USA > Indiana > The discipline of the Society of Friends, of Indiana Yearly Meeting, 1838 > Part 7
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And that a tax levied for the purchasing of drums, colors, or for other warlike uses, cannot be paid consistently with our christian testimony.
It is the fervent concern of the Yearly Meeting, to recommend to the deep attention of all our mem- bers, that they be religiously guarded against appro- ving or showing the least connivance at war, either by attending at, or viewing of military operations, or in anywise encouraging the unstable, deceitful spirit of party, by joining with political devices or associations, however speciously disguised, under the ensnaring subtleties commonly attendant there- on; but that they sincerely labor to experience a settlement on the alone sure foundation, of pure, unchangeable truth; whereby, through the preva- lence of unfeigned christian love, and good will to men, we may convincingly demonstrate, that the kingdom we seek is not of this world; but a king- dom and government whose subjects are free indeed, redeemed from those captivating lusts, from whence come wars and figtings.
And that the members of our religious society would carefully avoid engaging in any trade or busi- ness promotive of war, sharing or partaking of the spoils of war, by purchasing or selling prize-goods, importing or shipping goods in armed vessels, pay- ing taxes for the express purpose of war, or from pecuniary motives grinding of grain, feeding of cat- tle, or disposing of their property, for the use of the army; that through a close attention to the moni- tions of divine grace, and guarding against the sup- pression of it, either in themselves or others, they may be preserved in a conduct consistent with our holy profession, and from wounding the minds or increasing the sufferings of each other; not at all
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WAR.
doubting, that he to whom appertains the kingdom, and the power, who is wonderful in working, will continue to carry on and perfect his blessed cause of peace on the earth. A due attention to this concern is recommended to Quarterly, Monthly, and Prepa- rative Meetings, and to Friends in general; it being the judgment of the Yearly Meeting, that if any of our members do, either openly, or by connivance, ยท pay any fine, penalty, or tax, in lieu of personal service for carrying on war, or allow their children, apprentices, or servants, who are members, to act therein, or are concerned in arming or equipping vessels with guns, or deal in public certificates issued. as a compensation for expenses accrued, or services performed in war, that they be tenderly treated with, and if they cannot be brought to an acknowledg- ment of their error, Monthly Meetings are author- ised to disown them. .
It is further the sense and judgment of the Yearly Meeting, that it is inconsistent with our religious testimony and principle, for any Friend to pay a fine or tax, levied on account of their refusal to mus- ter or to serve in the militia, although such fine or imposition may be applied towards defraying the expenses of civil government; and where deviations in this respect occur, tender dealing and advice should be extended to the party, in order to their convincement and restoration; and if this prove ineffectual, Monthly Meetings should proceed to. disown them.
And finally, dear Friends, upon the calamitous subject of war, you are not ignorant of what adorns our profession. Let us seek peace and pursue it, remembering that we are called to love. Oh! that the smallest germ of enmity might be eradicated from our enclosure: and truly there is a soil in which
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WILLS.
it cannot live; this soil is christian humility. May we therefore be peaceable ourselves, in words and actions, seeking for that disposition, in which we can pray to the Father of the Universe, that he may breathe the spirit of reconciliation into the hearts of his erring and contending creatures.
WILLS.
Knowing how quickly many are removed by death, it is weightily recommended by the Yearly Meeting, that care be taken by each Monthly Meet- ing, that Friends who have estates to dispose of, be advised to make their wills in time of health, and strength of judgment, and therein to direct their substance as in justice and wisdom may be to their satisfaction and peace; laying aside all resentment, though occasion may have been given, lest it should go with them to the grave; remembering we all stand in need of mercy and forgiveness. Making such wills in due time can shorten no one's days; but the omission or delay thereof to a time of sick- ness, when the mind should not be diverted from a solemn consideration of the approaching awful pe- riod of life, has often proved very injurious to many, and been the occasion of creating discontents and animosities in families, which the more seasonable and deliberate performance of this necessary duty might have prevented.
We also recommend to Friends, to employ per- sons of competent legal knowledge, to write their wills, as great inconvenience and injury to families
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YEARLY MEETING.
has sometimes happened, through the unskilfulness of some who have taken upon them to write wills.
We further desire, that executors and trustees, concerned in wills, and settlements, may take espe- cial care to discharge faithfully their respective trusts, according to the intent of the donors and tes- tators; and that all charitable gifts, legacies, bequests and settlement of estates, by will or deed, intended and given for the use of the poor, the aged, the im- potent, or for the education or apprenticeships of the children of poor Friends, may not be appropriated or converted to any other uses than such as the donors or testators have directed. A violation herein, being an obvious perversion of justice, of- fenders in these respects should be dealt with; and unless they make due satisfaction to the injured parties, and to the meeting to which they belong, should be disowned.
YEARLY MEETING.
Indiana Yearly Meeting was set off from the Yearly Meeting of Ohio, and is composed of Friends in the states of Indiana and Illinois and in the west- ern parts of the State of Ohio, &c. The first Yearly Meeting in Indiana was held at White Water, in the Tenth month, 1821. It is now established to be held at White Water, in Wayne county, Indiana, on Fifth-day, preceding the first First-day in the Tenth month, each year, at eleven o'clock in the morning. A meeting for worship will be held on Fourth-day preceding, at eleven o'clock, and two on First-day following, one at ten in the morning, and the other at three in the afternoon.
The Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders is held on Third-day preceding the Yearly Meeting, at eleven o'clock in the morning.
The representatives from the Quarterly Meetings
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YEARLY MEETING.
both men and women, are annually to choose a clerk, and an assistant, at the close of the first sitting of the Meeting for Discipline, whose names are to be reported at the opening of the next sitting.
Representatives having the care of the Reports from the Quarterly Meetings, are to put them into the hands of the clerk to the meeting for the prece- ding year, before the opening of the Meeting for Discipline, in order that time may be saved to the meeting, by a previous entry of the names of repre- sentatives. No representative ought to withdraw from the Yearly Meeting before it ends, without leave being first requested and granted.
All communications directed to the Yearly Meet- ing, except from such meetings as correspond regu- larly therewith, are to be previously perused by a nomination of Friends for the purpose; who are to consider and report, whether the same be proper to be read in the Yearly Meeting.
The design of our Annual Meetings in their first constitution, being in order to a general oversight, and care of the Churches, pertaining to our christian communion, it remains to be our fervent desire, that good order, unity and concord may be maintained amongst us. We know that love and unity, founded upon christian principles, are promotive of truth and righteousness amongst ourselves, and we believe also, that when conspicuous in us, they have their influence upon those around us. Under these con- siderations, we fervently desire, and humbly hope, that He who hath, to the present day, preserved us a people highly favored, will be graciously pleased still to animate us with a zealous concern, that love and good will may predominate in us individually, and that union, peace, and concord, may prevail in every department of the family. And finally, Friends, collectively and individually, may all our
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CERTIFICATE AND TESTIFICATION.
meetings be held with weight, as in the immediate presence of the Head of the Church; may the aged amongst us be examples of every christian virtue, and evince by the calmness of their evening, that their day has been blest: May the middle aged not faint in their stations; but together with their elder and younger brethren, firmly support, yea, exalt the several testimonies which we are called to maintain. And, Oh! may the beloved youth bend early and cheerfully, under the forming power of truth; that each standing in his allotment, the harmony of the building may be preserved, and we truly grow up into a holy Temple for the Lord.
The following are recommended as suitable forms for Certificates of Removal, and Testifications, to be varied according to circumstances :
CERTIFICATE OF REMOVAL.
To M -- Monthly Meeting of Friends.
DEAR FRIENDS,
A. B., and C. his wife, members of this meeting, having semoved with their minor children, D., E., and F., and rettled within the limits of your meeting, request has been made for our certificate of their right of membership. This is therefore to certify, that on due inquiry respecting their conduct, and the proper adjustment of their outward affairs, no obstruction appears to the issuing of a certificate in their behalf. We therefore recommend them to you, and remain in love, your friends.
Signed by direction and on behalf of S- Monthly Meeting of Friends, held - month - 18 -.
T. R. ) Clerks.
Y. Y., Correspondent.
R. T. S
TESTIFICATION.
A. B. who has had a right of membership in the Society of Friends, has for which he has been treated with, without the desired effect :-- we therefore dis- own him from being a member with us.
Signed in and by direction of - Monthly Meeting of Friends, held - day of - month 18 -. 9
C. D., Clerk.
ES
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