The Christadelphian, October 1924, CC Walker

“So Do Unto Them”

... The following remarks, introduced by brother Sulley, may be taken as the joint brotherly suggestions of the four brethren named. - Ed.

Brother Fidler, of Philadelphia, U.S.A., on the occasion of a visit to Britain, invited brethren Lake, of London, and Sulley, of Nottingham, to confer with brother C. C. Walker in order to see if anything could be done to mitigate the disorder now existing in ecclesial inter-relations. After consultation they agreed that if brethren generally would act on the following suggestions, a better state of things might arise.

1. That imputations against brethren affecting their fidelity to the faith ought not to be made except as commanded by Christ.

2. That the same rule applies to ecclesias - especially as affecting inter-ecclesial co-operation.

3. So, if a brother is convinced that a brother or brethren in an ecclesia of which he is not a member is advocating heresy, or otherwise in danger of rejection at the judgment seat of Christ, the proper course for such a brother to adopt is:—

1. First to see that brother “and tell him his fault with him alone.”

2. If unable to adjust the matter, then it is his duty to ask the help of one or two more members of the ecclesia to whom the erring brother belongs, “that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”

3. Failing agreement, the case may then be considered by the ecclesia to whom the erring brother belongs, in which case the brother originally moving in the matter shall have the opportunity of being present with full liberty of speech.

4. If the matter cannot be adjusted in harmony with the wishes of the brother who has endeavoured to help an erring one on his way to the Kingdom of God, he is then at liberty to consider whether he shall refuse co-operation with them in their labours and shall respectfully notify his intention to the said brother and ecclesia in question.

5. In case no further attempt is made by the ecclesia thus notified to adjust the matter, he may now ask the ecclesia to which he belongs to join him in refusal of co-operation.

4. The above rules may not be possible of observance in detail where ecclesias are so far separated as to make a personal interview unfeasible, but in any case, an opportunity should be given for those who are associated with one who teaches error, to repudiate the same before exclusion from fellowship.