TESTIMONIES AND MEMORIALS.

It is recommended to the quarterly and monthly meetings, to appoint suitable friends to collect memorials of the living services and dying sayings of ministers, elders, and other friends, whose lives are remarkable for true piety and faithfulness; with the time of their birth and death as near as may be, (with a distinction between ministers, elders, and others,) and where they lived; and that such collections be inspected by each quarterly and monthly meeting, and from thence sent up to this meeting, to be again inspected by a committee, and when approved by this meeting to be here recorded. 1760.

The subject of inspecting testimonies and memorials of deceased friends, having claimed our attention, it is concluded that they have the inspection of the meeting for sufferings, after receiving the approbation of the quarterly and monthly meetings, previously to their being presented to this meeting. 1811.

Ꭲ Ꭱ Ꭺ Ꭰ Ꭼ .

ADVISED, that none launch into trading, and worldly business, beyond what they can manage honorably and with reputation; so that they may keep their words with all men, that their yea may prove yea indeed, and their nay, nay; for whatsoever is otherwise, cometh of evil; and that they use few words in their dealings, lest they bring dishonor to God through their forwardness. And such as make themselves guilty, by thus dishonoring God, and the holy profession of his name and truth, are for judgment, and the judgment of truth ought to be set over them; that those who walk and abide in the truth, may be clear of their iniquities. 1675, 1688.

It is advised, and earnestly desired, that the payment of just debts be not delayed by any professing truth, beyond the time promised and agreed upon; nor occasion given of complaint to those they deal with, by their backwardness of payment, where no time is limited; nor are any to overcharge themselves with too much trading, or with business beyond their capacities and abilities to manage in the truth. 1692.

It is the advice of this meeting, to the several quarterly meetings, that care may be taken, that

substantial friends be appointed to visit every family amongst us, where they think there is occasion to suspect they are going backwards in their worldly estate, in a manner that may be to the ill example of others, or prejudice of creditors; and to inquire and see how things are with them, advise them in tenderness according to our discipline; and if they do not manifest a disposition to take such advice, and comply with it, then to give them gospel order, and proceed therein against them.

And, dear friends, this meeting being under a holy care and deep concern, for the glory of God, the honor of our holy profession, and the safety and growth of every member of the body, doth advise and counsel all friends, for their own good, that they keep to such lawful and honest employments as they well understand, and are able to manage, for a necessary support of themselves and families; and not to launch out beyond their abilities, especially upon such credit as truth may have given

them with their brethren or others, and more at their hazard who trust them than at their own; which is not only a dishonor to truth, but dishonest as men; and such cannot be owned, in such things, to have place in the body. 1710.

Advised, that such be dealt with as trade by sea or land, or buy, bargain or contract, beyond their abilities; such as keep not their words, promises or engagements, in their dealings; and do not pay or satisfy their just debts, according to time agreed on. These being a reproach to truth, and a manifest injury and injustice, advice to all such should be speedily given, and if they do not

reclaim, amend and duly answer, they are to be further proceeded against.

1719.

It is earnestly desired, that all friends every where be very careful to avoid all inordinate pursuit after the things of this world, by such ways and means as depend too much upon the uncertain probabilities of hazardous enterprises; but rather labor to content themselves with such a plain way and manner of living, as is most agreeable to the self-denying principle of truth which we profess, and which is most conducive to that tranquillity of mind that is requisite to a religious conduct through this troublesome world. 1724.

Advised that a conscientious care dwell on all our minds, not only to be just in our trade and dealing, neither deceiving the buyer in what we sell, nor falsifying the balances; but that we keep to our promises, and pay our debts in due time; not exceeding our circumstances or reasonable expectations in our way of living, nor engaging in hazardous things more out of vanity than necessity. And it is our advice, when any one professing truth finds himself not able to comply with his contracts, that he call his creditors, and declare his condition in time, and, by showing the honesty of his intentions, clear the society from any scandalous imputations; and where any so circumstanced refuses to do so, let him be duly censured. And, on the other hand, we are to remind you to take heed, and beware of covetousness; this grand enemy of the love and faith of Jesus being too apt to prevail in this time and place of outward tranquillity, wherein we are a people signally blessed of God. 1737.

P

It is the sense and judgment of this meeting, that no persons who shall fail of paying their just debts, ought to be admitted to act in meetings for business, or join with friends in collecting for the poor and the service of the church, until they have made satisfaction to the monthly meeting they belong to, and done what is in their power to take off the reproach they have, by their imprudent conduct, brought on our Christian principle. 1737.

We are also engaged to caution every individual against imprudently entering into joint securities with others; for by these practices, many innocent wives and children have been inevitably and unexpectedly involved in ruinous and deplorable circumstances; and we exhort all to consider well the ground on which they become endorsers, or solicit endorsements from others. And the practice which has been unhappily prevalent of raising and circulating a kind of paper credit, with endorsements to give it an appearance of value without any intrinsic reality, we entreat every member of our society to avoid and discourage. We also earnestly desire friends to keep strictly on their guard, that none through any specious pretences of rendering acts of friendship to others with safety to themselves, may risk their own peace and reputation, and the security of their families; in order hereunto, we recommend the salutary advice of the wise man, to their especial notice and regard: "Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?" Prov. xxii. 26, 27. 1771.