November 30, 1898.
My dear Brother:
... I am not so much troubled about the measure of the discipline, as the spirit in which it is done. If it is done in a hard spirit, an injury is done the one dealt with. And this is important. A person might be suspended, or put away, and soon restored again. But if a hard spirit is shown, he is apt to be driven away and overwhelmed. May the Lord graciously preserve from this....
I suppose much would depend on the character of the particular case... Some cases might require extreme dealing with.... The great thing is to have the Lord’s name cleared, and the erring one brought back into the right state. Not only is the guilty one dealt with, but the assembly needs to judge itself, as in 2 Corinthians 7. If this is not done, the assembly is not even in a state to judge one in its midst. Here is where I fear they are coming short in. They can put one away and go on without being troubled about it as if nothing had happened. I say I fear this. I would be glad to know my fears were groundless...
Yours affectionately in the Lord,
December 8, 1898.
Extract from another letter on the above disciplinary matter. Quotation from Mr. Potter: “Let there be no haste or heat, but calm waiting on the Lord, who has allowed things to reach the present stage. Let there be the working out of our salvation with fear and trembling.”
This, too, is good.... We must avoid strife, and seek to act as in the fear of God. If needs any checking, the Lord is able to do it in His own way without our setting about to do it. A human effort in this line might do great mischief. I trust the Lord will give much wisdom to the dear brethren at 0. for whatever part they may have to take in this matter.
I do not think we must be too much afraid of severe dealing in connection with such sins as have come to light. Only it should be in faithful love, and not judicial or legal character....
Yours affectionately in the Lord,