as an enemy of the Convention? If so, I think you commit a great mistake. And if the Convention looks upon me in the light of an enemy, it must be, I think, on account of the wrong which that Body is at least partially conscious of having done me; and your wiser course, therefore, would be, to urge the Convention to become reconciled to Mr Barrett.
The position which I at present occupy in relation to that Body, is not one of my own seeking, as you very well know. It is one in which I have been placed solely through the instrumentality of others. I accept it cheerfully, as a providential circumstance, not doubting but the Lord has a purpose in it, and a duty for me toperform here, and humbly trusting that he will make that duty plain to me and give me the resolution to do it What may be the consequence to myself personally, is a matter of small moment, and not worth your thought or mine.
In the last paragraph but one of your letter, you say:—"The plan which you propose would certainly bring much disgrace upon the church, and I am afraid that it would destroy you entirely." This is indeed extraordinary language to come from a man occupying your high position, and who regards, or professes to regard the instruction in the 18th chapter of Matthew as of binding obligation in its literal sense. "The plan which I propose," is, to act fully up to this instruction—to do my whole duty as therein pointed out, by proceeding next to tell the offence of my brother to the Church. This is all that I now propose to do. And what am I to think of your principles, or how can you expect me to believe that you really have any principles, when you allow yourself seriously to speak of this "plan" in the manner you have. I would fain believe, my brother, that you have suffered yourself to speak inadvertantly, or without due deliberation in this instance, or that quite a different meaning is concealed beneath your words, from the one which is obvious to ordinary minds You will, I trust, excuse my plainness of speech; for the times as well as the occasion, seem to me to demand plain speaking.
Awaiting your answer to my questions, I remain,
Yours truly,
B. F. Barrett.
(No. XIII.)
Dear Brother, July 9th, 1855.
I have just received yours of the 6th inst. I do not see that your duty requires you to go any farther in the same direction; but if you could be persuaded to go a fow steps in the opposite direction, I think it would be of immense use to you.
Yours truly,
Thomas Worcester.
After this correspondence, being left to determine for myself on the proper way of telling the offence complained of "to the church," I at first determined to tell it through the press—to print and circulate among my New Church brethren the facts and the evidence in the case. But upon further reflection, I determined to carry the matter to the next meeting of the Convention, and see whether that body would allow
