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MEETING-HOUSES.

ADVISED, that friends, in the several quarterly and monthly meetings, take special care that the titles of friends' meeting-houses and burial-grounds be made secure, according to law. 1703.

It having been represented to us, that in divers parts losses have been sustained by our society, by not timely looking into and securing the titles of meeting-houses, burial-grounds, and charitable bequests; we have to recommend to quarterly and monthly meetings, to make timely and careful inspection into what hands and trusts the same are secured; and, if they find occasion, by the death of any friend or otherwise, to add some others to the trust, or make any alteration, so that friends may not be deprived of the benefit of such meetinghouses, burial-grounds, and charitable bequests; and that the quarterly and monthly meetings keep exact records of all such trusts and conveyances. 1737.

MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS.

THIS meeting being under a weighty concern for friends who are or may be under sufferings and difficulties, on account of our religious testimony, doth appoint a meeting for sufferings, consisting of not less than twenty-five members, who are desired, with diligence, caution and due care, to proceed in such weighty matters as may come before them, humbly waiting for the influence of divine wisdom to direct their minds from time to time, so that their results may tend to their own peace, and to the welfare of our religious society. They are desired to take cognizance of all grievances arising amongst us, wherein any friend or friends may be affected in his or their person or property, or in regard to our Christian testimony, to advise, counsel and assist, as best wisdom may direct: and any aggrieved friend or friends may apply to them, either in a collective or separate capacity, as the circumstances of the case may require.

The said meeting is to view manuscripts proposed to be printed, and correspond with the meetings for sufferings or yearly meetings of London, Philadelphia, or elsewhere, to represent the

state of the affairs of friends here, or as occasion may require; and in general to represent this meeting in all cases where the reputation and interest of truth and our religious society are concerned, provided they do not meddle with matters of faith and discipline not already determined in the yearly meeting. There should be at least ten members present to constitute a meeting, who should concur on all occasions; and, in matters of great importance, notice is to be given, as far as may be, to all the members. The said meeting is to draw on the treasury of this meeting in its recess, for the money lodged therein, from time to time as occasion may require; being accountable for the same, and keeping records of all their proceedings, which are annually to be laid before this meeting, or such committee as it may appoint to inspect or view the same. 1775, 1776, 1783.

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP.

As it hath been our care and practice from the beginning, that an open testimony for the Lord should be borne, and a public standard for truth and righteousness upheld in the power and spirit of God, by our open and known meetings, against the spirit of persecution, that in all ages hath sought to lay waste God's heritage; and as only through faithfulness, constancy and patience, victory hath been and is obtained; so it is our advice and judgment, that all friends gathered in the name of Jesus, keep up these public testimonies in their respective places; and not decline, forsake or remove their public assemblies, because of times of suffering, as worldly, fearful and politic professors have done, because of informers and the like persecutors; for such practices are not consistent with the nobility of truth, and therefore not to be owned in the church of Christ. 1675.

Let every one be watchful against an earthly spirit, for that will choke the good seed, and bring forth a slighting or neglecting of your testimony in your First-day and week-day meetings, and bring a decay of your strength and zeal for God and his truth, and bring a weakness upon you, by reason whereof you will not be able to stand in an hour of temptation. 1689.

Agreed that friends that live distant from meetings be reminded to keep meetings in their families, to wait upon God, that their children and families may come to be seasoned in their spirits by the truth and the Lord's power, and that they may have his blessings upon their families. 1696.

Advised that all friends be careful to attend meetings for worship and business, at the times and hours appointed, and not to detain meetings out of season. 1715.

Advised that friends keep their children to a constant, seasonable and orderly frequenting, as well of week-day as of First-day meetings; instructing them to have their minds stayed in the divine gift, to wait upon the Lord therein, to receive a portion of his spiritual favor; that they, from the tendering virtue of the Holy Spirit, may be engaged in heart and mind to walk worthy of so great a grace; and in a holy zeal to honor God, submit to bear the cross, endure the shame, and become public witnesses for him amongst the sons of men. 1723.

And we earnestly exhort that you hold fast the profession of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, without wavering, both in respect to his outward coming in the flesh, his sufferings, death, resurrection, ascension, mediation and intercession at the right hand of the Father; and to the inward manifestation of his grace and Holy Spirit in our hearts, powerfully working in the soul of man, to the subduing of every evil affection and lust, and to the purifying of our consciences from dead works, to serve the living God; that through the virtue and

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