{25} Instead of being asked those questions, the present practice is to
produce the needful certificates of consent.
{26} This second attendance is not now required.
{27} This hardly describes the present practice. It is not _during_ the
gathering only, if at all, that exhortation takes place. If the corpse
be conveyed to a meeting-house, the meeting is held like any other; and
what is here called 'Exhortation,' takes place or not, as any minister
present believes him or herself influenced. The usage at the burial
ground is still as here described. Interments often take place without
any previous meeting.
{28} The collective sense and judgment of the church, herein, remains
the same, as is manifest by the frequent advices given forth from their
yearly and other meetings.
{43a} At present (1834) there are eight yearly meetings on the American
continent, which correspond with the yearly meeting in London, and
mutually with each other; they are united in doctrine, and their
discipline is similar.
{43b} They are thus particularized in a more recent publication of the
society:--This is an occasional voluntary contribution, expended in
printing books; house-rent for a clerk, and his wages for keeping
records; the passage of ministers who visit their brethren beyond sea;
and some small incidental charges; but not, as has been falsely supposed,
the reimbursement of those who suffer distraint for tithes, and other
demands, with which they scruple to comply.
{44} This is not now quite correct. A committee still draws up the
General Epistle; but the minutes of the transactions of the meeting are
made as matters occur during its several sittings.
{57} Called the Meeting for Sufferings, and now held monthly, except
exigencies require more frequent sittings.