notice, as showing how soon one who excommunicated Mr. Newton in 1845 on the ground of clericalism, should fall into an ecclesiasticism, that embodies in itself far more than all that which was to be condemned in another. This dogma, which might almost cast into the shade all the schisms in the Church, which Brethren from the beginning so raised their voices against, is that into which the Darbyites have fallen, with as narrow a sectarianism as any that has gone before it.
As this letter, above alluded to, is of importance, we will give an extract from it here, which we hope all will ponder and read in the light of the Word. It was written to Mr. Spurr, of Sheffield, from the South of France, bearing date Feb. 19th , 1864.
“I understood the breach arose between you and Rotherham by reason of your reception of Goodal. With the main facts of his case I am acquainted, for I took part in what passed, and now allow me to put the case as it stands as to him. I put it merely as a principle. He (or any one else) is rejected in London. The assembly in London have weighed, and I with them, the case, and counted him as either excommunicated or in schism. I put the two cases, for I only speak of the principle. I take part in this act, and hold him to be outside the church of God on earth, being outside (in either case) what represents it in London; I am bound by scripture to count them so. I come to Sheffield; there he breaks bread, and is—in what? Not in the church of God on earth, for he is out of it in London, and there are not two churches on earth, cannot be, so as to be in one and out of another. How can I refuse to eat with him in London and break bread with him in Sheffield? have one conscience for London, and another conscience for Sheffield? It is confusion and disorder. I do not apprehend I am mistaken in saying you received Goodal without having the reasons or motives of the Priory or other brethren in London. If you have had their reasons, the case is only stronger, because you have deliberately condemned the gathering in London and rejected its communion, for he who is outside in London is inside with you.”[1]
From this quotation it will be clearly perceived what the principles of church communion are which are here so broadly stated, in which it is laid down as a rule, that if one rejected in London, is received in Sheffield, the gathering in Sheffield is ipso facto excommunicated also, and thereby the fellowship of that assembly with the church of God on earth is destroyed!! But what if another assembly were to act in the same way
- ↑ For this letter in full, the reader is referred to a Pamphlet published at Sheffield, “Letters of J. N. Darby, &c., with Replies, &c.” This Pamphlet is well deserving attentive perusal, together with the notes and comments on this letter which is under review. It is sold by S. W. Spurr, West Street, Sheffield.
