USA > Indiana > Discipline of the Society of Friends, Indiana Yearly meeting, 1878 > Part 6
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2. Do Friends, in their intercourse amongst men, give evidence that they are imbued with the love of Christ ? Do they instruct their children in the principles of the Christian religion, and bring them up to habits of industry and simplicity ; and are they encouraged to the reading and study of the Holy Scriptures ?
3. Are Friends careful in regard to contracting debts and other engagements, so that no discredit or reproach may occur for want of promptness in complying with the same ; and are Friends careful of the reputation of others in every respect ?
4. When any of our members are overtaken in a fault, are timely measures taken to restore them in the spirit of meekness and love ?
The two following queries are to be read and se- riously considered, at least once in the year, by Quarterly, Monthly, and Preparative Meetings, in such order and distribution throughout the year, and otherwise in such manner as may seem to each Meeting most suitable.
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MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
Meetings may at their discretion, have these que- ries, or any of them, read after their Meetings for Worship, whenever it may be thought profitable to do so. No meeting is called upon to answer them :
1. Are your Meetings for Worship occasions of religious solemnity and edification, in which, through Christ, our ever-living High Priest and Intercessor, the Father is worshipped in spirit and in truth ?
2. Do you walk in love, as Christ also hath loved you ? Do you cherish a forgiving spirit ?
GENERAL ADVICES.
It is further directed that in the Preparative and Monthly Meetings, or in such other meetings as the Monthly Meeting may direct, the following ad- vices may be read, with a suitable pause between them, as a means of exciting those present to a consideration, whether there is any occasion for an extension of care in these respects, in relation either to themselves or others :
ADVICES.
Parents and heads of families are earnestly ad- vised to maintain daily family worship. For this purpose let them collect their families and read a portion of the Holy Scriptures, with their minds turned to their Divine Author with prayer that He would apply them to the hearts and understand- ings of themselves and children. They should also seek for divine ability to unite with their families in vocal prayer and praise.
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MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
Take heed, dear friends, we entreat you, to the convictions of the Holy Spirit, who leads, through unfeigned repentance, and living faith in the Son of God, to reconciliation with our Heavenly Father ; and to the blessed hope of eternal life, purchased for us by the one offering of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Be earnestly concerned in religious meetings rev- erently to present yourselves before the Lord, and seek by the help of the Holy Spirit, to worship God through Jesus Christ.
Prize the privilege of access by Him unto the Father.
Continue instant in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.
Be in the frequent practice of waiting upon the Lord in private retirement; honestly examining yourselves as to your growth in grace, and your preparation for the life to come.
Be diligent in the private perusal of the Holy Scriptures ; and let the reading of them in your families be devoutly conducted.
Be careful to make a profitable and religious use of those portions of time on the first day of the week which are not occupied by our meetings for worship.
Live in love as Christian brethren, ready to be helpful to one another, and sympathizing with each other in the trials and afflictions of life.
Watch over one another for good, manifesting an earnest desire that each may possess a well ground- ed hope in Christ.
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MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
Follow peace with all men, desiring the true hap- piness of all ; be kind and liberal to the poor, and endeavor to promote the temporal, moral, and re- ligious well being of your fellow men.
With a tender conscience, in accordance with the precepts of the Gospel, take heed to the limita- tions of the Spirit of Truth in the pursuit of the things of this life.
Maintain a strict integrity in your transactions in trade, and in all your outward concerns.
Guard against the spirit of speculation, and the snare of accumulating wealth. Remember that we must account for the mode of acquiring, as well as for the manner of using, and finally disposing of, our possessions.
Observe simplicity and moderation in your de- portment and attire, in the furniture of your houses, and in your style and manner of living.
Carefully maintain in your own conduct, and en- courage in your families, truthfulness and sincerity ; and avoid worldliness in all its forms.
Guard watchfully against the introduction into your households of publications of a hurtful ten- dency ; and against such companionships, indul- gences and recreations, whether for yourselves or for your children, as may in anywise interfere with a growth in grace.
Avoid such sports and places of diversion as are frivolous or demoralizing ; all kinds of gaming ; the frequenting of public houses and places of idle re- sort, and the use of all intoxicating beverages, and of tobacco and opium.
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In contemplating the engagement of marriage, look principally to that which will help you on your heavenward journey. Pay filial regard to the judg- ment of your parents. Bear in mind the vast im- portance, in such a union, of an accordance in re- ligious principles and practice. Ask counsel of God; desiring above all temporal considerations, that your union may be owned and blessed of Him.
Watch with Christian tenderness over the open- ing minds of your children; inure them to habits of self-restraint and filial obedience ; carefully in- struct them in the knowledge of the Holy Scrip- tures ; and seek for ability to imbue their hearts with the love of their Heavenly Father, their Re- deemer and their Sanctifier.
Finally, dear friends, let your whole conduct and conversation be such as becomes the Gospel. Ex- ercise yourselves to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and man. Be steadfast and faithful in your allegiance and service to your Lord ; continue in His love ; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 1791. 1801. 1833. 1861. 1875.
APPEALS.
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 offered to them, notify the first or second Monthly Meeting following (but no other), of their intention of appealing to the ensuing Quarterly
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MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
Meeting, which notification the Monthly Meeting should enter on its minutes, and appoint four or more Friends, to attend the Quarterly Meeting, with a copy of the proceedings relative to the case, signed by the clerk, to show the reasons whereon that judgment was founded. The Quarterly Meet- ing is then to refer the same to a committee of Friends, noticing the propriety of any objection - made by the appellant against persons thus nomi- nated (omitting those of the Monthly Meeting from which the appeal comes), and to confirm or reverse the said judgment, as on impartial 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 in- form the appellant of the meeting's decision in the case. The committee should give him the infor- mation as soon after the Quarter as is practicable, 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 afterward. The said Quarterly Meeting, after recording such notification, is in like manner to appoint at least three Friends, to attend the Year- ly 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.
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MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE.
ยท Notices of appeals are to be forwarded from sub- ordinate to superior meetings, in the regular reports of such meetings.
All committees in cases of appeals should make written report, and when the judgment is reversed, to state therein the ground upon which their judg- ment is founded.
But when the proceedings of a subordinate meet- ing are nullified in consequence of irregular pro- ceedings, said meeting, or the overseers, should resume the consideration of the offense, if it be such as to require it, and proceed therein accord- ing to gospel.order. .
SECTION IV.
MINISTERS AND ELDERS,
AND THEIR MEETINGS.
We believe that gospel ministry is not of man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Holding it to be a doctrine truly Christian, that the Spirit of God is the foundation of all true knowledge in rela- tion to that duty which we owe to Him, and one to another, we earnestly exhort, that those among us who apprehend that they are called to the ministry of the gospel may, in their public services especial- ly, attend closely to their several and peculiar gifts, waiting for that divine ability by which they may faithfully and availingly minister the Word.
THE MODE OF ACKNOWLEDGING MINISTERS.
When a Friend has frequently appeared in our religious meetings as a minister, and the Prepara- tive Meeting of Ministers and Elders apprehends that it is seasonable, the subject should claim the attention of the Monthly Meeting. The proposition should be forwarded to the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, by which, if united in, it should be transmitted to the Monthly Meeting of which the Friend is a member-and until the ap-
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MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
probation of the Monthly Meeting is obtained, no such Friend is to be permitted to sit in the Meet- ings of Ministers and Elders, unless by consent of that body, nor allowed to travel abroad as a minis- ter. The Monthly Meeting should transmit a copy of its minute to the Preparative Meeting of Minis- ters and Elders; and also forward an account thereof to the Quarterly Meeting, by which it should be sent to the Yearly Meeting.
If any acknowledged minister shall at any time be thought, by negligence, unfaithfulness, or other- wise, to have lost his or her service in that station, so as to become burdensome, and the subject of uneasiness (yet not so as to be under the care of a Meeting of Discipline on that account, or for mis- conduct), it is advised that a timely and tender care be extended to such person, according to Gos- pel order ; first by the individuals concerned, and then by the Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders to which he or she may belong ; should these labors prove unavailing, report of the case should be made by that meeting to the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, where a few Friends should be deputed to assist the said Preparative Meeting, in a further extension of labor with the party ; if this. also prove unavailing, and on report thereof to the said Quarterly Meeting, it appears that the said Preparative Meeting has fully discharged its duty to the individual, the case should then be trans- mitted 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
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MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
from attending any such meetings, until they shall be again recommended, as at first.
LIBERATING MINISTERS FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICE.
When Ministers of the Gospel, of either sex, feel that they are called to travel in the service of the gospel, they must lay the subject before the joint Monthly Meeting of men and women Friends of which they are members, and obtain a certificate of the unity and concurrence of the Meeting, signed by its clerks. And should they desire to visit all the meetings of any Yearly Meeting, they must also present their concern (with the certificate of the Monthly Meeting), to the joint Quarterly Meeting of men and women Friends, and obtain the consent of the Quarterly Meeting, which must be endorsed on the Monthly Meeting's certificate. This certifi- cate is to be returned to these meetings when they have completed the service for which they were liberated.
It is also directed that no Monthly or Quarterly Meetings liberate a minister to make a general visit to the meetings of more than two Yearly Meetings at one time.
SUPPLY OF MINISTRY.
The Yearly Meeting recognizes the blessing to any meeting of a living ministry, and would earn- estly recommend Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, wherein several members exercise ministerial gifts, to consider the needs of Meetings, or companies of
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MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
enquirers who are not so blessed, and take meas- ures to supply such meetings or companies, either temporarily or permanently with ministers, as they may think best ; taking care neither to require too much sacrifice of individuals on the one hand, nor to improperly burden the church on the other.
SUPPORT OF MINISTRY.
We would impress upon the mind of every be- liever the necessity of sharing the burden and sacri- fices attending the fulfilment of the command, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature," being convinced that spiritual poverty will result from the withholding of means needed for the promulgation of the Gospel.
When meetings liberate ministers of the Gospel for any service, they should provide the requisite pecuniary means for their traveling expenses, and, when necessary, provide for the maintenance of their families while engaged in this service. For this purpose Quarterly and Monthly Meetings are directed to form a special fund in each Quarterly and Monthly Meeting to be known as " The Fund for the Spread of the Gospel," and appoint committees to have charge of said Fund, which shall report to their respective meetings, once in the year, the condi- tion of the Fund and the probable amount needed for the ensuing year.
These committees shall also have power, when necessary, to aid such ministers as feel called to devote their time to the work, and as may be lib-
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MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
erated by the Monthly Meetings for services in their own limits.
MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
The ministers and elders of each Monthly Meeting are required to meet once in three months, at such time and place as the Monthly Meeting may direct, and such meeting may at any time be discontinued by the Monthly Meeting in the capacity of a Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders ; when the queries addressed to such meetings are to be read and con- sidered, and answers to them in writing, signed by the clerk, are to be forwarded to the ensuing Quar- terly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, to attend which two or more Friends shall be appointed as representatives ; here also, if, in the course of in- quiry, any deficiency has appeared, care should be taken that it be remedied.
And in the Quarterly Meetings the same queries are also to be read, together with the answers which are brought from their Preparative Meetings. In these meetings the state of the members is to be considered, and where occasion requires it, advice and counsel may be seasonably extended ; and once in the year, those answers comprised in a written report, and signed by the clerk, are to be forwarded to the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, by four or more Friends appointed as repre- sentatives. In this meeting the queries are also to be read, with the answers from the several Quarters, and the state of this part of Society being collected
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MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
and considered, advices adapted thereto may, if requisite, be issued to the Subordinate Meetings of Ministers and Elders. Here all such ministers as apprehend they are required to go in the service of Christ beyond sea, or beyond the limits of the United States of North America, except to the Canadas, New Brunswick, or Nova Scotia, after obtaining a certificate of the concurrence of the Monthly Meeting, indorsed by the Quarterly Meet- ing, are to communicate their prospects of duty relative thereto, and produce the said certificates ; and if, upon consideration, the same are united with by the said Meeting of Ministers and Elders, a certificate thereof, signed by the clerk, should be granted.
None of the said Meetings of Ministers and Elders are in any wise to interfere with the busi- ness of any Meeting for Discipline; nor is the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders to suffer its adjournments to interfere with the sittings of the Yearly Meeting for Discipline.
When a Monthly Meeting is divided, should there not be a sufficient number of ministers and elders to compose a Meeting within each of those Monthly Meetings, the members of both shall continue to compose one Preparative Meeting, until the number shall be sufficient to compose two.
QUERIES FOR MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
The Yearly Meeting requires that the follow- ing three queries, formed for the use of the Meet-
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MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
ings of Ministers and Elders, be read and consid- ered three times in the year, by each Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders, and that they be answered in writing by the Preparatives to their Quarterly Meetings next preceding the Yearly Meet- ing of Ministers and Elders ; and by the Quarterly Meetings to the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders :
1. Are you engaged to watch unto prayer, that you may yourselves be preserved in humble de- pendence on Christ, and in earnest religious exer- cise for the conversion of sinners, and for the edify- ing of the body in the faith and hope of the gospel ?
2. Do you hold scriptural views on Christian doctrine, and are you concerned to occupy the spiritual gifts entrusted to you faithfully, and to the honor of God ?
3. Are you careful to rule your own houses well ; and do you endeavor by example and precept to train up your families to a religious life and con- versation consistent with our Christian profession ?
ADVICES TO MEMBERS OF MEETINGS FOR MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
Be constant in your endeavors, through the pow- er of the Holy Spirit, to live under the government of Christ.
Be frequent in reading and diligent in meditating upon the Holy Scriptures, and be careful not to misquote or misapply them. In preaching, writing, or conversing about the things of God, keep to the use of sound words, or scripture terms.
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MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
Be careful to adorn the doctrine of God our Sav- ior in all things ; keep yourselves unspotted from the world, and be examples of meekness, temper- ance, patience, and charity.
Be watchful not to become entangled with the cares of this world ; and guard against the snare of accumulating wealth; manifesting Christian mod- eration and contentment in all things.
Cherish a deep religious interest on behalf of those who speak in the ministry ; watching over the young and inexperienced with tender Christian con- cern, encouraging all in the right way of the Lord.
In the exercise of the ministry wait for the re- newed putting forth of the Holy Spirit; be careful not to exceed the measure of your gift, but proceed and conclude in the life and authority of the Gospel.
Preach, not yourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; reverently asking wisdom of God, that you may be enabled rightly to divide the word of truth. Let nothing be done or offered with a view to pop- ularity, but all in humility and in the fear of the Lord. Bearing in mind that the treasure is in earthen vessels, beware of laying stress on the au- thority of your ministry.
Be tender at all times of each other's reputation, and watchful lest you hurt each other's service.
As servants of the same Lord, with diversities of gifts, but the same spirit, maintain a lively exercise harmoniously to labor for the spreading and ad- vancement of the truth.
Let ministers endeavor to express themselves audibly and distinctly, and guard against all tones
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MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
and gestures inconsistent with Christian simplicity. Let them beware of using unnecessary preambles, and of making additions toward the conclusion of a meeting, when it was left well before.
When traveling in the service of Christ, be care- ful to move under His guidance. Let your visits. be neither short and hurried, nor burdensome, nor unnecessarily expensive ; giving no offence in any- thing, that the ministry be not blamed.
Prayer, thanksgiving, and praise are an import- ant part of worship. May they be offered in spirit and in truth, with a right understanding, seasoned with grace. When engaged therein, avoid many words and repetitions ; be cautious of too often re- peating the high and holy name of God; neither let prayer be in a formal and customary way, nor without a reverent sense of Divine influence.
Finally, dear friends, take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock amongst whom you have been called to labor. Befaithful ; be patient ; bein earnest to fulfill your appointed service, that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear ye may receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1775. 1792. 1833. 1861. 1876.
ELDERS.
Monthly Meetings are advised to appoint some serious, discreet and judicious Friends, of each sex, who are not ministers, tenderly to encourage and help young ministers, and advise others as they in the wisdom of God see occasion. (1727.)
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MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
Such as will fulfill the apostolic injunction, "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly ; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ex- amples to the flock." 1 Peter, v. 2, 3.
Monthly Meetings are directed to appoint a com- mittee once in three years, whose duty it shall be carefully to consider this subject, and propose to the Monthly Meetings such individuals as they may think suitable to be appointed to or retained in that station. The Monthly Meeting shall, in joint ses- sion of men and women, consider their report and act upon it, according to its judgment.
If any Monthly Meeting shall at any time desire the assistance of the Quarterly Meeting in this appointment, it may forward a request to that ef- fect, and the Quarterly Meeting shall then appoint a Committee to assist said Monthly Meeting.
If any Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders shall at any time deem it desirable, it may suggest to the Monthly Meeting the name of a Friend to be appointed to the station of an elder. The Monthly Meeting shall act on such proposition as in its judgment may seem right.
Information of the appointment of elders is to be conveyed to the Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders, as from the period of their appoint- ment they become members of that meeting (1784, 1796) ; and by that meeting to the Quarterly Meet- ing of Ministers and Elders.
Monthly Meetings are at liberty at any time
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MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
after the exercise of due care and admonition, to displace such elders as appear to be either incom- petent or unfaithful. (1772, 1776, 1801.)
In the appointment of elders, age or wealth is not to be an inducement in the choice ; but let such be appointed as fear God, love His truth in sinceri- ty, are sound in Christian faith and doctrine, and are of clean hands (1761) ; and they should be dili- gent readers of the Holy Scriptures; and not only religiously concerned for the advancement of the cause of Christ and the support of our Disci- pline, but should manifest the same by their works, and be such as would faithfully discharge the trust confided to them. (1861.)
We earnestly desire that ministers and elders may be mutually useful to each other, and act as nursing fathers and mothers in the church, that they may be of those who love the Lord, and will " Feed His lambs," who are "vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach," " One that ruleth well his own house, having his children. in subjection with all gravity." 1 Tim., iii. 2, 4. And especially that they advise, admonish, and en- courage those who are young in the ministry, in tender and Christian spirit; nourishing that which is right, and discouraging every thing that is unbe- coming the ministry. (1736.)
ADVICE RELATIVE TO MINISTERS.
If any, in the course of their ministry, shall mis- apply or draw unsound inferences, or wrong con-
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MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
clusions from the text, or shall misbehave them- selves in point of conduct or conversation, let them be admonished in love and tenderness, by the elders or overseers where they live; and if they prove re- fractory, and refuse to acknowledge their faults, they must be further treated with, in the wisdom of truth, as the case may require.
As the occasion of our religious meetings is sol- emn, a care should be maintained to guard against anything that would tend to disorder or confusion therein. When any think they have aught against what is publicly delivered, they should speak to the party privately ; and if any shall oppose a Friend, 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 per- son against whom the uneasiness is expressed has been disapproved by the Monthly Meeting.
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