The Doctrine of Caiaphas by Rev. David Murdoch D.D.

And to make it doubly sure, Mr. Robinson held a caucus meeting in his office, where it was decided upon that a complete Board of Trustees should be made at the coming annual meeting in September – one that would be a unit. All compromises were now to be thrown overboard. We had tried to conciliate them long enough. Even Mr. Gillett, who had been clerk twenty-five years, was to be dropped, and a favorable man put in. All took place as foretold and planned.

Please to mark the dates. Our revival took place in ’57 and ’58. May 1st we were at the height. December ’58 the ten men meeting took place in the Chemung Bank; I speak by report. In January, 1859, the secret paper was sent around. In March, ’59, my friends finished their circuit. At the September meeting a perfect Board of Trustees was made, and the greatest hopes of progress were entertained by all who knew the state of our affairs.

In what follows, a new phase of things come up, and it is very important to mark the change, showing at a glance, that a new hand is at the bellows. What follows could never have been effected by the same leader. All his movements were failures. He did not succeed once; he could not have succeeded yet, but for the superior help he obtained. Read:-

October 26, 1859

Rev. D. Murdoch:

Dear Sir,

-I have been anxious to see you for a week or more, hoping every day you would happen in when I was alone.

I am dreadfully discouraged about our church affairs, and am perplexed beyond measure, to know what had better be done. Though apparent quietness prevails, yet I cannot shut my eyes to the fact that, like a heap of sawdust on fire, the heap is fast being consumed quietly, without flame or smoke. It is of no avail now for us to inquire how came things into this state, or who is responsible. They are as they are, and we have to deal with them as they are. The grave question is, What course had we better take? We better look at it calmly, and counsel together upon the subject.

In haste, yours,
O. Robinson

The instant I read this note, I saw the end to which Mr. Robinson’s mind was directed. He had made a discovery: “Cut away all causes, and look only to the present consequences.” It was to him like finding out the philosopher’s stone, or perpetual motion; and I can imagine I see him sitting with his head hung on his bosom, in a deep brown study, till the happy thought crossed his mental vision, when his head jerked to the perpendicular, as if the cord which held it down had been cut by an unseen hand. “They are as they are, and we have to deal with them as they are.” That had been the key to every fast locked place to which he came; and gladly has it been accepted by all who were but too anxious to bury their past misdeeds; while it has been practically adopted by others, who, like Mr. Robinson, are tired of the struggle; and glad to get out of it upon any reasonable terms.

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The Doctrine of Caiaphas by Rev. David Murdoch D.D.

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The Doctrine of Caiaphas by Rev. David Murdoch D.D.

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