Second Amendment

[Revnitel]

Nor is it necessary that you should. Thank you for your moment of clemency. I think what I have written, being extraneous to the topic, and clearly presented is its own position on its own merit, else there is no basis for the existence of the United States of America, and that would be an absurdity.

[Matthew]

Well it is a broad subject and there are many good points you have made on that subject. But, again, I would be out of my depth to try to deal with it competently.

[Revnitel]

And unwelcome in doing so, at least with me.

[Matthew]

I and the others welcomed you here with open hearts. I bear you no ill-will. Neither do I bear unforgiveness toward you for pushing me away and rejecting me. It is unhealthy for anyone to hate people they have never met. I daresay your words toward me would be very different if we were dicussing this together over a cup of coffee as friends. For the record, I have been very charitable towards you and your ideas, though I have expressed my disagreement with some of you conclusions. I have striven to recognise any good points you have made and to let you know that I appreciate your good observations. I think it would be in your best interest to not bear ill-feelings towards me since I love you, brother Revnitel, and accept you as my brother. We all make mistakes and you have much good I can learn from that I do not know in my own life yet, but that God has imparted to you. Likewise, it would also be true, that despite my unworthiness, passions and sins, there will eventually be some blessing for you by the help of God in knowing me and by our being brothers together who can walk and talk and share ideas together. Please try to consider that text communication can often sound colder than it is, since you cannot see my face, or hear the tone of my voice. I have never said anything in the spirit of personal attack, but only the ideas, or when I felt I was being misunderstood and getting unfair heat. If in defending myself and asking for what seemed to be a need for more consideration about my ideas, if in doing that I came off as being a personal attacker against you, that was not the case, rather I was simply trying to be forthright about a disagreement. I sincerely, and God knows it to be true, desire your love and friendship in Christ, as you are my dear brother. We have so much more in common together dear Revnitel than either of us do with the people outside of the Orthodox Faith. Think of all the people outside our homes in the streets of our city where where we live, or on the bus or subway, and in the malls or at the work place that we encounter. They care nothing for the Truth, nor even inquire about what it is. They do not pray, they do not fast, they never apologise to their neighbour for some mistake or hurt they may have caused. They don't care. They live for pleasure, and get angry so easily when they don't get their way. But dear brother, you and I are not like that, though we are sinners. We still have a love for our Saviour and the Church and desire, despite our faults to be saved, and to live lives that would make us worthy of inheriting Christ's kingdom. Think on that wonderful thought! If God helps us, we will dwell together for all eternity! Let's not delay to embrace in the spirit of good will dear Revnitel, and put our small differences aside. If you wish, I will concede that you are correct in everything and my superior in all that you have said. But only, let us remain dear brothers and friends with much tender feeling and mutual concern for each other.

God bless you,
Symeon

[Revnitel]

I appreciate your very singular viewpoint, but rest assured it is not mine. Thank you so much. Happy New Year. Merry Christmas!

[Matthew]

Amen, dear brother, thank you. Much joy and blessing upon you in this New Year!

[Maria]

How blessed it is when brothers dwell together in unity.

Psalm 132.