Discipline of the Yearly Meeting [Orthodox]
of Friends held in Baltimore,
for the Western Shore of Maryland, Virginia,
and The Adjacent Parts of Pennsylvania,
as revised and adopted in 1876.
WAR.
BELIEVING that the spirit of the Gospel breathes The
ancient “peace on earth, and good will towards men,”
it is our earnest concern, that Friends may adhere faithfully
to our ancient testimony against wars and fightings;
avoiding to unite with any in warlike measures, either
offensive or defensive; that by the innocency of our
conduct, we may convincingly demonstrate ourselves
to be real subjects of the Messiah’s peaceful reign, and,
be instrumental in the promotion thereof.
In relation to this testimony, it is our judgment that when
goods have been distrained from any, on account of a
refusal to pay fines, for a non-performance
of military
services, and the officers, after deducting the fines and
costs, propose to return the remainder, that Friends
should maintain their testimony,
by suffering, rather than
accept such over-plus, unless the same, or a part of it is
returned, without a change of the species.
That furnishing wagons or other means for conveying
of military stores, is a military service; and the care of
elders, overseers and faithful Friends should be extended
in Christian tenderness and love, to such as deviate
herein, in order to convince them of their error.
It is fervently recommended to our members that they
be religiously guarded against approving or showing the
least connivance at war, either by attending at or viewing
of military operations or in any wise encouraging
the instable, deceitful spirit of party, by joining with
political devices or associations,
however speciously
disguised, under the ensnaring
subtleties commonly
attendant thereon; but that they sincerely labor to experience
a settlement, on the alone sure foundation of pure
unchangeable truth, whereby through the prevalence of
unfeigned Christian love and good will to men, we may
convincingly
demonstrate, that the kingdom we seek is
not of this world, but a kingdom and government whose
subjects are free indeed, redeemed from those captivating
lusts from which wars and fightings proceed.
And the members of our religious Society should carefully
avoid engaging in any trade or business promotive
of war, sharing or partaking of the spoils of war, by
purchasing or selling prize goods; importing or shipping
goods in armed vessels; paying taxes for the express
purpose of war; or for pecuniary motives grinding of
grain; feeding
of cattle; or disposing of their property
for the use of the army; that through a close attention
to the monitions of divine grace, they may be preserved
in a conduct consistent with our holy profession,
and
from wounding the minds, or increasing the sufferings
of each other, not at all doubting that He, to whom appertains
the kingdom and the power, who is wonderful
in working, will continue to carry on and perfect his
blessed cause of peace on earth. A due attention to this
concern is recommended
to Quarterly, Monthly and
Preparative Meetings, and to Friends in general, it being
our judgment that if any of our members do, either
openly or by connivance, pay any fine, penalty or tax,
in lieu of personal service, for carrying on war, or allow
their children, or apprentices, who are members, to act
in the performance of what is called military duty, or
are concerned in arming or equipping vessels with guns,
or deal in public certificates
issued as a compensation
for expenses accrued, or services performed in war, that
they be tenderly treated with by Monthly Meetings, and
if they cannot be brought to an acknowledgment of their
error, they are to be disowned.
It is further the sense and judgment of the Yearly Meeting,
that it is inconsistent with our religious testimony
and principle, for any Friend to pay a fine or tax levied
on account of his refusal to muster, or to serve in the
militia, although paying such fine or imposition may be
applied towards defraying the expenses of civil government;
and where deviations in this respect occur, tender
dealing
and advice should be extended to the party, by
Monthly Meetings, in order to their convincement and
restoration; and if this prove ineffectual they should
proceed to disown them.
And finally, dear Friends, upon the calamitous subject
of war, you are not ignorant of what adorns our profession.
Let us seek peace and pursue it, remembering that
we are called to love. May we, therefore, be peaceable
ourselves in words and actions, seeking for that disposition
in which we can pray to the Father of the Universe,
that He may breathe the spirit of reconciliation into the
hearts of his erring and contending creatures.
