WAR

     Friends are exhorted faithfully to adhere to our ancient testimony
against wars, and fightings, and in no way to unite with any in warlike
measures, either offensive or defensive, that by the inoffensiveness of
our conduct we may convincingly demonstrate ourselves to be real sub-
jects of the Messiah's peaceful reign, and be instrumental in the
promotion thereof, towards its desired completion; when, according to
ancient prophecy, "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea; and its inhabitants shall learn war no
more."
     When goods have been distrained from any Friends on account of
their refusal to pay fines for non-performance of military services, and
the officers, after deducting the fines and costs, propose to return the
remainder, it is the sense of this meeting, that Friends should maintain
their testimony by suffering, rather than accept such overplus, unless
the same or a part of it is returned without a change of the species.--
1755.
     It is declared to be the sense of this meeting, that furnishing
waggons, or other means for conveying of military stores, is a military
service, and that the care of elders, overseers, and faithful Friends,
should be extended, in true love and Christian tenderness, to such as
deviate herein, in order to convince them of their error.--1755.
     It is the sense of this meeting, that a tax, levied for the
purchasing of drums, colours, or for other warlike uses, cannot be paid
consistently with our Christian testimony.--1776.
     This meeting fervently recommends to the deep attention of all our
members that they be religiously guarded against approving or showing
the least connivance at war, either by attending at or viewing of
military operations, or in any wise encouraging the unstable deceitful
spirit of party, by joining with political devices or associations,
however speciously disguised under the ensnaring subtleties commonly
attendant thereon; but that they sincerely labour to experience a
settlement on the alone sure foundation of pure unchangeable truth;
whereby, through the prevalence of unfeigned Christian love and good
will to men, we may convincingly demonstrate that the kingdom we seek is
not of this world. A kingdom and government whose subjects are free
indeed! redeemed from those captivating lusts from whence come wars and
fighting.--1798
     A living concern for the advancement of our testimony to the
peaceable kingdom of Christ, continuing to spread in many minds, a
fervent desire hath prevailed among us, that the members of our reli-
gious society would carefully avoid engaging in any trade or business
promotive of war, sharing or partaking of the spoils of war by purchas-
ing or selling prize goods, importing or shipping goods in armed
vessels, paying taxes for the express purpose of war, grinding of grain,
feeding of cattle, or selling their property for the use of the army:
that through a close attention to the monitions of divine grace, and
guarding against the suppression of it either in themselves or others,
they may be preserved in a conduct consistent with our holy profession,
from wounding the minds or increasing the sufferings of each other; not
at all doubting, that he to whom appertains the kingdom and the power;
who is wonderful in working, will continue to carry on and perfect his
blessed cause of peace in the earth.  A solid attention to this concern
is recommended to quarterly, monthly and preparative meetings, and to
our brethren in general, it being the judgment of this meeting, that if
any of our members do either openly or by connivance pay any fine,
penalty or tax in lieu of personal service for carrying on war, or allow
their children, apprentices or servants to act therein, or are concerned
in arming or equipping vessels with guns, or deal in public certificates
issued as a compensation for expenses accrued or services performed in
war, that they be tenderly dealt with, and if they cannot be brought to
an acknowledgment of their error, monthly meetings are at liberty to
testify against them.--1780, 1781.
     It is the sense and judgment of this meeting that it is inconsis-
tent with our religious testimony and principle for any Friend to pay a
fine or tax, levied on them on account of their refusal to serve in the
militia, although such fine or imposition may be applied towards defray-
ing the expenses of civil government; and where deviations in this
respect occur, tender dealing and advice should be extended to the party
in order to their convincement and restoration; and if this proves in-
effectual, monthly meetings should proceed to testify against them.--
1790.