The Movement In South Wales

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

The church of God in Barry possesses what must surely be a unique file of correspondence relating to the time of the separation. More than two years before the establishment of the Testimony, and the recognition of the truth relating to churches of God, brethren in Barry were concerned about the rapid growth of the town (from a population of 500 in 1881 to one of 13,000 in 1891 !) and the need for more satisfactory premises as, "we are counting upon the Lord's blessing in using the preached word to the gathering out from the masses around us."

Early in 1893 brethren there had received circular letters (see Needed Truth for February) informing them of the stand for the Truth which had been taken in five assemblies in Lancashire, and a few months later-on July 9th-the following letter from Cardiff signed by four brethren

"Beloved Brethren,

The Lord has been exercising the hearts of some here concerning His purpose in saving us, and how He would have us to carry out His will on earth.

We see, from the second chapter of Acts, that those who at first received the word were baptised and added together, and that they continued steadfastly in the doctrine of the apostles, and in the fellowship, and in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers.

We also perceive that we have been in an association which is not according to the Scriptures, seeing that in it we were linked on to all the self-will of "Open Brethrenism," "Occasional Fellowship," "Women's Ministry," and much else, which things we do not believe to be of God, who is not the author of confusion.

As a result of much exercise of conscience, a certain number in this place have acted in accordance with 2 Timothy 2.19, 21.

Having taken this step we desire, by God's help, to build up upon the foundation already laid, 1 Corinthians 3.10, 11; Ephesians 2.20-22.

We have therefore decided to put into practice Acts 20.7, in separation from the system already mentioned, and in fellowship with those who call upon the Lord out of a pure, or purged heart."

A few weeks later the letter reached Barry from Cardiff (signed by, among others, Mr. Edward Foster-see Needed Truth, May p. 58) asking overseeing brethren to meet together in Leeds, "for prayer and conference." However, before this gathering took place, Barry brethren had prepared and sent out on September 2, 1898, a letter containing the following :"We have decided, after much exercise of conscience to break the link that has hitherto bound us to what has been called 'Open Brethrenism.' In other words we have decided that, for the future, we will neither receive from nor commend to meetings which have intercommunion with the sects, i.e. allow believers from the sects to 'break bread' with them occasionally ... that teach, allow to be taught, or tolerate those who teach that the church of God in a city includes all Believers therein, notwithstanding the fact that the majority of such Believers may be in the sects and not gathered, even professedly, according to Matthew 18.20."

This letter was evidently sent to a number of assemblies in the area with which Barry assembly had previously had fellowship and replies were received critical of the stand which the saints in Barry were taking.

A further letter was therefore prepared and sent from Barry, in one case expressing thanks "for your circular letter of the 9th October (1893), and as it clearly sets forth the principles of your fellowship, we feel we owe you the effort to seek oneness of mind in the truth, as the truth is in Christ Jesus by an examination of your letter". Then follows a careful criticism of the points raised and particularly that dealing with "occasional fellowship" :"The introduction of a sectarian to a fellowship of the breaking of bread, necessitated the human invention of 'occasional fellowship'. To attempt his recognition in the permanent fellowship would have been a manifest failure; you therefore place the Lord's Table outside this fellowship and virtually make two fellowships, the one 'Permanent' where privilege and responsibility are combined, the other 'Occasional' and that of privilege only. The latter clearly is the fellowship manifested when a sectarian is present at the breaking of bread, for he is not recognised in the permanent fellowship. The Scriptures of truth speaking only of one fellowship, the fellowship manifested by 'Saved' and 'Baptised' believers, who continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and in the fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and in the prayers, Acts 2.42. Here, as everywhere, privilege and responsibility are linked together."

The letter concludes

"We believe the great gift is love (love in the truth) and that obedience to the Commandments of the Lord (1 John 5.2,3) is the only real expression of this love (2 John 2.6). and while we write thus with regard to the errors of Open Brethrenism, we would see in yourselves, and in all the members of Christ's Body, those most precious to Himself, and on this ground alone we have addressed you, and ask for your prayerful consideration of what we have written".

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