In a
short speech Mr. Broad said that he had sought a preliminary
conference with them to lay before them the relationship in which the
Allens stood to the church in Tanner's Lane. They had formally
ceased to attend his ministrations, but of course, as yet, they
remained on the church books. It was a matter which he, as the
minister of the flock, felt could not any longer be overlooked. He
would say nothing of the part which the Allens had taken in the late
unhappy controversies which had distracted the town, excepting that
he considered they had displayed a heat and animosity inconsistent
with their professions and detrimental to the best interests of the
cause.
"I agree with that, Mr. Broad," interrupted Mr. Bushel; "and I may
say that, as you know, if you had done nothing, _I_ SHOULD; for how
any member of the--gospel--could live in--and go on--peace harmony
with all men in the Church of Christ, I, at, least--that's my
opinion." Mr. Bushel was shortnecked, and shook his head always
while he was talking, apparently in order to disengage his meaning,
which consequently issued in broken fragments.
Mr. Broad resumed--"I may, however, observe that George Allen was in
company with the intoxicated mob which devastated Cowfold; and
although he has asserted that he merely endeavoured to control its
excesses--and such appears to be the view taken by the civil
authorities who have prosecuted the perpetrators of the outrages--we,
as members, my dear brethren, of Christ's Body, have to be guided by
other considerations.
Pages:
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357