USA > Indiana > Discipline of the Society of friends, of Indiana Yearly Meeting, 1854 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
- Society, they may be received, upon their application, in the same manner as convinced persons who had not before been members.
And if any parents or guardians consent to, or pro- mote the marriage of their children and those under their care, (members of Society,) contrary to our estab- lished order; if after brotherly labor has been extended to them, they cannot be brought to a due sense of their error, and make a satisfactory acknowledgment for the same, Monthly meetings are authorized to disown ! them.
It is further recommended, that parents exercise a i religious care in watching over their children, and endeavor to guard them against improper or unequal connections in marriage : that they be not anxious to obtain for them large portions and settlements, but that they be joined to persons of religious inclinations, suitable dispositions, and diligence in their business; which are necessary to a comfortable life in a married state.
The increase of the breaches of our testimony, in
55
MARRIAGES.
going from amongst us in the weighty engagement of marriage, being, we fear, often for want of due care in parents, and those who have the important charge of educating youth, early to admonish and instruct them in the principles of truth, and impress their minds with the duty of religiously observing them; as much as pos- sible restraining them from such company as will be likely to entangle their affections improperly; we there- fore tenderly exhort Friends in all quarters to increase their care over the youth, that the consistency of our principles in all respects with the nature of true reli- gion, may be impressed on their tender minds, by upright examples, as well as by precepts; and that where there is apparent danger of the affections of any being im- properly entangled, and the care of parents or guard- ians, or those who have the oversight of them, appears not sufficient to prevent their taking imprudent steps in the accomplishment of marriage, care be taken, timely, to apply for the assistance of their Friends.
Marriage being a divine ordinance, and a solemn engagement for term of life, is of great importance to our peace and well-being in this world, and may also prove of no small consequence respecting our state in that which is to come ; yet it is often too inconsiderately entered into, and upon motives inconsistent with the evident intention of that unerring wisdom by which it was primarily ordained: which was for the mutual assistance and comfort of both sexes, in spirituals and temporals, that their endeavors might be united for the education of their children in the nurture and admon- ition of the Lord; and for the discharge of their duty in their various allotments in the world.
Marriage implies union, as well in spiritual as tem- poral concerns. Whilst the parties differ in religion, they stand disunited in the main point; even that which should increase and confirm their mutual happiness, and render them meet-helps and blessings to each other. Where it is otherwise, the reciprocal obligation into which they have entered, becomes their burden; and the more so, as it may not be of a short duration.
56
MEETING HOUSES.
Whatever felicity they might have flattered themselves with in the beginning, they have found themselves dis- appointed of, by the daily uneasiness accompanying their minds, and embittering their enjoyments.
The perplexed situation of the offspring of such alli- ances, is also to be lamented : attached by nature to both parents, their confusion often renders them unfixed in principle, and unsettled in practice ; or if, as is usual, the sons attach themselves to the father, and the daughters to the mother, brothers and sisters are trained up in lines of conduct diverse from, and in some instan ces opposite to each other ; thus differing in principle they are frequently divided in affection, and though so nearly related, are sometimes at the greatest distance from that love and harmony which ought continually to subsist between them.
To prevent falling into these disagreeable and dis- orderly engagements, itis requisite to beware of the paths that lead to them-the sordid interests and en- snaring friendships of the world, the contaminating pleasures and idle pastimes of earthly minds; also the various solicitations and incentives of festivity and dissipation. Let our dear youth likewise avoid the toc frequent and too familiar converse with those from whom may arise a danger of entanglement, by their alluring the passions and drawing the affections after them.
For want of due watchfulness and obedience to the convictions of divine grace in their consciences, many amongst us have wounded their own souls, distressed their friends, injured their families, and done great dis- service to the church, by their unequal connections which have proved an inlet to much degeneracy, and mournfully affected the minds of those who labor under a living concern for the good of all, and the prosperity of truth upon earth.
MEETING HOUSES.
Quarterly and Monthly meetings are directed to
57
MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS.
make timely and careful inspection into the situation of the titles of meeting houses, and burial grounds ; and other estates which have been vested in trustees, and by them held for the use and benefit of the Society at large, or of any of those meetings; so that if it should appear needful, by the death of any such trus- tees, or otherwise, due and seasonable care may be taken to appoint some others to the trust; that future difficulties and the risk of being deprived of such estates may be avoided. And it is further directed that Quarterly and Monthly meetings respectively, as the case may require, keep exact records of all such trusts and conveyances and see that the same be duly recorded in the County Record, as required by law; and also that a clear and regular account be kept by each respective meeting, of the place where, and the per- sons with whom, the papers, minutes, and records be- longing to our religious society, are from time to time deposited; wherein due care should be taken to lodge them with suitable Friends.
MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS.
In order that the Yearly Meeting, with its several branches, might be properly represented, during the recess thereof, a meeting has been instituted by the name of the " Meeting for Sufferings," or Meeting repre- senting the Yearly Meeting in its recess, which is to con- sist of twenty-six Friends, appointed by the Yearly Meeting, and four Friends appointed by each of the Quarterly meetings ; who are to meet at Whitewater meeting house, in Wayne county, Indiana, at three o'clock on Third-day preceding the Yearly Meeting, and at ten o'clock on Fifth-day preceding the first Seventh-day in the Sixth month ; but the said meeting is privileged to sit on its own adjournments, or to call a special meeting whenever four members shall judge it necessary ; and is to be subject to the follow- ing rules :
6
58
MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS.
I. The said meeting shall keep fair minutes of all its proceedings, and annually lay them before the Yearly Meeting.
II. No less number than twelve of the members attending, shall constitute a meeting, capable of trans- acting business.
III. On all occasions of uncommon importance, when a call is made, previous notice thereof shall be given or sent to all the members, if practicable.
IV. In case the decease of any member, or mem- bers, appointed either by the Yearly Meeting, or Quar- terly meetings, should not be immediately supplied- or of any losing their usefulness, or becoming disquali- fied ; or declining or greatly neglecting their atten- dance, the Meeting for Sufferings, should notify said meeting, or meetings, thereof, in order that the places of those may be supplied by new apppointments.
V. The said meeting is not to adopt any article of faith or discipline, which has not been determined by the Yearly Meeting.
The further services confided to the said Meeting for Sufferings are :
1. In general to represent the Yearly Meeting, and to appear on its behalf, in cases where the interest or rep- utation of our religious society may render it needful.
2. To take the oversight and inspection of all writ- ings offered for inspection, proposed to be printed, ex- planatory of our religious principles or testimonies ; and to promote or suppress the same at their discre- tion ; also to print and distribute any writings already published by the Society, or which may be offered for inspection as aforesaid, and approved. And in all cases where expenses are incurred, in the execution of the duties assigned them, they are authorized to draw on the Treasurer of the Yearly Meeting for such sums as may be necessary.
3. To inspect and ascertain titles to lands, or other estates belonging to any of our meetings ; also to at- tend to the appropriation of charitable legacies and
59
MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP.
donations ; or to give such advice respecting the same as may appear necessary.
4. To receive from the several Quarterly meetings their annual accounts of sufferings, and also such Me- morials concering deceased Friends, as those meetings may have concurred in : that when examined and approved, they may be laid before the Yearly Meeting.
5. To extend such advice and assistance, to any in- dividuals under sufferings for our testimonies, as their cases may require ; and, if necessary, to apply to the Government, or persons in authority, on their behalf. 6. To correspond with such other Meetings for Suf- ferings, as are or may be established by any other Yearly Meeting of our religious Society, on the com- mon concerns of the Society.
It is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, that a Monthly or Quarterly meeting, or committee of the Yearly Meeting, should not petition or memorialize Congress, or a Legislature, in the name of the Society, -but that if any necessity require, in any case of emergency, a meeting of the Meeting for Sufferings should be called, to which the subject of petition should be presented, and in the recess of the Yearly Meet- ing, full powers are conferred on the Meeting for Suf- ferings to act, as in their judgment the case may require.
Approved ministers, and members of any other Meeting for Sufferings, corresponding with this, may also be permitted to attend its sittings, when they are so inclined.
MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP.
It is directed that those who come late to meetings, or, when there, fall asleep, or are restless, or do not stay in the meeting, but go forth unnecessarily, or other- wise demean themselves unbecoming our holy profess- ion, on these solemn occasions, be tenderly treated with and seasonably admonished ; and that Friends who
60
MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP.
are exercised in the Discipline, pay early attention, in the love of the gospel, to such as neglect their duty in attending our Meetings for Worship. A wilful ne- glect in this important duty, being a manifest evidence of ingratitude to the divine Author of all our mercies, and contrary to the practice of the primitive believers in Christ, and our religious testimony-it is the judg- ment of the Yearly Meeting, that Monthly meetings, after having fully discharged their duty toward such, and finding their endeavors to reclaim them ineffect- ual, should testify our disunity with them.
It is the fervent concern of the Yearly Meeting, to press upon the consideration of our members, the aw- ful duty of pure and spiritual worship. It is not enough that, after the example of our forefathers, we meet together in one place, in outward silence ; rejecting those forms and ceremonies which were invented by the wisdom of man, as well as that worship which is performed only in his will ; it is not enough that with a commendable diligence, we attend all our religious meetings ; unless also, like them, we wait in humble reverence for spiritual ability to worship acceptably the Lord of Heaven and Earth. May we, therefore, humbly and diligently wait in the spirit of our minds, for the coming of Him who told his disciples, " without me, ye can do nothing ;" that we may experience the in- fluence of His spirit, to enlighten and quicken the soul to a true sight of its condition ; that feeling the spirit of supplication, we may approach the throne of grace ; and under a renewed sense of the Father's mercy and goodness, may be enabled to offer the tribute of wor- ship, and the sacrifice of praise.
This is the important purpose of our assembling to- gether in silence : and though at times there may be amongst us but little instrumental ministry, or even none, let not this produce any abatement of diligence in the duty. Instrumental ministry, in the life and power of the gospel, is a great favor to the church ; but the distinguishing excellence of the christian dis- pensation, is the immediate communication with our
61
MEMORIALS.
Heavenly Father, through the inward revelation of the spirit of Christ. May, therefore, the deportment of our members, while engaged in this most solemn duty, be such as to demonstrate that they are earnest in the great duty of waiting upon, and worshipping God, in spirit; that serious and tender-hearted inquirers may be encouraged to come and partake, in our assem- blies, of that inward and spiritual refreshment and consolation, which the Lord is graciously pleased to impart to the souls of such as are humble in his sight, and approach his holy presence with reverence and fear.
It is further directed, that Friends keep their chil- dren, and such (members) as are under their care, to a constant, seasonable, and orderly attendance of meet- ings, both on First-days, and other days of the week, instructing them agreeably to the ability received, to wait in stillness upon the Lord, that they may receive a portion of his spiritual favor, and from the tendering virtue of his Holy Spirit, may be engaged, in heart and mind, to walk worthy of so great grace and in a holy zeal for his honor, submit to bear the cross, en- dure the shame, and become dedicated witnesses for him among men.
As the appearance of drowsiness in our religious meetings is offensive, and may be a cause of stum- bling to such sober inquirers as come among us, Friends are earnestly exhorted to strive against it, that no ap- pearance thereof may be seen in our assemblies ; and if any give way to it, (as indulgence therein must ne- cessarily have a disqualifying influence,) it is the desire of the Yearly Meeting, that Quarterly, Monthly, and other meetings, be cautious of employing such mem- bers, in the weighty services of Discipline.
MEMORIALS.
To commemorate the lives of the righteous, is a trib- ute due to their memory ; and may prove an incentive to the living to follow after their virtues. If, therefore,
62
MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
any Monthly meeting should, upon solid consideration, believe that it would be profitable to prepare a Memo- rial concerning a deceased member, such Memorial is to be sent to the respective Quarterly meeting, where it is to be further considered ; and if approved, is from thence to be forwarded to the Meeting for Sufferings, in order for inspection and approbation, previous to its being laid before the Yearly Meeting.
It is also required, that Quarterly and Monthly meet- ings furnish the Yearly Meeting, annually, with an account of the decease of such of their members, in the station of ministers or elders, as have occurred within the year.
MINISTERS AND ELDERS, AND
MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
Persuaded as we are, that gospel ministry is not of man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ, agreeably to that apostolic charge-"As every man hath received " the gift, even so minister the same one to another, " as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If " any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God ; " if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability " which God giveth ; that God in all things may be glo- " rified through Jesus Christ ; to whom be praise and " dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter, iv. 10, 11.) Holding it therefore to be a doctrine truly chris- tian, that the spirit of God is the foundation of all true knowledge in relation to that duty which we owe to him, and one to another, we earnestly exhort, that those amongst us who apprehend that they are called to the ministry of the gospel may, in their public ser- vices especially, attend closely to their several and peculiar gifts, waiting for that divine ability by which they may faithfully and availingly minister the word.
We also desire with earnest solicitude, that those
EL
63
MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
who are placed in the very important department of Elders in the church, may evince a correspondent qual- fication rightly to judge of the ministry, and manifest a concern for the support of our religious testimonies, and the preservation of our discipline, as well as for the advancement of truth and righteousness.
Ministers and Elders thus united, become mutually useful to each other ; and are as nursing fathers and mothers in the church; particularly to those who are young in the ministry : for this class we earnestly desire, that they may, with all care and diligence, be advised and admonished ; and, if occasion appear, re- proved in a tender and christain spirit ; let them also be exhorted to read the Holy Scriptures diligently, and earnestly to seek the mind of the Spirit of Truth, to open the mysteries contained in them. Ministers thus abiding in a simple and patient submission to the will of God, and keeping down to the openings of divine life in themselves, may witness a growth in their gifts; and will also be preserved from extending their declara- tions further than they find the power of truth to ac- company them.
If any, in the course of their ministry, shall misap- ply, or draw unsound inferences, or wrong conclu- sions from the text, or shall misbehave themselves in point of conduct or conversation, let them be admon- ished in love and tenderness, by the elders or overseers where they live ; and if they prove refractory, and re- fuse 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 solemn, a care should be maintained to guard against any thing that would tend to disorder or confusion therein. When any think they have aught against what is pub- licly delivered, they should speak to the party privately; and if any shall oppose a Minister, in his or her preach- ing or exhortation : or keep on the hat, or show any remarkable dislike to such when engaged in prayer, let them be speedily admonished in such manner as may
64
MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
be requisite, unless the ministry of the person against whom the uneasiness is expressed, has been disap- proved by the Monthly meeting.
In every Monthly meeting two or more Friends, of each sex, are to be selected to sit with the ministers, and they together, are to compose a meeting, to be de- nominated a " Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders." Care should be taken that those chosen for the service be prudent, discreet Friends, and that they duly discharge the trust confided to them.
When there is occasion for the appointment of one or more Elders in any meeting, the nomination of a Friend or Friends for that station should take place in the Preparative meeting of Ministers and Elders, and, when concurred in, the proposition should be forwarded to the Quarterly meeting of Ministers and Elders, by which, if united in, it should be transmitted to the Pre- parative meeting of Ministers and Elders, which may then introduce the proposition to the consideration of the Monthly meeting of men Friends, if the case be that of a man, and to the women, if the person be a female, where the subject is to be considered, and if united with, by both men's and women's meetings, they are to be appointed, and information given to the Pre- parative meeting of Ministers and Elders, and by them forwarded to the Quarterly meeting of Ministers and Elders.
Certificates of removal are not to convey the rights of Elders, but the division of a Monthly meeting is not to render the re-appointment of Elders necessary.
But when a Monthly meeting is divided, should there not be a sufficient number of Ministers and Elders to compose a Select meeting, within each of those Monthly meetings, the members in both shall continue to com- pose one Preparative meeting, until the number shall be sufficient to compose two.
When any Friend has frequently appeared in our religious meetings as a Minister, and the Preparative meeting of Ministers and Elders apprehends that it is seasonable the subject should claim the attention of the
is
d 0 c
a te
M a
65
MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
Monthly meeting for discipline, of which the person is a member, the Select Preparative and Quarterly meet- ings shall proceed as in the case of appointing Elders ; and until the approbation of the Monthly meeting is obtained, no such Friend is to be received as a Minis- ter, nor permitted to sit in the meetings of Ministers and Elders, nor allowed to travel abroad as a Minister.
When the public appearances of a Friend in the min- istry have been approved and recorded by a Monthly meeting, an account thereof is to be forwarded to the Quarterly, and from thence to the Yearly Meeting.
When any approved Minister apprehends it to be a duty to travel in the service of truth, beyond the limits of their Quarterly meeting, he or she is to open their concern in the Monthly meeting both of men and women Friends, to which they belong, and obtain a certificate or minute (as the occasion may be) of their unity and concurrence, directed to Friends within the parts proposed to be visited, and signed by the clerks of the men's and women's meeting ; and it is required, that when the service is accomplished, the said meeting be informed thereof, and the certificate returned with- out unnecessary delay.
No Minister is to appoint a meeting beyond the limits of the Quarterly meeting to which he or she belongs, without the concurrence of their respective Monthly meetings. And if a Minister is concerned to appoint a meeting within the verge of the Quarter, if to wait for the approbation of the Monthly meeting appears to interfere with the proper time for appointing such meet- ing, the united sense of the Elders of the Monthly meet- ing of which he or she is a member, or of those of the Monthly meeting within the compass of which such appointment is proposed, may be accepted as sufficient privilege.
When any Minister is religiously concerned to make a general visit to the meetings of Friends, either within or beyond the limits of the Yearly Meeting, and has obtained a certificate for that purpose from the Monthly meeting of which he or she is a member, the certificate
d
of
st
1 f
e a
d
66
MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
must also be laid before the respective Quarterly meet- ing ; and if the concern is concurred in, an endorse- ment must be entered upon the certificate, and signed by the clerks of the men's and women's meetings.
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, in the capacity of a Preparative meeting of Ministers and Elders : when, after a time of solid retirement, the Queries addressed to such meetings are to be read and considered, and distinct answers made to them in wri- ting, which, when signed by the clerk, are to be con- veyed to the ensuing Quarterly meeting of Ministers and Elders, by two or more Friends to be mentioned in the report, as representatives ; here also, if, in the course of inquiry, 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 meet- ings the state of the members is to be weightily consid- ered, that where occasion requires it, advice and coun- sel 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 Meet- ing of Ministers and Elders, by four or more Friends appointed as representatives. In this meeting the que- ries are also to be read, with the answers from the sev- eral Quarters, and the state of this part of the Society being collected and considered, advices adapted thereto, may, if requisite, be issued to the subordinate Select meetings. Here all such Ministers as apprehend they are required to go in truth's service beyond sea, after obtaining a certificate of the concurrence of the Monthly meeting, endorsed by the respective Quarter, are to communicate their prospects of duty relative thereto, and produce the said certificates ; and if upon solid consideration, the same are united with by the said meeting of Ministers and Elders, a certificate thereof, signed by the clerk, should be granted.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.