See

be holy in all manner of conversation. articles BROWNISTS, INDEPENDENTS, and NONCONFORMISTS, in this work. See also list of books under the last-mentioned article.

PURITY, the freedom of any thing from foreign admixture; but more particularly it signifies the temper directly opposed to criminal sensualities, or the ascendancy of Purity implies, 1. A fixed habitual abhorrence of all forbidden indulgences of the flesh.-2. All past impurities, either of heart or life, will be reflected on with shame and sorrow. 3. The heart will be freed, in a great

Q.

of the love of God to mankind, in the miraculous conception, birth, life, miracles,|| death, resurrection, and ascension of our Saviour, we prefer the use of such terms as we find in scripture; and, contented with that knowledge which Divine wisdom has seen meet to reveal, we attempt not to ex-formal repetition of the words and experiplain those mysteries which remain under the veil; nevertheless we acknowledge and assert the divinity of Christ, who is the wisdom and power of God unto salvation, 1 Cor. i. 24.

"There are two ceremonies in use among most professors of the Christian name,Being thus persuaded that man, with-water-baptism, and what is termed the out the Spirit of Christ inwardly revealed, Lord's supper. The first of these is genecan do nothing to the glory of God, or to rally esteemed the essential means of initiaeffect his own salvation, we think this influ- tion into the church of Christ; and the ence especially necessary to the perform-latter of maintaining communion with him. ance of the highest act of which the human mind is capable; even the worship of the Father of Lights and of Spirits, in spirit and in truth; therefore we consider as obstructions to pure worship, all forms which divert the attention of the mind from the secret influence of this unction from the Holy One, 1 John ii. 20. 27. Yet, although true worship is not confined to time and place, we think it incumbent on

ministered by his forerunner John, belonged, as the latter confessed, to an inferior dispensation, John iii. 30.

cate submission to the laws in all cases wherein conscience is not violated. But we hold, that, as Christ's kingdom is not of this world, it is not the business of the civil magistrate to interfere in matters of religion, but to maintain the external peace and good order of the community. We therefore think persecution, even in the smallest degree, unwarrantable. We are careful in requiring our members not to be concerned in illicit trade, nor in any manner to defraud the revenue.

"With respect to the other rite, we believe that communion between Christ and his church is not maintained by that, nor any other external performance, but only by a real participation of his divine nature (1 Pet. ii. 4.) through faith: that this is the supper alluded to in the Revelation, Rev. vii. 20. Behold I stand at the door, and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me;' and that, where the sub-its first appearance, has disused those names stance is attained, it is unnecessary to attend of the months and days, which having been to the shadow, which doth not confer grace,|| given in honour of the heroes or false gods and concerning which opinions so different, of the Heathen, originated in their flattery and animosities so violent, have arisen. or superstition; and the custom of speak"Now, as we thus believe that the grace ing to a single person in the plural number, of God, which comes by Jesus Christ, is as having arisen also from motives of adualone sufficient for salvation, we can neither lation. Compliments, superfluity of appaadmit that it is conferred on a few only, rel and furniture, outward shews of rejoicwhilst others are left without it, nor thus ing and mourning, and the observation of asserting its universality, can we limit its days and times, we esteem to be incompatible operation to a partial cleansing of the soul with the simplicity and sincerity of a Chrisfrom sin, even in this life. We entertain tian life; and public diversions, gaming, worthier notions both of the power and and other vain amusements of the world, goodness of our Heavenly Father, and be- we cannot but condemn. They are a waste lieve that he doth vouchsafe to assist the of that time which is given us for nobler obedient to experience a total surrender of purposes; and divert the attention of the the natural will to the guidance of his pure mind from the sober duties of life, and unerring Spirit: through whose renewed from the reproofs of instruction by which assistance they are enabled to bring forth we are guided to an everlasting inheritance. fruits unto holiness, and to stand perfect in "To conclude: although we have exhitheir present rank, Matt. v. 48. Eph, iv.bited the several tenets which distinguish 13. Col. iv. 12.

a subsequent meeting, to which the parties also come and declare the continuance of their intention, no objections be reported, they have the meeting's consent to solem

cipline, meetings were appointed at an early period of the society, which, from the times of their being held, were called quarterly meetings. It was afterwards found expedient to divide the districts of those meet-nize their intended marriage. This is done ings, and to meet more frequently: from whence arose monthly meetings, subordinate to those held quarterly. At length, in 1669, a yearly meeting was established, to superintend, assist, and provide rules for the whole, previously to which general meetings had been occasionally held.

"A monthly meeting is usually composed of several particular congregations, situated within a convenient distance from each other. Its business is to provide for the subsistence of the poor, and for the education of their offspring; to judge of the sincerity and fitness of persons appearing to be convinced of the religious principles of the society, and desiring to be admitted into membership; to excite due attention to the discharge of religious and moral duty; and to deal with disorderly members. Monthly meetings also grant to such of their members as remove into other monthly meetings certificates of their membership and conduct; without which they cannot gain membership in such meetings. Each monthly meeting is required to appoint certain persons, under the name of overseers, who are to take care that the rules of our discipline be put in practice; and when any case of complaint, or disorderly conduct, comes to their knowledge, to see that private admonition, agreeably to the Gospel rule before mentioned, be given, previouly to its being laid before the monthly meeting.

"When a case is introduced, it is usual for a small committee to be appointed to visit the offender, to endeavour to convince him of his error, and to induce him to forsake and condemn it. If they succeed, the person is by minute declared to have made satisfaction for the offence; if not, he is disowned as a member of the society.

"In disputes between individuals, it has long been the decided judgment of the society, that its members should not sue each other at law. It therefore enjoins all to end their differences by speedy and impartial arbitration, agreeably to rules laid down. If any refuse to adopt this mode, or, having adopted it, to submit to the award, it is the direction of the yearly meeting that such be disowned.

in a public meeting for worship, towards the close whereof the parties stand up, and solemnly take each other for husband and wife. A certificate of the proceedings is then publicly read, and signed by the par ties, and afterwards by the relations and others as witnesses. Of such marriage, the monthly meeting keeps a record; as also of the births and burials of its members. A certificate of the date, of the name of the infant, and of its parents, signed by those present at the birth, is the subject of one of these last-mentioned records; and an order for the interment, countersigned by the grave-maker of the other. The naming of children is without ceremony. Burials are also conducted in a simple manner. The body, followed by the relations and friends, is sometimes, previously to interment, carried to a meeting; and at the grave a pause is generally made: on both which occasions it frequently falls out that one or more friends present, have somewhat to express for the edification of those who attend; but no religious rite is considered as an essential part of burial.

"Several monthly meetings compose a quarterly meeting. At the quarterly meeting are produced written answers from the monthly meetings to certain queries respecting the conduct of their members, and the meeting's care over them. The accounts thus received are digested into one, which is sent, also in the form of answers to queries, by representatives to the yearly meeting. Appeals from the judgment of monthly meetings are brought to the quarterly meetings, whose business also it is to assist in any difficult case, or where remissness appears in the care of the monthly meetings over the individuals who compose them.

There are seven yearly meetings, viz. 1. London, to which come representatives from Ireland ;-2. New England;-3. New York ;-4. Pennsylvania and New Jersey; || —5. Maryland ;—6. Virginia ;—7. the Carolinas and Georgia.

"The yearly meeting has the general superintendance of the society in the country in which it is established; and, therefore, as the accounts which it receives discover the "To monthly meetings also belongs the state of inferior meetings, as particular exiallowing of marriages; for our society hath gencies require, or as the meeting is imalways scrupled to acknowledge the exclu- pressed with a sense of duty, it gives forth sive authority of the priests in the solemni- its advice, making such regulations as apzation of marriage. Those who intend to pear to be requisite, or excites to the cbmarry appear together, and propose their servance of those already made; and someintention to the monthly meeting; and if times appoints committees to visit those not attended by their parents and guardians, quarterly meetings which appear to be in produce a written certificate of their con- need of immediate advice. Appeals from sent, signed in the presence of witnesses. the judgment of quarterly meetings are here The meeting then appoints a committee to finally determined; and a brotherly corresinquire whether they be clear of other en-pondence, by epistles, is maintained wah gagements respecting marriage; and if at other yearly meetings.

"In this place it is proper to add, that, as we believe women may be rightly called to the work of the ministry, we also think that to them belongs a share in the support of our Christian discipline; and that some parts of it, wherein their own sex is concerned, devolve on them with peculiar propriety; accordingly they have monthly, quarterly, and yearly meetings of their own sex, held at the same time and in the same place with those of the men; but separately, and without the power of making rules: and it may be remarked, that, during the persecutions which in the last century occasioned the imprisonment of so many of the men, the care of the poor often fell on the women, and was by them satisfactorily administered.

who are to join their brethren in London on emergency. The names of all these correspondents, previously to their being recorded as such, are submitted to the approbation of the yearly meeting. Those of the men who are approved ministers are also members of this meeting, which is called the meeting for sufferings; a name arising from its original purpose, which is not yet become entirely obsolete.

mediate attention, particularly of those circumstances which may occasion an application to government.

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The yearly meeting has entrusted the meeting for sufferings with the care of printing and distributing books, and with the management of its stock; and, considered as a standing committee of the yearly meeting, it hath a general care of whatever may arise, during the intervals of that meetIn order that those who are in the situa-ing, affecting the scciety, and requiring im tion of ministers may have the tender sympathy and counsel of those of either sex, who by their experience in the work of religion, are qualified for that service, the monthly There is not, in any of the meetings meetings are advised to select such, under which have been mentioned, any president, the denomination of elders. These, and as we believe that Divine Wisdom alone ministers approved by their monthly meet- ought to preside; nor hath any member a ings, have meetings peculiar to themselves, right to claim pre-eminence over the rest. called meetings of ministers and elders; in || The office of clerk, with a few exceptions, which they have an opportunity of exciting is undertaken voluntarily by some member; each other to a discharge of their several as is also the keeping of the records. duties, and of extending advice to those who When these are very voluminous, and remay appear to be weak, without any need-quire a house for their deposit, (as is the less exposure. Such meetings are generally case in London, where the general records held in the compass of each monthly, quar- of the society in Gret Britain are kept,) a terly, and yearly meeting. They are con- clerk is hired to have the care of them; ducted by rules prescribed by the yearly but except a few clerks of this kind, and meeting, and have no authority to make any persons who have the care of meetingalteration or addition to them. The mem-houses, none receive any stipend or gratuity bers of them unite with their brethren in || for their services in our religious society." the meetings for discipline, and are equally See a pamphlet entitled A Summary of the accountable to the latter for their conduct. History, Doctrine, and Discipline of the "It is to a meeting of this kind in London, || Quakers. Sewell's and Rutty's Hist. of the called the second-day's morning meeting, Quakers. Besse's Sufferings of the Quathat the revisal of manuscripts concerning kers. Penn's Works. Barclay's Apology our principles, previously to publication, is for the Quakers. Neal's Hist. of the Puriintrusted by the yearly meeting held in Lon-tans. Claridge's Life and Posthumous don; and also the granting, in the intervals Works Bevan's Defence of the Doctrines of the yearly meeting, of certificates of ap- of the Quakers. Adam's View of Religions. probation to such ministers as are concerned fuke's Principles of Religion as professed to travel in the work of the ministry in by the Quakers. Gough's Hist. of Quakers. foreign parts, in addition to those granted Clarkson's Portraiture of Quakerism. by their monthly and quarterly meetings. When a visit of this kind doth not extend beyond Great Britain, a certificate from the monthly meeting of which the minister is a member is sufficient: if to Ireland, the concurrence of the quarterly meeting is also required. Regulations of similar tendency obtain in other yearly meetings.

QUIETISTS, a sect famous towards the close of the seventh century. They were so called from a kind of absolute rest and inaction, which they supposed the soul to be in when arrived at that state of perfection which they called the unitive life; in which state they imagined the soul wholly employed in contemplating its God, to whose influ ence it was entirely submissive, so that he could turn and drive it where and how he would.

"The yearly meeting of London, in the year 1675, appointed a meeting to be held in that city, for the purpose of advising and assisting in cases of suffering for conscience Molinos, a Spanish priest, is the reputed sake, which hath continued with great use author of Quietism; though the Illuminati, to the society to this day. It is composed in Spain, had certainly taught something friends, under the name of correspondents, like it before. Molinos had numerous discichosen by the several quarterly meetings,ples in Italy, Spain, France, and the Neand who reside in or near the society. The therlands. One of the principal patrons and same meetings also appoint members of propagators of Quietism in France, was their own in the country as correspondents, Marie Bouvieres de la Motte Guyon, a wo