More of the 1806 Philadelphia YM discipline:
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                        NEGROES OR SLAVES

     It appears to have been the concern of this meeting revived
from time to time, with increasing weight, to testify their
entire disunity with the practice of enslaving mankind (and
particularly to guard all in membership with us against being
concerned in the purchase of slaves from the coasts of Africa)
yet as we have with sorrow to observe that in some parts of our
country, this shameful practice is still continued and connived
at, we think it proper to revive the advices heretofore issued;
and again exhort our members, to be no way accessary to this
enormous national evil, but to discourage it by all the
justifiable means in their power; it being obvious that wherever
it prevails it tends to corrupt the morals of the people, so as
not only to render them obnoxious to the displeasure of the
Almighty, but deaf to his warnings, and insensible and regardless
of his impending judgments.--1755, 1806.
     And we earnestly desire it may become the concern of our
members generally, to use the influence they have with those who
hold slaves by inheritance or otherwise, that they may be treated
with moderation and kindness, and instructed as objects of the
common salvation in the principles of the Christian religion; as
well as in such branches of school-learning as may fit them for
freedom, and to become useful members of civil society.  Also
that Friends in their several neighbourhoods advise and assist
such of the black people as are at liberty, in the education of
their children, and common worldly concerns.--1778.
     Understanding that some in membership with us, either
through inadvertence, or from selfish motives, have hired slaves
to assist them in their business; we desire such to consider that
in so doing they promote the unrighteous traffic, and oppose our
testimony against it.
     Friends are also cautioned against acting as executors or
administrators to estates where slaves are bequeathed; and doing
any thing whereby their bondage may be prolonged.--1774.
     We are united in judgment, that the state of the black
people, who have been held as slaves by any of us or our
predecessors, calls for a deep inquiry and close examination, how
far we are clear of with holding from them, what under such an
exercise may be opened to our view as their just right; and we
earnestly and affectionately entreat those in particular who have
released any of them, to attend to the further openings of duty. 
Even if no such obligations to this people existed among us, it
is worthy of our serious consideration, whether any object of
beneficence is more deserving of our regard, than that of
training up their youth in such virtuous principles and habits as
may render them useful and respectable members of the community.
     It is the sense and judgment of this meeting, that if any of
our members are concerned in importing, selling, or purchasing;
or shall give away or transfer any negro or other slave, with or
without any other consideration than to clear their estate of any
future incumbrance, or in such manner that their bondage is
continued beyond the time limited by law or custom for white
persons; and also those who accept of such gift or assignment;
they ought to be speedily treated with in the spirit of true love
and wisdom, and the iniquity of their conduct laid before them. 
And if, after Christian labour, they cannot be brought to such a
sense of their injustice, as to do every thing which the monthly
meeting shall judge to be reasonable and necessary for the
restoring such slave to his or her natural and just right to
liberty, and condemn their deviation from the law of
righteousness and equity, to the satisfaction of the said
meeting, that such member or members be testified against as
other transgressors are by the rules of our discipline for other
immoral, unjust, or reproachful conduct.--1774.
     It appearing that, notwithstanding the many afflictive
dispensations with which divine wisdom has seen meet to visit
this land, many of its inhabitants are so deaf to the language of
the rod, as to continue in the nefarious traffic for slaves to
the coasts of Africa: and that the importation of them is still
connived at: this meeting, considering such a conduct as a bold
and impious defiance of the Ruler of nations, and pregnant with
the most alarming consequences to our country, earnestly
recommends to the meeting for sufferings to embrace every
suitable opportunity for advancing our testimony in this respect,
and for calling the attention of the public mind to this awfully
interesting subject.--1786, 1787, 1806.
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Next week:  OATHS

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