1673 This extract from George Fox's diary for 1673 was quoted in Church Government (at least until 1931) to explain the division of the collective Quaker body into men's and women's meetings:

"Faithful women, who were called to a belief of the Truth, and made partakers of the same precious faith and heirs of the same everlasting Gospel of life and salvation that the men are, might in like manner come into the possession and practice of the Gospel order, and therein be meet-helps unto the men in the restoration, in the service of Truth, in the affairs in the Church, as they are outwardly in civil or temporal things. That so all the family of God, women as well as men, might know, possess, perform and discharge their offices and services in the house of God ; whereby the poor might be better taken care of, the younger instructed, informed, and taught in the way of God ; the loose and disorderly reproved and admonished in the fear of the Lord; the clearness of persons proposing marriage more closely and strictly inquired into in the wisdom of God; and all the members of the spiritual body, the Church, might watch over and be helpful to each other in love."

Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of Women Friends were extensively organized in the later years of the seventeenth century.

1675: It is our judgment and testimony that the rise and practice, setting up and establishment of Men's and Women's Meetings in the Church of Christ in this our generation is according to the mind and counsel of God, and done in the ordering and leading of his eternal Spirit; and that it is the duty of all Friends and brethren in the power of God, in all parts, to be diligent therein, and to encourage and further each other in that blessed work.

1691: It is our Christian advice that you do encourage faithful Women's Meetings, and the settling of them where they are wanting, and may with convenience be settled; knowing their service, and what need there is also of their godly care in the Church of Christ, in divers weighty respects proper to them.

In 1784, a representative Women's Yearly Meeting was established, with power to communicate directly with the subordinate Women's Meetings in this country, and to correspond with Women's Yearly Meetings in foreign parts.

1784 1790: The several Quarterly Meetings of women Friends are at liberty to appoint two or more of their members and Duties to meet in London, at the time of holding this Meeting; nevertheless, so that the number from any Women's Meeting do not exceed that of the representatives allowed to be appointed by the Men's Meeting for the same district. The Meeting so appointed shall be denominated the Yearly Meeting of Women Friends held in London.

This Meeting agrees that the said Meeting be at liberty to correspond in writing with the Quarterly Meetings of women Friends, to receive accounts from them, and to issue such advice as, in the wisdom of truth, may from time to time appear necessary and conducive to their mutual edification ; but it is not at liberty to make or alter any Rules of Discipline or Queries.

1792. 1801. 1802. 1822. 1861. 1875. 1883:

On considering the nature and extent of the discipline committed to women Friends, it is our judgment that its nature is to come up to the help of their brethren in the discipline of the Church.

As to its extent:-

(a). They are to inspect and, in their discretion, to relieve the wants of the poor of their own sex ; and to apply to the Men's Meeting for its concurrence, and for the means, as each case shall require.

(b). They are to join in certificates of removal for women Friends, and to make appointments to visit women Friends removed into the compass of the Monthly Meeting, conformably to the rules on that subject.

(c). They are, at the desire of the Men's Monthly Meeting, to make appointments to visit or join the men in visiting such women as apply for admission or reinstatement into membership.

(d). They are to assist the Men's Monthly Meeting in dealing with cases of delinquency of women Friends, conformably to the rules on that subject.

(e). The several Women's Quarterly and Monthly Meetings should annually, in the Spring, send to their Yearly Meeting or Quarterly Meeting respectively answers to the first parts of the 2nd and 10th Queries, conformably to the rules on that subject.

1865: Women's Meetings for Discipline are encouraged occasionally to enter upon the consideration of what may be due from them to the members and attenders of Meetings for Worship of their own sex; so that, if way should open, an appointment may be made to visit all, or any of these, under feelings of Christian sympathy; and that, when it can suitably be done, some of our younger Friends may be united in the service. The making of such appointments should, however, be reported to the Men's Meeting.

Women Friends are encouraged occasionally to read, in their Meetings for Discipline, passages from this volume, and from the printed " Extracts from the Proceedings of the Yearly Meeting."

We feel an earnest desire that our Women's Meetings may be maintained with life and efficiency, as we believe that they have exercised a very important influence on the female character within our own body, and, indirectly, beyond our borders.

In 1896, London Yearly Meeting affirmed the position that, "in future, women Friends are to be recognized as forming a constituent part of all our Meetings for Church Affairs equally with their brethren ".

In 1908 the Yearly Meeting, recognizing that the decisions come to in 1896 had resulted in the practical union of men and women Friends in Yearly Meeting considerations, decided that in future all sittings of the Yearly Meeting should be joint sessions, unless the Yearly Meeting should, on any particular occasion, otherwise determine. These recent decisions have in practice almost abolished separate Women's Meetings for Church Affairs. (Church Government 1931)

1782 - 1801 - 1833: [1834 Margin Course of proceeding:] When any of our members commits an offence, and after due private labour it has been communicated to the monthly meeting, that meeting shall appoint some well qualified friends to visit the offending member, and in christian love to inquire carefully into the matter, and labour for the restoration of the brother or sister who may have been overtaken in a fault. The friends appointed are to report as early as convenient to the monthly meeting...

Information of disownments is to be sent to the women's monthly meeting; and also to the preparative meeting (if there be one) to which the disowned person belonged; and in all cases a copy is to be delivered to the person disowned, if access can be had to him.

1782 - 1801 - 1833: [1834 Margin Readmission of members:] Should any person having been disowned, coming to a just sense of his misconduct, be desirous of readmission into the society, he is to apply to the monthly meeting which disowned him; which, if it think proper, is to visit him or to apply to the meeting wherein he resides, to do it and make report. The meeting which disowned him is then to proceed to accept or reject his acknowledgement, as it may see meet: and, if readmitted, he is to become a member in the meeting to which he formerly belonged. The same course is to be pursued in the case of a friend who may have resigned his membership, and apply for readmission into the society.

1. In order to bring the following important Advices before all the members of our religious Society, and before those not in membership who attend our Meetings for Worship, it is concluded that they be read after the close of a First-day morning Meeting for Worship, once in the year. They are also to be read in the Winter Quarterly Meetings for Discipline; and in Monthly Meetings either consecutively, or in such portions as well as at such times, as may be deemed most desirable. They are to be read in the Women's as well as in the Men's Meetings for Discipline. 1861. 1875.

2. ADVICES ADDRESSED TO OUR MEMBERS, AND TO ALL WHO MEET WITH US IN PUBLIC WORSHIP.

Take heed, dear Friends, we entreat you, to the convictions of the Holy Spirit, who leads, through unfeigned repentance, and living faith in the Son of God, to reconciliation with our Heavenly Father; and to the blessed hope of eternal life, purchased for us by the one offering of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Be earnestly concerned in religious meetings reverently to present yourselves before the Lord; and seek, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to worship God through Jesus Christ. Prize the privilege of access by Him unto the Father. Continue instant in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

Be in the frequent practice of waiting upon the Lord in private retirement; honestly examining yourselves as to your growth in grace, and your preparation for the life to come.

Be diligent in the private perusal of the Holy Scriptures ; and let the daily reading of them in your families be devoutly conducted.

Be careful to make a profitable and religious use of those portions of time on the first day of the week which are not occupied by our Meetings for Worship.

Live in love as Christian brethren, ready to be helpful one to another, and sympathizing with each other in the trials and afflictions of life. Watch over one another for good, manifesting an earnest desire that each may possess a well-grounded hope in Christ.

Follow peace with all men, desiring the true happiness of all: be kind and liberal to the poor, and endeavour to promote the temporal, moral, and religious well-being of your fellow-men.

With a tender conscience, in accordance with the precepts of the Gospel, take heed to the limitations of the Spirit of Truth in the pursuit of the things of this life.

Maintain strict integrity in your transactions in trade, and in all your outward concerns. Guard against the spirit of speculation, and the snare of accumulating wealth. Remember that we must account for the mode of acquiring, as well as for the manner of using, and finally disposing of our possessions.

Observe simplicity and moderation in your deportment and attire, in the furniture of your houses, and in your style and manner of living. Carefully maintain in your own conduct, and encourage in your families, truthfulness and sincerity; and avoid worldliness in all its forms.

Guard watchfully against the introduction into your households of publications of a hurtful tendency; and against such companionships, indulgences and recreations, whether for yourselves or your children, as may in any wise interfere with a growth in grace.

Let the poor of this world remember that it is our Heavenly Father's will that all his children should be rich in faith. Let your lights shine in lives of honest industry and patient love. Do your utmost to maintain yourselves and your families in an honour­able independence, and, by prudent care in time of health, to provide for sickness and old age, holding fast by the promise, " I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."

Whatever be your position in life, avoid such sports and places of diversion as are frivolous or demoralizing; all kinds of gaming; the needless frequenting of taverns and other public-houses, and the unnecessary use of intoxicating liquors.

In contemplating the engagement of marriage, look principally to that which will help you on your heavenward journey. Pay filial regard to the judgment of your parents. Bear in mind the vast importance, in such a union, of an accordance in religious principles and practice. Ask counsel of God; desiring, above all temporal considerations, that your union may be owned and blessed of Him.

Watch with Christian tenderness over the opening minds of your children: inure them to habits of self-restraint and filial obedience; carefully instruct them in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures; and seek for ability to imbue their hearts with the love of their Heavenly Father, their Redeemer, and their Sanctifier.

Finally, dear Friends, let your whole conduct and conversation be such as become the Gospel. Exercise yourselves to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men. Be steadfast and faithful in your allegiance and service to your Lord; continue in his love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace.

1791. 1801. 1833. 1860. 1861. 1875. 1883.