Third Reply

Robert L. Berry - July 20

Mountain Grove, Missouri

Jennie C. Rutty
Pomona, California

Dear Sister:

May God bless you. Your last letter at hand. There is not much to say regarding the subject which we have been considering. When I wrote to Bro. Zinn, I was on the anti-necktie side. I was perfectly honest then, and am yet. When I saw the unsoundness of making the tie a moral question instead of a conscience question, I quit the position I formerly held. There is nothing wrong about changing on a point when you find that it is wrong. I always expect to do that. If the tie were a moral evil, it would be wrong to wear it at any time. We have always allowed brethren to wear it on business. If it is a moral evil, it is wrong to wear it anytime or anywhere. Bro. Duncan expressed a good point in his letter to the saints in a recent Trumpet about the high vest. Did you read it?

The Anderson camp meeting was a glorious meeting. All our other camp meetings are going to be. There is no compromise sweeping over the reformation. There were a few factional spirits and sectish elements that had to be swept out of the reformation, and some good people stayed with those things and got swept out too. I hope you will see the truth before the devil gets you into something more deceptive. Once a soul abandons truth and follows a deception, it is not long till they lose clean out or else get worse deceived. This is the condition of all the anti-necktie people. In a little while the thing will bust up, and some will be too proud to acknowledge their wrong and will go down to perdition. I believe all the honest-hearted ones will get out, but some will probably have something to do to get back in harmony again.

As we close this correspondence, unless it takes a different turn, I desire to humbly warn you, Sister Rutty, that while I believe from all my acquaintance with you that you are sincere, you have taken a wrong stand in regard to this question, and that it is going to be a heart-rending thing to you some day. If you get out, it will be heart-rending to think of others you may have influenced, who may never get out. If you do not get out, it will be heart-rending, for God only knows what the outcome will be in this life.

If you desire to ask questions, I hold myself at your service, or anything I can do to help you, I will do it; however, I did my best in my last letter and still hoped I might be some help to you.

With much love, I am,
Yours, saved and sanctified,
R. L. Berry