USA > Indiana > Discipline of the Society of Friends, Indiana Yearly meeting, 1878 > Part 3
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DECLARATIONS OF FAITH.
ed to impart to the souls of such as are humble in his sight, and approach his holy presence with reverence and fear.
May the faith of our dear friends be increased in the immediate teaching of the Comforter, remem- bering the Savior's declaration, "He shall take of mine and shall show it unto you." But let not any think that because their meetings have been usually held in silence, therefore they are to go on from meeting to meeting, never expecting anything else. The true worshipper is he who is resigned to every intimation of the Divine will ; not prejudging the counsels of his Lord, nor allowing any habits or fears of his own to bring him under a bondage wherein the word of the Lord can neither have free course nor be glorified. A self-imposed silence in man's will may be no less formal or hurtful than words wanting fitness or power.
And finally, Friends, collectively and individ- ually, may all our meetings be held as in the im- mediate presence of the Head of the Church; may the aged among us be examples of every Christian virtue, and evince by the calmness of their even- ing, that their day has been blest ; may the middle- aged not faint in their stations ; but together with their elder and younger brethren, firmly support, yea, exalt the several testimonies which we are called to maintain. And, may the beloved youth early and cheerfully submit themselves to the yoke of Christ, that each, standing in his allot- ment, the harmony of the building may be pre- 3
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served, and we truly grow up into a holy temple for the Lord.
It is further directed, that Friends keep their children, and such (members) as are under their care, to a constant, seasonable, and orderly attend- ance of all our religious meetings, instructing them to wait upon the Lord, that they may, by the help of the Holy Spirit, be engaged in heart and mind to walk worthy of His grace, and become dedicated witnesses for Him among men.
PRAYER.
Ask, and it shall be given unto you ; seek and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Matt., vii. 7.
We do esteem it a duty incumbent on us to pray with and for, to teach, instruct, and admonish those in and belonging to our families. G. Fox's Epis., 1671.
We continue to believe that our disuse of set forms of prayer is founded on a correct view of the spirit- ual nature of the Gospel dispensation. At the same time we are persuaded, that all who have a just sense of the value of their immortal souls, and of their own great need of help from above, must re- joice with thankfulness, in knowing and in feeling that they may pray unto our Father who is in Heaven. Oh! then that every one may, with a sincere and believing heart, and with reverentialawe, approach the throne of Grace, trusting in the media- tion of Him through whom we have access by one
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Spirit unto the Father. Let none be discouraged from the performance of this duty by a sense of their transgressions ; but in humility and sincere repentance, let them implore the forgiveness of God, who, as they thus come before Him, will supply all their need. And if there be any who, if they deal honestly with their own hearts, must acknowledge that they do not pray, may these deeply reflect upon the danger of their situation, and be alarmed at the great loss which they sustain, and avail them- selves of the high privilege of drawing nigh unto God, and partaking of the assurance that He will draw nigh unto them. (1828, P. E.)
May we all draw nigh unto God in prayer-ask the assistance of His grace to help in time of need- and look unto Him as our merciful Father, who is in Heaven; assuredly believing that, as He is ap- proached in reverence and faith, He will graciously answer our petitions, and supply all our need, in and through Jesus Christ. As this sacred duty, so forcibly enjoined in Holy Scripture, is correctly un- derstood and performed aright, parents will become so sensible of its great value to themselves, that they will feel the importance of turning thereto the attention of their beloved children; and as they seek for wisdom and strength to act rightly herein, they will be assisted by Him to whom they should desire that they and their children may be wholly dedicated. (1830, P. E.)
Under the solemn conviction that whatever be our circumstances in life, or our position in the church, prayer is, in the Divine appointment, es-
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sential to our spiritual health, we would earnestly press upon all to seek for opportunities in the course of each day for private retirement and waiting upon the Lord, and tenderly to cherish those precious, but often gentle and easily resisted motions of the Lord's Spirit, which would contrite and humble our hearts, and draw them forth in fervent petitions for that spiritual food which can alone supply our daily, our continual need. May none among us be living in a state of unconcern, insensible to the righteous judgment of God upon all that is unholy ; their sins, unrepented of and unforgiven, still rest- ing on their souls ; rather let them be encouraged to come in deep humiliation to the mercy seat, there to plead for pardon and plenteous redemption, in the all-availing name of our crucified Redeemer. How precious for us all is the assurance "that we have a great High Priest that is passed into the Heavens, Jesus, the Son of God," one who is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities," and in whose holy name we are invited to " come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (1854, P. E.)
We have ever believed in prayer, both silent and vocal. We should cultivate the habit of frequently turning the mind to God in prayer and praise, breathing our secret desires and aspirations unto Him. This should be done not only when we are apart from others, but also, in the midst of our or- dinary engagements.
Vocal prayer we believe to be a part of the public
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DECLARATIONS OF FAITH.
worship of God, when it proceeds from a true sense of God's love in the heart, and arises from the Holy Spirit. Individuals who are not called to the public ministry, if willing and faithful, will frequently be led to vocal prayer in their family circles, and may be at times in meetings for divine worship. We would affectionately but earnestly advise all our members when they feel a sense of their unworthiness and need, to hesitate not to give utterance to the desire of their hearts unto God before their families ; or when filled with a sense of his goodness and mercy, to return unto him publicly the tribute of thanksgiving and praise. A more frequent practice of this kind would refresh and strengthen our spirits, and advance our growth in holiness, and would tend to lead our children and those around us, to follow us as we follow Christ.
ON THE OBSERVANCE OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.
The observance of a day for worship and rest is traced back to the time of the Creation, when it is said, " And on the seventh day God ended His work, which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His works, which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanc- tified it." We feel ourselves religiously bound to observe the Spirit of the Fourth Commandment, and to regard one day in seven as a day of rest and devotion; and since in accordance with the prac- tice of the Apostles and early church, Christians,
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DECLARATIONS OF FAITH.
by common consent, have set apart for religious services the day of the week upon which our Savior rose from the dead, our members are advised to lay aside all avocations of a temporal nature, and devote the time to the important duties of the day, and in accordance with its sacred associations. This observance is of so much importance to the preservation of piety and virtue, and the neglect of it so evidently marked with irreligion, and fre- quently with immorality, that every reasonable consideration recommends a faithful maintenance of this duty, as affording an opportunity which many could not otherwise obtain of receiving religious instruction and improvement, and of publicly worshipping our Heavenly Father. We, therefore, earnestly advise all our members to avoid unprofitably passing their time on this day of the week, either in listless idleness, or in indulging improperly in mere social pastime, but rather de- voting themselves to such reading, conversation and meditation as will most advance their spiritual welfare.
SECTION II.
MORAL DUTIES.
OATHS.
BELIEVING, as we do, that the command of Christ, " Swear not at all," reiterated by the Apostle James, is imperative, we are bound religiously to obey it.
And when any of our members, either in courts or elsewhere, violate it, either by taking or admin- istering oaths, Monthly Meetings are desired to extend brotherly labor toward them; and if they can not be prevailed upon to give the necessary satisfaction, to testify their disunity with them.
WAR.
War conflicts with, and is a violation of, the teachings of the Gospel of Christ, which breathes peace on earth and good will to men. It is entirely incompatible with the commands of our Savior, " Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you." Obedience to the principles, precepts, and injunc- tions of our Holy Redeemer forbids all participa- tion in war; and it is the duty of the Christian to bear a faithful testimony against it. It is, there- fore, affectionately enjoined on the members of our
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Society, to demean themselves on all occasions in a Christian and peaceable manner ; demonstrating to the world that they are uniform in profession and practice. Friends are earnestly advised not to unite with any, directly or indirectly, in a way calculated to promote the spirit of war, or which may encourage or strengthen them therein; to avoid engaging in any business tending to promote war, or to receive any profits derived from the sale of military or naval supplies, underwriting on armed vessels, or being concerned in any company where such insurance is made, or in shipping, or ordering goods shipped, in armed vessels.
But should members of our Society be so un- mindful of our Christian testimony against war as to bear arms, either publicly or privately, or actively comply with military requisitions ; should they be concerned in warlike preparations, offen- sive or defensive, by sea or land; pay a fine, penalty or tax in lieu of personal service ; deal in prize goods, directly or indirectly ; or be con- cerned in promoting the publication of writings which tend to excite the Spirit of War; they should be tenderly treated with in order to convince them of their error in departing from this dis- tinguishing principle of the Gospel dispensation. If, notwithstanding this Christian care, they con- tinue to disregard our well known testimony against all war, they should be disowned.
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MORAL DUTIES.
SLAVERY.
It has been, and continues to be, the earnest aim of our Society to testify its opposition to the practice of enslaving mankind, and Friends should avoid any act by which the right of slavery is in any way acknowledged.
INTEMPERANCE.
In consideration of the corrupting and ruinous effects caused by the importation, distillation, fer- mentation, and sale of alcoholic liquors, which produce intemperance, and lead to the impoverish- ment of many, the injury of the constitution and minds of many more, and the increase of vice and dissoluteness in the land, it is earnestly desired that none of our members contribute to this great evil by being concerned in importing, distilling or selling alcoholic or fermented liquors, or using them, (except for purposes strictly medicinal or mechan- ical,) or selling their grain or other produce for the purpose of distillation or fermentation.
If any shall so far disregard the concern of the Society and the labor of their friends as to continue in any of these practices, or give way to habits of intemperance from any cause whatever, and cannot be brought to such a sense of their misconduct as to desist from it, they should receive the care of
the overseers. As wine, cider, and all other fer- mented liquors possess intoxicating qualities, their use has more or less tendency to the same evils as the stronger liquors ; Friends should therefore avoid and discourage their use, manufacture, or sale.
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MORAL DUTIES.
We would affectionately advise and entreat all of our members to be careful in the use of intoxicat- ing liquors, even for medicinal purposes, lest the appetite grow upon them, and they be ruined there- by ; or, should they escape themselves, their exam- ple lead to the ruin of others ; and that those who deal in these articles as druggists, for medicinal or mechanical purposes, be careful not to sell to those persons who will be likely to use them as beverages, and thus become a source of stumbling to others. Friends are advised to abstain from the cultivation, sale, or use of tobacco. It is deleterious in its effects, often laying the foundation for serious dis- eases. It is an expensive habit, generally offensive to those not accustomed to it, and frequently leads to other evil practices.
Monthly Meetings are directed to exercise a lov- ing care with respect to the future acknowledgment of ministers, and the appointment to other impor- tant stations, of any who are in the habitual use of tobacco.
Friends are also earnestly advised against the unnecessary use of opium or any of its prepara- tions.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
We have ever maintained that it is our duty to obey all the enactments of civil government, except those by which our allegiance to God is interfered with. We owe much to its blessings; through it, we enjoy liberty and protection, in connection with law and order ; and while bound by our sense
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MORAL DUTIES.
of religious conviction, not to comply with those requisitions which violate our Christian principles, we desire ever to be found of those who are quiet in the land, a condition favorable to true Christian patriotism, and in which services highly valuable and useful may be rendered to the community. (1834.)
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 indis- pensably incumbent upon us to maintain it invio- ably ; 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 compliances against which they are conscientiously scrupulous.
If any person in membership with us, notwith- standing the preceding admonition, shall persist in a conduct so repugnant to our principles, they should be treated with as in other cases of offense ; and if they can not be brought to see and acknowl- edge their error, the Monthly Meeting to which they belong should proceed to testify against them.
Believing, therefore, that we are called to show forth to the world, in life and practice, that the blessed reign of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, is begun, and we doubt not will proceed until it attains its completion in the earth, when according to the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah, "Nation
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MORAL DUTIES.
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more," we can not consistently join with such as form combinations of a hostile nature against any ; much less in opposition to those placed in authority ; nor can we unite with or encourage such as revile or asperse them, for it is written, " Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." Acts, xxiii. 5.
LAW.
If any of our members be complained of for with- holding 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 con- duct; and if any appear unable to satisfy their creditors, and manifest an honest intention, and shall offer their all to their creditors, without pref- erence, let compassion and aid be extended to them as brethren, and objects of Christian charity ; hav- ing 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 composition with, and legal dis- charge from, their creditors may have been obtain- ed. This is, however, not meant to furnish any with a pretext for advancing such claims, while persons so deficient are honestly laboring to retrieve their circumstances, nor until it shall clearly ap- pear to their respective Monthly Meetings, or judi- cious committees thereof, that sufficient ability is
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MORAL DUTIES.
arrived at; when, if they be requested to comply, and persist in refusing, the said meetings shall pro- ceed to disown them.
And it is further directed, that if any members. of our religious Society, disregarding the Gospel order prescribed by our Discipline, shall arrest or sue at law other members (not being under such a necessity so to do as has been explained under arti- cle Arbitration), they, in so doing, do depart from the peaceable principles of which we make profes- sion, and if, on being treated with by the Monthly Meetings to which they belong, they cannot be pre vailed with to withdraw the suit, and pay the costs thereof, they should be disowned.
TRADE.
It being evident that where the manifestations and restraints of the Spirit of Truth are duly prized and regarded, He leads out of a bondage to the spirit of this world, and preserves the minds of His followers from many fettering and disqualifying en- tanglements ; and contrariwise, that an inordinate love and pursuit of worldly riches often betrays those who are captivated by them into many diffi- culties and dangers, to the great obstruction of the work of truth in the heart ; we affectionately desire that the counsel and gracious promise of our bless- ed Redeemer to His followers may be borne in re- membrance by us, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
We are earnestly concerned that the service of
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MORAL DUTIES.
our religious Society may not be obstructed, or its reputation dishonored, by any imprudence of its members in their worldly engagements, and recom- mend to all that they be careful not to venture upon business they do not understand, nor launch into trade beyond their ability, and at the risk of others ; but that they bound their engagements by their means, and when they enter into contracts or agree- ments, whether written or by words, that they en- deavor, on all occasions, strictly to fulfill them, that no occasion of reproach may be given to truth and the Society.
We particularly exhort that none engage in any such concerns as depend upon the deceptive proba- bilities of hazardous enterprises ; but rather con- tent themselves with such a plain and moderate 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 tranquility of mind ob- tained which is inseparable from the right enjoy- ment even of temporal things. And it is advised that when any among us err, or are in danger of erring in these respects, they be faithfully and time- ly admonished.
It is further recommended, that Friends frequent- ly 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 cases of death, that these may not be perplexing to sur- vivors. And whenever any find that they have no
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MORAL DUTIES.
more property left than is sufficient to discharge their just debts, and their circumstances are becom- ing worse, it is advised that they immediately con- sult with some judicious Friends, and, without loss of time, make their circumstances known to their creditors, carefully avoiding the payment of one in preference to another, that so none may be injured, nor any reproach incurred by mismanagement. If any should proceed in trade at the hazard of the means of others, without their knowledge and con- sent, such conduct is reprehensible ; and after hav- ing due care extended, if persisted in, a testimony should be borne against it by disowning them.
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 punc- tuality in fulfilling their contracts, or any other cause, are declining in their circumstances, and likely to fail, it is recommended that such be sea- sonably treated with, and (if it appear requisite) advised to call their creditors together without de- lay ; and if, notwithstanding this advise, such per- sons 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 thereof, and proceed to treat with them according to our rules.
It is directed, that where such failures occur, and the cases are under the care of Monthly Meetings, that the Friends appointed to visit the parties, in- quire of their assignees, or trustees, how their de- ficiencies have happened, and report accordingly.
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And neither Monthly nor other meetings should re- ceive subscriptions, donations, nor bequests, from persons so circumstanced, until they have paid off their deficiencies, or are voluntarily acquitted thereof by their creditors : for it should be remem- bered, that though in such cases the defaulter may have been legally discharged, the property he may afterward acquire is not properly his own, till he has paid off his former debts to the satisfaction of his creditors. Wherefore, we further direct, that if any such person or persons, on being reminded of their duty in this respect, shall refuse to comply therewith, inquiry be made into the reason, and if it be not such as shall satisfy the Monthly Meetings of which they are members, and they can not be prevailed with; the said meetings, after a proper time of labor and forbearance, may issue a testi- mony of denial against them.
We also desire, that when Friends accept the office of assignee, or trustee, they be active in col- lecting the effects of the estate, and punctual and speedy in making distribution.
We further desire that 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 and testators, and that all charitable gifts, legacies, bequests and settlements of estates, by will or deed, intended and given for the use of the poor, the aged, the impotent, or for the education or appren- ticeship of the children of poor Friends, may not be appropriated or converted to any other uses than
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MORAL DUTIES.
such as the donors or testators have directed. A violation herein, being an obvious perversion of justice, offenders in these respects should be dealt with ; and unless they make due satisfaction to the injured parties, and to the meeting to which they belong, should be disowned.
We also caution all in membership with us, to be careful how they enter into securities with others, under the specious plea of rendering acts of kind- ness ; many, by so doing, having been suddenly ruined, and their families reduced to deplorable circumstances. "Be not thou," said the wise man, "one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts : if thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee ?"
It is our desire that Friends may wait for divine counsel in all their engagements, and not suffer their minds to be carried away by an inordinate desire of worldly riches ; remembering the observa- tion of the apostle in his day, and so often sorrow- fully verified in ours : " they that will be rich, fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil : which some having coveted after, have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Tim., vi. 9. 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 liberties repugnant to our religious testimonies, and 4
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sometimes into enterprises, which have terminated in irreparable damage to their temporal affairs, if not an entire neglect of the great work of their souls' salvation.
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