1778 1785-  509

scruples  were  strongest,  such  persons  could  not  rightfully  expect
others  who  did  not  share  their  scruples  to  this  extent  to  go  with
them  into  a  kind  of  martyrdom  on  this  account,  and  should  not
insist  on  applying  their  own  conscience  to  other  men's  conduct  to
such  an  extreme.  Then  it  must  become  a  matter  for  each  indi-
vidual to  settle  for  himself.  Those  who  preferred  to  take  the  oath
before  such  a  point  was  reached,  must  have  liberty  to  do  so  without
reproach.  Those  who  preferred  to  stand  by  their  convictions  to  the
last,  must  examine  their  hearts  and  be  sure  that  it  was  really  a  pure
matter  of  conscience.  The  latter  must  not  charge  the  former  with
violating  faith.  The  former  must  not  charge  the  latter  with  mak-
ing themselves  burdensome  to  their  brethren.  Each  must  bear  with
the  other.  In  any  case,  if  there  arose  such  a  division,  it  must  not
be  on  the  ground  of  differing  attitude  towards  the  Government,  but
purely  on  that  of  conscience  in  the  matter  of  oath.  Meanwhile  it
was  urged  that  those  who  were  for  abandoning  the  old  position  in
a  body  should,  for  the  sake  of  others,  not  needlessly  precipitate  this
issue  within  the  Congregation.
