Rev A Brandram
Aberdeen, 28th July 1845
My Dear Friend,
I send you the reply of our Edinburgh Committee to the Second Warning, and also a note from the Edinburgh Bible Society in reference to it, by which note you will see, that the newspaper war has ceased, and that something in the shape of an Address or Pamphlet may be expected before long to appear.
As to the heading I mentioned in my last, it would, I think, be very desirable to have it corrected by a cancel without delay. I have not the book at hand, but they say it reads, "consecrates the bread and wine into the body and blood, and ordains the Apostles priests". The words "into his body and blood", – and "priests" should be left out, and then it will stand well, and the omissions will not probably give offence to the other party. I do not know that there are any other objectionable headings; but it is very desirable, I think, that the whole should be examined with as little delay as possible, and at what is really erroneous should be corrected: or the whole headings should be left out in future editions. Probably this leaving out of the headings would be unwise, as they are more used perhaps by a certain class of readers, and more useful to them, than we are aware of. This, you see, is contrary to what I formerly said. But I have thought a good deal upon the subject since. At all events, I think, they should be, and early and entirely revised.
I have been thinking as to whether anything could be done with the passages objected to in the text. I did give a hint in regard to this matter in a former letter, and am rather inclined to believe that something might be attempted without much danger, but particulars about this must be left till I see you.
In my letter from St. Andrews I noticed the desirableness of considering whether our own pure hands only could handle our own pure Bibles on the Continent without the aid of the Societies objected to.
Of the four counts against you, as contained in the little square that I now send, I have already noticed three. The other respects Prayer. In regard to this I have observed in my movements, that all our friends desire a change in the practice. Many think the difficulties might be overcome, as they are in most, or all other Societies. I think if our clerical secretary were to be chaplain, the Dissenters would not object to his holding the office, especially under present difficulties, and our friends, The Friends, are all men of peace, and would not I think stand out in war in this case of peace-making.
I think it is right that we should meet every objection as far as we well can. I have ventured some hints. You may not perhaps approve of them all, but you will I know forgive my freedom in noticing them. May God himself, the God of righteousness and peace, guide us all in all our ways, and keep us ever from hinderings, and enable us always to advance his own kingdom, in the service in which we are engaged.
I remain, My Dear Friend
Very Truly Yours,
James Thomson.