FEBRUARY 9TH, 1931

FEBRUARY 9TH, 1931

BELOVED BROTHER, — It has been said, as you know, that a meeting could only act for itself in such cases, and not so as to bind others by its decision. But this would need to be modified by the consideration that fellowship is general or universal.

The assemblies are not independent units. And if the Lord has definitely assigned responsibility, as we believe He has, to the nearest meeting to act in such cases it would be a very serious matter to challenge what was done. Such a course would only be justified by the clearest evidence that the decision was wrong and therefore was not of the Lord. Such ^[p. 189] a case would prove a spreading of confusion. Normally a decision arrived at before the Lord by those to whom He has assigned responsibility would be morally binding, and, in effect, general in result. Ultimately things stand, as before God, on the moral value of what is done....

With much love in the Lord to you both,

Yours affectionately in Him,

February 9th, 1931.