Iowa
History Project
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The following rules and regulations were in force at the Friends’
Boarding School at Stavanger, Iowa, during the year 1910-1911:
First
“Students will be expected to show due respect for the officers and teachers of the institution and for each other, giving cheerful compliance to the rules and regulations of the same.
Second
“All persons connected with the school are expected to attend meetings for worship at the Friends meeting house nearby, on First and Fifth days of the week, conducting themselves in a manner becoming the occasion.
Third
“Visiting will not be expected in or
about the building on the 1st day of the week and pupils are not to
leave the premises without permission.
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Sixth
“It will be expected that the pupils use the English language in their general intercourse among themselves and others, and in the use of language it is requested that the correct form [thou and thee] in regard to which Friends bear a testimony and is set forth in the Holy Scripture.
Seventh
“Students are respectfully requested to dispense with such apparel, jewelry and fashionable customs inconsistent with true simplicity which the committee superintendent and matron shall indicate.
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Ninth
“Tobacco in any form, chewing gum, musical instruments and firearms are strictly forbidden, and any reading matter found in the possession of the pupils or anything being practiced which the committee or care takers consider objectionable are to be removed.
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The following “Queries” were read annually before each
Preparative and Monthly Meeting of Friends, and were answered in writing as
prescribed by the Discipline of Indiana Yearly Meeting, 1854, pp. 81, 82.
Practically the same queries are used among all branches of the Friends in Iowa
to-day.
“First
Query.—Are all the meetings for worship and discipline attended? Do Friends
avoid unbecoming behavior therein? And is the hour of meeting observed?
“Second.—Are
Friends preserved in christian love one toward another? Are tale-bearing and
detraction discouraged? And when differences arise, are endeavors used speedily
to end them?
“Third.—Do
Friends endeavor, by example and precept, to educate their children, and those
under their care, in the principles of the Christian religion, and in plainness
of speech, deportment, and apparel? Do they guard them against reading
pernicious books, and from corrupt conversation? And are they encouraged to
read the Holy Scriptures diligently?
“Fourth.—Are
Friends clear of importing, vending distilling, and the unnecessary use of all
intoxicating liquors? And attending circus-shows and other places of diversion?
And do they observe moderation and temperance on all occasions?
“Fifth.—Are
the necessities of the poor, and the circumstances of those who may appear
likely to require aid, inspected and relieved? Are they advised and assisted in
such employments as they are capable of; and is due care taken to promote the
school-education of their children?
“Sixth.—Do Friends maintain a testimony
against priests’ and ministers’ wages? Against Slavery; oaths; bearing arms,
and all military services; trading in goods taken in war; and against
lotteries.
“Seventh.—Are
Friends careful to live within the bounds of their circumstances, and to avoid
involving themselves in business beyond their ability to manage; or in
hazardous or speculative trade? Are they just in their dealings, and punctual
in complying with their contracts and engagements; and in paying their debts
seasonably? And where any give reasonable grounds for fear in these respects,
is due care extended to them?
“Eighth.—Is
care taken to deal with offenders seasonably and impartially, and to endeavor
to evince to those who will not be reclaimed, the spirit of meekness and love,
before judgment is placed upon them?
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The following is the accustomed form of the Quaker
marriage certificate as prescribed by the Quaker marriage certificate as
prescribed by the Indiana Yearly Meeting of Friends in its Discipline for 1854,
p. 53:
“Whereas,
A. B. of _______ in the county of
______, in the state of ______ son of C. and H. B. of _______; and D. E.
daughter of F. and G. E. of ______ having declared their intentions of marriage
with each other, before a Monthly meeting of the religious society of Friends,
held at ______ (where the parties are under the care of parents or
guardians, unless in the case of unreasonable objections, add) and having
consent of parents or guardians concerned, (as the case may be) their
proposals of marriage were allowed by said meeting. These are to certify whom
it may concern, that for the full accomplishment of their said intentions,
this______ day of the ______ month, in the year of our Lord ______, they, the
said A. B. and D. E. appeared in a public meeting of the said people, held at
______ aforesaid; and the said A. B. Taking the said D. E. by the hand,
declared that he took her to be his wife, promising, with divine assistance, to
be unto her a loving and faithful husband, until death should separate them:
and then the said D. E. did in like manner declare, that she took him the said
A. B. to be her husband, promising, with divine assistance, to be unto him a loving
and faithful wife, until death should separate them. And moreover, they, the
said A. B. and D. E. (she according to the custom of marriage adopting the name
of her husband) did, as a further confirmation thereof, then and there, to
these presents set their hands.
A. B.
D. B.
“And we, whose names are also hereunto subscribed, being present at the solemnization of the said marriage have, as witnesses thereto, set our hands the day and year above written.”
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