ving one gathering place, till
the number of the saints and the extent of locality on which they
reside shall force us to have more than one: the only way in which,
for the present, this can be accomplished is by our relinquishing
Gideon, and having Bethesda as our only place of meeting.6

II.

But the above are not the only reasons why we should no longer
continue to retain Gideon as a meeting place for the church.--We have
reason to believe that several of our dear brethren, who have been in
the habit of assembling there for worship, do not see with us in
reference to the great leading principles on which we professedly
meet. Ever since the removal of any restraint upon the exercise of
whatever gift the Spirit may bestow, in connexion with the practice
of weekly communion at Gideon, there has been dissatisfaction on the
part of some. A few have left and gone to other places, some have
been in the habit of remaining only as long as there is teaching or
exhortation, and then leaving without breaking bread. We have reason
to believe that several do not, in heart, acknowledge us as taught of
God in regard to the changes, which we have introduced; or, if they
feel unwilling to say so, yet they are inclined to retain their old
way. Now, spiritual rule can only be continued over those who yield
willing subjection: an unwilling submission on the part of those who
are in the place "of the ruled," we deem no true subjection at all.
Therefore, those who do not believe that matters are conducted
amongst us in a Scriptural way, cannot comfortably continue in
fellowship with us: and by yielding up to them the use of the Chapel,
we take away all just cause of complaint.--On account of these
reasons there would be no need of leaving a meeting place under other
circumstances; but as, when brother Craik and I came to Gideon
Chapel, we found saints there assembled together in fellowship who
had contributed towards the purchasing and fitting up of the Chapel,
and who had been in the habit of meeting together on different
principles, it seems not Christlike either to force our light upon
them, or to constrain them to leave us; but to give up the Chapel to
them, as they do not, in heart, go along with us. It cannot be
expected that, for the sake of pleasing even those whom we love in
Christ, we should shrink back from carrying out any truth which the
Lord may lead us into; and, therefore, if our brethren cannot
heartily go along