"The design of our meeting is to obey that command of God, ‘Confess your faults one to another, and pray for another – that you may be healed’" (James 5:16).

"To this end we intend:

1. To meet once a week, at the least.

2. To come punctually at the hour appointed, without some extraordinary reason.

3. To begin (those of us who are present) exactly at the hour with singing or prayer.

4. To speak, each of us in order, freely and plainly the true state of our souls without the faults we have committed in thought, word, or deed, and the temptations we have felt since our last meeting.

5. To end every meeting with prayer, suited to the state of each person present."

"Some of the questions proposed to every one before he is admitted among us may be to this effect:

1. Have you the forgiveness of your sins?

2. Have you peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ?

3. Have you the witness of God’s Spirit with your Spirit that you are a child of God?

4. Is the love of God shed abroad in your heart?

5. Has no sin, inward or outward, dominion over you?

6. Do you desire to be told of your faults?

7. Do you desire to be told of all your faults, and that plain and home?

8. Do you desire that ever one of us should tell you from time to time whatsoever is in his heart concerning you?

9. Consider! Do you desire that we should tell you whatsoever we fear, whatsoever we hear, concerning you?

10. Do you desire that in doing this we should cut to the quick, and search your heart to the bottom?

11. Is it your desire and design to be on this and all other occasions entirely open, so as to speak everything that is in your heart, without exception, without disguise, and without reserve?

Any of the preceding questions may be asked as often as occasion offers; the five following at every meeting:

1. What known sin have you committed since our last meeting?

2. What temptations have you met with?

3. How were you delivered?

4. What have you thought, said, and done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?

5. (Sometimes omitted) Have you nothing you desire to keep secret?