one else. He asked me who should go. I said, I supposed Young and Pridham as they had been already to Mr. Newton. For the rest, any Mr. Newton wished to bring as his friends. I declined bringing any. I have always avoided the very semblance of party. Subsequently Hill desired to come. Naylor from Jersey having been conversant with affairs at Plymouth was there, and Mr. Pridham’s brother, and Mr. Mc’Adam. The rest, thirteen in all besides Mr. N. and myself, were Mr. N.’s friends. Mr. Harris, Soltau, Batten, Dyer, Clulow, Johnstone, Rhind, A. Pridham, C. Pridham, Naylor, Hill, Young, Mc’Adam from Exeter. I was called upon to state what I objected to. I said as an enquiry into sectarianism, any could enquire as well as me, any judgment on Mr. Newton’s conduct having been avoided. Being pressed, I began by stating, that what I objected to was the sectarianism (I had previously declared to Mr. Harris, that I would not enter on the prophetic question as a doctrinal thing; it was a moral question to me).
Mr. Newton broke out in great anger, saying, that he waived all formal objections, that he did seek to make a focus of Plymouth, and that his object was to have union in testimony there, against the other brethren, (i.e. as explained, and is evident their teaching,) and that he trusted to have at least Devonshire and Somersetshire under his influence for the purpose: and that it was not the first time that I had thwarted and spoiled his plans. After this declaration, I produced of course no proofs, and Mr. Young and Pridham said, that they had no need to state anything that passed, as Mr. Newton had declared as plainly his object, as they could have alleged it. I called upon the brethren, to say if this was what Plymouth was to be, as if it was I should not go next Sunday. Mr. N. said I had no right to ask that, it was his own affair, and he should go on with it. I however persevered. Mr. Harris said, this made it difficult for him to act with Mr. Newton, as he could not seek union against anything. None other stated his feelings on the subject.[1]
- ↑ This silence was subsequently taken notice of, and by some as matter of self reproach.
