Continuing the series of sections from the 1806 Philadelphia YM
discipline; this one changed very little over the years:

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                       CONVINCED PERSONS

        IT is concluded that the following order be observed
respecting persons who apply for admittance into membership, and
request to come under the care of Friends: That they apply to the
overseers or elders, who, when they are easy so to do, are to lay
it before the preparative meeting; and after that meeting is
fully satisfied, by paying a solid visit, or otherwise, they are
to lay the case before the monthly meeting; which meeting shall
appoint some suitable Friends to inquire into the persons' life
and conversation, and also to take a solid opportunity of
conference with the party, in order the better to understand
whether his or her motives for such request be sincere, and on
the ground of true convincement;* and make report of their sense
of the persons' suitableness to become a member;** on which when
the meeting is satisfied, a minute should be made, signifying the
acceptance of such into membership, and appointing a Friend or
two to acquaint the person thereof, requesting his or her
attendance at the next monthly meeting.

        But in all such cases, Friends are exhorted to attend
carefully to the advice of the apostle, "Lay hands suddenly on no
man:" the neglect of such caution having often been injurious
both to the individuals and to the society: to them, by settling
them in a false rest; and to the society, by adding to its
numbers, without increasing its joy.

        Wherefore, we desire, that on every application of
persons to be received into membership with us, monthly meetings
may be deep and weighty in their deliberations and result; and
when united in believing that the applicants are clearly
convinced of our religious principles, and in a good degree
subject to the divine witness in their own hearts, manifested by
a circumspect life and conduct, said meetings are at liberty to
receive such into membership, without respect to nation or
colour.***
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        *A later Orthodox discipline renders this "...on the
ground of true convincement of our religious principles,
doctrines and testimonies."
        **A later Orthodox discipline substitutes "make report of
the person's state of mind."
        ***A later Hicksite discipline adds here: "And such as
may have been disowned, and incline to become members, may be
received on their own request as other applicants."
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Next week: DAYS AND TIMES

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