WOMEN'S MEETINGS

     Forasmuch as our women's meetings for discipline were set up and
established in divine wisdom, and by long experience have been found of
advantage, not only to the society in general, but to the youth of their
own sex, in particular; it is earnestly desired, they may be encouraged
to come up to the help of their brethren in that part of the discipline
of the church properly claiming their attention and care.  On consider-
ing the nature and extent whereof, it is apprehended a benefit might
accrue, by explicitly setting forth their distinct allotment and
separate services in their monthly and quarterly meetings, and also in
their yearly meeting.--1796
     Women's monthly meetings; are, First, To inspect and relieve the
wants of the poor of their own sex; and where their own funds are
insufficient, they are to apply to the men's meeting for their aid, and
for their concurrence, as cases shall require.
     Second.  To take cognizance of proposals of marriage, and appoint
two of their members to inquire into the conversation and clearness of
the woman; also two to the oversight of the marriage.
     Third.  They are to appoint a suitable number of overseers, who are
to treat with offenders of their own sex; that their cases be laid
before the women's preparative, and if needful their monthly meeting,
which should proceed to deal further with such delinquents and report
the result of their labours to the men's meeting; and if further dealing
is expedient, the men should appoint a committee to unite with the women
therein; the report of which joint committee is to be made to each
meeting, and the women having considered the same, are to inform the
men's meeting of their sense thereon, and the subject to be finally
resulted by the men: but when a case is brought by the women into the
men's meeting, if on solid consideration further dealing does not appear
to be needful, and the men are most easy to issue it, a committee should
be appointed to prepare a testimony of disownment, which, when approved,
is to be sent to the women's meeting for their concurrence, and care in
delivering it to the party.--1796.
     Fourth.  On application of a woman for admission or reinstatement
into membership; after a religious care therein hath been exercised by
women overseers, and in the preparative meeting as the case may require,
the women's monthly meeting is to make an appointment to join the men,
the report of which united committee is to be made to each meeting, and
the women's meeting having considered the same, are to convey their
sense thereon to the men's meeting, where the subject shall be consid-
ered and finally resulted.--1796.
     Fifth.  They are to join in certificates of removal for women
Friends; in order whereto, the women's monthly meeting is to appoint two
or more of their members to make the necessary inquiry, that the same
may be prepared; and, after being considered in the women's, is to be
laid before the men's meeting; and when there approved and signed,
returned to the women's meeting for their signature; but if the certifi-
cate is intended to include one or more males, then they are to report
the result of their inquiry to the Friends named on the like inquiry by
the men's meeting; in which the certificate being approved and signed,
is to be sent to the women's meeting for their concurrence and signing. 
And all certificates received for women Friends, are to be laid before
the men's meeting, before they can be fully accepted by the women's
meeting.
     Sixth.  When a woman minister apprehends herself under a religious
engagement to travel in truth's service, she is first to spread her
concern before the women's meeting, and if united with, the same is to
be laid before the men's meeting, whose result is to be communicated to
the women's meeting; to which, when a certificate for that purpose is
prepared andsigned by the men's meeting, it is to be sent for their
concurrence and signing.--1796
     Seventh.  When the nomination of a woman elder is judged expedient,
the women's meeting should appoint a judicious committee, to join a like
committee of the men's meeting in the consideration thereof; whose
united report is to be communicated to each meeting; and the women's
meeting, after due deliberation and previous to their making any con-
clusive minute thereon, are to impart their sense to the men's meeting
for their judgment and determination.
     Eighth.  The women's preparative meetings where more than one
constitute a monthly meeting, are to consider and answer the queries:
which is likewise to be done in their monthly meetings; from which they
are to report the state of each monthly meeting to their respective
quarterly meeting; to attend which as their representatives, they should
nominate two or more of their members.--1796