Hannah Adams

“ When thus met, they believe it to be their duty patiently to wait for the arising of that life which, by subduing those thoughts, produces an inward silence, and therein affords a true sense of their condition; believing even a single sigh, arising from such a sense of our infirmities and of the need we have of divine help, to be more acceptable to God, than any performance, however specious, originating in the will of man. ”

“ They assert that as many as do not resist this light, become holy and spiritual; bringing forth all those blessed fruits which are acceptable to God: and by this holy birth, (to wit, Jesus Christ formed within us, and working in us,) the body of death and sin is crucified, and we are freed from actually transgressing the law of God. And they entertain worthier notions of God, than to limit the operations of his grace to a partial cleansing of the soul from sin, even in this life. ”

“ They believe the scriptures to be of divine authority, given by the inspiration of God through holy men; that there are a declaration of those things most surely believed by the primitive Christians; and that they contain the mind and will of God, and are his commands to us; in that respect they are his declaratory word, and therefore are obligatory on us, and are profitable for doctrine, reproof, &c. They love and prefer them before all books in the world, rejecting all principles and doctrines that are repugnant thereunto. ”

“ Respecting the doctrines of satisfaction and justification, they say, We believe that Jesus Christ was our holy sacrifice, atonement, and propitiation-that God is just in forgiving true penitents upon the credit of that holy offering-that what he did and suffered, satisfied and pleased God, and was for the sake of fallen man who had displeased him. ”

“ Respecting the state of man under the fall, Barclay observes, "Not to dive into the curious notions which many have concerning the condition of Adam before the fall, all agree in this, that he thereby came to a very great loss, not only in the things which related to the outward of man, but in regard of that true fellowship and communion he had with God. So that though we do not ascribe any whit of Adam's guilt to men, until they make it theirs by the like act of disobedience ”

“ They object to calling the scriptures the word of God, as being a name applied to Christ by the sacred writers themselves, though too often misunderstood by those who extol scripture above the immediate teaching of Christ's spirit in the heart ”

“ On universal and saving light. They affirm, that "God hath given to every man a measure of the light of his own Son, (John i. 9.) and that God by this light invites, calls, and strives with every man, in order to save him; which as it is received, works the salvation of all, even of those who are ignorant of the death of Christ, and of Adam's fall: but that this light may be resisted, in which case God is said to be resisted and rejected, and Christ to be again crucified ”

“ All marriages are proposed to these meetings for their concurrence, which is granted, if upon inquiry, the parties appear clear of other engagements, and if they also have the consent of their parents or guardians; without which no marriages are allowed; for this society has always scrupled to acknowledge the exclusive authority of the priests to marry. Their marriages are solemnized in a public meeting for worship; and the monthly meeting keeps a record of them; as also of the births and burials of its members. This society does not allow its members to sue each other at law ”

“ With regard to religious liberty, they hold that the rights of conscience are sacred and unalienable, subject only to the control of the Deity, who has not given authority to any man, or body of men, to compel another to his religion. ”

“ They believe that God who made man had pity on him' and in his infinite goodness and wisdom provided a mean for the restoration of fallen man, by a nobler and more excellent Adam, promised to be born of a woman ”

“ Yet, although true worship is not confined to time and place, they think it incumbent on christians to meet often together, in testimony of their dependence on their heavenly Father, and for a renewal of their spiritual strength. ”

“ A monthly meeting is usually composed of several particular congregations, situated within a convenient distance from each other. Its business is to provide for the subsistence of the poor, (for they maintain their own poor,) and for the education of their offspring ”

“ They affirm that it is not lawful for christians to kneel, or prostrate themselves to any man, or to bow the body, or to uncover the head to them; because these are the outward signs of our adoration towards God. ”

“ Hence it follows that the baptism which Christ commanded, (Matt, xxviii. 19.) must relate to his own baptism, and not to that of John: to say it must be understood of water is but to beg the question, the text being wholly silent thereon. —With respect to the other rite, termed the Lord's supper, they believe that the communion of the body and blood of Christ is spiritual, which is the participation of his flesh and blood, by which the inward man is daily nourished in the hearts of those in whom Christ dwells ”

“ There are also meetings of the female Friends, held at the same times and places (in separate apartments) to regulate matters relative to their own sex. There are likewise meetings for sufferings, composed of members chosen at the quarterly meetings. They were so called in times of persecution, and are now continued to superintend the general concerns of the society. [3]
Original footnotes ↑ Claridge↑ They allow females to preach, who are called thereto and moved by the spirit. ”

“ The apostle James testifies that wars and strifes come from the lusts which war in the members of carnal men. (3.) The apostle Paul admonisheth christians that they defend not themselves, neither avenge, by rendering evil for evil ”