SECT.  II.

Way in which Quakers are admitted into the ministry—­When acknowledged, they preach, like other pastors, to their different congregations or meetings—­They visit occasionally the different families in their own counties or quarterly meetings—­Manner of these family-visits—­Sometimes travel as ministers through particular counties or the kingdom at large—­Sometimes into foreign parts—­Women share in these labours—­Expense of voyages on such occasions defrayed out of the national stock.

The way in which Quakers, whether men or women, who conceive themselves to be called to the office of the ministry, are admitted into it, so as to be acknowledged by the society to be ministers of the Quaker-church, is simply as follows.

Any member has a right to rise up in the meetings for worship, and to speak publicly.  If any one therefore should rise up and preach, who has never done so before, he is heard.  The congregation are all witnesses of his doctrine.  The elders, however, who may be present, and to whose province it more immediately belongs to judge of the fitness of ministers, observe the tenour of his discourse.  They watch over it for its authority; that is, they judge by its spiritual influence on the mind, whether it be such as corresponds with that which may be presumed to come from the spirit of God.  If the new preacher delivers any thing that appears exceptionable, and continues to do so, it is the duty of the elders to speak to him in private, and to desire him to discontinue his services to the church.  But if nothing exceptionable occurs, nothing is said to him, and he is allowed to deliver himself publicly at future meetings.  In process of time, if, after repeated attempts in the office of the ministry, the new preacher should have given satisfactory proof of his gifts, he is reported to the monthly meeting to which he belongs.  And this meeting, if satisfied with his ministry, acknowledges him as a minister, and then recommends him to the meeting of ministers and elders belonging to the same.  No other act than this is requisite.  He receives no verbal or written appointment or power for the execution of the sacerdotal office.  It may be observed also, that he neither gains any authority, nor loses any privilege, by thus becoming a minister of the Gospel.  Except, while in the immediate exercise of his calling, he is only a common member.  He receives no elevation by the assumption of any nominal title, to distinguish him from the rest.  Nor is he elevated by the prospect of any increase to his wordly goods in consequence of his new office; for no minister in this society receives any pecuniary emolument for his spiritual labours.

When ministers are thus approved and acknowledged, they exercise the sacred office in public assemblies, as they immediately feel themselves influenced to that work.  They may engage also, with the approbation of their own monthly meeting, in the work of visiting such Quaker families as reside in the county, or quarterly meeting to which they belong.  In this case they are sometimes accompanied by one of the elders of the church.  These visits have the name of family visits, and are conducted in the following manner:—­