Page:Neatby - A history of the Plymouth Brethren.djvu/304

 having leaked out, a stormy scene ensued at London Bridge.

"“At the London Bridge meeting on May 10, the subject was brought up, and in substance referred to in the following terms. A brother rose and said: ‘It is rumoured that there was a postscript to this second letter, bearing on Kennington’s rebuking Dr. Cronin. I wish to ask, Does any one here know anything about it?’ There was a long pause and no reply. Another said, ‘I heard the letter was sent to a Wimbledon brother’. Instantly Mr. X. said, ‘I have received no letter with such a postscript from Mr. Darby, and if Mr. Y. had, I should have heard of it’. The first brother looking direct to Mr. Z. said: ‘Mr. Z., do you know anything of such a postscript?’

“Mr. Z.—‘Well, yes, there was a postscript.’

“ ‘Would you kindly read it?’

“ ‘I have not got it with me.’

“ ‘Can you give the substance of it?’

“ ‘No, I cannot.’

“ ‘Why was it not printed?’

“ ‘Because it contained a misstatement as to a fact, and because it did not satisfy a brother’s conscience.’ Amid much sensation it was said, ‘We ought to have it: it might satisfy our consciences.’

“ ‘Did it express Mr. Darby’s satisfaction at what Kennington had done?’

“ ‘No, it did not.’

“ ‘If we had this postscript, would it help us in this matter in any way?’

“ ‘No, it would not. I assure you, upon my word, it would not.’”"

The incident affords a highly instructive illustration of the length to which men will go in the interests of the Church. Things still moved slowly at Kennington. Considering