And, in order to render these advices more effectual, we further tenderly recommend to all heads of families, that they do frequently call their children and servants together; and in a solemn way, audibly read, or cause to be read, the Holy Scriptures; and, in so doing, that they humbly wait upon God, with their families, for instruction and counsel to them respecting Christian faith and practice, according to the former advices of this meeting.

SLEEPING IN OUR RELIGIOUS MEETINGS.

FORASMUCH as our religious meetings are to be attended for the honor and worship of our Almighty Creator, the promotion and enlargement of our own peace, and good example to others; it is an incumbent duty of every member of our society reverently to attend them; waiting for and obeying the measure of grace and light received. Those therefore who so far neglect their duty herein as to sleep, or by nodding or bowing the head, or other apparent signs of sleep, to reproach themselves, to bring a burthen on the faithful, and to dishonor the truth, are to be treated tenderly with for their recovery; and if, after due waiting and admonition in meekness and wisdom, any shall continue in so disreputable and dishonorable a practice, they are not to be employed nor active in any calling, business or appointment of society, until an overcoming be witnessed, to the satisfaction of the brethren. And if they be such as have usually sat facing the meeting, whether ministers, elders or others, let them withdraw from such seats, that their ill example and reproach may be les

sened, and take their seats with the members at large, until they and friends are sensible of an overcoming. And, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Gal. vi. 1.

SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS.

THE excessive use of spirituous liquors, of all kinds, having for a long time been seen by our society to be a practice tending to lead from calmness and innocency, to the many evils which are the consequences of intemperance; and a concern having arisen for the spreading of this testimony, not only to the disuse of distilled spirituous liquors among us, except as a medicine, but that others also may by our example be encouraged to restrain its use within the limits of truth; we recommend to all friends every where, carefully to look at the motives of being concerned therewith, not only of using, but distilling, importing, trading in or handing out to others, who from habit may have acquired a thirst and inclination after it, tending to their hurt. We tenderly advise all such as are concerned therein, to centre down to the principle leading to universal righteousness; for, as we apprehend, a continuance in such practices will, in this day of light, not only weaken the hands of those individuals concerned to further the reformation, but tend greatly to obstruct society from holding up a standard to this important testimony, as becometh our holy profession.

We entreat therefore those who have begun well, and made advances in the way towards their own peace, that as soon as may be, they forbear the said practices; that a line may in due time be drawn, and the standard raised and spread to the nations. 1784.

It appearing, that, notwithstanding the advice and entreaty of this meeting in 1784, and last year, divers of our members have been so inattentive thereto as not yet to forbear the practice of importing, trading in, and handing out distilled spirituous liquors, to the weakening of their own hands, and obstructing society from holding up this important testimony as becometh our holy profession; and a fresh exercise arising, that this obstruction be removed; it is recommended to monthly meetings, that committees be appointed to labor with all such as may continue in either of said practices, or distilling, and endeavor to prevail with them to a cordial compliance with the advice of this meeting; and if any should continue so disregardful of the unity of the body, as to counteract them in this important concern, it is recommended that they be dealt with, and, if unreclaimed, testified against, as those who disregard the advice of their brethren. 1788.