the stars which he had raised up and held in his right hand, and that we might own them. As to the fasts, I urged that we might fast together at a very early stage of the business, Mr. Harris pressed it on them. I had conversed with Mr. Deck, Sir A. Campbell, &c., as to it, who desired it, and wished to come, and that brethren might join in it. But all pressing it was useless, Mr. N. declared there was nothing to fast for, and that he would not have Plymouth made a plague spot of. It was anxiously explained over and over again, that it was meant to charge none, but that as we were all in trial we could go and cast ourselves before God, and I said I should go with all my heart and confess any want of spirituality in me, that had helped it on; but it was useless. I could only weep and fast to myself. At last on the occasion of the disorder of the aged brother’s speaking above mentioned, Mr. Newton went down on Saturday to the coach to Mr. Harris, who went for the Lord’s day elsewhere, and stated he should give out a fast the next day; which he did for circumstances which had occurred here and elsewhere. However though I thought all this very bad indeed, and all understood what this meant, and other brethren were necessarily excluded, as it was given out for Wednesday that week, I went. The brethren who have since left, mourned and confessed unfeignedly. Mr. N. blessed God for giving them the truth and prayed God to give them firmness to maintain their position. I thought the whole matter the very worst thing that had taken place. When Mr. Chapman came here, Mr. N. peremptorily refused to have any confession about Plymouth, Mr. C. stated in private that he would not hear of it, and that they could only have it general for all the Church. This to me was far worse than nothing here.
Subsequent to Mr. C.’s saying the evil was want of unity in judgment. (he declined to me any enquiry into the circumstances here)[1] and that love depended on it.
- ↑ Mr. C.’s principle is that, where there exists a body of
