More of the 1806 Philadelphia YM discipline:
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                    MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE

     ADVISED that none accustom themselves to vain and idle
company, sipping and tippling of drams and strong drink; for
though such who use that evil practice may not suddenly become
drunken to the greatest degree, yet they often thereby become
like ground fitted for the seeds of the greatest transgressions,
and some who have had the good example of virtuous parents, have
from small beginnings arrived to a shameful excess, to their
ruin, the great injury of their wives and families, and the
scandal of the religious profession they have made.--1706, 1737.
     It having been observed that a pernicious custom has pre-
vailed upon people, of giving rum and other strong liquors to
excite some to bid at vendues to advance the price, which,
besides the injustice of the artifice, is scandalous, and leads
to intemperance and disorder; it is therefore the unanimous sense
of this meeting to caution Friends against the same. And if any
under our profession do fall into this evil practice, by giving
or taking strong liquors at vendues, or countenance or promote
any noisy gatherings, they should be speedily dealt with as
disorderly persons, and if they cannot be brought to a sense of
their error, disowned.--1726, 1734.
     Many just and pertinent remarks being made in this meeting,
clearly setting forth the corrupting, debasing, and ruinous
effects consequent on the importation and retailing large
quantities of distilled spirits, whereby the intemperate use of
them is greatly aided and encouraged, to the impoverishment of
many, distempering the constitutions and understandings of many
more, and increasing vice and dissolution in the land, wherewith
many religiously attentive minds have been long painfully
burthened; it is the united sense of the meeting, that well
concerned Friends in all quarters, be earnestly excited to suffer
the affecting importance of this mighty evil, religiously to
impress their minds, and animate them with a lively concern to
excite honest endeavours, both by example and loving entreaty to
caution and dissuade all our members from being concerned in the
importation or retailing distilled spirits, or giving countenance
thereto.--1784, 1787.
     It is affectionately recommended, that Friends be careful to
use moderation on account of marriages, births and burials, and
on all other occasions; a departure from which being a cause of
stumbling to many, and a great obstruction to a more full
reformation, as well as attended with other evil consequences,
tending to obscure that light which we have to hold up to others,
and should have more abundantly, if we were faithful; lessening
that savour which we ought ever carefully to preserve, agreeably
to the monition of the holy apostle, "Let your moderation be
known unto all men, the Lord is at hand." Phil. 4:5.  And as the
all-seeing eye beholds our thoughts, and views us in all our ways
and actions, what manner of men ought we to be in all godliness
of life, and sobriety of deportment.--1789.
     And if any should distil spirits out of grain or retail such
liquors, monthly meetings should deal with them as with other
offenders, and if they cannot be prevailed with to desist from
such a practice, be at liberty to declare their disunity with
them.
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Next week:  NEGROES OR SLAVES

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