FAITH AND PRACTICE of Wilmington Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (BOOK OF DISCIPLINE) PART I FAITH AND LIFE PART II ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS PROCEDURE PART III AUTHORIZED DECLARATION OF FAITH Adopted at Yearly Meeting Sessions 1977 Wilmington, Ohio This Electronic Copy was scanned from the original copy and reformatted to this page size in 2008. Revisions to Part II Chapters 2-4 approved By Wilmington Yearly Meeting in 2000 have been substituted for the original corresponding Chapters. FAITH AND PRACTICE TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION The Expanding Appreciation of Truth................................................................................................................5 Origin and Development of the Discipline..........................................................................................................5 Adoption of the Uniform Discipline...................................................................................................................5 The Book of Faith and Practice..........................................................................................................................6 Part I CHAPTER I HISTORICAL STATEMENT George Fox and the Rise of the People Called Quakers.......................................................................................9 American Beginnings and Growth.....................................................................................................................8 Branches of Friends..........................................................................................................................................8 Evangelical Movements of the Nineteenth Century............................................................................................9 Development of the Pastoral Ministry................................................................................................................9 Origin of the Friends National Organizations....................................................................................................10 Other Cooperative Agencies........................................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER II FAITH AND THOUGHT Basic Principles............................................................................................................................................. 13 Ideals of Worship............................................................................................................................................14 Testimony on Ceremonial Rites.......................................................................................................................15 The Scriptures.................................................................................................................................................16 Spiritual Gifts.................................................................................................................................................17 CHAPTER III LIFE AND ACTION Way of Life....................................................................................................................................................18 Evangelism and Extension...............................................................................................................................18 Friends and Education.....................................................................................................................................20 The Social Order.............................................................................................................................................22 Friends and the State.......................................................................................................................................23 Justice in Interracial Relations..........................................................................................................................24 Justice in International Relations......................................................................................................................26 Testimonies on Family and Personal Life.........................................................................................................26 Sanctity of the Home.......................................................................................................................................26 Recreation and Amusements.. .........................................................................................................................27 Healthful Living.............................................................................................................................................27 Health Practices..............................................................................................................................................28 Gambling and Lotteries...................................................................................................................................28 Judicial Oaths.................................................................................................................................................28 Secret and/or Discriminatory Organizations.....................................................................................................28 CHAPTER IV THE QUERIES Introductory Statement....................................................................................................................................29 General Queries..............................................................................................................................................29 Queries for Meetings on Ministry and Counsel.................................................................................................30 Part II ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS PROCEDURE CHAPTER I FORM OF GOVERNMENT Ideals in Organization.....................................................................................................................................32 The Meeting...................................................................................................................................................33 Basis of Membership......................................................................................................................................33 Rules of Membership......................................................................................................................................33 Reception by Application................................................................................................................................33 Reception and Transfer by Certificate or Letter.................................................................................................34 Discontinuance of Membership.......................................................................................................................35 Dealing with Offenders...................................................................................................................................36 Guidelines for Continuing Membership...........................................................................................................36 Note on Approved Changes.............................................................................................................................36 CHAPTER II THE MONTHLY MEETING Organization and Functions.............................................................................................................................37 Committees ...................................................................................................................................................38 Ministry and Counsel......................................................................................................................................38 Finance Committee.........................................................................................................................................40 Nominating Committee...................................................................................................................................40 Auxiliary Groups............................................................................................................................................41 Queries...........................................................................................................................................................41 Special Responsibilities for Ministry................................................................................................................41 Pastors and Meeting Secretaries.......................................................................................................................41 Minutes for Service.........................................................................................................................................42 Marriage.........................................................................................................................................................42 With the Minister Participating........................................................................................................................42 When Arranged by the Meeting.......................................................................................................................43