Eclectic Society
1791
Summary of Rules Established 26 May
Summary of Rules for 1791
John Newton's notebook, MS 780 |
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1 |
To meet at St. John's Chapel, pay 1sh. [1] fine 2.6 [2] |
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2 |
Tea discharged at ½ past 4. |
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3 |
Chair filled by rotation. Bible on the table. The next question to be proposed and agreed upon. |
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4 |
Members to speak in order. |
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5 |
Number of members not to exceed thirteen. |
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6 |
A new member to be proposed a month before the Ballot — excluded by one negative, and not to be proposed again till after a full year. |
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7 |
No member to be admitted if resident beyond the 5mile stones round London. [3] Nor visitant admitted if within that distance. |
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8 |
Thirteen Ministers to be chosen at the first meeting annually, as Rural Deans, who may visit the Society six times in the year. [4] To be introduced by a member. |
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9 |
Other visitants, if balloted for the preceding meeting and there be no negative. |
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10 |
No visitant to be admitted, except the Rural Deans, two successive meetings. |
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11 |
An exception allowed for missionaries, and what may be deemed by the Society, extraordinary cases. |
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12 |
No person to be solicited to become a member, nor to know when he is proposed. |
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13 |
No enquiry to be made or suspicions formed concerning the Ballot. |
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14 |
Secrecy to be observed as to the debates. |
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15 |
The rules to be put into the hands of new members. |
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16 |
The meetings every second Monday. |
Bedford Row Chapel:
corner of Great James Street and Millman Street |
engraved by John Bacon |
Newton's Family Bible |
Endnotes:
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[1] |
1 sh is one shilling (about £5.25 in 2015) |
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[2] |
If a member was absent without sufficient reason and without having notified the others, he was fined “2.6”, i.e. 2/6, two shillings and six pence (about £13.12 in 2015) |
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[3] |
The 5-mile stones marked the area around central London, measured at that time from various points e.g. Cornhill, Royal Exchange, Westminster Bridge. Today Charing Cross is the official measuring point. A good view of the area included can be seen on this 1857 map of Toll Gates in Central London. |
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[4] |
On 8 January 1798, Josiah Pratt’s notebook opens with:
"The Society now consists of the following members:
Newton, Bacon, Foster, Pattrick, Scott, Cecil, J Goode, Clayton, Abdy, Venn, Woodd, W Goode, Pratt"
with an addition:
“Davies 12½” — in January 1799 Davies was included as one of 14 members. |
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Acknowledgements:
Cowper & Newton Museum
Church Mission Society |
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