Movement In The North-west

by Chamings, A. R. G. | Category: Spiritual Movements Seventy Years Ago | Feb 1963

On January 2nd, 1893, a letter by four signatories was circulated amongst Christians in Birkenhead. They wrote that, "ever since the commencement (some seven years ago) of a testimony unto the Name of the Lord in this neighbourhood some of us have sought to contend earnestly for the Faith once for all delivered unto the saints (Jude 8). We were linked on with persons and companies who were setting aside the Apostles' Doctrine and Fellowship, from whom we found it necessary, in obedience to the Lord, along with other faithful ones, to separate ourselves ... we therefore, though weak as we are, will seek by the help of the Lord to carry out that oneness of Fellowship we see in the word of God, with the desire and knowledge of Psalm 119, 35 and 105 verses."

One week later-on January 9th-brethren in Blackburn also sent out a letter in which they said :"We ... after long and patient waiting in hope of seeing the bringing about of a better state of things in the various Assemblies, believe that the time has come when, at the call of the Lord, we must take our stand outside the System of Fellowship which we have been linked on with, namely 'Open Brethrenism' ... we may have to leave many behind whom we love in the Lord, nevertheless we can no longer remain in a Fellowship where lawlessness and independency are openly tolerated, and where sectarian Christians are being received to 'Occasional Fellowship' and where those who have been righteously put away from the fellowship are received with open arms, thus weakening and utterly setting aside all godly discipline."

These brethren were now linked with other assemblies in Lancashire, and on February 12th they joined with Wigan, St. Helens and Haydock in the sending out of a further letter in which they wrote :"Having for years past endeavoured to establish the fellowship of Assemblies, meeting only in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are grieved to say that our efforts have been futile, owing to the action of both Assemblies and Individuals ... and as we are told that 'the servant of the Lord must not strive,' we believe that the time has come to step outside all that is of human arrangement, or is in fellowship therewith. We are therefore obliged to leave many beloved brethren whom we esteem, hoping that ere long they may take their place with us 'outside the camp.'

Liverpool brethren too, after years of contending against principles which have sought to overthrow 'The Faith' once 'delivered unto the saints' wrote in their letter of January 28th, 1893

"We ... desire to communicate to you our withdrawal from a fellowship ... which dishonoured our Lord Jesus Christ ... assemblies which refuse to teach 'Believer's Baptism,' and 'Scriptural Reception into Fellowship' ... we therefore, in much fear and trembling, seek to continue steadfastly in the Apostles' Doctrine and Fellowship (Acts ii. 42)".

Chamings, A. R. G. | Feb 1963
Spiritual Movements Seventy Years Ago