with us, it is better that nothing should be
imposed upon them contrary to their convictions. If it should be said
that for the sake of a few we thus separate from many: our reply is,
that we separate from none of the saints; we only withdraw from a
building, because it appears to us a hinderance to the manifesting of
the truth, and, at the same time hold out a gathering place for all
who feel that it would be for the edification of their souls, and the
glory of God, that they should continue to meet with us. We invite
all those who conscientiously can submit to the order which obtains
amongst us, to continue in fellowship with us; and we purpose to
provide a place of meeting to suit the convenience of the feeble and
aged who would feel the distance of Bethesda to be an obstacle to
their meeting habitually with the saints there.

III.

But in addition to those already mentioned, there is a third class of
difficulties connected with retaining Gideon. The present character
of the meeting for the breaking of bread there, is very far from
fully exhibiting the principles on which we meet together.
Unbelievers sitting among the saints, hinders our appearing to meet
for the breaking of bread, and renders it necessary that a disturbing
pause should intervene between the act of breaking bread and the
other part of the meeting. We cannot have the breaking of bread at
the commencement of the meeting, because of the confusion occasioned
by the intermixture of those who are not in fellowship with us. To
alter this, and to request all who are not in fellowship with us
(except those belonging to the families of the saints) to sit by
themselves, as is the case at Bethesda, would, we fear, produce
increased dissatisfaction. Such a request moreover would not be
Christlike, as long as from the construction of the building no
comfortable sittings were reserved for any besides the saints
themselves. Thus, by retaining Gideon, we are under the necessity of
either marring our testimony to the church at large, or of deepening
the dissatisfaction prevalent among several who are already in
fellowship with us.--Again, the very construction of the place renders
it unsuitable for a meeting of saints. Part of the sittings being
pews, necessarily tends to give the appearance of a distinction
between the very poor and the more respectable class. This
distinction would need to be done away, and we have every reason to
fear that some might f