Here's another installment of the nineteenth-century Book
of Discipline, mostly from the 1806 Philadelphia YM edition.
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                          CERTIFICATES

     IT is recommended to the quarterly and monthly meetings to
take care, that all certificates or minutes which may be given to
any travelling Friend be recorded, and upon the return of such
Friend, seasonably delivered back to the meeting; and that all
certificates of removal brought by any Friend intending to reside
amongst us, shall be lodged in the monthly meeting, where the
same is accepted; and also that every meeting do keep a copy or
record of all certificates which they give out.

     All certificates of removal prepared for women Friends,
after being considered in their monthly meeting, are to be sent
to the men's, and if there approved, signed by the clerks of
both.  If they are directed to any place beyond the limits of
this yearly meeting, they are to be signed by the clerks, and at
least four other Friends of each sex.  And if the certificate is
for a man only, it is to be signed by the clerk of the men's
meeting, and at least four other men Friends.

     Friends are advised to be very cautious in changing their
places of residence: it having been observed that the dissolving
of old, and the forming of new connections, have in many instances
been attended with effects prejudicial to a growth in the truth
and the service thereof, both in the heads and younger branches
of families; we therefore recommend to all, that on these
occasions a strict attention be paid to the pointings of Divine
Wisdom; and that before any determine to change their places
of abode, they consult with their experienced fellow members.

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   Later Disciplines add the following:

          When a Monthly meeting is engaged to prepare a
      certificate on account of the removal of any Friend, to
      reside within the limits of another Monthly Meeting,
      careful inquiry should be made by a committee appointed for
      the purpose, respecting the settlement of his or her
      affairs, and also if single, concerning their situation in
      relation to marriage engagements; and if a satisfactory
      clearness is so far ascertained, that the circumstances of
      the party do not form any impediment to the granting of a
      certificate, it should state, that, on inquiry, no obstruc-
      tion appeared to the recommending him or her to the Christian
      care of the meeting, within whose limits they are removed.
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     It is the judgment of this meeting that when a certificate
of removal from one monthly meeting to another is received, the
person or persons recommended shall be deemed members of the
meeting they remove to.  But if any such persons shall fall into
circumstances requiring pecuniary relief within one year after
the receipt of such certificate, he, she, or they shall be con-
sidered as belonging to the monthly meeting from which they came. 
Yet the meeting removed to, ought to assist them, giving speedy
notice thereof to the other.  Where upon that meeting should
immediately take care of them, and repay the charge which has
been or may be incurred on that account.  And if the meeting from
which such persons removed (on consulting with that within which
they are) shall desire them to return, he or she ought to comply,
as soon as they are of ability so to do: and the Friends where
they reside, should yield them such advice and assistance as the
case may require.

     And if any such persons on being so required shall refuse to
comply, the said monthly meeting may deal with them as opposed to
the order of the society, and if they cannot be prevailed with to
submit, issue a testimony of denial against them.

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   A later Hicksite Discipline alters the above paragraph and
   the final sentence of the one preceding it, stating instead:

      But if any Friend be reduced in his or her circumstances by
      fire or other sudden unavoidable losses, though it may be
      within one year after their removal as aforesaid, they
      should be kindly assisted and relieved by the meeting where
      such persons reside.
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     The above rule enjoining the return of members to the meet-
ings they have removed from, is, however, not designed to extend
to the wife of a person, who is not in membership with us, or to
such of their minor children as are members; but if such should
need relief, within one year as aforesaid, they should be assist-
ed, in the manner recommended, by the meeting they removed from;
if any Friends be reduced in his or her circumstances by fire or
other sudden unavoidable losses, though it may be within one year
after their removal as aforesaid, they should be kindly assisted
and relieved by the meeting where such persons reside, and con-
sidered members thereof.

     All Friends removing out of the limits of their monthly
meetings, whether for continuance, or for any considerable length
of time, are advised to apply to their respective meetings for
certificates directed to those within which they propose to so-
journ or settle.  But if any shall remove without so applying,
the monthly meetings of which they are members, after the usual
enquiry made, and no obstruction appearing, should send certifi-
cates for them to the monthly meetings within which they are
removed, and that without improper delay; but if their conduct
requires their being dealt with, and the distance such as to be
inconvenient for the meeting they have removed from, the monthly
meeting within which they are, should be requested to treat with
him or her thereon, and report the effect of its care.  On which,
if it proves satisfactory, a certificate of recommendation or
removal may be ordered; but if otherwise, and a testimony of
disunion is issued, the meeting within which he or she resides,
should be furnished with a copy thereof, to be delivered to the
party, with information of their right of appeal.

     It is to be understood that where apprentices, or persons
under age, are under a necessity of going from one place to
another, their parents or guardians, masters or mistresses,
should apply for certificates for them, recommending them to the
care and oversight of the monthly meetings whereto they remove.

     If any person appearing as a Friend, come within the compass
of a monthly meeting, not being recommended by certificate, and
be of disorderly conduct, the overseers, or other concerned Friends,
should enquire whether or not he or she is a member of our society;
and, if they prove so to be, admonish them, or, if the occasion
require it, report the case to the preparative, and from thence
to the monthly meeting; which should thereupon inform the monthly
meeting of which he or she is a member, of the circumstance,
and take the direction of said meeting, for dealing further with
them, according to our rules in cases of that nature.

     It is recommended that monthly meetings, as way may open,
appoint two or more Friends to visit such, who come recommended
by certificate to settle amongst them.

     Monthly meetings are advised to take due care that certifi-
cates of removal be seasonably forwarded by suitable conveyances
to the monthly meetings to which they are directed--they being
the exclusive property of such meetings

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   A later Orthodox Discipline adds the following:

        When a certificate of removal, addressed to a Monthly
      Meeting, is produced therein, and it is known that the
      person or persons recommended reside within the limits
      thereof, the certificate should be considered as accepted,
      and the parties members of that meeting; subject however to
      the rule as it relates to pecuniary relief within one year
      thereafter.  But if it should appear that the conduct of
      them, or any of them, requires their being dealt with, the
      certificate should be returned to the meeting which granted
      it.--1816, 1834.
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Next week:  CHARITY AND UNITY

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