Another section of the 1806 Philadelphia YM book of discipline:
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                              OATHS

     ADVISED that our Christian testimony be faithfully
maintained against the burthen and imposition of oaths, according
to the express command of Christ, and the injunction of the
apostle James, viz. "Ye have heard that it hath been said by them
of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform
unto the Lord thine oaths; but I say unto you, swear not at all:
neither by heaven, for it is God's throne: nor by the earth, for
it is his footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of
the great king.  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because
thou canst not make one hair white or black: but let your
communication be, yea, yea, nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than
these cometh of evil." Mat. 5:33-37.
     "But above all things my brethren, swear not, neither by
heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let
your yea, be yea; and your nay,nay; lest ye fall into condem-
nation." James 5:12.
     From the year 1718 to 1771, divers minutes of this meeting
appear, declaring that oaths administered by clerks or others,
under the notice and connivance of Friends, either in court or
elsewhere, violate our ancient testimony.  And it is earnestly
recommended to quarterly and monthly meetings, that where any
under our name are parties to the administration of oaths, to be
careful to proceed in dealing with them; and if they will not
decline the practice and give suitable satisfaction to the
meeting they belong to, to testify against them agreeably to the
rules of our discipline.
     As it is our duty to support our Christian testimony against
oaths, faithful Friends are desired to extend brotherly labour
towards those who deviate therefrom, and if such labour proves
unsuccessful, monthly meetings should testify their disunity with
them.
     And Friends in all places are exhorted carefully to avoid
electing or promoting their brethren to such stations in civil
government as may subject them to the temptation of violating
this testimony; and where any members shew an inclination or
desire of soliciting or accepting of such offices, timely care
should be taken to caution them against it.  And in the execution
of instruments of writing requiring witnesses, it is recommended
that Friends endeavour to procure such persons for this purpose,
as will attest the same by affirmation.--1762, 1806.
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Next week: OVERSEERS

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