[Transcript kindly provided by Timothy Stunt]

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May 1850

x        x      x      I add to my note an account of a case with which we have been concerned here this very week.         A sister known to us at Raleigh Street, and in fellowship there when at Plymouth, had gone away for some weeks months, and last of all, visited London & connected herself there with the gathering in Orchard Street.  On my knowing this, I sought an interview, and pointed out to her the connection existing between Orchard Street and Bethesda; viz: that those that went from thence to Bristol selected Bethesda as the place of their fellowship & rejected those saints meeting elsewhere in Bristol; i.e. York Street.   This was not denied: She herself said, she should have gone there if she had had occasion to tarry in Bristol.I then told her that we at Raleigh Street were on no such ground of intercourse, with Bethesda and for the following reasons: — that Mr Craik was himself charged with stating – “that had the Lord Jesus lived, he would have borne the marks of old age, and have died a natural  death” – that Mr Craik had likewise been told by a brother respected by all of us that “he had himself read expressions of Mr Craik’s in a late correspondence of Mr C’s upon this evil doctrine which quite covered any ^thing^ charged byother brethren upon MrC. ––  That the first of these was well known to saints every where, or might be, because printed in a tract dated October 1848, entitled  “an appeal to saints in Bethesda” - - I then asked this sister, what, in her con-science, such charges amounted to, And whether the statement about the blessed Son of God was not most revolting? And how such things would affect her own conduct and relation towards Bethesda?  She said in reply that she should not break bread there, even though she should go there.  I then asked her how the knowledge of such things would affect her conduct and relation to Orchard Street?  She said in reply, that certainly she would not break off from going there, because there were none there charged with holding the doctrine. I told her I was very glad to know this; not from her assurance so much, as from my own personal knowledge of many dear brethren there: – but this was not our question with Orchard Street, but rather, is Orchard Street by selecting Bethesda (and that too by the refusal of others meeting at York Street) connected with the heresy? And if so – in what way? And to what extent?  This sister then said she would ask me a question: – Did I not think it was more grievous to the Holy Ghost to be making these inroads upon brotherly love, than to be found remotely connected to a heresy concerning Christ, though unwillingly? I begged she would excuse my replying to such a shocking question.   I would rather ask her if she thought so?  She said she meant it; and I then told her I had no alternative, but to put it before her soul as a very great sin.    Could she connect the Holy Ghost however remotely, with a heresy concerning Christ?  And if she could not what is the brotherhood worth which has not the true Christ for its basis, and the Holy Ghost for its bond when it sin? if to avow such a principle, and to act, in outward conduct, according to its is less grievous to the Holy Ghost than to stand apart from it, or make inroads upon brotherly love so formed?  Dear brother! this is what I am against wherever it exists – I cannot stand by and see Christ sacrificed for the maintenance of a brotherhood!   After all the Lord’s controversy with us at Plymouth, on this very sin, is it not to be that any saint coming from elsewhere is to be received at Raleigh Street on such avowed laxity and ungodliness in conduct? And maintaining such a shameful principle in the Church of God? If so

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whether at Raleigh Street or any other place, where the Lord’s people meet, and so meet, I separate to the last degree: for all such separation is unto the true Christ, and to God, in fellowship of the Holy Ghost. — Let this infraction of the blessed Trinity be suffered, – not as a doctrine I do not mean, but in its known living reality in our souls individually, and then in our gatherings throughout the land, and all is gone that once stood in some power of life and godliness, as an answer to the affections of Christ, our risen and exalted Head and to the Holiness of God.  Dear brother!  dear brethren, I would add, everywhere! do let us see what is at stake, and how we are acting in relation to what is at stake!  How do such documents as the Taunton, Tottenham, or Torquay papers meet what is at issue?  What are their wings spread out over? and why? What is it they seek to protect?  I repeat – is it the maintenance of a fraternity upon ever so [fold in paper renders text uncertain] extreme accommodation with heresy concerning Christ, and however unwillingly pleaded by those who have no better plea? Then let it be so stated: — openly and avowedly – as this sister did – and my path as an individual is plain indeed; and I doubt not, many, many more would be aroused to a sense of what is involved.  Will anyone ask for Scripture on such a question when the real question is uncovered and brought to light? Scripture to show the evil of a brotherhood formed upon a remote connection with a heresy?   What then: was there need of Scripture to teach & to sanction such alliances?  Scripture to show the evil of a principle of moral action which affirms it to be more grievous to the Holy Ghost to make inroads upon such compacts, than to stand connected with them upon such a heresy ! !   I only add one thing more, which I ask your forgiveness for adding, if it be needed.              (Once will I trust be enough for me.) to have stood in this connection with a heresy concerning Christ; Once I have maintained brotherhood, in spite of all remonstrances from others, but that once, with all that it involved is too present to my soul to allow me to be dragged by others into the same road again! No! I will do all I can, with the Lord’s help, to pull others out, and prevent others going in to such a snare of Satan: – but if any will persist, let them go – but as for myself I utterly refuse to be drawn through every ditch, wherever there is a gathering of saints, and because it may happen to be new and untried by them:  Let them take a warning or they will learn as others here!         I have purposely written very plain, beloved brother, and having added this very long note to your own I shall be glad if you will give my very kind love to our brother Clatworthy and say that as I wish him to see this, I shall not write now, as I intended.  Pray make any and all manner of use of this you think proper for the Lord’s honour

  (signed)  J[ames]. E[benezer]. Batten 

P.S.   We brethren at Raleigh Street should have willingly received this sister if she Would have repudiated this principle, and all conduct in relation to other gatherings which hangs upon her espousal of this principle, – but she will not.  The Lord I trust, will however appear in this Case.

                                                                  I have read this report to the Sister in question; she made no objection to anything stated; – if needed I purpose reading it on Lord’s day morning to all the Saints at Raleigh Street.