There is a little inaccuracy in the information respecting me from Mr. Young. I will state the facts as they are.
In the autumn of last year, after much communication personally and in visiting with Mr. Binney, he arranged with the deacons of the Church at the Weigh-house Meeting for my being admitted into their communion. Within two or three days of the time appointed for admission, I received a letter from him, suggesting, that if it were agreeable to myself to state in writing by what means I was brought to desire the connection, he was sure it would be agreeable to the members to receive such a representation, and he hoped it might have an useful tendency.2 He intimated that a wish to this effect had been expressed by many persons who had joyfully entertained the proposition for my reception, and he said it would afford him particular satisfaction to have such a paper to read to the assembled Church. Having then intimated, he left it optional with me, to do it or not, as my feelings might lead me. I had little desire to consider much, although the proposition somewhat embarrassed me, for it came late, but I sat down and hastily drew up an article, which I sent to him and of which he made use by reading it. the paper was entitled "Grounds upon which William Hone humbly presumes to claim fellowship with the Church of Christ." Immediately after it was read, I and my wife, and four of my daughters, Mrs. Burn, Matilda, Mrs Hemsley, and Emma, were sent for from the vestry into the meeting where the Church was assembled, and to my inexpressible comfort, we were all admitted, together with Mr. Hemsley, my daughter Fanny's husband. The paper was not of a "public" nature, it was addressed to no one, simply read by Mr Binney as a private communication through him, from me, to the Church. Copies of it were requested by different individuals, but in accordance with my wish, were declined to be furnished — for I had purposed to write and publish my "Testimony to the Truth of Christianity." In the course of last week I sat down to the publication, and it will include everything in the Statement. Your name has been down among a few more to whom I purposed to send the pamphlet, and you will receive one of Ludgate Hill immediately upon its being ready, which I think will be in the course of three or four weeks. Do not expect too much from it, for nothing new can be said upon the subject.
One observation I would make, and only one. Whatever notion may prevail to the contrary this I know to be a fact, that to be admitted into membership with a really religious community, the candidate must give such evidence of a change of heart and mind by the power of Divine Grace, as must satisfy experienced Christians of the propriety of proposing the individual to the Church. My own request would have been complied with [one word][?] before, [but it was deemed but to wait until the dealings of God with the thin branches of my family]3 were ascertained as solemn realities; and then, as there were other different persons proposed for admission, it was judged convenient to have a general meeting of the Church on the last Thursday in the year, and upon that day the admission of us seven took place.
I had no reason my dear friend for not telling you of this step — it was one which could not interest you, I conceived, although it was deeply interesting to each of us who had taken it. Such steps are imagined by the world to result from weakness or enthusiasm, and nothing can be addressed in the way of argument to prove the contrary. By me and mine they are declaration of the mighty power of Almighty God. All miracles have ceased, save the conversion of human beings from depravity to heavenly mindedness. The Saviour himself worked no greater miracles than are performed in our own times — the conversion of souls to God. When I look at what I was, and what I am, my heart is elevated in praise and blessing.
Oh, my dear Fry, were you to come under this wonder working power how should I rejoice. With your faculties and acquirements, now wholly misdirected, you might become an instrument in the hand of God to convey the truth to many. Why will you not "come"? The Gospel invites you, and man invites you, and God waits to be gracious, and all say "come"? I humbly pray that you may have, with respect to the Almighty the mind of a little child, and listen abediently to our Heavenly Father, as an obedient infant listens to its fond parent. May God help you, and bless you, with the best of blessings.
Alfred A. Fry Esq.