Esteemed Editor:

It is to my deep regret that you have deemed my former communication to be so full of sarcasm and insinuations that you will no longer exchange views on the matter. I will admit that I attempted to present the matter in a manner which might arouse some from what appears to be a deep sleep or a careless indifference, but I had not intended to deliberately and maliciously attack anyone personally only insofar as was necessary to clarify or substantiate my argument.

Hence I am now submitting an apology which is conditional but if the “ifs” are true it is of course an admission on my part that I have greatly erred. It goes as follows:

IF—PECCAVI *

If

I have wounded any soul today,

There is a song that goes that way,

And, if I have, I too will say—

Peccavi!

If

I have written something rude

And used examples which were crude Or hid the truth beneath a hood—

Peccavi!

If

So it seems, I have annoyed

And means and methods have employed

At which some hearts weren’t overjoyed—

Peccavi!

If

I, a creature of the dust,

Have drawn conclusions so unjust

That in me you have lost your trust—

Peccavi!

If

You should think me so unwise

That you my reasonings despise

And (what is worse) refuse replies—

Peccavi!

If

You have thought “He’s being ‘smart’

And seeks to tear the church apart”

(Though it is dearest to his heart) —

Peccavi!

If

Bonds are for the church to buy

To gather interest bye and bye,

To profit while our brethren die—

Peccavi!

If

It is wrong to be forthright

To hold your point with all your might

And, not to hush in cringing fright—

Peccavi!

If

By these lines I could amend

And gain again an esteemed friend,

I’ll keep on saying to the end—

Peccavi!

Respectfully yours,

George Ten Elshof

* Literally means “I have sinned”.