Reunion meetings have been going on between the Amended and the Unamended Fellowships for as long as most of us can remember In some areas over the years whole ecclesias have effected reunion and there have been countless individuals who have changed fellowships but it seems that continental reunion has always evaded us in spite of the thousands of hours that have been spent by hundreds of brethren in both fellowships
Last March, 1981 the Amended Committee met in Detroit along with many area delegates from all parts of the U S and Canada We also had Bro Alfred Nicholls and Bro Harry Tennant from England present At that time we had a majority vote by the committee to accept an agreement which we understood was also acceptable to the Unamended Committee Many went home from the meeting encouraged that perhaps the reunion that had alluded us for so many years might at last become a reality
Since that time we have received a letter from Bre J Peake, K Mcphee, and E Farrar of the Unamended Committee which shows we were mistaken A copy of their letter is printed in this issue As you will be able to see from reading their letter, the progress we thought had occurred was apparently illusionary for they say in their letter, ‘It has become evident that there exists a variation in the concept of the outworking of God s plan of salvation between the Unamended group and spokesmen for the Amended group”
We understand how frustrated many will be to learn that the reunion efforts are once again set back Surely God is at work in the midst of His ecclesias and all of this is known to Him Jesus yearned to accomplish things which never took place He wept over the city of Jerusalem and wished that he could have gathered them all to him even as a hen gathers her chicks When honest and sincere brethren work as long and as hard as they have, and still reunion does not take place, then this fact alone tells us something. It now appears that there are those who have honest differences of opinion on what we believe to be basic first principles. It does not mean we love such brethren any the less but it does mean that we should not fellowship those who either believe differently or else believe in fellow shipping others who believe differently. Some unamended brethren do not want to have reunion because they acknowledge that there is a difference in their beliefs from our own.
One of the leading brothers in the Unamended fellowship, a brother respected by both fellowships, has said, “It seems to us that the time has fully arrived for you to forthrightly tell us whether or not you are prepared to accommodate a brother in fellowship, who believes that none, outside the Household, will be summoned to a resurrectional judgment. If you are not prepared for such accommodation, we have the greatest respect for your conviction. Like you, we hold many beliefs upon which we are not prepared to compromise . . . beliefs which we aver to be essential.”
One of our prominent brethren on the east coast who has been a staunch supporter of reunion for many years has said, “What we want is reunion, not realignment.” Our unamended brethren also feel this way and neither group likes to think of cutting off many with whom they have fellow shipped for many years. The present division is certainly distasteful but things would be worse if we did in fact have a reunion which caused further fragmentation. If there are some in the unamended fellowship who believe like us and are willing to enforce this belief in fellowship, they should consider becoming members of our body.
The important thing for all of us to remember is that we cannot force reunion on those who believe differently. For two people to unite they need to be of the same mind on doctrine and fellowship and this is certainly the reason that the efforts have not yet borne fruit. It is simply because honest and sincere brethren agree that they differ. The only alternative to this would be to say that it doesn’t matter what one believes and be willing to accept others regardless of belief. No one in either fellowship believes this and this is why we are presently apart. Brethren have worked for years to draw up documents which express our beliefs but when we believe differently, we cannot, and of course, should not agree on a document that whitewashes our differences.
This set back will surely come as a great disappointment for many, especially those in cities where both groups need each other so much. Truly if we had believed alike all along reunion would have taken place and if we believe differently, it is right for us to remain in the fellowship that is in harmony with our beliefs. It is only those who may now find themselves in a fellowship that is not in harmony with their beliefs that should reconsider their position. Many have no doubt held back hoping for a continental reunion. If this does not happen, then these brethren and sisters need to assess their position to determine if they are truly in the correct fellowship. We plead with all brethren and sisters not to act hastily and not to try to form a third fellowship. It is not possible to be in one fellowship one Sunday, another the next, and then back to the former again. This is what some would like to accomplish so that they can travel and be in the fellowship of whatever city they happen to be in on Sunday. Brethren in both fellowships deplore this arrangement and trying to do this will only bring heartache to both sides. Those in agreement should agree to get together and those who disagree should do so with great brotherly love for the others and look forward to the time when Jesus will be in the earth to make all things right. While we dislike division, we have to realize that division is inevitable when vital issues are at stake. We all want reunion, but we want reunion with those who are of one mind. If we cannot have the same mind, we cannot have a satisfactory reunion. Amos asked the question years ago, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” The answer is still the same today as it was when Amos asked it. Let us pray that we can show Christ-like love to those with whom we differ and realize that it is not an act of love to break down the barriers of our first principles in order to have “one big happy family” because that is not what happens. It is time for those who think alike to be together and for those who do not, to accept that to be separate is right and proper until we either change our beliefs or Christ comes. We are thankful that our failure to achieve reunion will not jeopardize the salvation of any who truly love God and have been faithful to him. Our unamended brethren understand, for as they have said, “Like you, we hold many beliefs upon which we are not prepared to compromise . . . beliefs which we aver to be essential.”
The following letters and documents are printed so that all brethren and sisters can be made aware of the situation as it seems to be at this time.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One