It is the concern of this meeting, to recommend to the feveral monthly-meetings, that they, confiftent with our ancient teftimony, refuse the payment of all taxes, exprefsly or fpecially for the fupport of war, whether called for in money, provifions or otherwife; and that accounts of diftraints for such taxes be sent up; and that fuch friends as do actively pay fuch taxes be dealt with as disorderly walkers. We alfo defire, that all friends carefully avoid difcouraging a tender fcruple, which may arise in the minds of our brethren, refpecting the payment of fuch taxes, a part whereof is evidently for the fupport of war; and that all be careful to manifeft, by a steady confiftent conduct, that they fingly aim to experience an advancement in the truth. 1781.

WOMEN'S MEETINGS.

OUR women's meetings being set up and approved in the love of God, and by his wisdom and power; and being of manifeft fervice, and, helpful in the church; it is the earnest defire and advice of this meeting, that they may be upheld and encouraged. 1707.

And in order that the fervice of women's meetings may be the more extenfive, it is recommended that each monthly-meeting of women friends depute representatives to attend the fervice of their quarterly-meetings; and each quarterly-meeting depute representatives to the yearly-meeting.

That they proceed in anfwering the queries, appointing all the proper officers, and conduct. ing the bufinefs neceffary to their meetings, as the men's meetings are advised, under queries, monthly-meetings, quarterly-meetings and yearly-meetings.

In regard to the matter of men and women's meetings being united in difowning and receiv ing members, it is agreed, when any perfon requests the care of friends, and when any friend is taken under dealing in any monthly-meeting, fuch meeting, whether men's or women's, acquaint the other thereof, in order for their

uniting their fympathy, and help, if they think it beft; and when the meeting to whom application is made, or by whom the friend may be under dealing, are about to receive, restore or difown the perfon under care, that both meetings be acquainted therewith, and their concurrence or unity manifefted before the conclufion be entered; and when the approbation of both men and women be obtained, the fame be entered on the minutes of each meeting.

And it is advised, that men and women be attentive and ready in their monthly and quarterly-meetings to unite their affiftance to each other, when it appears useful and best, whether exprefsly defired or not; and that teftimonies of denial be read, approved and minuted, in both meetings, and then be figned by the clerk of the men's meeting, if respecting a man, and if a woman, by the clerk of the women's meeting.

YEARLY-MEETING.

THE good and bleffed intent and end of this and all our affemblies is, with the Lord's affiftance, for his honour, in the promoting and maintaining our Christian society and religion, in life and practice, in all the parts and branches thereof. 1695.

It is the fervent defire of this meeting, that the business and concerns thereof be folidly, in the fear of God, managed and carried on, without contention or ftriving; and with as few words, and in as pertinent expreffions to the matter in hand, as may be, for expediting the affairs thereof without loss of time, or any ways disordering the meeting; but one at a time speaking, and standing up, that all things may be done decently, and in good order. 1710.

That the quarterly-meetings be careful annually to depute fuch friends to attend the fervice of the yearly-meeting, as are men fearing God, of good converfation, weighty fpirits, prudent and fincere, well acquainted with the affairs of truth, and diligent attenders of meetings for discipline at home; whose practice and converfation is answerable to the teftimony they profefs to bear; men known to be faithful and confcientious. 1714, 1733.

Advised that no reprefentatives withdraw from the meeting before it ends, without leave firft requefted and granted, that the fervice of the meeting may not be neglected. 1709.

U

It behoveth us, in all fuch our affemblies, to have our minds feafoned with a fense of the weight of the work we are engaged in, and to exert ourselves with an holy zeal for the cause of God, and the promotion of his truth; carefully watching against an exalted fpirit, which would ftrive for mastery and dominion, labouring in love and meeknefs of wisdom to be helpful one unto another, that "Nothing may be done through ftrife, or vain-glory; but, in lowliness of mind, let each efteem other better than themfelves." Phil. ii. 3. 1747.

It is agreed, that the Yearly-Meeting for NewEngland be held on Rhode-Island, beginning with a meeting of ministers and elders, at the 9th hour on seventh-day after the fecond fixth-day in the fixth month, at Portsmouth; that the meetings for worship on firft-day, begin at the 10th hour in the morning and the 4th hour in the afternoon, both at Portsmouth and Newport; and that the meeting for church difcipline begin at the 9th hour on fecond-day morning, at Newport. And that the former clerk, or in his absence the clerk of the meeting for fufferings, act as clerk at that fitting; at the conclusion of which fitting the representatives are to meet and agree upon a clerk for the year, and report the fame to the adjournment.

Agreed that all papers that come before this. meeting, as well as quarterly and monthly-meetings, except fuch as are from immediate correfpondents, be firft examined by a committee to be from time to time appointed, before they be read in our meetings.