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THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF INDIANA YEARLY MEETING 1838
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PUBLIC LIBRARY FORT WAYNE &' ALLEN AN INH.
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02551 7175
Gc 977.2 So11DB v. 1 SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, . ..
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MAY 1 5 1942
THE
DISCIPLINE
OF THE
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS,
OF
INDIANA YEARLY MEETING,
REVISED BY THE MEETING
1
HELD AT WHITE WATER, IN THE YEAR 1838, AND PRINTED BY DIRECTION OF THE SAME. - -
1
V.i
CINCINNATI: A. PUGH, PR., CORNER FIFTH AND MAIN ST. 1839.
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
11
1
Aun 1 8 1042
510765
INDEX.
Page,
ADVICES-General, . 79 To Ministers and Elders,- 81
APPEALS-General rules respecting,. 13
Manner of proceeding with females, ..
14
Subordinate meetings may assume the consideration of offences, after their proceedings may have been decided to be irregular, ·· 14
6.
ARBITRATIONS -- General rules for conducting,-
14
Parties to enter into bond,-
15
Parties refusing to abide award should be complained of, 15 Rules for second reference,- 16
Legal advice to be taken at joint expense of the parties, when necessary,. 16
Cases where resort to law may be admissible, viz. those in which absconding debtors, bankrupts, executors, ad- ministrators, and trustees are concerned,- 17
Proceedings where reference is unnecessary,.
17
Friends in the ministry not to be chosen as arbitrators,- 18 BIRTHS AND DEATHS-Two members to be appointed to attend funerals, 18
Proposals for meetings at funerals to be submitted to the elders and overseers,. .. 18
Two or more Friends to be appointed to the care of burying grounds, 19
Burying grounds to be kept enclosed and in decent order,- 19
Records of births and deaths to be kept,. 19 Forms,- 20
BLASPHEMY AND PROFANITY, 26
BOOKS,-Meeting for Sufferings to examine all writings which relate to our religious principles, .. 20
Heads of families to prevent the perusal of pernicious publications, -. ..... 20
Plays, romances, and novels, to be suppressed, ...
21
iv.
INDEX.
Page.
CERTIFICATES,-Form of a certificate of removal, 97
Form of a marriage certificate, ..... 41
Those for travelling Friends to be recorded and seasona- bly returned, .. 21
Those for residents to be lodged with the Monthly Meeting, 21
A record of all certificates issued, to be kept .. 21
Monthly Meetings should send certificates where mem- bers remove without them, .- 22
Proceedings where offenders remove, ... 22
Proceedings where females remove,- 23
Proceedings when apprentices or mitiors remove,. 23
Disorderly persons appearing as members-how to be treated with,- 23
Certificates the property of Monthly Meetings, 24
CHARITY AND UNITY,- 24
CIVIL GOVERNMENT .- Members exhorted to decline offices, the duties of which may be inconsistent with our reli- gious principles, - 24
Proceedings with those who do not, .. 25
CLERKS .-- Annual appointment of, .. 96
CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION .- Proceedings with any who may be guilty of lying, drunkenness, swearing,
cursing, and other immoral or scandalous practices, ... 26
Blasphemy and profanity, and denial of the divinity of Christ,- 26
Justice in dealings to be strictly observed,. 26
CONVINCED PERSONS .- Rule of admission to membership, 27 In cases of females, 28
CURSING, .. 26
DAYS AND TIMES,. 28
DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION, 30
DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE, 31
Admonition to be extended to those who break the Disci-
pline, ... 31
Connexion and subordination of meetings, 31
Rules for setting up and laying down meetings,- 31
Fair records of proceedings to be kept, ... 32
Monthly Meetings should apply to Quarters for assistance
in matters too weighty or difficult for them to determine, 32
INDEX.
V. Page. Copies of minutes, &c. to be granted where requested by another Quarterly or Monthly Meeting, 33 The same may be granted or refused to individuals. 33 Offenders not to sit in meetings for discipline after the charge is entered, until the case is determined, - 33
Meetings for discipline to be kept select, 33
Representatives to be appointed by Monthly Meetings to Quarter, -. 33
Reports to be sent up signed by the Clerk, 33
Reasons for non-attendance to be forwarded, 33 Representatives not to withdraw without leave, 34
Account of sufferings to be kept, ... 34
The same to be annually forwarded to Quarter, and
thence to the Meeting for Sufferings,. 34
Jugglers, Fortune- Tellers, and such like,- 34
Clerks -- a committee + be annually appointed to nomi- nate, - 34
Preparative meetings to forward complaints and other business seasonably, 35
DIVINITY OF CHRIST, . 26
DRUNKENNESS, 26
DANCING, 35
DIVORCES .-- None to be permitted, 42
FREEMASONS, 35
FEASTS AND HOLYDAYS, 29
FORTUNE-TELLERS, 34
GAMING AND DIVERSIONS, 35
HORSE RACES,-
35
HIRELING MINISTERS, ... 75
IMMORAL AND SCANDALOUS PRACTICES, 26
JUSTICE, . 26
JUGGLERS, 34
LAW, .. 36
Members withholding debt to be urged to payment,- 36
Rules for insolvency, .... 36
Insolvent debtors should pay if they should ever after become able, 36
Members not to be sued contrary to Discipline, 37
LYING,. .... 26
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vi.
INDEX.
Page. 37
MARRIAGES,
Certificates of clearness to be obtained where marriage is
to be accomplished in another Monthly Meeting,. 37 Consent of parents or guardians to be obtained,. 38 No marriage is to be allowed sooner than a year after the decease of a former wife or husband,. 38
No grounds to be furnished for evil reports, &c .. 38
Unnecessary expense at entertainments and large com- panies discouraged, .. 38
Members are not to attend marriages performed by a priest, or contrary to our order, .. 39
Nor are they to consent to their childrens' being present, 39
General rules for the accomplishment of marriage, 39
In case of a widow, having children,. 40
Marriage certificate, 41
No divorces permitted, ... 42
Marriages of persons too near akin to be prevented,. 42
Parents and guardians to be dealt with who promote mar- riages contrary to our order, - 43
MEETING HOUSES, ... 46
MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE TO BE KEPT SELECT, - 33 MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS, ... 47
How constituted and when to be held,. 47
Rules of its business, . 47
What matters it may take cognizance of,· 48
Approved Ministers, &c. to have a seat, 49
MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP,- 49
Those who conduct disorderly in such meetings, or neglect to attend, should be treated with, .. 49
MINISTERS AND ELDERS, and their meetings,. 52
Rules for the appointment of Elders,. 54
Elders not to remain such after removal, .. 55
Rules for recommending Ministers,. 55
Rules for liberating Ministers to travel, .. 56
Ministers not to appoint meetings beyond their Quarterly Meeting, without leave, 56
No meeting of Ministers and Elders to interfere with the business of any meeting for Discipline, nor with the sittings of the Yearly Meeting, 58
INDEX.
vii. Page.
Treatment of unfaithful Ministers, 58
MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE, .... 58
Rules respecting the use, &c. of ardent spirits, 60
MUSIC, -
35
NEGROES AND SLAVES, 60
OATHS,
64
OFFENDERS not to sit in meetings for Discipline,
33
OVERSEERS,
65
PARENTS AND CHILDREN, ..
66
Vain and extravagant fashions, &c. to be avoided, 69
PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS, 70
POOR,.
74
Women to inspect and relieve the wants of their own sex, 75
PRIEST'S WAGES, - 75
PREPARATIVE MEETINGS to forward complaints seasona- bly, 35
PRIZE GOODS, . 92
QUERIES,-General, 76
Annual, -.
78
For Ministers and Elders,
80
REPRESENTATIVES,
33
REPORTS, 33
SCHOOLS, -
81
SUFFERINGS,-Account of, to be kept, 34
SCRIPTURES,
82
STOCK,- 83
STAGE PLAYS, 35
SWEARING,- 26
TAVERNS, .
83
TESTIFICATION,- Form of-
97
TESTIMONIES OF DENIAL AND ACKNOWLEDG-
MENTS,
84
TALE-BEARING,
30
TRADE,
86
Accounts should be kept clear and accurate, .... 88
One creditor not to be paid in preference to another, .. 88
Creditors should be called together, where failure is pro- bable, ····· 88
Subscriptions, donations, or bequests not to be received
viii,
INDEX.
Page. from insolvent persons, previously to the payment of
their just debts .. 89
Assignees and Trustees should be prompt in their action,
89
WAR, 91
Rules respecting distraints, furnishing conveyance for military stores, &c .. 91
Tax for purchasing drums, &c. cannot be paid, .... 92
Attending at military operations, or joining with political devices, to be avoided, 92
Also the purchasing or selling of prize goods, ... 92
No fines, penalties, or taxes, to be paid instead of person-
al services about war, either directly or indirectly, .. 93
WILLS, .. 94
YEARLY MEETING, .. 95
The time of holding, 95
Representatives to meet and choose a clerk, 96
Communications from other sources except usual corres- pondents, to be examined by a nomination, - . .......... 96
INTRODUCTION.
In the morning of the gospel day, the apostles and disciples found it necessary to meet together for the consolation and strength one of another; when, pur- suant to the nature and design of the gospel, which brought 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.
And as it hath pleased the great Head of the Church, to gather us a people to himself, and to in- spire us with degrees of the same universal love and good will, by which was ushered in the dispensation of the gospel, we are engaged not only to meet together for the worship of God, but also for the exercise of a christian care over each other, for the preservation of all in unity of faith and practice, answerable to the description which He, the ever blessed shepherd, gave of his flock, "by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John xiii. 35.
For this important end, and as an exterior hedge of preservation to us, against the many temptations and dangers to which we are exposed, the following rules, which have been occasionally 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 a conduct subversive of its order, or repugnant to the testimonies with which we believe we are entrusted for the promotion of truth and righteousness, it becomes our indispensa- ble duty to treat with such in christian meekness
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INTRODUCTION.
and brotherly compassion, without unnecessary de- lay or improper exposure; according to the direc- tion of our Lord to his church, "if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault, be- tween thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained a 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. chap. xviii. 15, 16, 17.
This is the extent of the censure of the society against irreclaimable offenders, and whilst we dis- own them from being members of our religious com- munity, it is recommended to be done in such a disposition of mind, as may convince them, that we sincerely desire their recovery and restoration. From the right exercise hereof, we believe no de- gree of persecution or imposition can be justly inferred; for the imposition rests on the part of those who (as has sometimes happened) insist on being retained as members, whilst at open variance with our religious body, either in principle or practice.
For the more regular and effectual support of the order of the society, it will be observed, that besides the usual meetings for the purpose of divine worship, others for the exercise of our Discipline are insti- tuted, subordinate to each other; all of which are either immediately or remotely accountable to the Yearly Meeting. These meetings have distinct allotments of service, and experience has abundantly shown, that when this service is attended to in up- rightness 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.
3 1833 02551 7175
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INTRODUCTION.
Although this code of Discipline is printed for the use of our own society, yet should it meet the public eye, it is not doubted but the serious and candid reader will observe throughout the whole, the earnest endeavors of the Yearly Meeting for the promotion of virtue and religion.
And whilst we earnestly recommend this work to the notice and regard of Friends, we are not without a clear prospect that an acquaintance with the letter of our Discipline, will be insufficient to produce the desired effect, unless, in the exercise thereof, we are careful to move and act under the immediate influ- ence of the spirit of Christ, in the pure love of the gospel.
May we therefore, in our meetings for the exer- cise 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 patience and condescension towards each other, and being preserved in fellow- ship agreeably to the declaration of our Lord, " One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren," a qualification will be experienced in our several stations and movements to build up one another in that faith which works by love, to the purifying of the heart.
Nor can we conclude, without desiring in an es- pecial manner, that our youth of the present and succeeding generations may be early and fully instructed in our religious principles, and in the nature and design of our Christian Discipline; and through divine assistance be enabled to adorn our holy profession by a conversation and conduct con- sistent with godliness and honesty ; thereby avoiding the reproach which many, through a defection in principle, or a degeneracy in practice, have brought, both upon themselves and the religious body of which they profess to be members.
THE DISCIPLINE
OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, OF INDIANA YEARLY MEETING.
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APPEALS.
Whilst the Yearly meeting, in granting the liberty of an appeal, considers it as a precious privilege, it is affectionately desired that all may be careful how they encourage persons of improper dispositions to trouble superior meetings therewith.
If any be dissatisfied with, or think themselves aggrieved by the judgment of a Monthly meeting, they may, after a copy of the testimony of disown- ment 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 minutes, and appoint four or more Friends, to attend the Quarterly meeting, with copies of the proceedings relative to the case, signed by the clerk, there to shew the reasons whereon that judgment was founded. The Quar- terly meeting is then to refer the same to a solid committee of Friends, noticing the propriety of any objection made by the appellant against persons thus nominated, (omitting those of the Monthly. meeting from which the appeal comes,) and to confirm or reverse the said judgment, as on im- partial examination, shall appear to be right.
When the Quarterly meeting's committee report their judgment, and the meeting is satisfied there- with, then a committee should be appointed to inform the appellant of the meeting's decision in
2
14
ARBITRATIONS.
the case. The committee should give him the Information as soon after the Quarter as is practica- ble, and report to next meeting; and if the appellant is dissatisfied with the meeting's decision, he may notify the first or second Quarterly meeting after he receives such information, of his further inten- tion of appealing to the Yearly meeting, but not afterwards. 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 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 meetings.
In all cases of appeals, in which a female is an appellant, the notice should be first given to the women's meeting, and by them forwarded to the men's, and the business afterwards conducted by joint committees of men and women Friends ; the report of which united committee, is to be made to each meeting, and the women's meeting, having considered the same, are to convey their sense thereon to the men's meeting, where the subject should be considered and finally settled.
But when the proceedings of a subordinate meeting are nullified in consequence of irregular proceedings, said meeting, or the overseers shall be at liberty to resume the consideration of the offence, and to proceed therein, according to gospel order.
ARBITRATIONS.
When differences arise between our members in regard to their property, they are to proceed in the following manner :
15
ARBITRATIONS.
The party who thinks him or herself aggrieved, should in the first place, calmly and kindly, 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 or she may authorize, should take with him one or two of the overseers, or other discreet Friends, and in their presence repeat the demand.
If this step also 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.
Should this proposal be acceded to, and arbitrators accordingly chosen; they ought as speedily as circumstances will admit, to appoint a time and place, and attend to the business without unneces- sary delay ; giving the parties a fair and full hearing, in the presence of each other, but listening to neither of them apart, nor suffering their own sentiments to be known abroad, till they have fully digested the subject, and come to a clear decision ; which they should be careful to do within the time agreed on.
But if either of the parties refuse to submit the matter in dispute, to arbitrators ; or, when that is done, neglect to give his or her 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 complained of to the Monthly meeting of which he or she is a member ; and if the brotherly endeavors and admonition of society in this capacity, fail to produce a conformity to justice in the case, the said meeting should proceed to disown the offender, unless such person make it evident to the satisfac- tion of the meeting, that the award or proceedings have been erroneous or unjust. In which case,
16
ARBITRATIONS.
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. Or should either party be dissatisfied with the award, and the sub- ject not be carried forward as a complaint, the party so dissatisfied, may apply to the Monthly meeting of which the other party is a member, for the privilege of another arbitration. In which case, a judicious committee should be appointed to examine the grounds of the complaint; and should it be made appear that the award is erroneous or unjust, (but not otherwise,) another trial may be granted before the same or other arbitrators, at the discretion of the meeting, for a final decision.
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 deter- mination, the Monthly meeting to which he or she belongs, should proceed to issue a testimony against the person so refusing.
Where 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 the 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 appointment, and be helpful in conciliating the minds of the parties, they ought not to consider themselves as advocates for those by whom they are chosen, but as men whose duty it is to judge righteously, fearing the Lord. They should shun all previous information respecting the case; or, having heard any thing in regard to it, remain as much as possible unbiased thereby. They should reject no evidence or witness pro- posed ; nor receive any, but in the presence of both parties; and, in their award, they need not assign any reason for their determination.
And whereas there may be some circumstances
17
ARBITRATIONS.
even in disputed matters, wherein the foregoing equitable mode of proceeding cannot be complied with; such as, first, the party absconding, or leaving the country with design to defraud his or her creditors ; or, second, apparent danger of bank- ruptcy, or being overloaded with debts, and other creditors generally coming on, which would occa- sion manifest damage to the claimant, by the time it would take in pursuing the above method; or, third, where there may be danger of damage, as in case of executors, administrators, or trustees : it may therefore be necessary, and it is directed, that the Monthly meetings where such cases happen, and on due inquiry appear truly so, do hold excused such as shall in the two first mentioned cases in this paragraph, appear to them really necessiated to proceed at law ; and in the latter case, of executors, administrators, 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, that the parties on both sides, behave towards each other in brotherly love, decency, and moderation, without anger or animosity ; which will be a becoming testimony, even in courts, and show that nothing but the nature of the case, and our station in common with others, under the laws of the land, take any of us there.
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, being decidedly of opinion that the case does not require a reference, they are to advise a speedy settlement thereof; which being ineffectual, and the com- plainant remaining dissatisfied therewith, he may have liberty to inform the Preparative meeting, 2*
1
BIRTHS AND DEATHS.
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where the other party is a member, (without men- tioning any name,) that having a matter in dispute with one of their members, he is desirous of their assistance in order to a settlement thereof. The said meeting is then to appoint a committee who are to give such advice and assistance in the case as they may apprehend necessary, but should they concur with the overseers, that a reference would not be proper, the complainant may have the privilege of requesting the assistance of the Monthly meeting, in like manner, where the question is to be finally determined whether the dispute ought to be submitted to referees, or the complaint dismissed.
It is the desire of the Yearly meeting, that our members differing on account of worldly affairs, do avoid as much as possible to engage Friends in the ministry as arbitrators in such cases.
BIRTHS AND DEATHS.
Two or more suitable Friends of each particular meeting, should be appointed by Monthly meetings to attend at the funerals of our members, for the assistance of those concerned, and to see that good order is observed.
In order that meetings may not be held at the interment of our deceased members, in a formal way, or as a customary circumstance, the proposal for holding any such meeting, should be previously submitted to the consideration of the elders and overseers, (or other solid Friends,) either of the meeting to which the deceased belonged, or of that within the compass of which the interment is to take place; that the direction of truth may be waited for and followed.
And to prevent the introduction of improper interments amongst us-two or more Friends should be appointed by Monthly or Preparative
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BIRTHS AND DEATHS.
meetings, (as the case may require,) to the care of our several burying grounds, and that no person who was not a member be buried therein, without a written permit, signed by one or two of those Friends; who should take care that such interment comport with our plain order : also that our burial grounds be properly enclosed and kept in decent order.
It is further desired, as becoming the solemnity 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 iufluence of an occasion so awful, may have its proper effect upon the minds of those who are present.
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