ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE, GREENWICH, JANUARY 9TH, 1895

ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE, GREENWICH, JANUARY 9TH, 1895

To Mr. T. H. Reynolds.

Dearest Reynolds, — I think I am entirely in accord with you in regard to Hull. I wrote a week or two since to young Kolkenbeck who is there and told him that what I believed would be acceptable to the Lord would be a complete surrender on all sides of all ecclesiastical pretension, and a general humbling each house (family) apart, and an earnest looking to the Lord that He would in due time provide some ground ^[p. 102] for the restoration of fellowship. I am wholly averse to the existence of two camps in the place, and brethren going in to judge between them. It is too human and the idea of ceasing to break bread for a week or two seems to me of no use, and unmeaning. I have had another long letter from J.S.O. in answer to mine in which there is much about the principle of the one body but it confirms me in the impression that his idea of the one body is ecclesiastical, that he fails to apprehend the mystery of the gospel and to distinguish between the house and the body. I am glad they have approached you from Belfast and should be glad to hear of your going there. While away I had a characteristic letter from Kernahan (asking as to things recently agitated in London) in which he says that he accepts the ipse dixit of no man! I wonder you are not a little afraid of attempting Germany again, but I suppose it might not be so bad if you only went to Vohwinkel. I had a very good time at Plymouth and think that the meetings there and at Devonport are prospering. I had also a good meeting at Newton Abbot. We had some of the brothers from St. Ives at Plymouth for part of the time. Recent occurrences there have served to wake them up a bit. Champney also stayed while I was there. I trust you are all well, and with love in the Lord, remain,

Your affectionate brother,
F. E. Raven.