Nothing is more true than that, when men err in their moral practice, it is not for want of good precepts or of wholesome advice.  There are few books from which we cannot collect some moral truths; and few men so blind, as not to be able to point out to us the boundaries of moral good.  The pages of revelation have been long unfolded to our view, and diffusively spread among us.  We have had the advantage too of having their contents frequently and publicly repeated into our ears.  And yet, knowing what is right, we cannot pursue it.  We go off, on the other hand, against our better knowledge, into the road to evil.  Now, it was the opinion of George Fox, that something might be done to counteract this infirmity of human nature, or to make a man keep up to the precepts which he believed to have been divinely inspired, or, in other words, that a system of Discipline might be devised, for regulating, exciting, and preserving the conduct of a Christian.

This system he at length completed, and, as he believed, with the divine aid, and introduced it into the society with the approbation of those who belonged to it.

The great principle, upon which he founded it, was, that every christian was bound to watch over another for his good.  This principle included two ideas.  First, that vigilance over the moral conduct of individuals was a christian duty.  Secondly, that any interference with persons, who might err, was solely for their good.  Their reformation was to be the only object in view.  Hence religious advice was necessary.  Hence it was to be administered with tenderness and patience.  Hence nothing was to be left undone, while there was a hope that any thing could be done, for their spiritual welfare.

From this view of the subject he enjoined it to all the members of his newly formed society, to be watchful over the conduct of one another, and not to hesitate to step in for the recovery of those, whom they might discover to be overtaken with a fault.

He enjoined it to them again, that they should follow the order recommended by Jesus Christ upon such occasions.[15] “If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.  If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but, if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a Heathen-man or a Publican.”

[Footnote 15:  Matt. 18. 15, 16, 17.]