FRIENDS’

REVIEW. 435

 

Sufferings.’ But many other matters of great
consequence to Society are considered and de-
bated there, even matters of faith have fre-
quently been the subject of their deliberations,
and whatever is there agreed upon, their weight
is greatly suffivient to get confirmed by the
Yearly Meeting. From which I am firmly of
the judgment, that were the number much less,
it would answer every end originally intended,
and, by increasing caution, render the institu-
tion more salutary to Society. But the very
reverse of this hath taken place. For, in the
beginning of the late commotions, this meeting,
by greatly over-rating their own consequence,
found themselves embarrassed by much censure
which their proceedings had drawn on them
from their brethren. Application was then
made to the Yearly, Meeting to direct an addi-
tion of four members from each Quarter, to be
called assistant members, and convened on ex-
traordinary occasions ; ‘whereby that meeting
now consists of seventy-six members. Judge
then if the Yearly Meeting can possibly pre-
serve that effectual control over the proceedings
of such a body, (made up of the most active,
weighty members belonging to it) which the
peace and good of society seem to require.
This the secrets of time must disclose.

Of the like nature is the consequence the
meeting of ministers and elders has become in
Society, and the effects"it may in future produce,
appear tome more deep and serious than the
foregoing. These members, when mixed up
with their brethren, have a principal share in
conducting the affairs of meetings, (from the
Yearly to the Preparative), and when they are
collected in a select capacity, the remainder of
the Yearly Meeting is by no means a balance
for them. From this no inconvenience could
arise, were they to consider themselves only as
standing, committees, and confine themselves
strictly to the service for which they were
originally appointed, which was, to help and
watch over the ministry. But they often meddle
with other matters, of which many instances
might be mentioned ; and assume the appellation
of The Yearly Meeting, alleging that the Yearly
Meeting begins on Seventh-day when that meet-
Ing sits, whereas it is fixed to begin on the fourth
First-day in the Ninth month, whichis the next
day. And they have had influence sufficient to
cause the epistles and extracts to bear date from
Seventh-day, contrary to the practice of Friends
in London, who date theirs from Second-day,
when business begins: and the contrary is pub-
lishing an untruth, thus, for our extracts to say:

‘The extracts from the minutes of our Yearly
Meeting held by adjournments from” (Seventh-
day to the end) when the adjournments of the
meeting from which those minutes were ex-
tracted, did not commence until two days after.*

 

*This error: has been corrected. The fact that

it existed shows the need of David Cooper's caution.

What end this innovation is to answer (or can)
I know not, except to increase the importance
of that meeting. For, however strange it may
appear, it is no unusual topic, to hear it insisted _
upon that that meeting is the superior one:
that when a part is ‘select, it is superior to the
whole when united. Itis clear tome, the Yearly
Meeting, in the establishment of that meeting,
never expected or intended such numbers of
Elders to be appointed, as, from the only minute
of its institution in 1714 will appear. ‘This
meeting agrees that the Quarterly Meetings do
recommend to each Monthly Meeting within
their respective limits, that they choose two or
more Friends out of each Monthly Meeting
(where meetings of ministers are or shall be held;
to sit with the ministers in their meetings

taking care that the Friends chosen for that
service be prudent, solid Friends, and that they |
do,carefully discharge their trust, in such mat-
ters and in such manner as the Monthly Meet-
ings shall from time’to time see occasion to ap-
point them.’ :

I wish not to depreciate the services of these
meetings, being myself a member of them both,
—but that they may be strictly kept to the ser-
vices, and within the limits their institution in-
tended; being fully convinced of the truth
(without exception) of the observation, that in
every human society there is an effort continually
tending to increase the power and authority of
the leaders and rulers. However secure we as
a Society may think ourselves, Church History
will abundantly show the fatal effects of en-
trusting to select bodies a power out of the
reach and control of the Body at large. I
mean not to go into particulars; only to leave
a few hints, to put in mind that ministers and
elders are but men, subject to like passions with
others, and as open to a degeneracy as the suc-
cessors to the Apostles, when the foremost
among the Christians claimed, and from step
to step engrossed, the power of governing con-
science, until at length it centered in one man,
whose rules and decrees were accounted infalli-
ble, and were blindly submitted unto. And
though there appears no danger of Christians
ever becoming so grossly and generally blinded
again, yet the same effects, in degree, are ob-
vious in most (if not all) Christian Societies
at this day, of entrusting more to a select few
in religious matters, than is conducive to health
and soundness. And there remains not the -
least doubt with me, that, should the weight and
importance of these select Bodies increase as it
has done for years past, it must, in some future
day; bring on a change in the outward economy
of the Society.” '

. David Cooper contiptied to maintain his place
in the body as “an elder worthy of douple
honor,” acting towards the flock as a tender
father, with faithfulness and in much love, whilst

 

humbly watchful over himself. He died 11th