This is the section I always turn to when I want to find out
whether I am looking at a "Hicksite" or an "Orthodox" book of
discipline; specifically I check the paragraph on blasphemy to
see what are the doctrines which a Friend could be disciplined
for denying.  In the pre-separation book they are "the divinity
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the immediate revelation of
the Holy Spirit, or the authenticity of the Scriptures."  The
Hicksites retained this version.  The Orthodox branch, in 1834,
added "mediation or atonement" after "divinity" [of Jesus Christ]
and "and divine inspiration" after "authenticity" [of the
Scriptures] and inserted a paragraph expanding on the doctrine of
the "propitiatory sacrifice of Christ without us."
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                    CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION

        WHATEVER exercises we may meet with on account of a
faithful testimony to the truth in all godliness of conversation;
and to the end that we may not faint in our minds, let us
consider the Captain of our salvation, who endured the
contradiction of sinners, bearing his cross and despising the
shame, and is now set down on the right hand of God, where he
continually maketh intercession for us--that following him, and
under his banner fighting the good fight of faith, we may finally
obtain the crown of righteousness which fadeth not away.

        Advised that such be dealt with, who are given to lying,
swearing, cursing; men and women unlawfully or unseemly keeping
company with each other, or any other scandalous practice; and
where any are guilty of gross or notorious crimes, or such other
disorderly or indecent practices as shall occasion public
scandal, after being dealt with by the overseers or other
concerned Friends, if they are brought to a sense thereof, such
offenders ought without improper delay, to remove the scandal,
and clear, as much as in them lies, our holy profession
therefrom, by acknowledging the offence, and condemning the same
in writing under their hand, to the satisfaction of the monthly
meeting whereto they belong.  And where any such offender
refuseth so to acknowledge and condemn the fault, the said
monthly meeting ought speedily to testify against him or her, and
the fact.

        [A later Orthodox discipline adds here: "If any in
membership with us do countenance or promote any noisy gatherings
or tumults, they should be speedily dealt with as disorderly
persons; and if they are not brought to a due sense of their
error, disowned."  See _Spirituous Liquors_]

        If any in membership with us shall blaspheme, or speak
profanely of Almighty God, Christ Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, he
or she ought early to be tenderly treated with for their
instruction, and the convincement of their understanding, that
they may experience repentance and forgiveness; but should any,
notwithstanding this brotherly labour, persist in their error, or
deny the divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the
immediate revelation of the Holy Spirit, or the authenticity of
the Scriptures; as it is manifest they are not one in faith with
us, the monthly meeting where the party belongs, having extended
due care for the help and benefit of the individual without
effect, ought to declare the same, and issue their testimony
accordingly.

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     [After the separation, the Orthodox substituted for the
paragraph immediately above, the following two paragraphs:
     If any belonging to our Society shall blaspheme, or speak
profanely of Almighty God, Christ Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, or
shall deny the divinity, mediation or atonement of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, the immediate revelation of the Holy
Spirit, of the authenticity and divine inspiration of the Holy
Scriptures; or print, publish, or spread any work tending to lay
waste a belief in these important Christian principles; as it is
manifest they are not one in faith with us, the Monthly Meeting
where the party belongs, should extend due care for the
convincement of his or her understanding and right restoration;
but if this be without effect, it should issue a testimony
against them.--1806, 1834.
     By the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ without us, He hath
reconciled us to God, even while we are enemies; that is, He
offers reconciliation unto us, and puts us into a capacity of
being reconciled; and we, truly repenting and believing, are,
through the mercy of God, justified from the imputation of sins
and transgressions that are past, as though they had never been
committed: and by the mighty work of Christ within us, the power,
nature and habits of sin are destroyed; that as sin once reigned
unto death, even so now grace reigneth through righteousness unto
eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.--1834.]
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        It is the earnest concern of this meeting that in all our
dealings and transactions among men, strict justice may be
observed, and that no motivates of pecuniary interest may induce
any of our members to impose on each other, or on their
neighbours; and it is desired that monthly meetings may be
careful to extend suitable admonition against a spirit of
covetousness, and against every appearance of deviation from
strict justice in any of our members.

        Frequent waiting in stillness on the Lord for the renewal
of strength, keeps the mind at home in its proper place and duty,
and out of all unprofitable association and converse, whether
amongst those of our own, or other professions.  Much hurt may
accrue to the religious mind by long and frequent conversation on
temporal matters, especially by interesting ourselves
unnecessarily in them; for there is a leaven in that propensity,
which being suffered to prevail, indisposes and benumbs the soul,
and prevents its frequent ascendings in living aspirations
towards the fountain of eternal life.
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Next week: CONVINCED PERSONS

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