USA > Indiana > The discipline of the Society of Friends, of Indiana Yearly Meeting, 1838 > Part 5
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fervently breathe for their restoration to soundness of judgment, and purity of principle.
In relation to this oppressed people, we earnestly desire, that such of them as may be under the care of any of our members, may be treated with kind- -
ness, and as objects of the common salvation, in- structed in the principles of the christian religion, as well as in such branches of school learning as may fit them for freedom, and to become useful members of civil society. Also, that Friends in their respective neighborhoods, advise and assist such of them as are at liberty, in the education of their children, and common worldly concerns.
If any in membership with us, should hire slaves to assist them in their business, it is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, that in so doing, such pro- mote the unrighteous traffic, and oppose our testi- mony against slavery. And where they cannot be prevailed upon to desist therefrom, Monthly Meet- ings are at liberty to declare their disunity with them.
If any of our members should purchase slaves, to be liberated after a term of years, however they may be induced thereto, from an apparent motive of contributing to the cause of humanity; yet it is the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, that it is a practice which ought to be discouraged; believing that upon due reflection it will be found, that those do not support a faithful testimony against slavery.
We believe also, that a proper regard to this tes- timony, would lead our members to avoid acting as executors or administrators, to estates where slaves
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NEGROES AND SLAVES.
are bequeathed, or being accessary to any step whereby their bondage may be prolonged.
The situation of those black people who have been held as slaves, by any of us or our predeces- sors, calls for our serious examination and inquiry, how far we are clear of withholding from them what, under such an exercise, may be opened to our view as their just right; and we earnestly and affec- tionately entreat those in particular, who have re- leased any of them, to attend to the further manifes- tations of duty. Even if no such obligations to this people existed amongst us, it is worthy of our consideration, whether any object of benificence is more deserving of our regard, than that of training up their youth in such virtuous principles and habits as may render them useful and respectable members of the community.
And further, it is the conclusion of the Yearly Meeting, that if any of our members are concerned in importing, selling, or purchasing; or shall give away or transfer, any negro or other slave, with, or without any other consideration than to clear their estate of future incumbrance, or in such manner that their bondage is continued beyond the time limited by law or custom for white persons; and also, if any shall accept of such gift or assignment, or the proceeds of the sale of such persons, they ought to be speedily treated with in the spirit of love and wisdom, in order to convince them of the iniquity of their conduct; and if, after christian labor, they cannot be brought to such a sense of their injustice, as to do whatever the Monthly Meeting shall judge to be necessary, for the restoration of such slave to his or her natural and just liberty, and
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OATHS.
condemn their deviation from the law of righteous- ness and equity, to the satisfaction of the said meeting, such ought to be disowned as other trans- gressors are, for immoral, unjust, and reproachful conduct.
OATHS.
Our testimony against the imposition of oaths is founded upon the following express and positive command of the Author of the christian religion- viz .- "Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself; but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths; but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King; neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black; but let your communications be yea, yea; nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of evil." Mat. v -- 33 to 37.
This testimony we also find was clearly held up, and emphatically enjoined, by the apostle James, upon his christian brethren-"But above all things, my brethren," says he, "swear not; neither by hea- ven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay ; lest ye fall into condemnation."-Jas. v .- 12.
Believing therefore, as we do, that no argument can invalidate a prohibition thus clear and positive, we are bound religiously to regard it; and whilst we feel gratitude to our rulers for the continuance of that indulgence, by which our affirmation is ac- cepted, let us evince our sincerity in relation to this testimony, by faithfully maintaining 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 towards them; and if they
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OVERSEERS.
cannot be prevailed upon to give the necessary sat- isfaction, to testify their disunity with them.
We also believe that a proper regard to the obli- gations of this testimony, would lead our members to procure such persons as witnesses to instruments of writing, rendering them necessary, as will attest them by affirmation.
OVERSEERS.
It is the recommendation and desire of the Yearly Meeting, as productive of very beneficial conse- quences to society, that in every Monthly Meeting, a proper number of faithful and judicious men and women Friends, belonging to each of the Particular or Preparative Meetings, be appointed to the station of Overseers within the same; whose duty it is to exercise a vigilant and tender care over their fellow members; that if any thing repugnant to the har- mony and good order of the society appears amongst them, it may be timely attended to. And to pre- vent the introduction of all unnecessary and pre- mature complaints to meetings of business, it is advised, that if any member shall have cause of complaint against another, it be mentioned to the overseers; who are to see that the party complained of has been treated with, according to gospel order, previously to the case being reported to the Pre- parative or Monthly Meeting. And should com- plaints be made to the overseers, or other judicious Friends, against any of our members, by persons who have not a right of membership with us, the complaint ought not to be slighted or rejected be- cause the complainant is not a member, but such care should be extended in the case, as may evince that our object is the equal and impartial administra- tion of justice, without respect to persons. And it is desired, that in dealing with any, it be done in the
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PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
spirit of meekness and love, patiently endeavoring to instruct and advise them; which, if ineffectual, the Preparative Meeting should be informed thereof; that, if needful, the case may be laid before the Monthly Meeting; of which notice should be given to the party, when it can be conveniently done.
It is further recommended to our Monthly Meet- ings, that a committee be appointed at least once in three years, or as much oftener as the occasion may require, to consider the propriety of changing the overseers, and bringing forward to the improvement of their gifts other Friends, on whom a concern for the welfare of the society rests. And we tenderly exhort all our members, who may be rightly called into this, or any other service of the church, not hastily to excuse themselves therefrom, but solidly to consider the weighty advice of the apostle :- "Feed the flock of God, which is amongst you; tak- "ing the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but " willingly ; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; " neither as lords over God's heritage; but being en- "samples to the flock: and when the chief shepherd "shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory, "that fadeth not away."
PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
As next to our own souls, our offspring are the very immediate objects of our care and concern, we entreat all who are parents and governors of families, that they lay to heart the great and lasting import-
ance to the youth, of a religious education. This would lead them to be solicitous, that their tender and susceptible minds may be impressed with virtu- ous principles, and a just sense of the Divine Being, his wisdom, goodness, power, and omnipresence. They would be concerned to impress them with
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PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
just sentiments 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, clearness and solemnity, in Deut. vi. 4, &c .- " Hear, O Israel, " the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love " the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with " all thy soul, and with all thy might; and these " words which I command thee this day shall be in " thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently "unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when " thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest " by the way, and when thou liest down, and when " thou risest up." We know, that virtue does not descend by lineal succession, nor piety by inheri- tance; yet we trust, that the Almighty graciously regards the sincere endeavors of those parents, whose early and unremitting care is over their off- spring 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 customs, and unprofitable conversation of the world; laboring to convince their young and tender minds, of the propriety of restraint, when necessary; exhorting them in meekness, and com- manding in wisdom. And, as they advance in age, guard them against the reading of plays, romances, and other licentious publications, of a nature preju- dicial to the promotion of christianity; likewise
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PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
against public pastimes 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 alienation from the Divine life, and to deprive it of that inexpressible comfort and delight attendant upon the daily excercise 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 chil- dren ought to obey their parents in the Lord, and that disobedience therein is a breach of the moral law, and was always offensive in the Divine sight.
With tender solicitude we press it upon you, flee from every thing which may have a tendency to despoil your innocence, and to render your minds less receptive of that holy influence which your enlightened judgment demonstrates to be truth. We beseech you, attend to this heavenly instructor, and dutifully yield to the correspondent tender ad- vice of your friends. Shrink not from the cross of Christ, in your garb, language, or manners, but through a subjection of your wills to the Divine will; in these, and all other respects, walk answerably to the purity of our profession and the simplicity and spirituality of our worship; so may you be instruc- tive examples to serious inquirers after truth; and not of those, who under a profession thereof, are
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PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
preferring their own evil ways, and turning others aside from the footsteps of its followers.
And when the pious exercise of parental care and authority is disregarded, and any of our youth de- parting from that simplicity corresponding with our profession, have obstinately run into, and copied after the vain and extravagant fashions of the world, in their dress and address, and have also exposed themselves to the corrupting influence of evil com- pany, and a consequent irregularity of conduct, such ought to be timely and tenderly expostulated with, to convince them of the dangerous tendency of their conduct; and if they cannot be prevailed on to amend their ways, they ought to be treated with by their respective Preparative or Monthly Meetings, as in other cases of offence; and if, after due labor and forbearance, they prove irreclaimable, they should be testified against.
And if any parents in membership with us, wil- lingly indulge their children, or youth under their care, in such extravagance and excess as are here pointed out, and persist in vindicating their conduct, they ought in like manner to be treated with and disowned. It is the desire of the Yearly Meeting, that Friends may bring up the youth under their care to habits of industry, placing them with sober and exemplary members of the society for instruc- tion, in such occupations as are consistent with our religious principles and testimonies; so that as far as in us lies, they may be preserved in a becoming conduct and demeanor. Also, that those whose circumstances may furnish them with ability for instructing in useful and suitable employments, the children of members who are in situations less affluent, may receive them into their families upon terms so moderate and equitable as to remove every plausible reason for placing them with those not in membership with us.
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PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS.
PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS.
Upon the first of these subjects, our principle is, to let decency, simplicity, and utility, be our prin- cipal motives, and not to conform to the vain and changeable fashions of the world, though we may occasionally adopt alterations which appear conve. nient or useful. This is a principle, the propriety of which we apprehend no serious christian will deny; and whilst in ages of pride and extravagance in dress, the adoption of this rule may make us appear singular; yet, in relation to us, this singu- larity is not without its use. It is in some respects like a hedge about us; which, though it does not make the ground it encloses rich and fruitful, yet it frequently prevents those intrusions, by which the labor of the husbandman is injured or destroyed.
The conduct which our society has adopted in this respect, is supported by many passages in holy writ. "Be'not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind," was the advice of the apostle to the christians who dwelt at the seat of Roman grandeur and luxury. And again, in relation to the female sex, "I will," says he, " that women adorn themselves in modest ap- " parel, with shamefacedness and sobriety ; not " with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly "array; but which becometh women professing " godliness, with good works;" plainly showing that such adornings are contrary to the profession of godliness. The apostle Peter also is very full in his exhortations upon this subject: "Whose adorn-
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PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS.
ing," saith he, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible, even the orna. ment of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price; for after this manner in old time, the holy women also, who trusted in God, placed not their delight in such outward decorations.
It is, however, highly important to us, to maintain more than the form of godliness, and whilst we avoid a conformity to this world, to be careful to seek after that divine power which will enable us to fulfil the other part of the exhortation: "Be ye trans- formed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Thus, having our minds and conduct rightly regulated, we shall fulfill another important apostolic injunction: "Let not your good be evil spoken of."
In our address also, we are bound to differ from the world in several respects; such as our using the singular number in speaking to a single person; our disuse of the appellation of Master, Mistress, &c. in a complimentary manner, to those who do not stand in these relations to us; and our calling the months and days of the week by their numerical names instead of those which are derived from the heathen deities, &c. From these, and other erroneous and corrupt practices, the spirit of truth, in which we profess to believe, as guiding into all truth, led our predecessors in religious profession, and we believe,
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PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS.
still leads us as we follow it. Our conduct in these respects is supported by the practices mentioned in holy writ, as well as by the simplicity and reason- ableness of it.
The origin of applying the plural number to an individual, and of complimentary titles to one ano- ther, is to be traced to vanity and pride. Besides this consideration, our practice of using the singular number to a single person, is both more correct and more conspicuous, to say nothing of its consistency with that form of sound words recommended by Paul to Timothy. This is also the case with re- spect to our names of days and months; nevertheless it is not by reason and propriety alone, that our conduct in these things may be supported. Reli- gion, if an attention to the practice and precepts recorded in the scriptures, has a claim to that name, also justifies our conduct. It was no doubt in allu- sion to the complimentary, and not to the proper use of the appellations of Rabbi, Father, and Mas- ter, that our Lord prohibited the practice amongst his followers. Speaking of the disposition of the Scribes and Pharisees, he says, "they love the upper- " most rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the " synagogues, and greetings in the markets; and to " be called of men Rabbi, Rabbi:" but be not ye " called of men Rabbi, for one is your master even " Christ, and all ye are brethren: and call no man "your father upon the earth; for one is your father, " which is in heaven: neither be ye called masters; " for one is your master, even Christ." The following
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PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS.
expressions of Elihu, a pious young man, mentioned in the book of Job, are also applicable: "Let me " not, I pray you, accept any man's person; neither " let me give flattering titles unto man: for I know " not to give flattering titles, in so doing my maker " would soon take me away."
Also, to give the names of heathen deities, &c. to days and months, we apprehend is not only inconsis- tent with the "form of sound words," just mentioned; but is contrary to the spirit of the injunction given to the Israelites, as a preservative from contaminating themselves with idolatry. " In all things that I have " said unto you, be circumspect; and make no men- "tion of the name of other gods; neither let it be " heard out of thy mouth." When the reformation of the Jews was foretold by the prophets, these amongst other things were stated as a part: "I will " take the names of Balim out of her mouth: I will " turn to the people a pure language; and I will cut " off the names of the Idols out of the land, and they " shall no more be remembered."
From religious scruples also, we cannot bow the body and take off the hat in order to express our respect to man. The reason for this is, that it is a token of reverence enjoined and used in our solemn approaches to the Supreme Being, when exercising the religious duties of preaching or prayer. On this account, and not from any disrespect, we think it right not to confound this solemn act of reverence to the Almighty, with the marks of respect to our
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POOR.
fellow-creatures. True civility, and due respect, may be better shown by conduct than by compli- ment; and we are far from desiring to dismiss those social duties from our attention and regard in our salutations.
We therefore tenderly exhort all, seriously to consider the plainness and simplicity which the gos- pel enjoins, and to manifest it in their habit, speech and deportment. A declension herein, we fear, is attended with hurtful consequences, in opening the way of some of our youth more easily and unob- servedly, to attend places of public resort, for the exercise of sports, plays, and other pernicious diver- sions, from which truth taught our ancestors, and still teaches us, to refrain.
We also tenderly advise, that Friends take heed, especially those who should be exemplary to those under their care, that they exercise plainness of speech, without respect of persons, in all their con- verse among men; and not balk their testimony by a cowardly compliance, varying their language ac- cording to their company; a practice of very ill example, rendering those who use it contemptible, and to be looked upon as as a kind of hypocrites, even by those with whom they so comply. This seems to be cautioned against by the apostle, when he advises Timothy "That the deacons be grave, and not double-tongued;" plainly importing, that it is inconsistent with the gravity of the gospel.
POOR.
As mercy, compassion and charity, are eminently
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PRIEST'S WAGES, OR HIRELING MINISTRY.
required by the Gospel, it is the desire of the Yearly Meeting, that the cases of our members who are in indigent circumstances be duly inspected, in order that advice and relief may be seasonably extended and assistance afforded them, in such business as they are capable of. To defray the expenses which their support and the education of their children will necessarily occasion, it is recommended to each Monthly or Preparative Meeting of men and women Friends, to be open-hearted, and liberal in subscrip- tions, for raising and continuing funds for those pur- poses. And in the exercise of this benevolent care, it is desired that we may always guard against un- necessarily exposing the names or situation of our fellow-members. Such also, who need pecuniary aid, ought to accept the deliberate advice of their friends, and manifest a becoming disposition to con- form to their solid judgment; remembering, that it is said, "in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Prov. xi. 14.
, Where there is an obstinate refusal to conform to such advice, committees are to be governed in the distribution of the intended liberality, by a prudent discretion.
Women's Monthly Meetings are to inspect and relieve the wants of the poor of their own sex; and where their own funds are insufficient, they are to apply to the men's meeting for their aid and for their concurrence, as cases shall require.
PRIEST'S WAGES, OR HIRELING MINISTRY.
Let us keep in remembrance this fundamental principle of our profession, that it is under the im- mediate teaching and influence of the Holy Spirit, that all acceptable worship is performed, and all gospel ministry supplied; that this pure and power- ful influence, in vessels sanctified and prepared by the Divine hand, is the essential qualification to that
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QUERIES.
work. The gift therefore being divine, the service is freely and faithfully to be discharged, without any view to reward from man, agreeably to the express command of Christ, our head and high-priest; "freely ye have received, freely give." Matt. x. 8.
And where any of our members, are so regard- less of this testimony, as to contribute to the support of an hireling ministry, and vindicate such conduct, they ought to be tenderly labored with, to convince them of their error; but if this prove ineffectual, and they persist in their unfaithfulness, the Monthly Meetings to which they belong, should proceed to declare our disunity with them, such conduct being opposed to our testimony for the free ministry of the gospel, which is, "without money and without price."
QUERIES.
In order that the Yearly Meeting may be clearly informed of the state of society, the following Que- ries are directed to the subordinate meetings: and in desiring answers to them, the design of the Yearly Meeting is, not only to be informed of the due ob- servance of the several branches of our christian testimony; but also, to impress on the minds of our members, a profitable individual examination of themselves how far they act consistently with their religious profession; and also to excite elders, over- seers, and other concerned Friends, to discharge their duty faithfully, in administering counsel and admonition when necessary.
It is concluded that the following nine queries be read, deliberately considered, and answered in each Preparative and Monthly Meeting, once in the year, in order to convey an explicit account in writing to the Quarterly Meetings next preceding the Yearly Meeting; and from thence an account is to be for- warded to the Yearly Meeting.
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