Manchester Jany 28, 1840

Beloved bro Richards,

I recieved yours of the 25^th on Sunday together
with one from sister Clayton. I am informed that my family is tolerably
well for which I roejoice.

I had intended to answer your letter yesterday but I concluded to wait.
I thank you for the council contained in your last.

Have not said any thing to the council concerning bro Arthurs case, but I think
I shall have to do it yet. He seems to grow worse, last night bro Green proposed
at his meeting a subs-cription to be entered into for Sarhah Duckwortah, a few shillings
was collected. at the close of the meeting arthur stepped forward and said he would
have nothing to do with it. The box he said was put in the room for those
things and if they would break the order &c. they might take it into their own hands
I thought it best not to notice him then, & went out to supper. when I returned again
I found him railing amongst them &c. I told him that was not the place to complain
of such things, we would hear it at the council friday eve &c. he shewed a very bad
spirit—he is not one with us, but I want to be just & merciful. If you have
any thing more on this subject it will be thankfully recieved before the council
Have not yet took his licence.

Feel sorry to learn that there is something unpleasant at [P] again.

To your questions, I give council at your request according to the measure of the
spirit & wisdom which God hath given me—If I err, Tis but me.
To the first— "If a sister letts evil reports &c" & having been visited according to order
by Elders yet will give no satisfaction either to them or the church" I feel to say
I dont see how those Elders can be justified in not bringing the case before the
council at least. I should say if they would not, they will be guilty of unfaithfulness &c
2^nd The partys desiring the case to be put off—2 or more wks—when a case of transgression
is clearly proved against them. They ought to be suspended from fellowship—
untill satisfaction is made to the church.

3^rd I should say it is not the privilege of any member who is known to be under
transgression to partake of the sacrement untill satisfaction is made. And if an
officer administers sacrement to such knowing the case &c. ought he himself not to [be]
brought before the council.

4—If my wife was under transgression &c. I dare not plead her off—no more than any other member

Manchester Jany 28, 1840

Beloved bro Richards,

I recieved yours of the 25th on Sunday together with one from sister Clayton. I am informed that my family is tolerably well for which I rejoice.

I had intended to answer your letter yesterday but I concluded to wait. I thank you for the council contained in your last.

Have not said any thing to the council concerning bro Arthurs case, but I think I shall have to do it yet. He seems to grow worse, last night bro Green proposed at his meeting a subs-cription to be entered into for Sarah Duckworth, a few shillings was collected. at the close of the meeting arthur stepped forward and said he would have nothing to do with it. The box he said was put in the room for those things and if they would break the order &c. they might take it into their own hands I thought it best not to notice him then, & went out to supper. when I returned again I found him railing amongst them &c. I told him that was not the place to complain of such things, we would hear it at the council friday eve &c. he shewed a very bad spirit—he is not one with us, but I want to be just & merciful. If you have any thing more on this subject it will be thankfully recieved before the council Have not yet took his licence.

Feel sorry to learn that there is something unpleasant at P again.

To your questions, I give council at your request according to the measure of the spirit & wisdom which God hath given me—If I err, Tis but me. To the first— "If a sister letts evil reports &c" & having been visited according to order by Elders yet will give no satisfaction either to them or the church" I feel to say I dont see how those Elders can be justified in not bringing the case before the council at least. I should say if they would not, they will be guilty of unfaithfulness &c 2nd The partys desiring the case to be put off—2 or more wks—when a case of transgression is clearly proved against them. They ought to be suspended from fellowship— untill satisfaction is made to the church.

3rd I should say it is not the privilege of any member who is known to be under transgression to partake of the sacrement untill satisfaction is made. And if an officer administers sacrement to such knowing the case &c. ought he himself not to be brought before the council.

4—If my wife was under transgression &c. I dare not plead her off—no more than any other member