Early History. — John Darby was born in England of a wealthy family, studied jurisprudence and became a lawyer, but, brought into the Church, he was strongly impressed with a call to the ministry, and, though op- posed by his father, he took holy orders. Disinherited by the parent for disobedience, Darby found a friend and patron in his uncle, from whom he obtained at his decease quite an ample fortune. After ordination, Darby became gradually impressed with the idea that there was no ground for the doctrine of apostolical succession, and that any person feeling called to preach should ex- ercise that liberty. He therefore denounced the claim of the Establishment as unwarranted, and finally broke with the Episcopalians. He, however, still held that there was a true Church, and that all who thought as he did should band themselves together and wait until Christ made his personal appearance, which they antic- ipated would be speedily. There were a few who united themselves together on the strength of these views, in Plymouth, England, and at Dublin, Ireland. At the former place they seemed to meet with most success. There their numbers increased to seven hundred and up to fifteen hundred; and so marked was their success that they came to be called " Plymouth Brethren." (They have never taken this name themselves, but they do not seem to object to it.) The work increased, and bands were formed in London, Exeter, and several other places. Among those who united with them were many persons of wealth, who contributed considerable sums of money to spread their views. They established a newspaper, known as the Christian Witness, Mr. Darby being its chief contributor. It was not long before they were violently opposed by the English clergy. This opposition was so well directed and so ably conducted that the spread of the new faith was not only seriously checked, but their numbers were, greatly reduced. In 1838, or near that time, Mr. Darby left England. He first visited Paris, where he remained for a time, and then went to Switzerland, where he found a more inviting field. The Wesleyan Methodists had commenced suc- cessful operations in Lausanne. Quite a number had withdrawn from the State Church and united with them. This excited the general attention of the people. Among the new proselytes to Methodism were many who still held the doctrine of predestination, and refused to accept the Wesleyan doctrine of Christian perfection. Those who held the doctrine of predestination were charged by those who had fully discarded it as having received but half the truth. At Vevay similar excite- ment prevailed. In this state of things, for the purpose of overthrowing the new faith, an influential member of the State Church at Lausanne invited Mr. Darin- to come there and fight the Methodists. He went, and by liis preaching, and the publication of a book entitled The Doctrine of the Wesleyans regarding Perfection, andtheir Use of the Holy Scriptures, he succeeded in so far be- wildering them that not long after the greater part of them abandoned their faith, and either returned to the State Church or united with the Dissenters. Mr. Dar- by, besides, gave a series of lectures on the prophecies, entitled " Views regarding the actual Expectation of the Church, and the Prophecies which establish it." They were largely attended by others than Dissenters, and pro- duced a deep impression upon the public mind. They were published in book form, first in French, and subsequently translated into German and English, and may be found in Mr. Darby's published works. In the estimation at least of the author they lifted the veil which had long, if not from the beginning, covered the prophecies. Such was Mr. Darby's influence among the people that the regular ministry was almost entirely ignored, and he became the accepted prophet. In fact, his publications had the effect directly to turn the people from the min-
PLYMOUTH BRETHREN
30G
PNEUMATOAIACHJ
i whole. Ji was his custom t" administer the
ry Sa ith indiscriminately to Church-
i iters, which practice earned f"r him the
i of being a large-hearted Christian, and anx-
■ iake the Church one. Bui really hi
[it nate the people until he could gel them under
n.il <-..ntr«.l for organization, be himself being
n of the organization, a> i- but too clearly ap-
■n the il\ -sheets or tracts which he published.
entitled Apostasy of the Actual Econ-
the axe al the rool ofthe tree of the Christian
Church, leaving it a Bhapeless wreck. Anothi
i ■ ■'. Church, attacks .-ill Dissenters, and
a righl to form any new Church. And still
another, Liberty t" preach Jesus possessed by every
Christian, denies the existence of any priestly office in
the Church, except the universal priesthood ofbeliev-
< r-. A tract entitled Tht Protnist of th Lord, based
. the shibboleth for the Darty ite
gatherings. Another tract, entitled ScAum, was issued,
in which all who hesitated t" take pari in these gather-
n dei linated "schismatics." Thus the work
el demolition went on. A small seminary was estab- lished in which to prepare men f.>r the evangelistic work— thai is, to spread their views and make disciples to them, and the result has been a widespread sect, with
little "r i rganic unity.
Later History. A division took place ami •• Brethren," under the Leadership of B. W. Newton. It commenced in England and extended to the < lontinent. Mr. Newton, ii is claimed, held with Irving that Chrisl unless. This notion was repelled by most of the Darbyites, and Newton was subsequently expelled by Mr. Darby, i It mighl be interesting to inquire how Mr. Darby could consistently expel a man from his so- ciety when he ignores all organizations? [f there be lization, what is there to be expelled from?) I to Vevay, « here there h trouble, the "Brethren" splitting into two -.hi. h was followed Boon after by many ether Another division took place among them, in which tl Her, of Bristol, England,