Our current project at Quaker Heritage Press is to reprint the
19th-century Discipline.  From the time that minutes about
Friends' testimonies began to be assembled in book form at
the very end of the 18th century, until the 1880s, these books
followed a consistent pattern.  Topics were arranged
alphabetically.  There was very little difference from one yearly
meeting to another, and very little difference between
"Hicksite" and "Orthodox" books of discipline.

I would like to share this book with the list in installments, one
topic per week, using the 1806 Philadelphia discipline and
adding notes where I am aware of any significant variation.
(Before the book actually goes to the printer I hope to examine
all the books of discipline from this period and be able to
footnote all the variations.)

Here is installment #1 - Introduction:
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          RULES OF DISCIPLINE OF THE
          YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS HELD IN PHILADELPHIA
          1806

                          INTRODUCTION

      AS it hath pleased the Lord in these latter days, by his
spirit and power, to gather a people to himself; and, releasing
them from the impositions and teachings of men, to inspire them
with degrees of the same universal love and good will by which
the dispensation of the gospel was ushered in, these have been
engaged to meet together for the worship of God in Spirit,
according to the direction of the holy Law-giver; as also for the
exercise of a tender care over each other, that all may be
preserved in unity of faith and practice, answerable to the
description which He the ever-blessed Shepherd gave of his
flock "by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye
have love one to another." John 13:35.

      For this important end, and as an exterior hedge of
preservation to us, against the many temptations and dangers, to
which our situation in this world exposes us, the following rules
have been occasionally adopted by the society, and now form
our code of discipline.  In the exercise whereof it is to be observed
that, if any member be found in a conduct subversive of its order,
or repugnant to the testimonies which we believe we are intrusted
with for the promotion of truth in the earth, it becomes our
indispensable duty to treat with such, in meekness and brotherly
compassion, without unnecessary delay or improper exposure;
according to the direction of our Lord to his church "if thy brother
shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault, between thee
and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more,
that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be
established.  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the
church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee
as a heathen-man and a publican." Matt. 18:15,16,17.

      This is the extent of the society's censure against
irreclaimable offenders, they are disowned as members of our
religious community; which is recommended to be done in such a
disposition of mind, as may convince them, that we sincerely
desire their recovery and restoration, "considering ourselves, lest
we also be tempted." Gal. 6:1.

[Some disciplines add to this paragraph:
>From the right exercise hereof, we believe no degree of
persecution or imposition can be justly inferred, for the
imposition rests on the part of those who, (as has sometimes
happened,) insist on being retained as members, whilst at open
variance with our religious body, either in principle or practice.]

      For the more regular and effectual support of this order of
the society, beside the usual meetings for the purpose of Divine
worship, others are instituted subordinate to each other; such as
_First_. Preparative meetings, which commonly consist of the
members of a meeting for worship; _Second_. Monthly meetings,
each of which consists of several preparative meetings; _Third_.
Quarterly meetings, each of which consists of several of the monthly
meetings; and _Fourth_, the yearly meeting* which comprises the whole.

      These meetings have all distinct allotments of service; and
as experience shews that when this service is attended to in
uprightness and dedication of heart, with a single eye to the
honour of our Holy Head, and the help and edification one of
another, in the love wherewith he has loved us, our assemblies
are often favoured with his aid and direction; Friends are
affectionately desired and exhorted, to be diligent in the
attendance of them; and when met, humbly seek to be clothed
with the spirit of wisdom and charity; this will divest the mind
of a dependance on our own strength and abilities, endue us with
patience and condescension towards each other; and being
preserved in fellowship agreeably to our Lord's declaration, "One
is your master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren," a
qualification will be experienced in our several stations and
movements to build up one another in that faith which works
by love to the purifying of the heart.

        So may we be living members of the church-militant on
earth; and inhabitants of that city which hath foundations, whose
maker and builder the Lord is; knowing indeed with exceeding joy
that great is He the Holy One of Israel in the midst of her.
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        *In the society there are seven such yearly meetings,
viz. one in Great Britain, and six on the American continent.
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Next week: APPEALS

Licia Kuenning
Friends of Truth/Glenside Friends Meeting/Quaker Heritage Press