Changes in Our Books

One has only to compare the latest editions of some of the books published in the office of the Christadelphian to see indications of changes from the “simplicity of the Truth” as believed in and taught for many years after Dr. Thomas did his work. Some of these changes were made without the brotherhood at large being informed of the fact, and even of the changes of the Birmingham Statement of Faith many were kept in the dark, while in one case the latest edition, changed, was sent to an enquirer with an old date and with the official statement, “This is the only Statement we have ever had.” The books that have suffered from these changes are “Christendom Astray,” (which sadly mars its original, “The Twelve Lectures),” “The Declaration,” and the “Birmingham Constitution.” The changes relate to the questions of “Adamic Condemnation” and “Resurrection Responsibility of Enlightened Gentiles.”

When we were in England in 1900 we confronted the editor of the Christadelphian and Sister Roberts with the changes in these books. During our last visit to England we carried with us and had in our possession, when we warned the brethren of the fact of the changes, the evidence of the changes in “The Declaration” and in the Birmingham Statement – The latter containing a proposition that had been changed twice; and the purpose for which they had been made is clear from the nature of the changes. It matters not that these were made before the late controversy became heated, the fact of the changes and the new departures from “the old paths” which they represented were the causes of heating the late controversy.

It is a pity that the editor of the Christadelphian has such a poor memory of facts, but it would not be so harmful if he did not call in question the veracity of his opponents. A lengthy correspondence on this and other matters took place between Bro. Walker and Bro. A. Hall, which reached the stage represented in the following letters. [not included in this text – S.H.]

Editor [Thomas Williams]

The Christadelphian Advocate. December 1904, pg. 333.