POOR.

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Support and education to

WITH respect to the poor among us, it ought to be considered, that the poor, both parents and children, are of our family, and ought not to be be provided. turned off to any others for their support or education; and although some may think the poor a burthen, yet be it remembered, when our poor are well provided for, and walk orderly, they are an ornament to our society; and the rich should consider, "It is more blessed to give than to re"ceive." "He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and "that which he hath given will He pay him again." 1718. P. E.-1833.

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Advised, that where friends want ability in the world, their monthly and quarterly meetings assist them, that the children of the poor may have due help of education, instruction, and necessary learning; and that the children both of the rich and the poor may be early provided with useful employments, that they may not grow up in idleness, looseness, and vice; but that, being seasoned with the truth, taught our holy self-denying way, and sanctified of God, they may become a reputation to our holy profession, the comfort of their honest parents, and instrumental to the glory of God, and to the good of the succeeding generations. 1709. P. E.

As mercy, compassion, and charity are eminently required in this new-covenant dispensation which we are under; so, respecting the poor and indigent among us, it is the advice of this meeting that all poor friends be taken due care of, and none of them sent to the parish to be relieved; and that nothing be wanting for their necessary supply; according to our ancient practice and testimony. 1720. P. E.

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Bibles and

The families of poor friends to be provided, at the discretion and expense of monthly meetings, with bibles, and also with friends' books, friends' books particularly such as are adapted to the instruction and edification of to be supplied. their children. 1754-1801.

poor

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cheerfully

relieved:

We have ever esteemed the duty of ministering to the wants of the as one of primary obligation. This duty ought to be exercised cheer- Poor to be fully and without grudging, and in assisting our poorer brethren, care should be taken not to wound their feelings. It highly becomes a people professing to be united in the faith and hope of the Gospel, to provide for the relief of their own poor. The care of the poor was one of the earliest evidences which Christianity afforded to the Gentiles, of the superiority and divine character of its principles; and a similar provision for those who are united with us in religious fellowship, appears to have been one of the earliest occasions of our meetings for discipline.

The provision made for its poor by our society, is however, it should be remembered, entirely a voluntary one; and its only ground is Christian charity. Whilst enjoining the duty of charity on those who are of ability to extend it, we would remind our poor friends, that it is their duty, by frugality and industry, to use their strenuous endeavours to maintain themselves and their families; and by small savings in time of health, to provide for sickness and old age, so as not to be dependent on others.

but to use

exertions to

maintain

themselves.

support their

We would also observe, that the provision of the society was never Children to designed to contract the duty of charity between individual friends; or parents. to lessen the claims which near relations, in times of necessity, have upon each other. In an especial manner, we esteem it the privilege and the duty of the children of persons who are destitute, to minister to the wants and comforts of their parents with an affectionate cheerfulness, and not to throw the care of them on others. 1833.

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QUERIES.

THIS meeting feels a lively concern to remind our members, that the Their object. intention of directing sundry queries to be answered, relative to the conduct of individuals in the several branches of our Christian profession, is not only to be informed of the state of our meetings, but also to impress on the minds of friends a profitable examination of themselves, how far they act consistently with their religious principles. We would therefore earnestly recommend to every one of our members, more especially when the answers are drawn up, to examine whether he himself is coming up in that life of self-denial and devotedness unto God which so highly becomes all who make profession of the name of Christ. 1787.-1833.

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Directions as

them.

The answers to the queries are to be drawn up in writing in the reto answering spective meetings, under a serious consideration of the state of the meeting. The answers to the queries from the men's meeting are intended to refer to the state and conduct of the whole body of men and women friends. 1787.-1819.-1833.

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In those queries which consist of several particulars, the answers, if there be any deficiency, should show in what particulars it consists. If, in answering the third query, any difference should exist between members of two preparative or monthly meetings, each meeting is to report the said difference, and also whether the same is under due care. On all occasions, the words of the query are, as much as may be, to be kept to in the answers; and when deficiency is acknowledged, report is to be made in the answer whether due admonition and care have been extended. 1798.-1833.

MEN'S QUERIES.

The following are the queries for the men's meetings: the first twelve are to be answered in writing to the Spring quarterly meetings, and from thence to this meeting; the first, third, tenth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth are to be answered in writing to the quarterly meetings in Autumn; and the first and third to the quarterly meetings in Winter.

I. Are meetings for worship and discipline kept up, and do friends attend them duly, and at the time appointed; and do they avoid all unbecoming behaviour therein?

II. Is there among you any growth in the truth?

III. Are friends preserved in love one towards another; if differences arise, is due care taken speedily to end them; and are friends careful to avoid and discourage tale-bearing and detraction?

IV. Do friends endeavour by example and precept to train up their children, servants, and those under their care, in a religious life and conversation, consistent with our Christian profession; and in plainness of speech, behaviour, and apparel ?

V. Is it the care of all friends to be frequent in reading the Holy Scriptures; and do those who have children, servants, and others under their care, train them up in the practice of this religious duty?

VI. Are friends just in their dealings, and punctual in fulfilling their engagements?

VII. Do friends avoid all vain sports, and places of diversion, gaming, all unnecessary frequenting of taverns and other public-houses, excess in drinking, and other intemperance?

VIII. Are friends faithful in bearing our Christian testimony against receiving and paying tithes, priests' demands, and those called churchrates?

FF

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IX. Are friends faithful in our testimony against bearing arms, and being in any manner concerned in the militia, in privateers, or armed vessels, or dealing in prize-goods?

X. Are the necessities of the poor among you properly inspected and relieved; and is good care taken of the education of their offspring? XI. Is due care taken, when any thing appears to require it, that the rules of our discipline be timely and impartially put in practice? XII. Is there any appearance of convincement among you, and have any been joined to our society on that ground since last year ? XIII. Is care taken early to admonish such as appear inclined to marry in a manner contrary to the rules of our society; and in due time to deal with such as persist in refusing to take counsel ?

XIV. Have you two or more faithful friends, appointed by the monthly meeting, as overseers in each particular meeting;1 are the rules respecting removals duly observed; are the general advices read as directed; and are the lists of your members revised and corrected once in the year ?3

XV. Are friends annually advised to keep correct and clear accounts, and carefully to inspect the state of their affairs once in the year?* XVI. Are friends clear of defrauding the king of his customs, duties, and excise, and of using or dealing in goods suspected to be run?

XVII. Do you keep a record of the prosecutions and sufferings of your members; is due care taken to register all marriages, births, and burials; are the titles of your meeting-houses, burial-grounds, &c. duly preserved and recorded; are the rules respecting registers and trust property observed; and are all legacies and donations properly secured and recorded, and duly applied?