February Believers Magazine

“A Goodly Heritage” (13)
Fresh Awakenings - John Nelson Darby (2)
After the division resulting from the events of 1848,
“exclusive” brethren remained for some years the
larger part of the movement, and included many
of the well-known intellectuals and writers among
the early brethren. Regrettably, the cohesion and
stability of that sector did not survive Darby’s
lifetime, and the history of subsequent divisions
served to demonstrate the difficulty of applying in
practice, some elements of Darby’s teaching relating
to discipline and fellowship. This observation is not
intended to be condescending, but is made with a
real consciousness of weakness and failure.
Labours abundant
A large number of assemblies in the British Isles
and in Europe provided an extensive field of labour
to absorb J N Darby’s energies. The expansion of
the work in the middle years of the century was
due in large measure to his zeal and whole-hearted
commitment. He devoted much time to labour in the
south of France and in Switzerland, often trudging
from place to place on foot and finding lodging
wherever he could. Between 1862 and 1868 he
made three extended visits to the United States
and Canada, followed by a visit to the West Indies.
Three further visits were made to North America
between 1870 and 1875, and from there he sailed
to labour in New Zealand. Although means of travel
had greatly improved both by land and sea since the
Whitefield and Wesley era, such journeys must have
required considerable stamina. Even while engaged
in a demanding programme of travel and preaching,
he continued a voluminous correspondence with
brethren and assemblies in many countries as well
as writing and publishing. William Kelly recalled that
he was habitually a hard worker, from early morn
devoted to his own reading of the Word and prayer;
but even when most busily engaged, he as a rule
reserved the afternoons for visiting the poor and
the sick, his evenings for public prayer, fellowship,
or ministry. Indeed whole days were frequently
devoted to Scripture readings wherever he moved,
at home or abroad.
Kelly’s reference to the poor is interesting as it
touches upon that well-attested sympathy that Darby
had demonstrated in his Calary parish and that
February 2014
J Brown, Peterhead
continued throughout his life. He wrote, I love the
poor, and have no distrust of them, living by far the
most of my time amongst them, and gladly. When
first I began such a life, I as to nature felt a certain
satisfaction in the intercourse of educated persons:
it was natural. If I find a person spiritually minded
and full of Christ, from habit as well as principle I
had rather have him than the most elevated or the
most educated. Again he wrote, I enjoyed hiding
myself and presenting the Saviour to the poor. He
often sought out poorer brethren and happily lodged
in their homes, rather than with wealthy brethren
who would gladly have provided every comfort.
His oral ministry appealed to learned and
uneducated alike. One hearer recorded his
impression: Combined with his great learning and
deep knowledge of the Scriptures was his lowliness
and simplicity, so that all could understand him,
especially when he sought in an unequalled way to
place the consciousness of others in the presence
of God and to cause souls to enjoy the glory and
work of Christ. Simple and unaffected, earnest
and heartfelt, interwoven with the true spirit of the
Gospel, his addresses were the means of conversion
and deliverance for thousands.
Another wrote, He proves, explains and answers
questions the whole day, and in the evening he can
lecture unprepared for an hour without showing
signs of tiring. Although he speaks French with
ease it is without any adornment; it is a naked,
simple confidential speech with great authority. His
expression is that of a man who is fully convinced,
enthusiastic for the truth and in whose soul the
heavenly glories are reflected.
Few ever heard allusion to Hebrew or to Greek in
his addresses. He believed that The Spirit of God
will guide more surely a plain man, if he be humble,
in fundamental truths, than a little Greek will those
who trust in it.
In Bible Readings he exercised extraordinary
patience in explaining matters to unlearned brethren,
but could be brusque to any he thought should know
better. On occasion, differences of understanding
were not well handled, such as when he was invited
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“A GOODLY HERITAGE (13)”