There are many aspects to this work that deserve consideration. The writer draws upon quotes and writings from Brethren, ex-Brethren and other authors. His focus is not upon the ‘Open’ Plymouth Brethren, but upon the Darbyite followers of J.N. Darby – the original Exclusive Brethren.
Key quotations:
“The first thing which strikes us on marking the piety of Brethrenism, is its exclusiveness. The theory of those composing it is, that all the churches are wrong – that all sects are unscriptural – that Christendom is in ruins. Were it so, the natural conclusion would be, to set to work and build up what has fallen, and reunite what is scattered. But no. To end sectarianism, as John Duncan used to say, the Brethren began by making a new sect, and that sect, of all sects, the most sectarian.” – William Reid
“Have you tried these brethren – the Darbyites? I have tried them (try the spirits whether they are of God), and found them false prophets – in every sense of the word, false. They are false in what they say of their brethren, they are false in doctrine, and they are false in their walk” – Lord Congleton
“Your union will daily become one of doctrines and opinions, more than of life and love; Continue reading »
Your government, unseen perhaps and unexpressed, will soon become one wherein is overwhelmingly felt the authority of men;
You will be known more for what you witness against, than by what you witness for; and practically this will prove that you witness against all but yourselves.”
- Anthony Groves (historical founder of the Brethren)
James Grant carefully traces the progress of the Plymouth Brethren and the major figures involved from the origins in Ireland to Plymouth and then to Bethesda. He quotes from the tracts and pamphlets of the time and leaves the reader in no doubt who was in control and by whose orders the Bethesda division was instigated.
Grant has a number of unique insights and information about the Darbyites following Bethesda, not least of which is a remarkable chapter dealing with Brethren Hymnology.
The publishers of the first Brethren hymnals were apparently adept at taking a well-known hymn and altering the words very subtly so that the Brethren doctrines would be thus embedded. Grant provides a number of examples of this practice – which seem to be an early form of subliminal advertising?
Grant proves his point and states: “There lies against the compilers of the Darby hymn book the double charge of transposition and unjustifiable mutilation …”.
Continue reading »
Peter Mearns was a Presbyterian minister who was attempting to protect his parishioners from Plymouth Brethren proselytizing in Northumberland and Berwickshire in 19th century England. Rev. Mearns gives many examples of the ways in which the ‘Darbyites’ attempted to infiltrate and lure members from congregations into their meetings.
Although the Exclusive Brethren today do not attempt to recruit from the outside, in the early days of the Brethren, this was how they increased their numbers. It generated intense bad feeling among many churches and their ministers at the time.
“Among all the Christians I ever met, I never saw such intolerance and bigotry – such denial of the right of private judgment, and such miserable oppression, as among this sect.”
Continue reading »
An almost nostalgic series of recollections by a number of the early brethren including J.G. Bellett, G.V. Wigram, J.N. Darby, E. Cronin and J.B. Stoney.
Dr. Cronin makes the important historical point that Darby, Bellett and Wigram “… did not constitute the embryo of it” when referring to the birth of what became known as the Plymouth Brethren. This contradicts popular misconceptions that Darby is somehow the ‘father of the Brethren’. Bellett makes the point that later [following Bethesda] many of the Brethren were also called Darbyites for obvious reasons.
The fact is that J. N. Darby was certainly the architect of the Exclusive Brethren – merely an offshoot of the much larger and vastly more evangelical Plymouth Brethren.
Continue reading »
J N Darby (1800-1882) - Architect of the Exclusive Brethren
Originally published in 1866, Groves produced two later editions (1876 and 1880) explaining “It has been my aim to soften what seemed harsh … endeavoured to avoid all judgment of motives.” So in this edition, the reader is receiving the softest version possible. (We know how some of you will appreciate this.)
Groves outlines the history leading up to Bethesda and the aftermath very succinctly. By creating a narrative of facts and by the use of quotations from published words by the participants, Groves has produced a concise explanation of the doctrinal components in a fairly readable form.
There are some rare extracts and quotations which are difficult to locate elsewhere. The one constant of Plymouth Brethren early history that all commentaries of the time agree upon is the immense influence that J. N. Darby accumulated.
Continue reading »
This letter from the Collected Writings of J.N. Darby displays the origin of the harshness with which the Exclusive Brethren treat those whom they discipline.
Parts of this letter deal with JND’s view of setting up new ‘tables’ (forcing a division in a town) and also in how to view those who are no longer in fellowship. The entire premise in Darby’s viewpoint stems from the fact that he assumes only his church to be the witness in any one place. This is the very definition of ‘Exclusivity’ and many believe that this is the core problem of the Exclusive Brethren.
Just a few years before this letter was published, Darby set up a ‘new table’ in Plymouth. This was done to force a division in Plymouth and in turn led to the 1848 Bethesda Division where the entire Plymouth Brethren were ripped in two.
Continue reading »
The Exclusive Brethren today physically enforce the biblical concept of spiritual Separation
This 19th century document is probably the closest thing to a Constitution for the Exclusive Brethren. To this day, the Exclusive Brethren verbally use the title of this pamphlet in response to questions about their anti-social activities.
John N. Darby taught that a physical separation from the world was necessary for the Exclusive Brethren and this philosophy, together with his insistence upon central administration of the ‘Assembly’, were some of the early major influences behind today’s cult.
In typical Darby form, he broaches no criticism and allows no deviation. It must be done this way. His way is right. This is why many years later, Alfred J. Gardner, a London-based senior member of the Exclusive Brethren, wrote a paper on The Recovery and Maintenance of the Truth which extolled the development of the philosophy described in the attached document.
To those unfamiliar with the ways of the Exclusive Brethren and who baulk at the thought of trying to understand Darby’s words, we will attempt a quick paraphrase:
The established Church (Roman, Anglican, in fact most other established churches) has fallen into Apostasy (disagree with our teachings – this is Bad).
Continue reading »
John Nelson Darby by Edward Penstone
These notes cover Darby’s ‘Apostolic’ travels and church planting activities in Europe where he spent a great deal of his time during 1840′s and 1850′s. These notes were taken at “The Tea Meeting at Rawstorne Street, 24th November 1853″.
The raw energy of Darby should not be overlooked and these notes speak of the way in which he worked, whether in the peat bogs of Ireland or deep in the civilized centers of Europe. His mission was to create a new church by calling out congregants from other churches. Note his frequent use of the term ‘the truth’ and ‘infidel’ applied even to clergymen. The ‘Irish Clergyman’ certainly held no punches!
The most noticable aspect of the report, which reads like a contemporary version of Acts, has to be the assumptive tone implying that there was no real light outside of the new movement. This characterization of the Darbyite movement would become even more focused in years to come as new Exclusive Brethren leaders followed in Darby’s footsteps and even those few cracked-open doors began to be closed and padlocked.
Continue reading »
Darby, Craik, Müller and Newton - 4 of the main players in the Bethesda Division.
The author may be unknown, but is certainly well informed in this carefully woven contemporary explanation of events, statements and attitudes that surrounded the Newton/Darby battle and the events following the 1848 Bethesda rift.
This document should be read in the light that it is somewhat of a critique of Darby’s own ‘Narrative’ and should therefore be read in conjunction with Darby’s own words.
This retrospect earns its place in the peebs.net archive due to its attempt to steer a neutral course in a battle that was often anything but – by all parties concerned.
“No proof can be greater, that religious animosity is at its height, than when neutrality in a controversy is treated as an unpardonable crime; it is a deep degradation of the Christian name and character, a manifestation of that spirit of revenge which will allow nothing peaceful, nothing unlike itself, to be in its neighborhood …”
“There have been falsehood and misrepresentation to an extent I could not have believed before the late events.”
- Mr. Newton“Mr. Newton’s personal veracity is openly and fairly impeached. Mr. Newton’s veracity has been impeached; I impeached it.”
- Mr. DarbyContinue reading »
John Nelson Darby (JND)
A highly detailed and meticulously recorded narrative of events at and surrounding Ebrington Street in Plymouth during 1846 written by John Nelson Darby.
Although JND states in the first paragraph that the narrative is not aimed at “clearing up one’s own grounds of conduct…” it is nevertheless a comprehensive document that seeks to place the writer as far above the events as possible.
Much of the described conversation and events in this often fascinating document seems petty today – a little more than two educated and powerful men bickering at each other; but at stake was a growing new movement and a sphere of influence that was starting to spread internationally.
No matter whether Newton (often referred to as ‘Mr. N’ by JND) was a heretic or heaven-forbid, doctrinally incorrect, it was John Darby who instigated the eventual division and history shows he did so with extreme predjudice!
“I had rather see my child die than be under the moral influence that rules at Ebrington Street.”
- JND
Continue reading »
