September 28, 1905.
Dear Brother:
I am truly thankful to God for His grace in leading brother to make confession as far as he has done, and to withdraw the charge he made against the assembly at L. One would have been glad to have seen it done in a more hearty tone but I cannot but think it would be a serious mistake if the brethren at L. did not accept this, such as it is, and let the matter rest, leaving it to the Lord to complete His own work.
I believe that and his wife have suffered much in their own spirits, during these seven years past, and that God has been working in them. And we must remember that where there is a naturally proud spirit, it is not an easy thing to make a frank confession. Some can confess without difficulty and then go wrong again just as easily. And we have to make allowance for these differences in the natural disposition.
In this case also we have to remember that Mr.— has felt that he was contending for divine principles, though he admits it was in a wrong way. And they have the conviction that they were not treated rightly. For all this I think we have to make allowance, even though the thought of wrong treatment may have been only imaginary. For myself, I do not understand in what way he was wrongly treated, but I can make allowance for existing feelings caused by his thinking so. I hardly think our dear brother C. makes full allowance for some of these things.
D. made a mistake, and in one of his letters to me, has, in a way owned it. I have had considerable correspondence with him, and I think I know pretty well how he has felt in the matter. The mistakes he has made were well intentioned. He really thought matters were settled, and took Mr. and Mrs. in. He ought to have referred them to L. Then afterward he sought to act the part of a peacemaker, when he ought to have insisted on getting into direct correspondence with L. Now it has come to this, and I think ‘s letter ought to be accepted. D. will not quickly fall into the same snare again. I doubt not God has overruled all for blessing.
Affectionately,