Withdrawal of Fellowship from Wm. A. Raymond by Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Dec 13, 1853

Withdrawal of Fellowship from Wm. A. Raymond

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

THE church at Alden, McHenry Co. Ill., consider it their duty to make a statement of their action in the case of Bro. Wm. A. Raymond, in order that the cause of God be not reproached. They deem it necessary to withdraw fellowship from him for the following considerations:—By his injudicious and unchristian course he has brought a reproach upon the cause of Christ. He has refused to remove the causes of offence, after having promised so to do. He has accused the church of injustice and abuse in their labors with him, after having confessed the wrongs with which he was charged, and acquiesced in the action of the church; and he has aggravated his offences by taking counsel with those not in the present truth, endeavoring to enlist their sympathies in his behalf, to the prejudice of the church, and the injury of the cause of truth in the community.—Deeply feeling the necessity of obedience to the words of the Apostle, [2 Thess. iii, 14, 15,] “If any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother,” they withdraw their fellowship from him, until he shall, by a godly life, remove these offences; and they pray that God may grant him repentance unto salvation. Done by order of, and in behalf of the church, at Alden, Nov. 27th, 1853.

Attest. J. H. WAGGONER.