Rules for Monthly Meetings.
By Stephen N. Haskell
1. Let each brother and sister feel an individual responsibility of being at the meeting. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.” Heb. x, 25. 2. Leave all of your worldly cares and interests at home, “For if thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light, but if thine eye be evil [poneros, defective; Greek], thy whole body shall be full of darkness.” Matt. vi, 22, 23. Remember, the appointment is for religious worship, not for trading in cattle, sheep, or horses, &c. 3. Let all your spare moments be spent in prayer and meditation. “Pray without ceasing.” 2 Thess. v, 17. Try and make every brother and sister more happy by your presence. 4. Be punctual in your place at every meeting, anxiously inquiring of the Lord, “What wilt thou have me to do?” 5. Before introducing any topic for conversation or discussion, inquire, Is it in harmony with the spirit of the meeting? “For there is a time for every purpose and for every work.” Eccl. iii, 16. What might be proper on other occasions might be wholly out of place at a Monthly Meeting, where we have met for the sole purpose of worshiping God. In conclusion: Seek Christian courtesy toward all. “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil. ii, 3, 4.