even in the smallest degree, unwarrantable. We are careful in requiring our members not to be concerned in illicit trade, nor in any manner to defraud the revenue.

It is well known that the society, from its first appearance, has disused those names of the months and days, which having been given in honour of the heroes or false gods of the heathen, originated in their flattery or superstition; and also the custom of speaking to a single person in the plural number, as having likewise arisen from motives of adulation. Compliments, superfluity of apparel, of furniture, and of provision for the table, outward shows of rejoicing and mourning, and the observation of days and times, we esteem to be incompatable with the simplicity of a Christian life; and public diversions, gaming, and other vain amusements of the world, we cannot but condemn. They are a waste of that time which is given us for nobler purposes; and divert the attention of the mind from the sober duties of life, and from the reproofs of instruction, by which we are guided to an everlasting inheritance.

To conclude, although we have exhibited the several tenets, which distinguish our religious society, as objects of our belief; yet we are sensible that a true and living faith is not produced in the mind of man by his own effort; but is the free gift of God in Christ Jesus, nourished and

* Eph. ii, 8.

increased by the progressive operation of his Spirit in our hearts, and our proportionate obedience. Therefore, although for the preservation of the testimonies given us to bear, and for the peace and good order of the society, we deem it necessary that those who are admitted into membership with us, should be previously convinced of those doctrines which we esteem essential; yet we require no formal subscription to any articles, either as a condition of membership, or a qualification for the service of the church. We prefer judging of men by their fruits, and depending on the aid of Him, who, by his prophet, hath promised to be "for a spirit of Judgment to him that sitteth in judgment."+ Without this, there is a danger of receiving numbers into outward communion, without any addition to that spiritual sheepfold, whereof our blessed Lord declared himself to be both the door and the shepherd; that is, of such as know his voice, and follow him in the paths of obedience.

* John, vii. 17. + Isaiah, xxviii. 6. ‡ John, x. 7. 11.

CHAPTER III.

Discipline.

Purposes and fundamental rule of Discipline.Meetings for conducting it.—Monthly Meetings. Poor. Convinced persons. Certificates of Removal. Overseers.-Mode of dealing with Offenders.-Arbitration.-Marriages. Births and Burials.-Quarterly Meetings.-Queries. Appeals.-The Yearly Meeting.-Women's Meetings.-Meetings of Ministers and Elders. Certificates to Ministers.-Meeting for SufferingsConclusion.

THE purposes which our discipline hath chiefly in view, are, the relief of the poor, the maintenance of good order, the support of the testimonies which we believe it is our duty to bear to the world, and the help and recovery of such as are overtaken in faults:-in a few words, the promotion of piety and charity.

In the practice of discipline, we think it indispensable that the order recommended by Christ himself be invariably observed: "If thy brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee,

Mat. xviii 15 17.

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."

To effect the salutary purposes of discipline, meetings were appointed, at an early period of the society, which, from the times of their being held, were called Quarterly-meetings. It was afterwards found expedient to divide the districts of those meetings, and to meet more frequently; from whence arose Monthly-meetings, subordinate to those held quarterly. At length, in 1669,† a Yearly-meeting was established, to superintend, assist, and provide rules for, the whole: previously to which, general meetings had been occasionally held.

A Monthly-meeting is usually composed of several particular congregations, (e) situated within a convenient distance from each other. Its business is to provide for the subsistence of the poor, and for the education of their offspring; to judge of the sincerity and fitness of persons appearing to be convinced of the religious principles of the society, and desiring to be admitted into member

* Fox, 390. + Sewel, 485.

(e) Where this is the case, it is usual for the members of each congregation to form what is called a Preparativemeeting, because its business is to prepare whatever may occur among themselves, to be laid before the Monthly meeting.

ship; (f) to excite due attention to the discharge of religious and moral duty; and to deal with disorderly members. Monthly-meetings also grant to such of their members as remove into other Monthly-meetings, certificates of their membership and conduct; without which they cannot gain membership in such meetings. Each Monthlymeeting is required to appoint certain persons, under the name of overseers, who are to take care that the rules of our discipline be put in practice; and when any case of complaint, or disorderly conduct, comes to their knowledge, to see that private admonition, agreeably to the gospel rule beforementioned, be given, previously to its being laid before the Monthly-meeting.

When a case is introduced to the Monthly-meeting, it is usual for a small committee to be appointed to visit the offender, in order to endeavour to convince him of his error, and induce him to forsake and condemn (g) it. Time is allowed to judge of the effect of this labour of love, and if needful the visit is repeated. If the endeavours prove successful, the person is by minute declared

(f) On an application of this kind, a small committee is appointed to visit the party, and report to the Monthlymeeting; which is directed by our rules not to admit any into membership, without allowing a seasonable time to consider of their conduct.

(g) This is generally done by a written acknowledgement, signed by the offender.