Another installment of the 1806 Philadelphia YM discipline:
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                             QUERIES

     It is agreed that the nine queries belonging to meetings for
discipline, be read, deliberately considered and answered in each
preparative and monthly meeting once a year; in order to convey
an explicit account in writing to the quarterly meetings next
preceding the yearly meeting that so this meeting may be clearly
informed of the state of all our meetings.
     Also, that the first, second and eighth of those queries be
read, considered, and explicit answers to them made in writing in
the two quarterly meetings preceding the one before mentioned,
and also in the preparative and monthly meetings which report
thereto.  But none of the queries are to be read or answered in
those quarterly meetings for discipline which immediately succeed
the yearly meeting nor in the preparative or monthly meetings
which report to those quarters.
     It is not considered as obligatory on any meeting to read
the above queries oftener than is here mentioned, or to read any
others than such as are to be answered.  Nor is the reading and
answering of them enjoined on any preparative meeting, where the
members of that and the monthly meeting are the same.--1806.
     It is further agreed that at the time when the nine queries
are read in the preparative and monthly meetings, the advices and
caution subjoined, shall be also distinctly read and solidly
pondered; as a means of putting the members present upon
considering, whether there be any occasion for an extension of
care in those respects: and, if there is, of stirring them up to
a faithful discharge of their duty as individuals, one towards
another.
     FIRST QUERY.  Are all our religious meetings for worship and
discipline duly attended; is the hour observed; and are friends
clear of sleeping, and of all other unbecoming behaviour therein?
     SECOND QUERY.  Is love and unity maintained amongst you. 
Are tale-bearing and detraction discouraged.  And where any
differences arise, are endeavours used speedily to end them?
     THIRD QUERY.  Are Friends careful to bring up those under
their direction, in plainness of speech, behaviour, and apparel;
in frequent reading the holy scriptures; and to restrain them
from reading pernicious books and from the corrupt conversation
of the world?
     FOURTH QUERY.  Are Friends careful to discourage the
unnecessary distillation or use of spirituous liquors, fre-
quenting taverns and places of diversion; and to keep in true
moderation and temperance on the account of marriages, burials
and other occasions?
     FIFTH QUERY.  Are poor Friends necessities duly inspected,
and they relieved or assisted in such business as they are
capable of.  Do their children freely partake of learning to fit
them for business: And are they and other Friends children placed
among Friends?
     SIXTH QUERY.  Do you maintain a faithful testimony against
oaths; an hireling ministry; bearing arms, training, and other
military services; being concerned in any fraudulent or
clandestine trade; buying or vending goods so imported, or prize
goods; and against encouraging lotteries of any kind?
     SEVENTH QUERY.  Are Friends careful to live within the
bounds of their circumstances, and to keep to moderation in their
trade or business: Are they punctual to their promises, and just
in the payment of their debts; and are such as give reasonable
grounds for fear on these accounts timely laboured with for their
preservation or recovery?
     EIGHTH QUERY.  Do you take due care regularly to deal with
all offenders in the spirit of meekness, without partiality or
unnecessary delay, in order for their help; and where such labour
is ineffectual, to place judgment upon them in the authority of
truth?
     NINTH QUERY.  Is due care taken to keep a regular record of
births and burials?
     And in the preparative and monthly meetings, when all the
foregoing queries are read and answered, the following advices
are to be read with a suitable pause between them:
     That no young or single persons make or encourage proposals
of marriage with each other without consent of parents or
guardians, or keep company with those who are not of our
religious society, upon that account; and if parents give their
consent to, or connive at their children's thus keeping company,
or marrying, that they be dealt with according to our discipline:
And if any of our members have been present at marriages
accomplished contrary to the rules of our discipline, that they
also be dealt with.
     That all public gifts and legacies be strictly applied to
the uses intended by the donors; or, if any unforeseen occurrence
should render such compliance difficult or impracticable, that an
early application be made to the meeting for sufferings for its
advice or assistance; and that timely care be taken for the
renewal of trusts.
     That Friends intending removal be careful to apply for
certificates; and that the cases of such who remove without
certificates, or of sojourners coming from other places and
appearing as Friends, without producing certificates, be properly
attended to.
     That Friends carefully inspect the state of their affairs
once in the year; and make their wills and settle their outward
estates whilst in health.
     And it is further recommended that in conducting the affairs
of our meetings, Friends endeavour to manage them in the
peaceable spirit and wisdom of Jesus, with decency, forbearance
and love of each other.
     The following queries are also to be read, considered and
answered once a year, in each monthly and quarterly meeting, and
a report thereof made in writing to this meeting: and it is
recommended that in answering the query respecting schools,
monthly meetings furnish their respective quarters with
particular accounts of the situation and circumstance of the
several schools within their limits, and that the quarterly
meetings convey to this meeting a summary statement thereof.
     First Query.  What ministers and elders deceased, and when?
     Second Query.  What new meeting houses built, or new
meetings settled?
     Third Query.  Are there schools established for the
education of our youth, under the care of teachers in membership
with us, and superintended by committees appointed either in the
monthly or preparative meetings?
     Fourth Query.  Are the queries addressed to the quarterly,
monthly and preparative meetings read and answered therein as
directed?--1755, 1782, 1806.

          QUERIES FOR MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS

     IT is also concluded, that of the following four queries,
formed for the use of the meetings of ministers and elders, the
first three be read and distinctly answered in writing three
times in a year, by each preparative meeting of that kind, to its
respective quarterly meeting: and that all the said four queries
shall be in like manner read and answered, by the preparative to
their quarterly meetings next preceding the yearly meeting of
ministers and elders; that the quarterly meetings may be enabled
to transmit a clear and distinct statement of those answers to
that meeting.
     First Query.  Are ministers and elders careful to attend
meetings for divine worship, bringing their families with them. 
Do they diligently attend meetings for discipline, encouraging
such of their families to this duty as are of proper age, and
suitable deportment?
     Second Query.  Are ministers sound in word and doctrine;
careful to minister in the ability which God gives, and thereby
kept from burthening the living?
     Third Query.  Are the lives and conversation of ministers
and elders clean and blameless amongst men: are they in unity one
with another, and with the meeting they belong to, harmoniously
labouring together for truth's honour?
     Fourth Query.  Are they good examples in uprightness,
temperance and moderation; and careful to train up their families
in plainness of dress and simplicity of manners, becoming our
religious profession?
     And it is earnestly and affectionately recommended, that
ministers and elders watch over one another for good, to help
those who are exercised in the ministry in the right line,
discouraging forward spirits that run into words without life and
power, advising against affectation of tones and gestures, and
every thing that would hurt their service; yet encouraging the
humble careful traveller; "speaking a word in season to them that
are weary."  And let all dwell in that which gives ability to
labour successfully in the church of Christ, adorning the
doctrine which they deliver to others, being examples of the
Believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in
faith, and in purity.--1755, 1795, 1806.
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Next week: SCHOOLS

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