But the religious views of the Quaker ministers are not always confined even within the boundaries of the kingdom.  Many of them believe it to be their duty to travel into foreign parts.  These, as their journey is now extensive, must lay their concern not only before their own monthly meeting, but before their own quarterly meeting, and before the meeting of Ministers and Elders in London also.  On receiving their certificates, they depart.  Some of them visit the continent of Europe, but most of them the churches in America, where they diligently labour in the vineyard, probably for a year or two, at a distance from their families and friends.  And here it may be observed, that, while Quaker ministers from England are thus visiting America on a religious errand, ministers from America, impelled by the same influence, are engaging in Apostolical missions to England.  These foreign visits, on both sides, are not undertaken by such ministers only as are men.  Women engage in them also.  They cross the Atlantic, and labour in the vineyard in the same manner.  It may be mentioned here, that though it be a principle in the Quaker society, that no minister of the Gospel ought to be paid for his religious labours, yet the expense of the voyage, on such occasions, is allowed to be defrayed out of the fund, which is denominated by the Quakers their national stock.

CHAP.  XI.

Elders—­Their appointment—­One part of their office to watch over the doctrines and conduct of ministers—­Another part of their office to meet the ministers of the church, and to confer and exhort for religious good—­None to meddle at these conferences with the government of the church.

I mentioned in the preceding chapter, as the reader must have observed, that certain persons, called Elders, watched over those who came forward in the ministry, with a view of ascertaining if they had received a proper qualification or call.  I shall now state who the elders are, as well as more particularly the nature of their office.

To every particular meeting four elders, two men and two women, but sometimes more and sometimes less, according as persons can be found qualified, are appointed.  These are nominated by a committee appointed by the monthly meeting, in conjunction with a committee appointed by the quarterly meeting.  And as the office annexed to the name of elder is considered peculiarly important by the Quakers, particular care is taken, that persons of clear discernment, and such as excel in the spiritual ear, and such as are blameless in their lives, are appointed to it.  It is recommended that neither wealth nor age be allowed to operate as inducements in the choice of them.  Indeed, so much care is required to be taken with respect to the filling up this office, that if persons perfectly suitable are not to be found, the meetings are to be left without them.

It is one part of the duty of the elders, when appointed, to watch over the doctrine of young ministers, and also to watch over the doctrine and conduct of ministers generally, and tenderly to advise with such as appear to them to be deficient in any of the qualifications which belong to their high calling.