrieve their
circumstances, nor until it shall clearly appear
to their respective Monthly Meetings, or judi
cious committees thereof, that sufficient ability
is arrived at.
7. And where Overseers, or other concerned
Friends, have reason to fear that any person or
family, by living above their means, or from a
want of punctuality in fulfilling their contracts,
or any other cause, are declining in their circum
stances, and likely to fail, it is recommended
that such be seasonably treated with, and, if it

TRADE. 135
appear requisite, advised to call their creditors
together without delay ; and if, notwithstanding
this advice, such persons still persist, and run
into embarrassment, to the loss of others, and
to their own disreputation, the Preparative or
Monthly Meeting to which they belong ought to
be timely informed, and proceed to deal with
them according to our rules. When, if this
labor also proves ineffectual, a testimony of de
nial may be issued against them.
&. And it is directed that when failures occur
amongst our members, the same should be re
ported by the Overseers, when Monthly Meetings
are to carefully inquire of the assignees or trus
tees of the persons who have failed how their
deficiencies have happened, and ascertain if a
fair and equal distribution of their property has
been made, without distinction or preference ;
and if it should appear that such equal distribu
tion has not taken place, but that preferences
have been given, the parties making such unequal
and unjust payments should be treated with as
in other cases of reproachful conduct, and dis
owned.

136 TRADE.
9. And it is our judgment that neither Month
ly or other meetings should receive subscrip
tions, donations or bequests, from persons who
have failed until they shall have paid off their
deficiencies, or are voluntarily acquitted by their
creditors ; for it should be remembered that
though such may have been legally discharged,
the property afterwards acquired is not justly
theirs until they have fairly paid off their former
debts to the satisfaction of the creditors. Where
fore, we further direct that if any such who may
be known to have acquired sufficient property to
pay their debts, on being suitably reminded of
their duty in this respect, shall refuse to complv
therewith, inquiry be made into the reason, and
if it be not satisfactory to the Monthly Meeting
of which they are members, and they cannot be
prevailed with to do so, the said meeting, after
a proper time of labor arid forbearance, may
issue a testimony of denial against them.
10. We also desire that when Friends accept
the office of assignee or trustee they be active in
collecting the effects of the estate, and punctual
and speedy in making distribution.

TRADE. 137
11. We warn our members against a perni
cious practice amongst the trading part of the
community, which has often terminated in the
ruin of those concerned therein, viz., that of
raising and circulating a kind of paper credit,
with endorsements to give it an appearance of
value, without an intrinsic reality; a practice
which, as it appears to be inconsistent with the
truth we profess, we declare our disapprobation
of, and entreat every member of our Society to
avoid and discourage.
12. We also caution all in membership with
us to be careful how they enter into joint securi
ties with others, under the specious plea of ren
dering acts of kindness; many by so doing have
been suddenly ruined, and their innocent wives
and children reduced to deplorable circumstan
ces. "Be not thou," said the wise man, "one of
them that strike hands, or of them that are
sureties for debts : if thou hast nothing to pay, why
should he take away thy bed from under thee?"
13. It is our affectionate desire that Friends
may wait for Divine counsel in all their engage
ments, and not suffer their minds to be carried
12*

L38 TRADE.
away by an inordinate desire of worldly riches ;
remembering the observation of the Apostle, in
his day, and so often sorrowfully verified in
ours, "they that would be rich fall into temp
tation and a snare, and,, erring from the faith,
pierce themselves through with many sorrows."
Even when riches, to any extraordinary degree,
have been amassed by the successful industry of
parents, how often have they proved like wings
to their children, carrying them beyond the
limitations of Truth, into the liberties repugnant
to our religious testimonies, and sometimes into
enterprises which have terminated in irreparable
damage to their temporal affairs, if not in an
entire forgetfulness of the great work of their
souls' salvation.
14. We do not condemn industry ; we believe
it to be not only praiseworthy but indispensa
ble ; it is the desire of great things, and the en
grossment of the time and attention, from which
we desire that our dear Friends may be pre
served. We doubtless owe duties to ourselves
and our families; but do we not owe, even our
selves, to our all-wise, all-protecting, and provi
dent Creator?

WAR. 139

WAR.
1". Believing that the spirit of the Gospel
breathes "peace on earth and good-will towards
men," it is our earnest concern that Friends
may adhere, faithfully, to our ancient testimony
against wars and fightings; avoiding to unite
with any in warlike measures, either offensive
or defensive ; that, by the innocence of our con
duct, we may convincingly demonstrate our
selves to be real subjects of the Messiah's peace
ful reign, and be instrumental in the promotion
thereof. 2. In relation to this testimony, it is our judg
ment that when property has been distrained
from any, on account of a refusal to pay fines for
a non-performance of military services, and the
officers, after deducting the fines and costs, pro
pose to return the remainder, that Friends
should maintain their testimony by suffering

140 WAR.
rather than accept such overplus, unless tho
same, or a part of it, is returned without a
change in the articles taken.
3. We consider that furnishing wagons or
other means for the conveying of military stores
is a military service; and the care of elders,
overseers, and faithful Friends should be' ex
tended in Christian tenderness and love to such
as deviate herein, in order to convince them of
their error.
4. It is fervently recommended to our mem
bers that they be religiously guarded against ap
proving or showing the least connivance at war,
either by attending at or viewing military opera
tions, or in any wise encouraging the instable,
deceitful spirit of party, by joining with political
devices or associations, however speciously dis
guised, under the ensnaring subtleties commonly
attendant thereon ; but that they sincerely labor
to experience a settlement on the alone sure
foundation of the pure, unchangeable truth,
whereby, through the prevalence of unfeigned
Christian love and good-will to men, we may
convincingly demonstrate that the kingdom we

WAR. 141
seek is not of this world, but a kingdom and
government whose subjects are free indeed, re
deemed from those captivating lusts from which
wars and fightings proceed.
5. And that the members of our religious
society would carefully avoid engaging in any
trade or business promotive of war, sharing or
partaking of the spoils of war by purchasing or
selling prize goods, importing or shipping goods
in armed vessels, paying taxes for the express
purpose of war, or from pecuniary motives grind
ing of grain, feeding of cattle, or disposing of
their property for the use of the army; that
through a close attention to the monitions of
Divine grace they may be preserved in a con
duct consistent with our holy profession, and
from wounding the minds or increasing the suf
ferings of each other ; not at all doubting that
He, to whom appertains the kingdom and the
power, who is wonderful in working, will con
tinue to carry on and perfect His blessed cause
of peace on earth.
The bearing of arms, the practice of military
exercises, and the paying of money in lieu of

142 WAR.
personal military service, we regard as violations
of our testimony against war ; and those of our
members who deviate in either of these particu
lars are to be tenderly dealt with, and if they
cannot be brought to a sense of their error are
to be disowned.
6. It is further the sense and judgment of the
Yearly Meeting that it is inconsistent with our
religious testimony and principles for Friends
to pay a fine or tax levied on account of their
refusal to muster, or to render any military ser
vice, although such fine or imposition may be
applied towards defraying the expenses of civil
government; and, where deviations in this re
spect occur, tender dealing and advice should be
extended to the party by Monthly Meetings for
their convincement and restoration ; and if this
prove ineffectual they may proceed to disown
them. 7. And finally, dear Friends, upon the ca
lamitous subject of war, you are not ignorant of
what adorns our profession. Let us seek peace
and pursue it, remembering that we are called
to love one another. Thus every germ of enmity

WILLS. 143
may be eradicated from our enclosure ; for, truly,
there is a soil in which it cannot live — this soil
is Christian humility. May we, therefore, be
peaceable ourselves in words and actions, seek
ing for that disposition in which we can pray to
the Father of the Universe, that He may breathe
the spirit of reconciliation into the hearts of his
erring and contending creatures.

WILLS.

1. Knowing how suddenly many are removed
by death, it is recommended that Friends who
have estates to dispose of, make their wills in
time of health and strength of judgment, and
therein dispose of their substance, as in justice
and wisdom may be to their satisfaction and
peace, laying aside all resentment lest it should
go with them to the grave, remembering we all
stand in need of mercy and forgiveness. Making
such wills in due time cannot shorten life ; but
the omission or delay thereof to a time of sick
ness, when the mind should not be diverted from

144 WILLS.
a solemn consideration of this approaching period
of life, has proved disastrous to many, and has
been the occasion of creating discontents and
animosities in families, which the more season
able and deliberate performance of this neces
sary duty might have prevented.
2. We also recommend Friends to employ
persons of competent legal knowledge to write
their wills; as great inconvenience and injury
to families have sometimes happened through
the unskillfulness of some who have taken upon
themselves to write wills.
3. We further desire that the executors and
trustees concerned in wills and settlements may
take especial care to discharge, faithfully, their
respective trusts according to the intent of the
donors or testators. A violation herein, being
an obvious perversion of justice, offenders in
these respects should be treated with, aud unless
they make due satisfaction to the injured parties
and to the meeting to which they belong, they
may be disowned.

APPENDIX.

The following Law was enacted by the General Assembly of
Maryland, in the year 1868, to enable our members to accom
plish marriage with those not in membership with ns, according
to our order, and to provide for the recording of their marriage
certificates. "Any person, within this State, may marry according to the
ceremony used by the people called Quakers, provided the
contracting parties shall sign a certificate to the effect that they
have agreed to take each other for husband and wife, and that
the said certificate has been attested by at least twelve witness
es ; and, provided further, that the said certificate shall, with
in sixty days, be recorded, either amongst the records of the
Society to which either "of the contracting parties may belong,
or in some court of record in the city or coupty in which the
said marriage may be accomplished."
"Approved February 18th, 1868."

13

146 APPENDIX.

Extract from the Epistle of the Meeting for Sufferings in
London, dated the sixth day of the Seventh month, 1751,
which was re-published by direction of a Meeting for Suf
ferings, held in Philadelphia, the 15th of the Twelfth
month, 1791, and recommended to the observation of the
members of our Religious Society in general.
Dear Feiends — We think it may be useful and expedient to
revive in your remembrance some of the motives which induced
our ancient Friends to forbear the vulgar appellations of the
months and days, and to observe in their conversations and
writings such names as were agreeable, to scripture, and the
practice of good men therein recorded.
The children of Israel, the people whom God chose out of all
the families of the earth to place his name among, and to make
himself known unto, were strictly commanded not only to ab
stain from the idolatrous practices of the nations in the midst
of whom they dwelt, but were enjoined to be circumspect in all
things that the Lord commanded, and even to "make no men
tion of the names of other gods, neither to let it be heard out of
their mouths." Exod. xxiii, 13. This injunction was not rel
ative to any legal or typical rites, external ceremonies, or insti
tutions of the law peculiar to the Jewish" nation, but was a per
petual command and standing ordinance respecting the honor
of the One Almighty Being ; the same yesterday, to-day and
forever ; and as such ought to be regarded by us, and by all the
generations of those who with the heart believe, as well as with
the tongue confess, that "the Lord, He is God, and that there is
none else beside Him." Deut. iv, 35 ; who hath declared, "I am
the Lord, that is my name, and my glory will I not give to
another, neither my praise to graven images." Isaiah xiii, 8.
Convinced of this great and everlasting truth, both by the
testimony of the Holy Scripture, and the manifestation of that
Divine principle which leads those who are faithful to its teach-

APPENDIX. 147
ings from all that would dishonor the name of God, either in
word or deed, our ancient Friends were conscientiously con
cerned to refrain from the use of those names of months and
days which had been ascribed by way of honor to the idols of
the heathen, and in conformity to their false worships. This
concern rested upon them from a firm persuasion that the glo
rious Gospel Day and Time was come, wherein, the Lord was
fulfilling his Covenant with Israel, viz. "I will take away the
names of Baalim* out of his mouth, and they shall no more be
remembered by their name." Hosea ii, IT.
And that you may the more clearly discern the importance of
that Christian testimony, borne by our predecessors in this case,
we recommend what follows to your serious consideration, viz.
A Brief Account of the Origin of the names of some Months
of the Tear, and of all the days of the week, now custom
arily and commonly used.
I. January was so called from Janus, an ancient king of
Italy, whom heathenish superstition had deified ; to whom a
temple was built, and this month dedicated.
2. February was so called from Februa, a word denoting
purgation by sacrifices ; it being usual in this month for the
Priests of the heathen god Pan to offer sacrifices and perform
certain rites, conducing, as was supposed, to the cleansing or
purgation of the people.
3. March was so denominated from Mars, feigned to be the
god of war, whom Romulus, founder of the Roman empire,
pretended to be his father.
4. April is generally supposed to derive its name from the
Greek appellation of Venus, an imaginary goddess, worshiped
by the Romans.
*Thc word Baalim, being the plural number of Baal, signifying
Lord, has relation to names of divers idols of the heathen, wor
shiped in several places.

148 APPENDIX.
5. May is said to be so called from Maia, the mother of
Mercury, another of their pretended Ethnic deities, to whom
in this month they paid their devotions.
6. June is said to take its name from Juno, one of the sup
posed goddesses of tbe heathen .
7. July, so called from Julius Caesar, one of the Roman
emperors, who gave his own name to this month, which before
was called Quintilis, or the Fifth.
8. August, so named in honor of Augustus Caesar, another
of the Roman emperors. This month was before called Sextil-
is, or the Sixth.
The other four months namely, September, October, Novem
ber, December, still retain their numerical Latin names, which,
according to the late regulation of the calendar, will for the
future be improperly applied. However, from the continued
use of them hitherto, as well as from the practice of the Jews
before the Babylonish captivity,* it seemed highly probable,
that the method of distinguishing the months by their numeri
cal order only, was tbe most ancient, as it is the most plain,
simple and rational.
As the idolatrous Romans thus gave names to several of the
months in honor of their pretended deities, so the like idolatry,
prevailing among our Saxon ancestors, induced them to call the
days of the week by the name of the idol which on that day
they peculiarly worshiped ; hence :
The First day of the week was by them called Sunday, from
their customary adoration of the Sun upon that day.
The Second day of the week they called Monday, from their
usual custom of worshiping the Moon on that day.
The Third day of the week they named Tuesday, in honor
of one of their idols called Tuisco.
The Fourth day of the week was called Wednesday, from
the appellation of Woden, another of their idols.
The Fifth day of the week was called Thursday, from the
name of an idol called Thor, to whom they paid their devotions
upon that day. * Sec the Scriptures to the time of Ezra.

APPENDIX. 149
The Sixth day of the week was termed Friday, from the name
of Friga, an imaginary goddess by them worshiped.
The Seventh day they styled Saturday, as is supposed from
Saturn or Seater, by them then worshiped.
The continued use of these names of days, derived from such
gross idolatry of the heathen, is a demonstration how little the
purity of the Christian religion was understood by the gener
ality of those who came into the public profession of it.
The following ages of Popish superstition not only indulged
their proselytes in the use of such heathenish names and cus
toms, but also invented and introdHced other unsound and un
scriptural practices in religion. For when the profession of the
Christian religion became national, multitudes of tbe heathen
priests, whose interestlay in the performance of rites, ceremonies
and sacrifices, embraced prevailing Christianity with selfish
views ; and labored early, with too much success, lo find em
ployment for themselves by imposing on the people a new set of
ceremonies and sacrifices, bearing some resemblance to those
which in their former state of heathenism they had been accus
tomed to. From this corrupt source sprang the Popish sacrifice
of the Mass, the celebration of which, at particular times and
on particular occasions, gave rise to the vulgar names of
Michaelmas, Martinmas, Christmas, and the like.
Seeing, therefore, that these appellations and names of days,
months and times, are of an idolatrous or superstitious original,
contrary to the Divine command, the practice of good and holy
men in former ages, and repugnant to the Christian testimony
borne by our faithful Friends and predecessors in the Truth,
for the sake of which they patiently endured many revilings,
let neither the reproach of singularity, nor the specious reason
ings of such as would evade the cross of Christ, turn you aside
from the simplicity of the Gospel, nor discourage you from
keeping to the language of truth, in denominating the months
and days according to the plain and scriptural way of ex
pression ; and so shall we follow the example of our worthy
elders, and come up in a noble and honorable testimony against
these and all other remains of idolatry and superstition.

INDEX

Paoe.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, (See Testimonies,) . . 128
Also, Marriage,  66
ADMINISTRATION OF DISCIPLINE, ... 13
APPEALS, . . . . .t . . . 14
1 Persons not to be enconraged to avail themselves of the
privilege of appeal from improper motives, . 14
2, 3, 4 Mode of proceeding in cases of appeal, 14, 15, 16
5 Information of the right to appeal, to be given with
testimony of disowDment, Art. 5, . . . 130
ARBITRATION,  16
1-4 Mode prescribed for settling differences, . . 16, It
5 Either party not complying, to be complained of to the
Monthly Meeting  18
6 Arbitrators may consult counsel in tbe law, . 19
1 Particular cases ; exceptions to rules and permission
for trial at law,  19, 20, 21
8 Overseers, in certain cases, to advise a speedy settle
ment,  21, 22
8 Complainant may have liberty to inform the Prepara
tive Meeting, .  21, 22
9 Ministers excused from serving as Arbitrators, . 22
BALTIMORE YEARLY MEETING, ... 8
1 Its origin and limits defined, . . . . 8, 9
2 Time of holding it,  9
3 The Representatives to choose a Clerk, . . 10
4 Reports to be handed to the Clerk of the preceding
Yearly Meeting,  10
5 All communications directed to the Yearly Meeting,
except its regular correspondence, to be examined
before read in the meeting, .... 10

152 INDEX. Page.
6 The object of holding a Yearly Meeting, . . 11
6 Concluding advices to Friends, . . . . 11, 12
BIRTHS AND BURIALS,  22
1 Committee for the preservation of order, and granting
permits for those not members, .... 22
1 The same committee to take care of burial grounds, 22, 23
2 Unnecessary display and expenditures advised against, 23
3 A pause before and after a corpse is put into the ground, 23
4 Not to affix monuments to graves, . . .23, 24
4 What marks may be placed at graves, . . .23, 24
5 Records of births and deaths to be kept, and a com-'
mittee appointed once in three years to correct it, 24
6 Form of recording births and burials, . . 25
BOOKS,  26
1 Oversight of writings vested in the Representative Com
mittee, and none to be published without its advice, 26
2 To discourage the reading of plays, romances and
novels, or other pernicious books, . . .26, 27
BURIALS, (See Births and Burials) .... 22
CERTIFICATES,  27
1 For traveling Friends, to be returned, and all to be re
corded  • . . . . 27, 28
2 To consult experienced Friends previous to making a
change of residence,  28
3 Certificates of removal may be accepted, provided the
parties live within the limits of said Monthly Meet
ing, unless in circumstances to require aid, . 29
4 Certificates to be sent after such as have removed with
out applying for them,  29,30
4 How to proceed when conduct, previous to removal,
requires the attention of the Monthly Meeting, . 30
5 Parents or guardians to apply for certificates for minors, 30
6 Persons coming amongst Friends without certificates,
and of disorderly conduct, to be treated with, 30, 31
7 Certificates to be seasonably forwarded direct to the
meetings to which they are addressed, . . 31

INDEX. 153
Page.
See meeting of Ministers and Elders, Art 11, . . 81,82
See concerning Marriage, Art. 7, 8, . . . . 58
CHARITY AND UNITY,  32
CHILDREN, (See Parents and Children,) 94
CIVIL GOVERNMENT, ...... 33
1 Liberty of Conscience to be maintained inviolate, 33
1 Election to offices or stations, cautioned against, 83
2 Those to be treated with who accept any office incon
sistent with our religious principles, . . 33, 34
3 To avoid excited political controversies, or giving just
occasion of offence to those in authority, . . 34
CLERKS, (See Discipline, Art 14,) .... 50
CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION, ... 35
1 Immoralities to be testified against, ... 35
2 Blasphemy and denial of the Divinity of Christ, testi
fied against, .... . 35, 36
3 Strict justice to be observed in our dealings, . 36
4 No encouragement to be given to fortune-tellers, &c.j 37
4 Vain and ostentatious processions of Free-masons, &c,
inconsistent with our religious profession, . 37
5 Minute of advice and caution, .... 38
5 Caution against the indulgence of passion, . . 38
CONVINCED PERSONS,  38
1 Order prescribed for receiving persons into member
ship,  38, 39
2 Cautioned against too early receiving members, . 39
CRUELTY TOWARDS ANIMALS, (See 5,) . . 38
DAYS AND TIMES,  40
1 Reasons for not observing them, (See Appendix B,) 40, 41
2 Gratitude for favors received, .... 41
3 Friends to be found worshiping in the inner temple, 42
DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION, ... 42
1 Gospel order held up to view, . . . . 42, 43
2 Persons guilty of detraction to be admonished, . 43
3 Reporters and tale-bearers to be dealt with, . 43
14

154 INDEX. Page.
DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE, 44
(See Introduction.)
1, 2, 3 Origin of Discipline,  3,4
4 Extent of censure against offenders, ... 5
5 Subordination of Meetings for Discipline, . . 5
6 An acquaintance with the letter of Discipline insuffi
cient,  5, 6
7 Spirit of wisdom and charity essential in its exercise, 6
8 Early instruction in the nature of our Discipline re
commended,  6, 7
1 Attendance of them been found beneficial, . . 44
2 Connection and subordination of Meetings for Disci
pline,  44
3 Meetings set up and laid down by consent of Superior
Meetings,  45
4 A meeting for worship consisting of members of two
or more Monthly Meetings, . . . . 45, 46
5 When Preparative Meetings may be discontinued, 46
6 Minutes of the business of meetings to be kept in books
provided for the purpose, . . . . 46, 47
6 Monthly Meetings should apply to Quarterly Meetings
in difficult cases,  47
7 Copies of minutes or records may be granted to meet
ings,  47
8 Discretionary power in Meetings granting copies of
minutes to individuals,  47
9 When any transgress, they should be admonished in
the spirit of love,  47
10 Offenders not to sit in Meetings for Discipline, . 48
11 Representatives to be appointed to attend Monthly,
Quarterly and Yearly Meetings, ... 48
11 Representatives should be punctual in attendance, 48, 49
12 Accounts of Sufferings to be forwarded to Quarterly
Meetings, and to the Representative Committee, 49
13 Children not members, unless both parents are, at the
time of their birth,  49

INDEX.

155

Page. 50
50

14 Clerks to be seasonably changed,
15 Use and design of Preparative Meetings,
16 Those who withdraw from us and support other relig
ious organizations,  50
17 Members absenting themselves without reason may be
discontinued,
DIVERSIONS, ....
ELDERS, (See Ministers and Elders, )
FAMILY VISITS,
ENMITY, (xSIse Charity and Unity,)
GAMING, (See Conduct, xyc.,) .
GENERAL ADVICES, following Queries,
GOVERNMENT, (See Civil Government,)
INDIAN AND AFRICAN RACES, .
JOINT BUSINESS MEETINGS MAY BE HELD,
(See par. 5,)
LAW, (See Arbitration, Art. 6,)
LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE, (See Civil Government,
LOTTERIES, (See Conduct, $c.,)
MARRIAGES 
1 Not to be inconsiderately entered into,
2, 3, 4, 5 Disastrous consequences when the parties are
not united in their religious views, . 55, 56, 57
6 Divine counsel to be waited for previous to entering
into marriage engagements 
7, 8 Mode of proceeding in marriage,
9 Marriages not permitted sooner than one year after
decease of former husband or wife,
10 No former misdemeanor to be urged against the par
ties on the occasion, .....
11 Moderation and orderly deportment to be observed
on the occasion,  59, 60
11 Marriage certificate to be recorded, (Alsopp. 66 ant? 69, ) 60
12, 13 Parents to exercise a religious care in preventing
their children from improper marriage connections," 60
14 to 19 Mode of proceeding in marriage, 61 62, 63, 64

,51 51
51 76
533235
114 3354
4619 33
35 55
55

156

INDEX.

Page.
20 Form of certificate,  64, 65
21 Mode of proceeding when a member accomplishes
marriage without the approbation of the Monthly
Meeting, (See Appendix A,) .... 66
21 Mode of proceeding when one party is a member, 66
(See also par. 24, pages 68, 69.)
22 When by a paid Minister, . . . . 66, 67
23 Marriages of first cousins not permitted, . . 67,68
MEETING HOUSES— (See Property and Cash Funds,) 107, 108
MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP,  69
1 The object of the institution of these meetings, . 69,70
2 Exhortation to diligence in their attendance, . 70, 71
3 Disorderly conduct to be reproved, ... 71
4 Children and others under care of Friends, to be en
couraged to attend these meetings, ... 72
MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE, (See Discipline,) . 44
MEMBERSHIP— Increase and decrease of, . . 28
(See Certificates, par. 1,)  28
MEMORIALS,  73
MINISTRY,  74
1 Free Gospel Ministry,  74, 75
Testimony against a paid Ministry, ... 75
MINISTERS AND ELDERS,  76
1, 2, 3 Advice to Ministers and Elders, . . 76, 77, 78
4 Public opposition to approved ministers disallowed, 78
5 Monthly Meetings to appoint Elders of each sex, 78, 79
6 Elders to hold office three years from the time of their
appointment, or until their successors are appointed, 79
6 Manner of appointing Elders, .... 79
7 Information to be given to the Quarterly Meeting of
Ministers and Elders, when an Elder is released, 79
8 Ministers to be excused from Committees appointed to
choose Elders,  • 79
9 Certificates of removal not to convey the right of Elder
ship, but the division of a Monthly Meeting does not
render their reappointment necessary, . . 7g: 80

INDEX. 15V
Page.
10 Manner of proceeding in regard to such as frequently
appear in our religious meetings, . . 80, 81
10 Ministers who feel it a duty to travel, must lay their
concern before men's and women's Monthly Meeting, 81
11 No Minister to appoint meetings without the consent
of the Monthly Meeting, or the Elders, . . 81, 82
12 No Minister to pay a general visit without the consent
of the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, . . 82
13 When certificates are granted to friends concerned to
travel in the service of the ministry, due care is to
be taken that such be suitably provided for, . 82
14 Preparative meeting of Ministers and Elders, . 83
15 Quarterly meeting of Ministers and Elders, . . 83,84
15 Yearly meeting of Ministers and Elders, . . 83, 84
16 No meeting of Ministers and Elders in anywise to
interfere with the business of any Meeting for Disci
pline,  84
17 Traveling companions of Ministers may sit iu Meetings
for Ministers and Elders,  84, 85
18 Manner of procedure in cases of unfaithfulness, or when
Ministers and Elders become subjects of uneasiness, 85, 86
MINORITY MEMBERS, (See Discipline, $c., par. 13,) t 49, 50
MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE, 86
1 Vain ambition inconsistent with the truth, . . 86, 87
2 To abstain from the unnecessary use of intoxicating
liquors,  87, 88
3 Those who use or are engaged in the traffic of intox
icating liquors may be disowned, . . .88, 89
OATHS,  90
1 Testimony against oaths, founded on the principle of
Eternal Truth, '.  90
2, 3 Also held up to view by Scripture testimony, 90, 91
4 Violation of this testimony to be testified against, 91
5 Recommendation respecting witnesses to instruments
of writing,  91
OFFICERS IN GOVERNMENT, (See Civil Government,) 33

158 INDEX. Page.
OPPRESSION, (See Indian and African Races.) . 54,55
OVERSEERS, .  92
1 Their service and duty,  92, 93
2 Appointment of a Committee once in three years to
consider the propriety of changing them, . 93
PARENTS AND CHILDREN,  94
1 Importance to youth of a religious education, . 94
2 Parents to be good examples, and guard them from the
perusal of pernicious books, and from licentious
diversions,  95, 96
3, 4 Exhortation to Children, . . . . 96, 97
5 Youth exhorted to avoid ensnaring corruptions, . 97, 98
6 Parents indulging children in extravagance, . 98
PLAINNESS,  99
1 Moderation, simplicity and utility, a leading motive, 99
2 Some Scripture passages in support of our conduct in
these respects,  99
3 Important to maintain more than the form of Godli
ness,  100
4 We differ from the world in many respects, . 101
5 The origin of applying the plural number, &c, 101, 102
6 Names of heathen' deities, &c, inconsistent with the
form of sound words, . . . 102, 103
7 Maintenance of our testimonies, and not taking off the ¦
hat in order to express our respect to man, 103, 104
8 Exhorted to manifest plainness and simplicity in their
speech and deportment,  104
9 And that they do not mar their testimony by varying
their language according to their company, 104, 105
POOR,  105
1 Advice and assistance to be afforded them, &c, . 105
PROPERTY AND CASH FUNDS, .... 107
1 Necessity for a cash fund,  107
2 Monthly and Preparative Meetings to raise and keep
a fund,  107
3 Titles to real estate to be properly vested, and evi
dences of same to be deposited in a safe place, 107, 108

INDEX.

159

Page.
QUERIES,  109
1 Their object,  109
1, 2, 3, 4 When and how read and answered, 109, 110
QUERIES FOR MEETING OF MINISTERS AND
ELDERS,  116, 117
Advices to Ministers and Elders, . . . 118,119
REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE, ... 120
1 Its History, and how constituted, . . . 120
1 How its members are appointed, . . . 120, 121
2 To keep full minutes of proceedings, . . . 121
3 Twelve to constitute a quorum, .... 121
4 Not to interfere in matters of faith or discipline, . 121
5 To represent the Yearly Meeting, generally, . 121
6 To have charge of all official writings or publica
tions,  121, 122
7, 8, 9 To inspect titles to lands, &c, receive memorials
and to receive official reports of Sufferings, &c, 122
10 To correspond with similar bodies of other Yearly
Meetings,  122
11 Approved Ministers aud members of other similar
bodies may sit with them, .... 122
REMOVAL'S, (See Certificates,) . . 28,29,30,31

RESIGNATIONS, 
SCHOOLS,  124,
SCRIPTURES, 
STOCK, (See Property and Cash Funds,)
TAVERNS, 
TExVlPERANCE, (See Moderation and Temperance,)
TESTIMONIES of Denial and Acknowledgment,
1, 2 To be in writing and to be specific, . 128,
3 Disowned, members who desire to be again received,
not to be required to particularize the matter for
which they feve been disowned,
4 Such may make application to the Monthly Meeting,
within the limits of which they at the time reside,

123 125126 107
127 86
128129

129

129

160 INDEX. Page.
4 Inquiry to be made of the monthly meeting which dis
owned them,  I30
5 When members are to be disowned, they are to be in
formed that a testimony is about to be issued against
them,  130
See Marriage, Art. 21,  ¦ 66
TIMES, (See Days and Times,)  40
TOBACCO— Cultivation and use of, advised against, . 89
(See par. 3.)
TRADE  131
1 General Advices,  131
2 Engagements to be within our means and strictly ful
filled, . . . ... . . 131, 132
3 Hazardous enterprises to be avoided, . . . 132
4 Friends are advised frequently to inspect the state of
their affairs, and to live within the bounds of their
circumstances,  133
5 Members withholding a just debt to be treated with.
Also when they apprehend themselves unable to com
ply with their engagements, they should call their
creditors together and submit to their advice, 133
6 If such manifest an honest intention, and are willing
to' surrender their property to their creditors without
preference, let compassion, and aid be extended to
them as brethren,  133, 134
7 Such as apparently are living beyond their means to
be cautioned, and labor extended as may appear
necessary,  134, 135
8 Assignees or trustees to be inquired of, . . 135
8 Overseers required to report all failures, * . 135
9 Subscriptions not to be received from insolvent mem
bers,  136
9 Should such afterward become able to p^ their debts,
they are to be required to do so, . . . 136
10 Assignees or trustees to act faithfully, . . 136
11 Caution against raising and circulating a paper credit, 137

INDEX. 161
Page.
12 Joint securities cautioned against, . . . 137
13 Friends advised to seek and wait for Divine counsel
in all their engagements  137, 138
14 Cautioned not to desire great things, . . 138
UNITY, (See Charity and Unity, ) .... 32
WAR,  139
1 Exhortation to maintain this testimony, . . 139
2 Overplus of distraint not to be received unless in the
same articles taken  139, 140
3 Furnishing wagons, &c, a military service, . 140
4 Viewing military operations, or joining with party
spirit, advised against, .... 140, 141
5 Business connected with war to be avoided, 141, 142
6 Taxes for warlike purposes not to be paid, . . 142
7 Exhortation to cultivate peace, and live in harmony
one with another  142, 143
WILLS,  143
1 General advice in relation to them, . . 143, 144
2 Competent persons to be employed to draw them, 144
3 Executors and trustees admonished to be faithful in
the discharge of their duties, .... 144
WOMEN'S MEETING, (See Administration of Discipline,) 13

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