.Aw EprsTLE TO FRIENDS
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A;T E7pTSTLE TO FRIENDS


OfMe Qaarieriy aad Monthly Meeting,
Within the compass of the Yearly meeting


held in Philadelphia; Adopted 1t a Cen


cral Meeting of Friends At Green street
Meeting House, in that City, by adjourn
mcuts on the 4th aul 5th of the 9th Nc.
1897.


I DEAR FRIENDS,


| Having through Divine favor, peen per-
uitted to meet together, pursuant to adj
iouinment in the fourth month last, the
state Of our religious society was again
! br9ugh, into view The wing Of Ancient
Goodness being sensihly cxtcndel over the
several sittings Of the Meeting, we have
been enabled TO consider the subjects
4 that came before Us, After solemn deliher-
alton, AMI a free Interchange OF sentiment,
it was with much uuanimity. agreed TO re
commend the following veiWs and PROPOSE
! tions for your serious consideration:
\ The principal objects Of our Religious AS
sociatian, are the public worship of God; the
edihca,ion aud comfort of each other; the
strengthening ni the weak, and the recovery
of those who have wandered from the way
Of peace and safety.


1t is only under the blessed influence Of





tanned Whenever any among lis, so far
forsakc this Fundamental frincNle oi our
Union, as TO act in spirit os strife and dis
cord. aud to oppose and condemn their
brethren who may conscieutiously differ
from them in opinion, they break the bond
OF Gospel fellowship, and, as far as their in
Nuence extends, Illustrate the d. sign of rclI-
gious society. II such, after the use OF prop
er means, cannot be reclaimed, the peace
and harmony, and welfare Of the body re-
qu're that ;hey should be separated from our
communion.


The Apostle, aware Of the evils arising
from Contention in religious communities,
warned his brethren against it, declaring that
"where envying and strife is, there is ceniu-
sion and every evil work." aud they were
exhorted to withdraw from every brother
who walked Slisorderly. And we know from
experience, that wherever this evil spirit
has appeared in any Of our meetings, weak
ness and jealousy, and divisions have been
introGuced; and that excellent order has
been sunverted which has not only preserv-
ed us in love and concord, but protected the
rights and privileges Of all our Members.


With deep concern and sorrow, we have
observed the introduction and increase ofthi.
desolatne spirit. II is now about five wear.
since II made its appearance in our hitherto
J. favored Society, so as to become a snbjec


OF general concern For some time it wa


mostly confined to individuals acting as Off


GERS in the Church In this stage of it's pro


gress its consequences were Rricvous. Som,


who became infected by it, disregardng tn,


wholesome order established BY our Yearl,


Meeting, which directs, in the first place
hrlpate labor with such as give cause O
). concern, and afterwards, that Iouth!y ilect


1neS should treat with Them, forn,rd comb


nations amongst themselves unauthorized
:, ny the Society and unk 1own to its Discipline
a Friends travelling in the Ministry with Ger


tifcates from their Monthly and Quarterl


Meetings, were interrupted in their labors


and in some instances publicly opposed il


our Meetings for Divine worship. They


and other faithful Friends in the Ministry
OF were unjustly charged with preaching inf


del doctrines, denying the Divinity Of Chris,


and undertaking the Scriptures; togethe
= 'fith divers other things, generally know
ic to you, and equally unfounded.
ID 1t was not long however, before the con
= tagien spread and made its appearance
ut some of our Meetings for Discipline, oper
at ing to the exercised Members Of the Socie
'd ty, scenes of the most painful nature. Mea.
a ures of party character were introduced
IS and the established order of society was ii
tn fringed. by CARRYING these mea .ures into ea
n ecution, against the Judgment and contrar
I'd to the voice of the larger parts of Friend
IL present.


of At length the infection, taking a wide
IL range, appeared in cur Yearly Meeting
a where its deplorable effects we're equal
on conspicuous. Means were recently TAX
rs therein to over-rule the greater part of II
I'd Representatives, and Clerk was impose
ed upon the Meeting, without their concurrenc


or consent. A Committee was then appoin
ed to visit the Quarterly and Monthly Nee
K ings without the unity of the Meeting, ar
us contrary to the solid sense and judgment
AK much the larger number Of the Membe
II; i'll attendance; and several important su
" jerts were necessarily dismissed. owing
nd the disunity and discord prevalent in tn


body.