LETTER FROM BRO. BUTLER.
By T. J. Butler
BRO. SMITH: I see from Bro. White's remarks appended to our call for a conference, that he "never thought of making the name a test, neither knew of any in Michigan who did." Well, I am glad that he has said so. It has relieved our mind very much. True, we understood at the B. C. Conference that it was to be no test; but since that time divers letters have been sent to this church from different points which breathed a different sentiment, from which some of us concluded that probably the name was becoming a test. I am sorry that we were so fast in coming to that conclusion, as in so doing182we wronged our brethren and also ourselves. We ask pardon for our haste, and promise to try to be more prudent in future. I wish also to say that when testimony No. 6 came to hand, my confidence in sister W. was very much shaken. I thought the testimony concerning me could not be true, except my independent spirit. This fault I was sure I was guilty of, and confessed it. More recently by the aid of good brethren, and self examination, I have become convinced that all of the testimony relating to me is true. I here confess it, and hope by the assisting grace of God to make amends for the future. I learn from Bro. White's remarks that he considers that we are for making the name a test. To this we wish to say that such a thing never entered our mind. We could not feel it in our heart to disfellowship true Christian character on account of a name. We may have been too ultra in some of our words and feelings, no doubt of it; and very likely have been in possession of more zeal than knowledge; if so we ask the forgiveness and forbearance of our brethren, and trust to God that we may be ever open to conviction of error. And since so much that looked dark to us at first, has since become plain, we look to the future with much less forebodings, hoping that all will yet become light. My mind is now reconciled to all except the propriety of the name. We may have taken ultra views of certain scriptures, if so we hope that some of our good brethren may show the light upon them. There are certain passages that bear upon our mind and conscience. Will some brother harmonize them with the present name of the body if we forward them to him? This need not be a public matter, but brotherly and privately. We wish no divisions, no secessions, no battles. We are too meagre in Christian stature to think of doing any such thing to the glory of God. I wish also to say in justice to Bro. Dudley that at the time of our meeting to call a conference, I was requested to write the request for a conference to the Office. I agreed to do so by the authority of the committee. This was agreed to, but there was a misunderstanding of the proposition. Bro. Dudley understanding us to say, By the authority of the secretary of the called meeting. We wish to make this correction, for it throws Bro. D. in a wrong light before his brethren. Others of the committee and brethren have very much modified their views since that time; and among them is your very unworthy brother,
T. J. BUTLER. P. S. We wish to beg pardon of Bro. and Sr. W. for the ungenerous thoughts which we have entertained, and hard words which we have spoken concerning them. We are sure we have been too hasty and imprudent.
T. J. B.