Letter to Dervaes Family from WCG Friend
Copyright © Jules Dervaes
April 7, 1987
Dear Jules, Mignon & Children,
How are things with you in California? Again, this morning it looks like might rain. Guess we could always use the rain, but have had a lot of it the past month. It also has been very cold for this time of the year—50 degrees, and as low as 38 degrees! That’s cold for Florida!
We have been busy trying to get the house presentable for Night to be Observed. [He] did get the exterior painted—it really needed it badly! Interior will do—still have trim to paint and wallpaper bathrooms. But just can’t get it all done at one time.
Next week is N.T.B.O. and Days of U.B. already! Time passes by so quickly. Seems like we have just returned from the F.O.T. We certainly are looking forward to the spiritual rejuvenation from the Holy Days.
This brings me to a question I want to ask you. With all the people we know in Pasadena, the news (bad) has arrived here. Have ya’ll quit attending church services? And have been disfellowshipped? If this is true, I am NOT asking for an explanation as to why, etc. It is just very difficult (knowing this) answering people when they ask me if I heard from Mignon, how are they doing, are the children alright, etc. I am not spreading rumors, all I can say is—guess they are OK.
Needless to say, this is very difficult for me to ask these things. Both [he] and I pray for you. [His] family allowed themselves to be disfellowshipped from the “trunk of the tree”—God’s True Church. It was extremely difficult for us. And in circumstances such as this, when some of our close friends leave, that same hurt feeling comes back. It’s like I told [him] at the time of his troubled family leaving—that it was up to him what he was going to do (leave with his family, or remain strong)—his decision would not influence me in anyway to leave God’s Church. I proved one time at baptism this is God’s Church, and God is the same yesterday, today, and forever—so I was not leaving God’s Church, if he decided he would. No man was taking my crown.
Yes, as long as man is in charge of the physical, mistakes will be made, we are all human. It is up to each one of us to forgive and forget about the mistakes made, going on with our life according to God’s laws. I am not trying to re-convince or re-convert you; this is just the way it is according to the way I have been taught.
Yes, we are a family unit, and each one of us being baptized members, means we have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. By our works God will know us. We are responsible for our own works not our mate’s, a minister’s, or a friend’s.
I guess I have said enough but we truly are concerned. Please do answer my two questions and leave it at that. I’m not interested in any literature you may have causing you to having yourself cut off from God and His awesome work.
With love,
*******
Note: This letter was from a WCG friend from Tampa, FL.
In response, the only answer we sent back was Luke 12:8-9.