This is the section I always turn to when I want to find out whether I am looking at a "Hicksite" or an "Orthodox" book of discipline; specifically I check the paragraph on blasphemy to see what are the doctrines which a Friend could be disciplined for denying. In the pre-separation book they are "the divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the immediate revelation of the Holy Spirit, or the authenticity of the Scriptures." The Hicksites retained this version. The Orthodox branch, in 1834, added "mediation or atonement" after "divinity" [of Jesus Christ] and "and divine inspiration" after "authenticity" [of the Scriptures] and inserted a paragraph expanding on the doctrine of the "propitiatory sacrifice of Christ without us." _________________________________________________________________ CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION WHATEVER exercises we may meet with on account of a faithful testimony to the truth in all godliness of conversation; and to the end that we may not faint in our minds, let us consider the Captain of our salvation, who endured the contradiction of sinners, bearing his cross and despising the shame, and is now set down on the right hand of God, where he continually maketh intercession for us--that following him, and under his banner fighting the good fight of faith, we may finally obtain the crown of righteousness which fadeth not away. Advised that such be dealt with, who are given to lying, swearing, cursing; men and women unlawfully or unseemly keeping company with each other, or any other scandalous practice; and where any are guilty of gross or notorious crimes, or such other disorderly or indecent practices as shall occasion public scandal, after being dealt with by the overseers or other concerned Friends, if they are brought to a sense thereof, such offenders ought without improper delay, to remove the scandal, and clear, as much as in them lies, our holy profession therefrom, by acknowledging the offence, and condemning the same in writing under their hand, to the satisfaction of the monthly meeting whereto they belong. And where any such offender refuseth so to acknowledge and condemn the fault, the said monthly meeting ought speedily to testify against him or her, and the fact. [A later Orthodox discipline adds here: "If any in membership with us do countenance or promote any noisy gatherings or tumults, they should be speedily dealt with as disorderly persons; and if they are not brought to a due sense of their error, disowned." See _Spirituous Liquors_] If any in membership with us shall blaspheme, or speak profanely of Almighty God, Christ Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, he or she ought early to be tenderly treated with for their instruction, and the convincement of their understanding, that they may experience repentance and forgiveness; but should any, notwithstanding this brotherly labour, persist in their error, or deny the divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the immediate revelation of the Holy Spirit, or the authenticity of the Scriptures; as it is manifest they are not one in faith with us, the monthly meeting where the party belongs, having extended due care for the help and benefit of the individual without effect, ought to declare the same, and issue their testimony accordingly. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [After the separation, the Orthodox substituted for the paragraph immediately above, the following two paragraphs: If any belonging to our Society shall blaspheme, or speak profanely of Almighty God, Christ Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, or shall deny the divinity, mediation or atonement of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the immediate revelation of the Holy Spirit, of the authenticity and divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures; or print, publish, or spread any work tending to lay waste a belief in these important Christian principles; as it is manifest they are not one in faith with us, the Monthly Meeting where the party belongs, should extend due care for the convincement of his or her understanding and right restoration; but if this be without effect, it should issue a testimony against them.--1806, 1834. By the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ without us, He hath reconciled us to God, even while we are enemies; that is, He offers reconciliation unto us, and puts us into a capacity of being reconciled; and we, truly repenting and believing, are, through the mercy of God, justified from the imputation of sins and transgressions that are past, as though they had never been committed: and by the mighty work of Christ within us, the power, nature and habits of sin are destroyed; that as sin once reigned unto death, even so now grace reigneth through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.--1834.] ----------------------------------------------------------------- It is the earnest concern of this meeting that in all our dealings and transactions among men, strict justice may be observed, and that no motivates of pecuniary interest may induce any of our members to impose on each other, or on their neighbours; and it is desired that monthly meetings may be careful to extend suitable admonition against a spirit of covetousness, and against every appearance of deviation from strict justice in any of our members. Frequent waiting in stillness on the Lord for the renewal of strength, keeps the mind at home in its proper place and duty, and out of all unprofitable association and converse, whether amongst those of our own, or other professions. Much hurt may accrue to the religious mind by long and frequent conversation on temporal matters, especially by interesting ourselves unnecessarily in them; for there is a leaven in that propensity, which being suffered to prevail, indisposes and benumbs the soul, and prevents its frequent ascendings in living aspirations towards the fountain of eternal life. _________________________________________________________________ Next week: CONVINCED PERSONS Licia Kuenning Friends of Truth/Glenside Friends Meeting/Quaker Heritage Press