This act, which now becomes more public
by the junction of two or three in the work of his reformation, is still
kept a secret from other individuals of the society, and still retains
the name of admonishing.
It frequently happens that, during these different admonitions, the
offender sees his error, and corrects his conduct. The visitations of
course cease, and he goes on in the estimation of the society as a
regular or unoffending member, no one knowing but the admonishing
persons, that he has been under the discipline of the society. I may
observe here, that what is done by men to men is done by women to women,
the women admonishing and trying to reclaim those of their own sex, in
the same manner.
Should, however, the overseers, and other persons before mentioned, find
after a proper length of time that all their united efforts have been
ineffectual, and that they have no hope of success with respect to his
amendment, they lay the case, if it should be of a serious nature,
before a [16]court, which has the name of the monthly meeting. This
court, or meeting, make a minute of the case, and appoint a committee to
visit him. The committee in consequence, of their appointment wait upon
him. This act is now considered as a public act, or as an act of the
church.
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