They also—although differing much from Mr. Darby and his followers upon points of doctrine and practice—were regarded as Brethren, and Mr. Darby frequently visited Bristol and ministered at “the gatherings.” In April, 1848, after the condemnation of Mr. Newton, he came and called as usual on Mr. Müller, who asked him to preach on the Lord’s-day evening. Mr. Darby declined, on account of a previous engagement on the way to Exeter, but said nothing to indicate that he was about to separate from the Brethren there. To the surprise of Mr. Müller, therefore, he heard a few days after that Mr. Darby would not come to Bristol again unless they refused fellowship to two Christians who had recently met with them, and unless they condemned Mr. Newton’s views. “The demand made on Bethesda was, that there should be a Church investigation of Mr. Newton’s views, and a Church condemnation of them, and Mr. Darby expressed his determination to remain in separation from them till that was carried out.”[1] The Brethren at Bethesda refused compliance with this demand on the ground that they were not called upon to condemn opinions which had not come before them in their Church capacity. Refusing to obey, they were separated from, and remain outside of, the favoured few until this day. And as another example of the feeling with which Mr. Darby and his followers conduct their controversy, we may cite the following extract from a letter by Mr. Darby to Mr. Spurr, of Sheffield :―
“The evil at Bethesda is the most unprincipled admission of blasphemers against Christ, the coldest contempt of Him I ever came across… All who do not abhor the whole system and all connection with it are already entangled and defiled. It is, I am satisfied, a mere net of Satan (though many Christians be entangled in it). I have found
