5

6

Custody of

deeds.

7

Record of trusts.

8

Accounts.

The formalities of enrolment and attestation, pointed out in No. 2, are not considered necessary on transfers to new trustees.

Care is to be particularly taken that all title-deeds and writings relating to meeting-houses, burial-grounds and trust property of any kind, held for the use of any part of the society, as well as all deeds and records relative to donations and legacies, be deposited in a place of security, free from damp, and from danger by fire; and that the custody of them be entrusted to two or more friends appointed for the purpose. It is suggested, that where practicable or convenient, the titledeeds of such property, situate within the limits of any one quarterly meeting, be deposited (under the direction of the said meeting) in the most suitable, and as far as practicable, central place, combined with security; that it may be more generally known where they are to be

met with.

Monthly meetings are to take care that a correct account of the nature of all trusts, with the names of the trustees of such real or personal property as they are entrusted with, or entitled to, be recorded in a book kept for that purpose; in which should be inserted the place of deposit of the title-deeds of such property. In all cases of legacies or donations, copies of the wills, or of the clauses of the wills, with the date of probate, and of deeds of gift, are, as far as practicable, to be procured, and carefully recorded in the said book.

Monthly meetings are to exercise due care, that all legacies and donations be properly secured, and duly applied, according to the directions of the testators and donors: and in order that the appropriation of these, as well as of all other trust funds under the care of the monthly meeting, may be duly attended to, distinct accounts are to be regularly kept of the receipts and expenditure thereof; which accounts are to be annually examined by the monthly meeting, or a committee appointed by it, when the list of trustees is to be read over with reference to No. 3.

any

9

meetings to

Monthly meetings are to furnish the quarterly meetings, of which they form parts, with a brief account of the nature of the trusts and Monthly the names of the trustees of the real and personal property possessed report to quarterly by them; and also to transmit from time to time accounts of meetings. additions or alterations therein. Quarterly meetings are to record such accounts in a proper book, with an index: and the names of the trustees are to be annually examined by or on behalf of the quarterly meeting.

10

Trust property of particu

Where the trust property belongs to, or is under the care of, preparative or particular meetings, the monthly meeting is to exercise a general superintendence over them, in conformity with the spirit of the lar meetings; several provisions contained in Nos. 6, 7, and 8.

Where the trust property belongs to, or is under the care of, quarterly meetings, they are to conform to the foregoing regulations, which of quarterly may be applicable to their case. But it is not expected that they should furnish to this meeting any account of the trusts, or trustees, unless specially required.

11

meetings;

Where the trust property belongs to, or is under the care of, any distinct body or committee of friends, as in the case of schools and of other deother charitable foundations, it is recommended that the spirit of the above rules should be attended to, and the provisions complied with, as far as the circumstances will permit.

12

scriptions.

The statute of charitable uses, 9 Geo. II. c. 36, does not extend to Scotland; but the foregoing recommendations, which relate to the general care and oversight of trusts by quarterly, monthly, and other meetings, are to be considered applicable to the general meeting of friends in Scotland and its subordinate meetings.

13

Scotland.

Should any meeting be dissolved or cease to retain its distinct character, care should be taken that a minute be previously entered Case of a

14

meeting about to be dissolved.

on its books, for regularly transferring the property under its direction to the superintendence of the meeting which may succeed it in authority, in all instances where the nature of the trust admits of this being done. This will be the case with every trust created agreeably to any of the above forms. 1794.-1832.

WAR.

IT hath been a weighty concern on this meeting, that our ancient and honourable testimony against being concerned in bearing arms, or fighting, may be maintained; it being a doctrine and testimony agreeable to the nature and design of the Christian religion, and to the universal love and grace of God. This testimony, we desire may be strictly and carefully maintained, by a godly care and concern in all to stand clear therein; so shall we strengthen and comfort one another. 1730. P. E.

And as it hath pleased the Lord, by the breaking forth of the glorious light of his Gospel, and the shedding abroad of his Holy Spirit, to gather us to be a people to his praise, and to unite us in love, not only one unto another, but to the whole creation of God, by subjecting us to the government of his Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace; it behoveth us to hold forth the ensign of the Lamb of God, and by our patience and peaceable behaviour to show, that we walk in obedience to the example and precepts of our Lord and Master, who hath commanded us to love our enemies, and to do good even to them that hate us. Wherefore we intreat all who profess themselves members of our society, to be faithful to that ancient testimony, borne by us ever since we were a people, against bearing arms and fighting; that by a conduct agreeable to our profession, we may demonstrate ourselves to be real followers of the Messiah, the peaceable Saviour, of the increase of whose govrenment and peace, there shall be no end. 1744. P. E.

1

'Isaiah, ix. 6, 7.

1

GENERAL

COUNSEL.

2

GENERAL

COUNSEL.

3

5

We have endeavoured, in the last two years, to caution our brethren in profession, against suffering the commotions of the times to seduce them from the path of blameless simplicity, in which it becomes all true followers of Christ to walk. And, though we desire not to repeat similar advice, we think it incumbent on us now to bid you beware of being induced, either inadvertently or for gain, in any manner to give countenance to the destroying practice of war. Many are the ways by which the unwary and the covetous may be caught. But, brethren, look beyond the surface. Behold the depth of misery into which war plunges mankind. Then, putting your trust in Him who gives understanding to the simple, and provides for the sparrows, ye may avoid the pollution which is theirs, who join hands with this desolating evil. 1795. P. E.

We feel not inclined, though war yet continues to desolate the earth, to repeat our advices on that head, or to resume the subject further than to remark how thankful we ought to be, in that we are still permitted to meet together, as we have done at this time, in brotherly fellowship and mutual condescension; whilst the world around us is tossed with the tempest of discord. O friends, may we consider it as an incitement to suffer every thing which tends to contention, to be eradicated from our hearts; and, under the influence of the spirit of Christ, to cultivate with unwearied assiduity and patience, all those dispositions which make for peace; things whereby we may edify one another; yea, things by which we may evince to our fellow-men at large, that we are really redeemed from the spirit of contests, and truly the disciples of a merciful Redeemer, whose holy, pure, and undefiled religion is a system of universal love! 1797. P. E.

Our general scruple to bear arms is well known; and truly we are satisfied that our testimony in this respect is a testimony for Messiah, of whose reign it is the glory, that "the wolf and the lamb shall feed together."'1

1 Is. lxv. 25.