Richmond, Ind., Aug. 19, 1876

DEAR BROTHER T.—Your very kind and full letter of June 14 was duly received and highly valued. I have read it several times over, and also read, 1 think, all the tracts you sent, and some of them over and over again; I have also read the scriptures referred to as supporting the various propositions, and have reflected and prayed over the matter a great deal. As a result I find myself rapidly settling into the belief that I must take part with you.
However, I find a few questions still to be asked before the final steps are taken. As a "Friend" I am familiar with the doctrine of the leadership of the Holy Spirit in meetings for worship, and am not altogether unfamiliar with it as an experience; but as a " Friend " I am also more or less strongly imbued with a belief in the non-necessity of outward observances, as baptism, the Lord's supper, etc. As for the latter, your tracts and the reading of the Word have largely changed my views. But I would like to ask for a particular account of the method of its observance. Is ordinary bread used? How much to a person? How is it spread and how distributed? Is fermented wine used? How much, etc., as before Having in my early manhood used more wine than was best, and having a deadly horror of its use in any way, I should hesitate even to use it on such an occasion as the above.
I believe I have yet seen nothing indicating what you receive and practice as the teaching of the Word on the subject of baptism by water. Please give me full particulars. I have not considered, and I do not at present consider, it as at all essential, or even best, for Christians in these days to use it, as tending to cause many to trust in observances instead of in the sacrifice of Christ. However, I hold all my opinions and education free, and only desire to reach the truth. So far as I now know I hold nothing that I can not give up at once with pleasure, when seen to be not in accordance with the truth.
Since thinking so definitely about these matters as I have done lately, I find there is in many minds a deep-seated conviction that in the present condition of sects there is something wrong, though they are ignorant of the means of escape. I have had a special illustration of this within a few weeks.
I wish, also, to ask, have the assemblies already existing found the exercise of discipline, etc., to be carried out with about the same degree of vigor and uniformity as to parallel cases in different places? Do the assemblies really maintain the unity of the Spirit and of doctrine and practice? I know the answers to the last questions have no bearing upon the truth of the basis of their establishment necessarily, but only prove or disprove their faithfulness to their principles; but I do need such information for the sake of objectors.
I hope, dear brother, you will not think I am asking questions for the sake of it. To leave the Society of Friends, the society of my ancestors on one side for more than three hundred years, and, in a certain sense, to subject myself to ostracism, is not a step to taken without first being fully persuaded, especially when the further step of announcing myself as free from all denominations and condemning them is. considered. I could readily be excused for going to the Methodists or Presbyterians, but for this other step, hardly, by many. Still, I mind not these things when compared with doing the Lord's will. I have given them up, but I have read a heathen town clerk's advice-" Do nothing rashly; " and it is Quaker policy also.
I should have been rejoiced to go to Vinton, but could not. I was in Cincinnati lately, and saw fares to New York marked very low, and thought how much I should like to run over and spend a Lord's Day with you, and learn all that I have asked about; and, no doubt, much more. I have now scarcely any doubt that I shall cast in my lot with you, and desire to be well posted on all points, as the pioneer, as it were, in this great State should be. I have suffered much for nearly two years by having been less engaged in Christian work than it sometimes seems I ought to be. However, I trust that if I make this change, it will be the means of throwing me right into an active work. For three years now I have been a member of the Indiana Yearly Meeting of Friends (Orthodox) Executive Committee on First Day Schools, and have acted as statistical secretary, having in a large degree originated the present system of reports. Of course this has given me much work of a certain class, and made me more or less prominent and correspondingly more strong will be the reaction on me if I recede. The Committee will, in all probability, be reappointed next October, and I am anxious to make up my mind completely before Oct. 1, so that I may resign my position and let the Y. M. appoint a successor.
If I go with you, I trust the way will be open for me to come to New York, and be more perfectly instructed, for I cannot consent to be an idle professor, nor would I desire to rush unprepared into such a conflict, for conflict I know it will be from incidental remarks made by others where I have simply broached the idea that perhaps denominations were not perfectly in the mind of the Lord. " Crooked," " queer," " cross-grained," " notional," " ready to embrace new-fangled ideas," "visionary," and such, will be freely used. Still I believe my action will not be delayed a moment by these considerations; but I do want to have wherewith to answer.
My only apology for so long a letter is the importance of the topic and the desire to make this one letter suffice to give you the basis for giving me all the help I ought to need from a brother. I trust you will be able to write to me early, so that I may have all possible time to think before Oct. 1, for I shall, in courtesy to my companions on the Committee, be obliged to give a reason for resigning, as they have from their action, evidently much confidence in me, and will much regret to lose me, and I, in turn; have learned to esteem them during our association.
With much love for you and the brethren, I am Yours very truly, A. B.