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.
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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).
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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.
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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
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Powerscourt Estate, Ireland
The Plymouth Brethren have several contenders for the title of Founder and Early Church Father. There is however probably only one woman who would fill the role of ‘Mother of the Church‘. Lady Theodosia Wingfield Powerscourt was a young and wealthy widow, and like Darby, was a member of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy in the early 19th century. Viscountess Powerscourt was a powerful advocate in the formative years of the movement that became known as the Plymouth Brethren.
J.N. Darby, recognized as one of the founders of the Plymouth Brethren, was a very close friend of Lady Powerscourt. It is believed that they at one time planned to marry but mutually decided that their lives were headed in different directions. Some say that they were ‘dissuaded’ by other members of the early Plymouth Brethren.
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AN Groves & JN Darby
This is a facsimile of an 1836 letter written to John Nelson Darby (JND) by the man who many credit as being the originator of the movement that became known as the Plymouth Brethren: A. N. Groves.
The letter indicates clearly that Anthony Norris Groves (ANG) was concerned by signs of sectarianism and rigidity in Darby’s teachings and he gently remonstrates with his old Trinity friend before returning as a missionary to India. Unfortunately, history proves that Darby ignored the warnings.
The Exclusive Brethren today treat Darby’s theory and interpretation of ‘Separation from evil’ as their foundational principle. It has led to heartache, ripped-apart families, suicide and even murder.
It is not often that a historical document such as this one can point so clearly to a moment when a future cult could have been avoided.
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Reproduced with permission from:
Breakout: How I escaped from the Exclusive Brethren
by David Tchappat (2009)
The following chapter was written by a former Exclusive Brethren member who wishes to remain anonymous.
A Short History of the Exclusive Brethren
There are many Christians known as “brethren” who trace the origins of their movement to John Nelson Darby who lived just over 200 years ago in Dublin. Schism and division has been a consistent feature of the movement almost from the start. The following summary relates to the Taylor-Symington-Hales Branch of the Exclusive Brethren (signified by the more recent leaders of this group); arguably the most radical and perhaps controversial of all the groups in the Brethren movement.
The Brethren trace the origins of the movement to John Nelson Darby who was born in London in 1800 into an aristocratic Anglo-Irish family. Lord Nelson, a friend of his uncle, Admiral Sir Henry Darby, was a sponsor at young Darby’s christening.
Darby’s mother died when he was five years old and at the age of 15 his family moved to the ancestral estate in Ireland. He took an honours degree at Dublin University and studied law for three years at the Dublin Chancery Bar. But he never practiced law. To the annoyance of his family, he abandoned his legal career and became a priest in the Irish Church of England in 1826, serving in the parish of Calary in the mountains of County Wicklow.
Almost immediately John Darby fell out with church leaders over matters of doctrine and by 1827-28 he was meeting to “break bread” in the home of one of four other dissenting young men in Dublin. The group believed that the existence of an established church and ordained clergy was contrary to scripture. “I can find no such thing as a national church in Scripture”, Darby wrote at the time. In 1832, he had a major disagreement with Archbishop Magee about a requirement for converted Catholics to swear allegiance to King George IV and, in the same year, disagreed with Archbishop Whately about matters of church doctrine.
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