alone is forever able to keep in perfect safety. And if suffering be the lot which doth result from such obedience to the divine requiring, such will, as they abide in the simplicity and innocence of truth, reap the fruits of peace in their own bosom. Let therefore the care of friends, in their several monthly meetings, be exerted to prevent any contributions for hiring substitutes, or other methods of exempting themselves from the militia, inconsistent with our well-known testimony. 1760.

It is our sense and judgment, that we cannot, consistently with our well-known principles, actively pay any rate or assessment on any town or class of men, which may be imposed for not raising the quotas or number assigned them to raise for any military purpose; whether it be as a fine for neglect, or as an equivalent for such quotas or detachment; nor any rates or assessments made for the advancing of the hire or enlisting-money of volunteers, or which may be expressly therein ordered to be given or paid to military men. 1762.

We advise that all friends carefully avoid censuring or judging each other, in respect to the payment or non-payment of any taxes, a part whereof goes to the support of war, and a part for civil gov

ernment.

And it is recommended to friends every where, to take into their serious consideration the inconsistency of any under our profession, suffering their temporal interest to induce them in any manner to contribute to the purposes of war.

It is the concern of this meeting, to recommend to the several monthly meetings, that they, con

sistently with our ancient testimony, refuse the payment of all taxes, expressly or specially for the support of war, whether called for in money, provisions or otherwise; and that accounts of distraints for such taxes be sent up; and that such friends as do actively pay such taxes, be dealt with as disorderly walkers. We also desire, that all friends carefully avoid discouraging a tender scruple, which may arise in the minds of our brethren, respecting the payment of taxes, a part whereof is evidently for the support of war; and that all be careful to manifest, by a steady, consistent conduct, that they singly aim to experience an advancement in the truth. 1781.

It is our sense and judgment, that it will not be consistent with our testimony against war, for any of our members to receive pensions from government, for military services performed before they became members, though reduced to necessitous circumstances; but that this necessity should be relieved by monthly and quarterly meetings, and thereby preserve our religious testimony against the anti-christian practice of war, and manifest their sympathy for their brethren, by contributing to their comfortable support. 1818.

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 manifest service, and helpful in the church; it is the earnest desire and advice of this meeting, that they may be upheld and encouraged. 1707.

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

That they proceed in answering the queries, appointing all the proper officers, and conducting the business necessary 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 disowning and receiving members, it is agreed, when any person requests the care of friends, and when any friend is taken under dealing in any monthly meeting, such meet

ing, whether men's or women's, acquaint the other thereof, in order for their uniting their sympathy, and help, if they think it best; and when the meeting to which application is made, or by which the friend may be under dealing, is about to receive, restore or disown the person under care, that both meetings be aquainted therewith, and their concurrence or unity manifested before the conclusion be entered; and when the approbation of both men and women is obtained, the same 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 assistance to each other, when it appears useful and best, whether expressly desired or not; and that testimonies of denial be read, approved and minuted, in both meetings, and then be signed 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 blessed intent and end of this and all our assemblies is, with the Lord's assistance, for his honor in the promoting and maintaining of our Christian society and religion, in life and practice, in all the parts and branches thereof. 1695.

It is the fervent desire of this meeting, that the business and concerns thereof be solidly, in the fear of God, managed and carried on, without contention or striving; and with as few words, and in as pertinent expressions 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 such friends to attend the service of the yearly meeting, as are men fearing God, of good conversation, weighty spirits, prudent and sincere, well acquainted with the affairs of truth, and diligent attenders of meetings for discipline at home; whose practice and conversation are answerable to the testimony they profess to bear; men known to be faithful and conscientious. 1714, 1733.

Advised, that no representatives withdraw from the meeting before it ends, without leave first requested and granted, that the service of the meeting may not be neglected. 1709.