USA > Indiana > Discipline of the Society of Friends, Indiana Yearly meeting, 1878 > Part 4
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We do not condemn industry; we believe it to be not only praiseworthy, but indispensable; it is the desire of great things, and the engrossment of the time and attention, from which we desire that our dear Friends may be preserved. We doubtless owe duties to ourselves, and our families, but do we not owe even ourselves to our all-wise, all protect- ing and provident Creator ?
It is our earnest concern that in all our dealings and transactions among men, strict justice may be observed, and that no motives of pecuniary interest may induce any of our members to impose upon each other, or upon any with whom they may have commercial intercourse; and it is directed that Monthly Meetings be careful to extend suitable ad- monition against all deviations in these respects, for the help and recovery of delinquents ; and as it is obvious that there can be no just pretensions to religious rectitude, without a conformity to moral justice, Monthly Meetings are authorized to disown those who will not be reclaimed by their brotherly endeavors in these respects.
CHRISTIAN SIMPLICITY.
In accordance with Gospel teaching, Friends should bear a faithful testimony against all extrava- gance, as it is the result of, and fosters pride. Sowing to the flesh is incompatible with the health
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of the Christian, or his growth in grace. Bondage to the changing customs of the world in regard to dress is none the less burthensome because it is self-imposed. Let comfort, convenience, and utility be considered, rather than the useless and expensive fashions of the time.
We earnestly advise all to consider the simplicity that the Gospel enjoins, and to manifest in their dress, furniture of their houses, manner of living, and general deportment, that their affections are not set on things of earth, but, that they are fol- lowing Him who is " Holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners."
A due regard to Christian simplicity should in- fluence us in our intercourse with all men; we should be examples of the believers in word, and in conversation, "Let your speech be always with grace."
MODERATION.
The Christian, comprehending the relation exist- ing between the things of time and eternity, has his mind directed toward an enduring inheritance, and his affections placed on things above. His treasure being in heaven, his heart is there also. This leads to the exercise of due moderation in the use of the things of this life. A defection from this simplicity of heart and heavenly-mindedness begets many imaginary wants ; to gratify these some have been induced to enter into a larger extension of trade than they had the ability to conduct, and have frequently ended in failures and bankruptcies.
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Friends are earnestly desired to have a care over their children, that they may not form habits of extravagance, and of expending money in the un- due gratification of real wants ; or the gratification of supposed ones. Such extravagances usually increase with years, and frequently lead to dishon- esty. We would lovingly remind our members that we are stewards of the Lord, entrusted with His means, which it is our duty to use in modera- tion in our dress, furniture, houses, and the satis- fying of our wants and desires as servants that must give an account of our stewardship.
Meekness, moderation, and mercy, being among the distinguishing traits of the Christian character, we desire to caution our members against the indul- gence of passion, or the exercise of cruelty even toward the brute creation, which a beneficent Providence has made subservient to our comfort and convenience.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT.
Where any transgress the rules of our Discipline, they should, without partiality, be admonished, and sought in Christian love and charity, so that it may be seen by all, that the restoring dispositions of meekness and Christian affection abound, before church censure takes place; that a gospel spirit is the spring and motive of all our performances, as well in discipline as in worship.
If any of our members deny the Deity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the immediate revel-
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ation of the Holy Spirit, or the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures, as it will be thereby manifested that they are not one in faith with us, the Monthly Meetings where they belong, after earnest and Christian labor, as in other cases of offense, for their reclamation, without effect, shall issue a tes- timony of disownment against them.
Friends are not to attend theatrical exhibitions, horse races, balls, dances, or other vain sports or amusements. They are not to be concerned in lotteries, or practice any kind of gambling, or par- ticipate in anything which, in its character or associations, has an injurious or demoralizing tendency.
Nor apply to those called jugglers, or fortune- tellers, or to those who, by pretending to any art or skill whatever, profess a knowledge of future events, hidden transactions, or where anything lost or stolen may be found. Nor are they to use or pre- tend to such art or skill.
Nor should they be guilty of lying, cursing, swearing, drunkenness, or any other scandalous or immoral practice.
Should any indulge in any of these practices, they should receive the tender care and admonition of the overseers, and, if they cannot be reclaimed, the meeting should proceed to disown them.
It is also directed that those who come late to meetings, or, when there, fall asleep or are restless, or leave the meeting unnecessarily, or otherwise demean themselves unbecoming our holy profes- sion, on these solemn occasions, be tenderly treated
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with and seasonably admonished. Friends should pay early attention, in the love of the Gospel, to such as neglect their duty in attending our Meet- ings for Worship. A willful neglect in this impor- tant duty being a manifest evidence of ingratitude to the divine author of all our mercies, and con- trary to the practice of the primitive believers in Christ, it is our judgment that Monthly Meetings, after having fully discharged their duty toward such, and finding their endeavors to reclaim them ineffectual, are at liberty to disown them.
TESTIMONIALS OF DISOWNMENTS AND ACKNOWLEDG- MENTS.
It is directed that offenders who incline to make acknowledgment of their offenses, shall prepare the same in writing, which ought to be offered to the committee appointed in their case. And if the purport is judged to be suitable to the occasion, the committee is to present it to the Monthly Meeting for its action. The meeting is then to consider the case, and inform the party of the result.
In all cases when a Monthly Meeting apprehends itself under a necessity to disown a member, such member, if his or her situation will admit of it, should be previously informed thereof; and when a testimony of disownment is issued against such individual, a copy thereof should be retained on the minutes of the Monthly Meeting, and one offered to the party testified against, where it is practicable to be done.
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In order that the men's and women's meetings may act in unity and equality, as to receiving and disowning members, it is directed that when either meeting shall have come to a judgment to disown a member, the other shall be consulted, and they may appoint joint committees in the case, if it should be thought best, before a testimony of dis- ownment is issued. And when a testimonial is adopted in one meeting, it should be sent to the other for concurrence and signing.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
We would affectionately and earnestly advise all our members against connecting themselves with any secret societies, although they may appear to be for the promotion of good objects, believing that their tendency is evil, and that they are calculated to lead from a dependence upon Christ and the Christian religion, and frequently into practical infidelity.
If any of our members should so far depart from our Christian views and principles as to take a secret oath or participate in the vain and ostenta- tious shows and public processions accompanied with music, badges, and other insignia of such societies, which we believe to be unbecoming a Christian, they are to be treated with, and if not brought to a sense of their error, to be disowned.
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UNITY AND DETRACTION.
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalm, cxxxiii. 1.
Where any hath received offense from another, let him first speak privately to the party concerned, and endeavor reconciliation between themselves ; and not to whisper, or aggravate matters against them, behind their backs, to the widening of the breach. 1692.
Anonymous books, pamphlets, and papers, reflect- ing darkly on Friends, are testified against ; and it is desired that no such book, pamphlet, or paper, be written, printed, published, or privately handed about, by any under our profession. 1718.
If you hear a report of a Friend to his disadvan- tage, be careful not to report it again, but go to the person of whom the report is, and inquire if. it be true or not; and if it be true, then deal with such person for it, according to the doctrine of Christ; but if it be false, then endeavor, as much as in you lies, to stop such report. 1719.
It is our earnest desire that a spirit of love and humility may more and more diffuse itself among us, and influence the hearts of all, so that every one may come to seek peace, and pursue it; and that none be apt to take offense, but each in his own particular, be more careful to rectify his own failings and imperfections, than curious in observ- ing, censuring, and aggravating those of others. This will lead to the exercise of mutual forbear- ance and forgiveness one of another ; by which the
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occasions of contention will be avoided, and the churches preserved in a state of peace and tran- quility. 1736.
" Charity," saith the Apostle, " hopeth all things." It divulges not the faults of others, because, in its unbounded hope, it desires their removal without exposure. For the mind in which it dwells ascribes its own preservation, and the cleansing of its former sins, to the unbounded love of God in Christ Jesus, and it prays that all may partake of the same benefit. How opposite that disposition which delights to report evil, and to accuse ! Shun it, dear Friends, as the poison of asps. The sacred writings emphatically denominate the grand adver- sary of mankind by the name of "accuser of the brethren." "Follow," therefore, "peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness spring- ing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." 1804.
In view then of the great excellence of Christian charity, and that without this virtue we are but as " sounding brass or a tinkling symbol," it is advised that, where any shall manifest a want thereof, by stirring up dissensions, or circulating slanderous reports, or by the indulgence of implacable resent- ment, overseers, and others concerned for the sup- port of our Christian testimonies, timely and tenderly apprise them of the danger to which they expose themselves, and exhort them earnestly to cultivate a feeling of love and forgiveness, becom-
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ing the character of those who have embraced the covenant of mercy. And if any, after due labor and care, can not be brought to a sense of their error, they should be proceeded with according to our order in other cases of offense, and testified against.
Should any offenders in these respects, shelter themselves under a pretense that they say no more than they have heard from others, but refuse to discover who those are, such should, in like manner, be treated with as tale-bearers, and testi- fied against.
And if any of our members shall print or publish any writing which shall have a tendency to excite disunity and discord, such persons should be com- plained of to the Monthly Meeting to which they belong, and if they can not be convinced of the impropriety of their conduct, and condemn the same, to the satisfaction of said meeting, they should be disowned, as opposed to the peace and good order of Society.
ARBITRATIONS.
When differences arise between our members in regard to their property, they are to proceed in the following manner :
The party who thinks himself or herself ag- grieved, 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
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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 par- ties 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 determination.
Should this proposal be acceded to, and arbitra- tors 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 hear- ing, 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, such person so offending, should be complained of, or treated with ; and if the brotherly endeavors and admonition of Society, fail to pro- duce a conformity to justice in the case, the Monthly Meeting should proceed to disown the offender, unless such person make it evident to the satisfaction of the meeting, that the award or pro- ceedings have been erroneous or unjust. In which case the matter in dispute may be referred to the
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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 subject not be carried forward as a com- plaint, 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 ap- pointed to examine the grounds of the complaint ; and should it be made appear that the award is erro- neous or unjust (but not otherwise), another trial may be granted before the same or other arbitra- tors, 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 determina- tion, the Monthly Meeting to which he or she be- longs 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 help- ful 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 respect-
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ing the case ; or, having heard anything in regard to it, remain as much as possible unbiased thereby. They should reject no evidence or witness proposed ; nor receive any, but in the presence of both par- ties ; and, in their award, they need not assign any reason for their determination.
And, whereas, there may be some circumstances even in disputed matters, wherein the foregoing equitable mode of proceeding can not be complied with : such as, first, the party absconding, or leav- ing 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 ex- cused such as shall appear to them really necessi- tated to proceed at law.
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 re- quire a reference, they are to advise a speedy settlement thereof; which being ineffectual, and the complainant remaining dissatisfied therewith,
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he may have liberty to inform the Preparative Meeting, where the other party is a member (with- out mentioning 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 ques- tion is to be finally determined whether the dispute ought to be submitted to referees, or the complaint dismissed.
It is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting that Friends should not employ those members who oc- cupy the station of minister as arbitrators wher the matter in dispute is of a secular nature.
ADVICE TO PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
As next to our own souls, our children are the very immediate objects of our care and concern, we impress on all who are parents and governors of families, the great and lasting importance to the youth of a religious education. This would lead them to be solicitous that their tender and suscep- tible minds may be impressed with virtuous princi- ples, and a just sense of the Divine Being, His wis- dom, goodness, power, and omnipresence. They would be concerned to impress them with just sen-
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timents in relation to the vanity and fallacy of transitory enjoyments, directing them to seek after that solid peace and serenity of mind attendant upon true religion, as the pearl of great price.
The importance of an early instruction in the law of God is set forth with peculiar strength, clear- ness, and solemnity in Deut., vi. 4 to 9: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart, and thou shalt teach them dili- gently unto thy children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
It is requisite also that restraint be added to in- struction, it being much easier, as well as more prudent, to exercise it upon the first appearance of an inclination to dangerous or hurtful liberties, than afterward; for where children, through the prevalence of fond affection, have been accustomed to improper indulgences, when they are grown to such a degree of ripeness, that the exertion of au- thority has become absolutely necessary, the strength of their passions so habituated, has often proved unconquerable, or very difficult to overcome, to the great hurt of the unhappy youth, and the unspeakable grief of the imprudently indulgent parents.
We know that virtue does not descend by lineal succession, nor piety by inheritance ; yet we trust
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that the Almighty graciously regards the sincere en- deavors of those parents whose early and unremit- ting care is over their offspring for good. Be ye, therefore, examples to them in your meetings, your families, and employments. Keep them, while young, out of the vain fashions, the corrupt cus- toms, and unprofitable conversation of the world ; laboring to convince their young and tender minds. of the propriety of restraint, when necessary ; ex- horting them to meekness, and commanding in wis- dom. And, as they advance in age, guard them against the reading of plays, romances, and other publications of a nature prejudicial to the promo- tion of Christianity; likewise against public pas- times and pernicious diversions ; all which have a tendency to draw the incautious mind from a sense of religious duty, to bring it into a state of aliena- tion from the divine life, and to deprive it of that inexpressible comfort and delight attendant upon the daily exercise of religion and virtue.
In much love to the rising generation, we exhort them to avoid the many vanities and ensnaring cor- ruptions to which they are exposed. Bear in mind, dear youth, that "the fear of the Lord is the begin- ning of wisdom." Take advice of godly parents, guardians, and friends : ever remembering that children ought to obey their parents in the Lord, and that disobedience therein is a breach of the moral law, and is always offensive in the divine sight.
It is considered incumbent on parents and heads of families to prevent, as much as possible, all those
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under their direction from perusing those pernicious publications which are written for the purpose of weakening the authority of the Christian religion, or exciting doubts concerning the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures, and those saving truths de- clared in them ; lest the immature and feeble minds of such should be poisoned thereby, and a founda- tion laid for the greatest evils. It is also enjoined on all 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 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.
Friends are advised to procure for their families instructive and suitable books, so that they may be well provided for.
We tenderly and earnestly encourage all our members to the individual, private devotional read- ing, and to the prayerful study of the Holy Scrip- tures. As such a practice becomes habitual, they will more and more understand the experience of the Psalmist, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste, yea sweeter than honey unto my mouth."
No less do we earnestly advise and exhort all parents and heads of families to instruct their chil: dren and others under their care in the doctrines and precepts of the Christian religion as contained therein.
We are also concerned to recommend the study of the Holy Scriptures in our schools ; believing that
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such a practice would have a tendency not only to advance the literary improvement of our children, but would also contribute in no small degree to the formation of sound principles, and to their preserv- ation in the ways of righteousness.
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SECTION III.
MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE,
AND RULES CONCERNING THEM.
The connection and subordination of our Meetings for Discipline are thus : Preparative Meetings are accountable to the Monthly ; Monthly to the Quar- terly ; and Quarterly to the Yearly Meeting ; so that if the Yearly Meeting be at any time dissatisfied with the proceedings of any subordinate meeting, or a Quarterly Meeting with the proceedings of any of its Montlily Meetings, or a Monthly Meeting with the proceedings of any of its Preparative Meetings, such meetings ought, with readiness and meekness, to render accounts thereof when required ; and cor- rect or expunge any of their minutes according to the direction of the superior meeting.
No Quarterly Meeting should be set up or laid down, without the consent of the Yearly Meeting ; no Monthly Meeting without the consent of the Quarterly Meeting ; nor any Preparative or other meeting for business, until application to the Monthly Meeting be first made; and when there approved, the consent of the Quarterly Meeting be also obtained. Also, no Meeting for Worship, in- tended to consist of Friends belonging to two or more Monthly Meetings, shall be established until
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the proposal be offered to, and approved by, those Monthly Meetings, and the consent of their respect- ive Quarterly Meeting or Meetings be obtained ; when the meeting proposed is opened, it should be attended by a few Friends deputed by each of the said Monthly Meetings. And if at any time it be thought expedient that a Preparative Meeting should be held at the same place, the consent of the said Monthly and Quarterly Meetings should be in like manner applied for and obtained ; and the Prepara- tive Meeting should be annexed to any of those Monthly Meetings, as may appear most likely to conduce to the benefit and convenience of the in- lividuals who compose it, and the advantage of So- ciety.
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