{"product_id":"1719-1747-quaker-discipline","title":"1719 \/ 1747 QUAKER DISCIPLINE. Rare Early Quaker Anti-Slavery Sentiment, Interactions with Indians, \u0026c.","description":"\u003cp\u003eA superbly preserved, 18th century MSs of the Book of Discipline of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, likely the MSs example used for the discipline of the Society of Friends at Providence, near Philadelphia from its inception and throughout the 18th century. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt least two other similar examples are known, apparently held by Haverford in their archives. Those each seem to have revisions in them and have been local use examples similar to the present. This example also likely with variants from the other two examples at points since these were practical, local documents used in the governance of individual meeting houses. The manuscript itself identifies points of revision or reference to the discipline of 1704, and other earlier documents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Our Yearly Meeting at Philadelphia for Pennsylvania and the Jersey's. By Adjournment from the Twenty-First of the Seventh Month to the Twenty-Sixth of the Same, 1719 [pp.1-79] \/ 1747 [pp.80-97]. 97pp. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt begins with an introduction, describing the biblical and apostolic tradition of gathering for times of worship, discipline, teaching, prayer, and the expression of the love of Christ one to another as precedent for the yearly meeting. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey describe themselves in eschatological terms, seemingly with special reference to their establishment in Pennsylvania:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e. . . and it has pleased ye Lord, in these latter days - to call a people to freedom \u0026amp; from under yt unnatural \u0026amp; unwarrantable yoke, so at ye same time he hath been pleased to raise in ye Hearts of his Servants in some Degree yt Primitive Love \u0026amp; good will wherein they have been perswaded \u0026amp; directed by his Wisdom \u0026amp; power to have Meetings Established for ye like good purpose, as in ye primitive times, \u003c\/em\u003e\u0026amp;c.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document also establishes the intentional placement of women in roles of leaderships:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLet each Monthly meeting chose two or more sober \u0026amp; juditious men frds as also two or more women frds from time to time as they may see fit to change ym for ye ease \u0026amp; experience of ye members, to be Overseers within ye limits of ye respective meetings . . . and that there be for ye like service \u003c\/em\u003e[designated from early quarterly meeting] \u003cem\u003eat last four men \u0026amp; four women frds appointed by each Quarterly meeting, to attend ye yearly meeting . . . \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document further attempts to create as flat a community as possible, a \"priesthood of saints,\" while also having some sense of organization that is more broadly accountable. For instance, in the case of reproving those who make the gospel a scandal by their behavior, the role of the community is seen as taking precedent, ahead of the \"overseers,\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNow whatsoever appears in any contrary to these \u003c\/em\u003e[whatsoever is honest, pure, etc.] \u003cem\u003emay in general terms be said to come under ye notice of frds, overseers \u0026amp; meetings. An altho it is a duty incumbent upon meetings and every faithful member where any disorder unbecoming practice comes to their knowledge to advise, admonish, or deal with such as are guilty of ym. Yet yt ye same may not be overlooked, or neglected, it ought to be more particularly directly ye business \u0026amp; service of ye overseers.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e. . . \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurther quotations of interest:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSuch as are given to excess of drinking, swearing, cursing, lying, unlawful or unseemly keeping company with women, or any other scandalous practice. Such as are at difference or strife, one with another. Either about their intrest or worldly affairs, or other resentments or provocations, advising ym to agree it between themselves \u0026amp; be speedily reconciled \u0026amp; to avoide if possible bringing any troublesome business to meetings which can be otherwise ended\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e. . . \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIf any (old or young) *** come to meeting do fall a sleep, go out \u0026amp; in frequently, or otherwise disturb ye meeting: let ym be rebuked \u0026amp; cautioned first privately, and all parents, masters \u0026amp; mistresses, ought at all times to have a godly care over their children \u0026amp; servants \u0026amp; caution ym accordingly. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e. . . \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSuch as keep company in order for marriage, with one not of our profession, or with any Bound Servant, without ye leave of her master or mistress. Such as marry out of unity of frds - or by any other method ym ye decent \u0026amp; orderly way used among friends. Such as go themselves or suffer their children to go to such marriages mentioned in ye last paragraph, for tis a strengthning ym in yt disorder. such as they may hear of who Intend to Offer proposals of marraige to the Monthly Meeting, wh is manfest to ym cannot pass there, either or want of a certificate or any other apparent cause, etc. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e. . . \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther issues addressed include attending to plainness of speech, gesture, and dress, against indulgence of a wanton mind, against the use of unscriptural names for the days of the week and names of the months, on plainness of furniture and decoration in the home, against debt, warnings against racing either on horse-back or foot, against gambling and wagers, against smoaking tobacco \u003cem\u003eindecently \u0026amp; too publickly, as in streets high-roads or other publick places of general \u0026amp; promiscuous resort\u003c\/em\u003e,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e. . . \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eon the selling of rum or brandy to ye Indians because it is \u003cem\u003econtrary to ye care frds have always had since ye settlement of these countries yt they might not contribute to ye abuse \u0026amp; hurt those poor people receive by drinking thereof, being generally incapable of using moderation therein. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e. . . \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt is desired yt frds do not buy or sell Indian Slaves. Also yt none among us be concerned in fetching or importing negro slaves from their own country or elsewhere. And it is ye advice of ye meeting, yt all frds who have any of ym do treat ym with humanity \u0026amp; in a Christian manner \u0026amp; as much asin ym lies make ym acquainted with ye princible truth \u0026amp; incultivate morallity in them. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e. . . \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe manuscript then goes on to address particular cases of discipline, such as not taking other friends to court and then an account of due process inside the quarterly meetings, the process of appeal, on the use of arbitration, on handling contentious members of the community, the handling of those guilty of disorderly and indecent practices or gross and notorious crimes; on the propriety of marriage, parental consent, community consent, etc.; on definitions of incestuous marriages, on the discretion and modesty to be used in the selection of tombstones, \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e. . . \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIf wt is above expressed is done \u0026amp; all appear clear, let ye entry be made of their second appearance \u0026amp; wt more is usual and necessary \u0026amp; ye couple left to their liberty to consummate their marriage according to ye good order used among frds. It is farther prest \u0026amp; advised yt ye sd Consummation be performed decently, gravely \u0026amp; weightily \u0026amp; yt ye parties themselves, their parents, or any other concerned do take care at ye houses or places where they go to, or are after ye meeting is over, yt not reproach arise or occation be given by any intemperate or immoderate feasting or drinking or by any unseemly wanton discourses, but yt all behave with such moderation, modesty, and sobriety as become a people fearing God\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e. . . \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1747 updates include important sections reflecting the growing abolitionist sentiment among the Friends, etc,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThat the overseers of the respected monthly meetings or other weighty friends be careful to deal with such as are engaged in lotteries of any kind, such as are concerned in ye importation of negroes, or in buying them after they are imported, such as are in the practice of giving rum to excite people to bid at Vandues and those who take drams given at such times. Such of our profession who being Clerk of Courts or Magistrates are guilty of the breach of our ancient discipline in administering oaths, and such who being Justices of ye Peace marry people by Lycences, this being inconsistent with our principles, such under our profession who carry guns for defending their ships, person or goods, or are concerned in privateering, or as owners of ships going with Letters of Marque, snuffing and chewing tobacco in meetings, . .  Friends must observe the former advice of our yearly meeting not to incourage ye importation of Negroes nor to buy them after imported. \u003c\/em\u003e\u0026amp;c. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEtc. etc.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Specs Fine Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44075566759972,"sku":null,"price":6750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0093\/3910\/9435\/files\/04-18-2026SpecsFineBooks-6.jpg?v=1776631752","url":"https:\/\/specsfinebooks.com\/products\/1719-1747-quaker-discipline","provider":"Specs Fine Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}