gence, by which our affirmation is accepted, 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 administering oaths, monthly meetings are desired to extend brotherly labor towards them, and if they cannot be prevailed upon to give the necessary satisfaction, to testify their disunity with them.

Agreed, that oaths administered by judges, justices, selectmen, town-councils, or other officers, who are under the care of friends, is a violation of our ancient testimony, and that such persons ought to be dealt with as offenders. Nor are such officers clear, who admit of clerks or others to administer oaths before them, when sitting in their office, unless there be a number of others present, not of our society, sufficient to authorize the same. 1733.

ORPHANS, WILLS, EXECUTORS, &c.

ADVISED, that friends, in making their wills, have a strict regard to justice and equity, and be not actuated by caprice and prejudice, to the injury of those who may have a reasonable expectation from their kindred and near connection; nor carry any resentment, though occasion may have been given or taken, to the grave, remembering we all stand in need of mercy and forgiveness. Also, that none postpone making their wills to a sick bed; an improper season to settle our outward affairs, in the painful struggles of nature, even if we should be favored with a clear understanding; which ought not to be diverted from a solemn consideration of the approaching awful period of life.

Friends are earnestly recommended to employ persons capable, and of good repute, to write their wills; as great inconvenience and loss, and sometimes the ruin of families, have happened through the unskillfulness of some who have taken upon them to write wills, being unqualified to act in an affair of such importance. And all friends, who may become executors or administrators, are advised to make a full, clear and proper inventory of the estate and effects of the deceased, as soon as

may be after the interment; as many difficulties and disputes have arisen for want of it, where it has been deferred. 1782.

Recommended, that friends, who have young children, do in their wills appoint faithful friends to be guardians to them till they arrive at a lawful age; that monthly meetings take care that such guardians do discharge their trust with justice and uprightness; and that orphans be admonished to be subject to the wills of their deceased parents, as the said meeting shall see cause. 1706.

Executors and trustees, concerned in wills and settlements, are advised to take especial care that they faithfully discharge their respective trusts, according to the intent of the donors and testators; 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 impotent, or for putting poor friends' children to education or apprenticeships, may not be appropriated or converted to any other uses than such as the donors and testators have directed and enjoined by legal settlement, will or testament. 1715.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS.

WE do entreat and desire all parents and governors of families, that ye diligently lay to heart your work and calling in your generation, for the Lord, and the charge committed to you; not only in being good examples to the younger sort, but also to use your power in your own families in educating your children and servants in modesty, sobriety, and in the fear of God; curbing the extravagant humor in the young ones, when it doth appear; and not indulging or allowing it for you are set in your families as judges for God, and it is you that must give an account of the power committed to you. And when you see a libertine and wanton spirit appear in your children and servants, that lusteth after the vain customs and fashions of the world, either in habit or outward adorning, and craves your assistance and allowance, without which it cannot get forward while they are under your government; O then look to yourselves, and discharge your trust for God, and for the good of their souls, exhorting in meekness, and commanding in wisdom; that so you may minister and reach to the witness, and help them over their temptations, in the authority of God's power; and when

they feel themselves helped and delivered, their souls will bless God for you, and you will reap the comfort of your labor. 1688.

We advise and exhort, that all masters of families, parents, guardians, and tutors of children, would frequently put in practice the calling together of their children and household, to wait upon the Lord in their families; that, receiving wisdom and counsel from him, they may be enabled seasonably to exhort and encourage them to walk in the way of the Lord; to exercise themselves in reading the Holy Scriptures, and in observing the duties and precepts of holy living therein recommended; admonishing them to keep to that plainness and simplicity in apparel, speech and behavior, which the spirit of truth led our forefathers into, and which becomes the humble, self-denying followers of the holy Jesus. 1748.

It is our Christian and earnest advice and counsel to all friends concerned, (so far as they are able, or may be capable,) to provide schoolmasters and schoolmistresses, who are faithful friends, to teach and instruct their children; and not to send them to schools where they are taught the corrupt ways, manners, fashions and language of the world; and of the heathen in their authors, and names of the heathenish gods and goddesses; tending greatly to corrupt and alienate the minds of children into an averseness or opposition to the truth and the simplicity of it. But take care that you train up your children in the good nurture, admonition and fear of the Lord, in that plainness and language which become truth. And parents and masters, &c. to be