Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-12
PROFESSOR HARRIsOUs LETTER.
What He Wrote 10 Groye-Avenue
Church About Their Troubles.

At the annual church meeting OF Grove
Avenue Baptist church, held Sunday al
ternoon, March 5. 1899, the following letter
from the Rev. Edmund Harrison, Ior-
mer pastor Of this church, was presented
and read. and the clerk was INSTRUCTED
TO have the same printed and a copy
mailed to each member of the church.
Hopkinsyille. KY, February 10. l@l.
To the Members OF GroVe-AVehuo bap1'p'
Church-GTceting. . -
Nv Dear Brethren, To-day, while AT
church, my mind ana heart turned InH-
iously and lovingly TO you. MY Soul M
most bled because Of the dlVislohs ana
conflicts which, 1 learn, exist among you;
and you must allow me the ptlNuese Oh
coming 70 you with words and eS'I lions
that spring only from the deep interest
and great love that l have for you IN me
Lord Jesus Christ.
Never can | forget the sweet conmu-
Mon Of fellowship in Christ and His work
which we have had together IN years
gone by; nor can l believe that the love
OF our Lord has waXed so cold among
YOU as 70 allow mere personal oJHeI-
ences and preferences 10 smother ana XIII
that high and holy allegiance whicn be-
long 20 our Common Lord. It's true that
though disciples, we a.e stu men, Ike
others, with our human, neshly natures,
full of passions, preJudices, ana ~orloly
impulses, but, unlike those without we
have. through the saving grace or our
God had a new principle planted Wnhn
US which He has given US, that our whole
being In all of its acuyeness, may De
brought into subsection 10 the SPIRIT or
love and peace. Snail We can We. dear
brethren do violence 10 this divine rrln-
cple and wound our blessed Lord In His
own church by divisions, enVylngs am
strife? on no, let Chere be, rather, the
spirit Of Christ. Let all bitterness ana
wrath and anger, ana clamof. ana eFli
speaking, be put away from you, with all
malice: and be ye kind one 10 anothcr.
tender hearted, forg1gIng one another.
even as God for Christ's sake hath for
given you" Wherefore, my nel9Ned
brethren. let every man be swift 20 hear,
slow 10 speak, slow 10 Hcath; lor tie
wrath OF man worketh not the righteous
ness Of God"
| know nothing OF the merits OF your
troubles. i care not TO know the details
which have been used by the evil one
TO bring confusion and shame upon the
bride of Christ. But L an quite sure that
all parties 20 the strilc have yielded 10
heat and passion, and need to pause, re-
fleet. repent and pray. II speak as 10
wise men; judge ye what / say" Know
we not that ye are the temple OF God.
and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in
your" Let no man deceive himself. II
any man among you seemeth 20 be wise
in this world, let him become fool. that
he may be wise. For the wisdom OF this
worlc is foolshness with God" There
fore. let no man glory in men," "Ye are
Christ's and Christ is Gods"
My dear brethren. beg you in the name
Of Christ Jesus, our Lord. that you will,
with one mind and heart, ignore al pithy,
personal considerations and heartily and
prayerfully turn in humble penitence 20
God alone for guidance, seeking only the
glory Of the Lord Jesus Christ in the wei
fare and influence OF Grove-Ayenue
church. Let the past be dead. and recon-
secrate yourselves in love 10 the great
and glorious work Christ has committed
unto your hands.
i prayerfully commend to your reading
now together Romans xvi, IN; i.
Corinth., T., l0-l4; Philippians. T., 10; l.
Peter. ill.,, BIB.
FINALLY, brethren, farewell. BE per-
fecl be OF good comfort, be OF one mind
live in peace; and the God Of love and
peace shall be with you" Yours In much
love, EDMUND HARRISON.