The society docs not call them the Word of God, this term being peculiarly applied in them to the Lord Jesus; yet it believes them to be the words of Cod, written by holy men as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and that they are able to make Aviso unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. It looks upon them as the only fit outward judge and test in controversies among Christians, and is very willing that all its doctrines and practices should be tried by them, freely admitting that whatever any profess or do, pretending to be guided by the Spirit, which is contrary to the Scriptures, be condemned as a delusion. As there is one Lord and one faith, so there is one baptism, of which the water baptism of John was a figure. The baptism which saves the soul is not dipping in or sprinkling with water, but the answer of a good conscience toward Cod, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This answer of a good conscience can only be produced by the washing of regen-eration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, transforming the heart and bringing the will into conformity with the will of Cod. The communion of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is inward and spiritual, a real participation of his divine nature, through living faith in him and the power of the Holy Spirit, by which the soul is enabled daily to feed upon him and experience spiritual nourishment; the true Christian supper being that set forth in the book of Revelation: ' Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.' Divine worship must be performed immediately between the soul and its Maker. No man can do it for another.

It is therefore the practice of Friends to sit down in solemn silence to worship God, that each one may strive to gather inward to the gift of divine grace in order to receive ability to worship the Father of spirits in spirit and in truth, and offer to him, through Christ Jesus our holy Mediator, an acceptable sacrifice, whether in silent mental adoration, the public ministry of the gospel, or vocal prayer and thanksgiving. The call, authority, and qualification for gospel ministry are from Christ Jesus alone, who dispenses them to both men and women, as he sees fit, without regard to rank, learning, or human selection and appointment; and they must be received immediately from him through the revelation of his Spirit in the heart. The command, 'Freely ye have received, freely give,' is of lasting obligation, and the gospel is to be preached without price; hence the society has borne a constant testimony against a paid ministry, which derives its authority from human learning and ordination, which does not acknowledge a dependence for the performance of it upon the renewed motion and aid of the Holy Spirit. War is wholly at variance with the spirit of the gospel, which continually breathes peace on earth and good will to all men.

When the reign of the Prince of Peace is set up in the hearts of men, ' nation will not lift up sword against nation, nor will men learn war any more.' The words of Christ, ' Swear not at all,1 and of the apostle James, 'Swear not, neither by heaven, nor earth, nor by any other oath,' forbid all swearing of every kind. The fast to which Christians are called is not the observance of any particular day set apart by man, but a continual fasting from sin; and therefore Friends cannot conscientiously join in public fasts or holy days, so called. They hold that under, the gospel there is no inherent holiness in one day more than another, but that all are to be kept holy; and they do not pay a superstitious reverence to the first day of the week, but as it is necessary that some time should be fixed to meet to worship God, and that men should be free from outward affairs, and that laborers and beasts should have time for rest, and as the primitive Christians used the first day for these purposes, therefore Friends observe that day as a time of rest, and for religious retirement and waiting on God. The enslaving of the human species is entirely opposed to the commands of Christ and the spirit of his religion, and the society bears a testimony against the system; also against the unnecessary use of intoxicating drinks.

It enjoins upon its members plainness and simplicity in dress, language, and behavior; moderation in the pursuit of business; and that they discountenance lotteries and games of chance, music, dancing, stage plays, horse races, and all other vain and pernicious amusements and practices."-As all who regularly attend the meetings of Friends, as well as their children, are viewed as members. Fox saw that some system of church government was necessary by which their conduct might be regulated and controlled. Hence he early began the establishment of meetings for discipline. The first objects of attention of these meetings were the care of the poor, the maintenance and education of orphans and poor children, the orderly accomplishment of marriages, the registry of births and deaths, the granting of certificates of approval to ministers travelling abroad, and preserving an account of the sufferings of Friends in support of their religion. While it was to be expected that offences would arise, it did not necessarily follow that the erring one must be cut off"; and measures were adopted for extending brotherly labor, in the spirit of love and meekness, for the restoration of such.

When brought sincerely to condemn his error and amend his way, a brother is gained; and if this desirable result is not attained, the church testifies against his misconduct and declares that he is no longer a member of it. This is the extent of the censure pronounced by the society, and its proceedings are founded on the directions given by our Lord in Matt, xviii. 15-20. The disciplinary care of the society was also exercised to preserve its members from denying or impugning its Christian principles. At different periods persons have been disowned for such errors as "denying the divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the immediate revelation of the Holy Spirit, or the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures." There are four grades of meetings for discipline: first, preparative, which prepare business for the second or monthly meetings, in which the executive power is chiefly lodged; then the quarterly meetings, consisting of several monthly meetings, and exercising a supervisory care over them; and lastly the yearly meetings, which include the whole society within a prescribed district, possess exclusively the legislative power, and annually investigate the condition of their subordinate meetings.