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Maintain that charity which suffereth long, and is kind; put the best construction upon the
conduct and opinions one of another which
circumstances will warrant. Take heed ... that the enemy
produce no dissensions among you; that nothing like a
party spirit be ever suffered to prevail. Let each be
tender of the reputation of his brother; and be
earnest to possess the ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit. Watch over one another for good, but not for
evil; and whilst not blind to the faults or false views
of others, be especially careful not to make them
a topic of common conversation. And even in cases in which occasion may require that the failings
of others should be disclosed, be well satisfied,
before they are made the subject of confidential
communication, either verbally or by letter, that
your own motives are sufficiently pure.
--London Yearly Meeting, 1834 |
. . .IN CORPORATE WORSHIP
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When I came into the silent assemblies of God's people, I felt a secret power among them,
which touched my heart; and as I gave way unto it I
found the evil weakening in me and the good raised
up; and so I became thus knit and united unto
them, hungering more and more after the increase of
this power and life whereby I might feel myself
perfectly redeemed; and indeed this is the surest
way to become a Christian....
--Robert Barclay, Apology, 1676 |
We approach the meeting for worship confidently, listening to the still, small voice within. Each worshipper is a listener. In active waiting, we strive to dissociate the mind from distractions and to focus inwardly. As each of us helps and strengthens others in this process, worship becomes a corporate experience.