The Religious Society of Friends,Quakers, Aotearoa/New Zealand
Auckland/North Shore Meeting c/o 14A Channel View Rd,Auckland 1311 NZ.
To: Helen Garay Toppins, Correspondent, New York Yearly Meeting,

15 Rutherford Place, New York, NY10003.

Dear Friends,

I am writing on behalf of the Auckland North Shore Meeting to express our shock and sadness at the catastrophic events that have overtaken your city and, in particular, Manhattan.

We can understand the anger and indignation that we hear expressed on the media by your fellow citizens and which are also expressed by President Bush and his administration. Nevertheless, we earnestly hope that in the coming weeks whilst the hunt for those guilty of this terrible crime continues, wise heads will prevail.

We recall the words of William Penn;

A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil, that good may come of it.... it is as great presumption to send our passions upon God's errands, as it is to palliate them with God's name... we are too ready to retaliate, rather than forgive, or gain by love and information.... Let us then try what love will do: for if men did once see we love them, we should soon find they would not harm us. Force may subdue, but love gains; and he that forgives first, wins the laurel.

Loving greetings to you all,

Your Friend,
Alan Gilderdale.
Elder.