It devolves upon the elders again, as a second branch of their duty, to meet the ministers of the church at stated seasons, generally once in three months, and to spend some time with them in religious retirement.  It is supposed that opportunities may be afforded here, of encouraging and strengthening young ministers, of confirming the old, and of giving religious advice and assistance in various ways:  and it must be supposed at any rate, that religious men cannot meet in religious conference, without some edification to each other.  At these meetings, queries are proposed relative to the conduct both of ministers and elders, which they answer in writing to the quarterly meetings of ministers and elders to which they belong.  Of the ministers and elders thus assembled, it may be observed, that it is their duty to confine themselves wholly to the exhortation of one another for good.  They can make no laws, like the ancient synods and other convocations of the clergy, nor dictate any article of faith.  Neither can they meddle with the government of the church.  The Quakers allow neither ministers nor elders, by virtue of their office, to interfere with their discipline.  Every proposition of this sort must be determined upon by the yearly meeting, or by the body at large.

CHAP.  XII.

SECT.  I.

Worship—­Consists of prayer and preaching—­Neither of these effectual but by the Spirit—­Hence no liturgy or form of words, or studied sermons, in the Quaker-church—­Singular manner of delivering sermons—­Tone of the voice usually censured—­This may arise from the difference between nature and art—­Objected, that there is little variety of subject in these sermons—­Variety not so necessary to Quakers—­Other objections—­Replies—­Observations of Francis Lambert, of Avignon.

As no person, in the opinion of the Quakers, can be a true minister of the gospel, unless he feel himself called or appointed by the spirit of God, so there can be no true or effectual worship, except it come through the aid of the same spirit.

The public worship of God is usually made to consist of prayer and preaching.

Prayer is a solemn address of the soul to God.  It is a solemn confession of some weakness, or thanksgiving for some benefit, or petition for some favour.  But the Quakers consider such an address as deprived of its life and power, except it be spiritually conceived. [127] “For the spirit helpeth our infirmities.  For we know not what we should pray for as we ought.  But the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

[Footnote 127:  Rom. 8. 26.]