{Transcribed from the Fry MS, pp. 343-346 (in the CBA, John Rylands University Library) copied in Alfred C. Fry's handwriting}
{Note: Before reading J. L. Harris' critique of B. W. Newton's blasphemous teaching concerning Christ's circumstantial distance from God, which came to light in 1847, the reader might be interested to see his letter of Oct. 6, 1845 to B. W. Newton announcing his withdrawal from Plymouth, concerning ministry there. It was one and one-half years later that JLH discovered BWN's heretofore clandestinely-taught, evil teaching regarding Christ's position before God during His life here, and then published an exposure. }
Linton, Oct. 8, 1845
Beloved Brother I have lately been much occupied in solemnly considering the relation in which I stand to the Saints in Plymouth, among whom I have long labored with yourself and others and with whom I may say my spiritual affections are so intimately bound up.
The nine weeks which I passed in Plymouth previous to my leaving it on the occasion of my marriage were to me the most painfully distressing of any that I have known since I left the Establishment {i e, the Church of England} in 1832. I do not enter into details but there are two points which especially press themselves on my notice. The first is my firm conviction which has only strengthened since my absence, that our condition as a body at Plymouth does require humiliation as a body before God. This I know to be contrary to the feelings & judgment of yourself and other valued brethren & sisters. I trust I feel humbled as well as sorrowful in being thus opposed to them in judgment -but a distinct act of humiliation I believe to be God's first remedy for the sorrowful condition in which we actually are. With this conviction on my mind you will readily judge how much I have felt myself hindered in ministry among them. Of course God alone can know how much this may arise from my own evil, I only state the simple fact.
I must next refer to the painful subject of the Friday Meetings. Since I left without my knowledge the subject has been mentioned to the saints generally -and as I understand from William Hayden it has passed without notice. This has certainly augmented my difficulty. Of course I know your very strong judgment on the matter and grieve to differ from you in it; but now it appears to me that I am thrown also into collision of judgment with other of the Saints who may be supposed to have formed a judgment on the question. So far as any of my failing advice to the Saints has been definite I have desired ministerial co-operation in connection with brotherly confidence among ourselves locally, & brotherly confidence without. I know how earnestly many of the valued saints have desired ministerial co-operation -and when it has been expressed to me, I think I have generally that was not the difficulty but the maintenance of that with brotherly confidence. I have expressed myself strongly to the brethren who have desired the continuance of this meeting, and do not see therefore how I could easily escape the appearance of partnership & acting as if it were against the feelings of so many I highly value in espousing their cause. For I could not answer in my conscience before God to this question, why they who were in communion before me & have worked blamelessly and uprightly as myself should without any reason assigned be thus thrown out of our confidence. I desire to respect the conscience and judgment of others but I must before God exercise my own also.
After much anxious consideration I have come to the painful conclusion that I cannot healthfully serve the Saints at Plymouth. And I wish to inform you before any one else that it is not my intention to return to Plymouth to resume any ministry among the Saints there; for—I must both to make some necessary arrangements & to see my own family -and probably to visit Kingsbridge & Tavislock as well as to minister a little at Plymstock [a parish of which Harris was vicar till 1832]. You may very reasonably ask when I am going. I know not. I have conferred with no one. Not a human being save my wife will know the painful decision to which I have been led, when you receive this. I have counted the cost & next to leaving the Establishment I regard this as the most important step in my Christian life. Do not think that I forget either your love or sympathy or that I am a debtor to you for much valuable instruction & so is my dear wife very specially -who regards you with the most affectionate interest. So far as in me lies I will endeavor that nothing shall interrupt the friendship [ of may be "kindliness" the handwriting is so very bad. It is kindliness] which has subsided between us for so many years. Mr. William Hayden has mentioned in a letter that a meeting of brethren has been held, the result of which is the proposition for a very material alteration in the Diaconal department. I must plainly say that it... [dare, shall] betray a little want of confidence in... [one?] not to have mentioned the matter to me. My judgment on the proposed alteration is another thing I should not have referred to this at all, as the decision to which I was forced was made I might almost say previous to my receiving the communication -so that I believe it did not affect it at all -save that I desired to have nothing of an irritating nature on my mind I believe I can say if I deceive not myself that I have no personal feeling as to a single brother altho' I may have a judgment as to their conduct, as they will have of my own. Would that I could say I know nothing of by myself. I have much to confess to God & much forbearance to crave from my brethren; but whatever others may think of the decision to which I have been led, I must leave it to the judgment of that day.
I am sorry that we have trouble again with Mary Smith -I shall hope to send her note & that of her lover together with my replies to both for your approval to Soltau by this post.
We are sorry to hear that your dear wife has taken fresh cold; our affectionate love to her.
Yours very affectionately J. L. Harris We leave this on Tuesday next to visit Mr. James F i & then a few days to see my sister in Northamptonshire. After this I suppose we shall visit Mrs. Richmond at Clifton.