Nor is any one
allowed to reproach him for his former faults.
Should, however, all endeavours prove ineffectual, and should the
committee, after having duly laboured with the offender, consider him at
last as incorrigible, they report their proceedings to the monthly
meeting. He is then publicly excluded from membership, or, as it is
called, [18]disowned. This is done by a distinct document, called a
testimony of disownment, in which the nature of the offence, and the
means that have been used to reclaim him, are described. A wish is also
generally expressed in this document, that he may repent, and be taken
into membership again. A copy of this minute is always required to be
given to him.
[Footnote 18: Women cannot disown, the power of disowning, is an act of
the church, being vested in the meetings of the men.]
If the offender should consider this act of disowning him as an unjust
proceeding, he may appeal to a higher tribunal, or to the quarterly
court, or meeting. This quarterly court or meeting, then appoint a
committee, of which no one of the monthly meeting that condemned him can
be a member, to reconsider his ease. Should this committee report, and
the quarterly meeting in consequence decide against him, he may appeal
to the yearly.
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