Pendleton has received Ottley’s letter of Jan. 21st with enclosures. He remarks, “Mr. Buss’ explanation of Mooki’s rebellion is exceedingly lame,” and he suggests that Theodore Pitcairn would be interested in reading the letter as well. Pendleton finds it difficult to believe that Mr. Acton claimed that the General Church does not stand for any particular principles; Pendleton writes, “All know that the General Church stands for very definite principles, the leading one of which, namely, that the Writings are the Word, is the very cause of its being.” Pendleton comments on Ottley’s manuscript, which he and Mrs. Pendleton read together over the holidays. He writes, “The historic view of conjugial perversions is a bit depressing. The ages have struggled in vain against the immorality that lies at the heart of the race. Your picturing of this condition is graphic. Students of history must in a scientific spirit study this gruesome story in the interests of truth, yet one rises from the consideration of it somewhat oppressed. Perhaps we ourselves are not sufficiently removed from the fundamental evil in question. However, I would not be squeamish and am willing to face the situation as well as another; but in doing so, I prefer to put myself in a scientific-medical, rather than an ecclesiastical attitude; -- which observation brings to mind the question in how far we, as a Church, veiled as we are at present by a sphere of dark scandal on the subject, should come forward with an exposition of that “peculiar doctrine” which has given us the name of being the only Church in the world which favors concubinage.” He adds, “My policy with reference to this matter has been to strike only when we are attacked. Every public exposition of the matter so far has appeared to leave us in worse case than before. . .The subject is an exceedingly delicate one and I hold that any application of the doctrine is purely an individual matter, and involves individual responsibility alone.” Pendleton ends the letter by reporting that the Academy is struggling this year due to a lack of teachers; Several teachers are absent, and both Mr. Doering and Mr. Gyllenhaal are ill. Names mentioned: Mr. Buss, Mooki, Theodore Pitcairn, Mr. Acton, Bishop Benade, Mrs. (Beatrice Walton Childs) Pendleton, Mr. (Charles) Doering, Mr. Gyllenhaal