(" This is true greatness, to serve unnoticed and work unseen."-J.N.D.)
AMONG the friends mentioned in a previous chapter whom he had made in Dublin on the occasion of his earlier visit there in 1827, were some young men who, like himself, had been seriously exercised about their ecclesiastical associations. Much of their difficulty arose from the very rigid denominationalism which then prevailed among Churchmen and Dissenters. Since those days times have considerably changed in this respect, looser conditions today however are as unscriptural as the old sectarianism of yesterday, and scarcely a change for the better. Laodiceanism largely characterizes the present age.
So when the ecclesiastically disillusioned young curate of Calary arrived in Dublin in the winter of 1827-28 he found at least four of these friends prepared to take, what then was, a very bold step indeed. Through a close and prayerful study of the New Testament they found themselves unable to find an expression in any practical form of the church of GOD either in the national Establishment or in any of the Dissenting Societies. These latter could only be entered by pronouncing their peculiar " Shibboleth," and certainly by their constitution never for a moment contemplated the large yet holy nature of CHRIST'S body on earth.
Their bold step was to meet on the LORD'S day morning to " break bread " as in the early days of Christianity, when " upon the first day of the week the disciples came together to break bread " (Acts 20;7).
Not very startling to-day, perhaps, when the influence of Darby's teaching has been widely felt in Christendom; but then, it was revolutionary, and something " not done " in orthodox religious circles.
It is not by any means certain that these five brethren-Mr. J. G. Bellett, Dr. Cronin, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Brooke and Mr. Darby-who met thus for mutual fellowship in the breaking of bread at Fitzwilliam Square, in Mr. Hutchinson's house, had already completely severed their connection with the various bodies to which they had belonged, but it is very clear that they were getting free from the grave-clothes of merely human systems of religion, and were well on the high road towards that liberty of worship and service which the SPIRIT of the LORD alone can make effectual in the soul. The consideration of the truth found in Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) Rom. 12; Eph. 4:33Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3), appears to have been largely instrumental in influencing their course of conduct at this time.
As any one of these five would afterward have expressed it, and all substantially did so, they had discovered that intelligently to worship the FATHER in SPIRIT and truth, and direct responsibility to serve the LORD, while awaiting His return, compose the proper sphere of the believer's aspirations here on earth (St. John 4:23, 2423But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23‑24); Col. 3:23, 2423And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23‑24)).
What our LORD said to the believing Jews (St. John 8:31, 3231Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31‑32)) seems to have had special application in the case of Darby. " If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." He became a disciple indeed, and, to a greater degree than many, rejoiced in the freedom which truth confers.
After resigning his curacy, Mr. Darby made it abundantly evident that he had neither resigned the holy ministry of GOD'S Word nor the practical cure of souls; but like a famous John of the previous century had rather taken the whole world for his parish. In many striking respects his after-career resembles that of John Wesley, although their respective attitudes to the Church of England differed very widely. John Wesley could never conscientiously bring himself to separate from the Establishment; John Darby on the other hand, could not conscientiously bring himself to remain within her pale. In missionary zeal, earnestness, devotedness and thoroughgoing evangelism there was, however, much resemblance between these two giants. In Mr. Darby's case there was, along with the most enthusiastic and ardent evangelism, clear definite teaching as to the Church of GOD, the Body of CHRIST, the Coming of the LORD, prophecy, dispensational truth, the Word of GOD, the operations of the SPIRIT, with the calling and privileges of the Church. In the early days of his ministry; at Powerscourt Castle; and subsequently, in various centers of England, great attention and interest was aroused by this teaching. Sixty or seventy of the most devoted clergymen and some Dissenting ministers attended the meetings and enjoyed the truth together at one time, until they became alarmed as to whereunto this would grow. Then the inevitable reaction followed; clericalism was in jeopardy!
Mr. Groves writes to him in 1836, when Mr. Darby had been insisting that separation from evil was the Divine principle of unity, " I know it is said (dear Lady Powerscourt told me so) that as long as any terms were kept with the Church of England, by mixing up in any measure in their ministrations when there was nothing to offend your conscience, they bore your testimony most patiently, but after your entire rejection of them, they pursued you with undeviating resentment, and this was brought to prove that the then position was wrong, and the present right! "
Despite immense learning, his humility was very striking; his scholarship was never intruded into his ministry. A quaint old divine once remarked that " CHRIST still hung crucified under Hebrew, Greek and Latin." This was not so in Mr. Darby's case however; for few ever heard an allusion to the Hebrew or to the Greek in his addresses. So much so that expectant strangers wondered and said, " What is this the great Mr. Darby? " A common instance of his greatness of character and humbleness of mind occurred at a reading-meeting, where a brother advanced a peculiar theory professedly based upon a quotation from J.N.D's writings. After a pause of a moment Mr. Darby, with imperturbable gravity replied, " Then J.N.D's writings are entirely at fault, for it is obvious that this theory is quite unscriptural, and therefore unsound." Needless to say the good brother had misread and misquoted; had in fact read his own ideas into the book, which is not difficult.
His patience with honest ignorance, his ready tact, his manliness of character, and hearty sympathy, endeared him to many, especially amongst the poorer classes.
Another trait of Mr. Darby's character, often completely overlooked and quite unsuspected save by the recipient was his wonderful generosity. Mr. J. C. Philpot, the great strict Baptist leader who knew Darby in early days, and Mr. Kelly, his henchman for nearly half a century, were both astonished by this. It sprang from Darby's diligence in applying practical scriptures to himself, equally with insisting upon those usually considered more ecclesiastical. He was not a professional philanthropist, but a believer in justification by faith, and justification by the works which follow there from. His kindly thoughtfulness for his poorer brethren, both in temporal and spiritual need, was most marked. He possessed to a wonderful degree the faculty of remembering the names and faces of those who had once come under his notice, frequently surprising people thereby. A poor man, who had been unable to make a livelihood in England but anticipated better things in America, was hindered from emigrating through lack of funds. When Darby heard of it, after making due inquiry, he presented the astonished brother with a check for fifteen pounds to pay his expenses. Just then the poor man's circumstances improved, and he decided to stay in England. On his returning the check, Mr. Darby remarked, " So you are not going now; never mind, if you should want it, come to me again."
Neatby, in his History of the Plymouth Brethren, says, " If he (Darby) was ruthless in his ecclesiastical conflicts, he had at other times a singularly kindly and sympathetic nature. In the act of addressing a meeting he would roll up his greatcoat as a pillow for a sleeping child whose uncomfortable attitude had struck him. I have heard that, on one of his numerous voyages, he might have been seen pacing the deck all night with a restless child in his arms, in order to afford the worn-out mother an opportunity of rest; and I doubt whether many children were more tenderly nursed that night. The incident is the more interesting for the fact that Darby never married. Was it the breaking forth of this tenderness, deep-hidden in his lonely heart, that bound men to him in so pathetic a fidelity of devotion? " No wonder that they loved him. His tender thoughtfulness and consideration for children was markedly displayed during one of his many visits to the United States. A poor brother whose children kept tame rabbits, was extremely anxious to entertain the great man to dinner. The long-wished-for opportunity arrived. Mr. Darby, with the usual Christian courtesy and tact, declined an influential brother's invitation to dine, but proceeded to the poorer man's house. The household were all on the tiptoe of expectation and pleasurable excitement with the sole exception of one downcast little fellow, whose tame rabbit had been requisitioned as the principal dish for the honored guest's refection. Whilst the dinner was in process of serving, Mr. Darby noticed the little lad's downcast demeanor, inquired the reason; and the little fellow (contrary to previous instructions) blurted out the whole truth, with the result that J.N.D. expressed his sympathy with him in a practical manner.
Declining to eat any of the little fellow's pet, as soon as the meal was over he took him to where there was a large tank of water, and producing some mechanical toy ducks from his pocket, the great man played with the little boy for an hour or so; thus conferring all the honor of his company upon a little child in the hope of partially consoling him for the loss of his pet. He, Who is the LORD and MASTER of us all, has told us that humility is the truest greatness.
We will now give what lets out a little of his character, nearly in Mr. Darby's own words, extracted from a pamphlet printed and published in Glasgow, on The Sabbath: is the Law dead or am I?
" 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. The rest is all alike to me. The latter are apt to spare and screen themselves to get on in Society: they want a fence round them. I would rather in general have a poor man's judgment of right and wrong than another's; only they are, from being thrown more together and the importance of character, apt to be a little hard on each other as to conduct, and jealous of favors conferred, but often very kind and considerate one towards another. After all we (believers) are ' all one in CHRIST JESUS ' and the Word of GOD is to guide and lead us withal. Surely, while every Christian will readily give honor where honor is due, GOD loves and cares for the poor. What sympathy can one have with the sentiment that, because the spirit of radicalism is to be feared, we must suit GOD'S authority, if it be such to man's wishes?
" This is morally very low ground. If in Parliament the proposition was made to shut up the London parks on Sunday (that is the foot-gates, leaving the carriage-gates perhaps open for the sick), I should have moved as an amendment (did I meddle with such things) to shut the carriage-gates, and open the foot ones; the rich could go out every day, and if sick could drive elsewhere. That a poor man, the one day he has with his family, should be able to breathe, is a delight. I rejoice to see the affections of a father cultivated in kindness to his children, and both happy together; and if the LORD'S Day gives him the opportunity, the LORD'S Day is a true blessing. The poor, everyone laboring during the week, should insist on the Sabbath (so-called): it is essentially his own day. For the same reason, if my vote decided it (and happily for me I have none, and would not have or use one), not a train should run on LORD'S Day. As to excursions, they are a thorough curse to all engaged in them. I cannot help: I leave them there.
" But as to Sunday trains, I do not believe they are for sole reasons to meet cases of necessity and mercy, as men speak; they are to make money. If it be alleged that the requirements of Society oblige it, what are requirements of Society but haste to be rich, and an imperious claiming of the right to have one's own way? One understands very well that, railroads monopolizing the roads, there is a kind of supposed obligation to meet the case of those who could have traveled at any rate; but if obliged, they can hire something to go. No, it is facility and cheapness they want; it is money and will. They are as free to travel as they were before. I have nothing to do with these things, and never intend to have to do with them. The world goes its own way, and I am not of it. The allegations of Christians about it I have to answer: and I do not accept them, or the accommodating Christianity to what is termed progress. The Christian has to form his own ways, and not expect to mend the world. There is no moral gain in its progress. We have telegraph and railway, very convenient no doubt; but are children more obedient, men happier, servants more faithful and devoted, homes and families more cherished? Is there more trust and genial confidence among men, more honesty in business, more kindly feeling between master and man, employer and employed? Let everyone answer in his own heart. You have more facilities for money-making, but more anxiety and restlessness in making it; more luxury and show, but not more affection and peace."
His advice was frequently sought on various matters and freely given. Two letters to a friend on the subject of the use of musical instruments in Christian worship clearly express his personal conviction as to this. A century ago organs in churches were chiefly confined to Roman Catholic and Anglican churches; Dissenters were almost all definitely opposed to their use. Of this Spurgeon's great Tabernacle at Newington supplies an outstanding instance; and the Scots in their Highland parishes would have none of it. The Carthusian Order of Catholic Monks too, has always rigidly barred the use of organs, one of the Order once remarking to the writer that the human voice was the proper instrument for the service of praise. One has heard too, this very ancient monastic order, which boasts it has never had to be reformed on account of its strict conformity to St. Bruno's original Rule, referred to as the " Plymouth Brethren " of the Roman Catholic body, on account of its objection to the use of instrumental music in worship.
" MY DEAR BROTHER,
" The ordinary rule of scripture is that, in the calling wherein a man is called, he should therein abide with GOD. The Blessed LORD was a carpenter till called to His own further service; and Paul was a tent-maker, and at times supplied his own wants.
" In a certain sense all things are lawful for me; there are many where the motive is everything. Christianity does not change the order of the world, even where sin has given rise to it. I could not systematically sell gin; if gin was of use, I could give it to the sick unless it were a stumbling-block to others.
" The disciples were taken out from the world to represent GOD in it, walking in His ways, deriving their life and all their ways from Him, to live as CHRIST did. The world is an immense system built up by Satan around fallen man to keep him insensible to his, ruin (Gen. 4;20-22). The LORD does not pray that we should be taken out of the world, but kept from the evil.
" Your friend is solemnized by the voluntary. Is he content to be unfit for worship till he hears the organ? This is a poor plea, and putting nature instead of grace, which has even boldness to enter into the holiest. This lowers and falsifies the whole nature of our relationship with GOD and judaizes it.
" As to conversion, whenever CHRIST is presented, souls can be converted; yet this is not worship but preaching. Christians becoming more and more worldly is no reason for our going with it but the contrary. No doubt people are attracted; but so they are to gin-palaces: the Puseyite recommends it in church on that ground. So they are (attracted) largely to Popery. GOD may rise above all mistakes in grace; but it is one of the strongest marks that worldly attraction has taken the place of grace and CHRIST. Did you ever find CHRIST or Paul have music or a band to draw people? It lowers the whole character of Christianity.
" The earthly promises to the Jews do not directly apply to us, but in general GOD's faithfulness and loving care, as ' I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,' is used in the New Testament as well as the Old. And this latter is written for us, for our instruction on whom the ends of the world are come, that we through belief and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Peter is, after redemption stated, a treatise on these ways of GOD now, using the Old Testament for it. The Old Testament cannot give us an accomplished redemption nor glory into which CHRIST was not yet entered; but it is ' able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in CHRIST JESUS.' You have to discern what are earthly Jewish promises. It is important to do so; but what is in GOD, faithfulness, grace, love, condescending care of us, is always true. We get it perhaps more clearly applied in the New. Thus, Seek ye first... and all these things shall be added unto you.' I should be sorry to reduce Christianity to mere Jewish promises, but what is in Goo is always true. 2 Thess. 2, shows, that when people would not receive the love of the truth that they may be saved, they are (when CHRIST rises up) given over to darkness.
" I think the way of stating the gospel you speak of wholly wrong-only GOD bears with many a mistake where CHRIST is truly preached. But the statement is quite unscriptural and no true gospel at all. Yet it might reach a man's conscience with the feeling He was not willing to give them up.
" What I said as to the transfiguration was that those three were going to be pillars (see Gal. 2); and that it was to cheer and strengthen their faith. The tendency of having a companion with less faith is to weaken our own; still faith may overcome this.
" Yours affectionately in CHRIST,
" J. N. DARBY."
" MY DEAR BROTHER,
" I am very thankful your conscience has been exercised about the music. I can sympathize with you; for, as far as ear goes, music had the greatest power over me though never taught to play. But the ground of those who wish you to keep it up is all wrong and not true. It is not for CHRIST they wish you to keep the harmonium; and that decides the case. I am not a Jew, nor can I (do so) in the New Jerusalem where all will be for GOD'S glory, though not in the highest way (for the FATHER does not come in there). I could suppose a person earning his bread by music, though I think it a very dangerous way, as Peter did by fishing; which is no excuse for a person spending his time fishing to amuse himself. All these pleas of gifts of GOD ' are bringing in nature, when it is fallen, into the worship and service of the new man and the LORD, and spoiling it. (I have known hunting justified by the hounds having scent I) No instrument can equal in effect (so Haydn said) the human voice.
" Besides, as I said, it is not true; it is merely keeping the pleasure of fallen nature; not a thing evil in itself, but a connecting sensuous pleasure with spiritual life. It is not the thing to begin with a ruined soul but we have to live by GOD’S word. Harps and organs down here began in Cain's city when he had gone out from the presence of the LORD.
" In point of fact artistic musicians as a general rule are not a moral class. The imagination is at work, not the conscience nor the heart. Judaism did take up nature, to see if they could have a religion of it; which proved it could not be but ended in the rejection of JEHOVAH and His anointed. We are dead and risen with CHRIST and belong to another world. Hence I cannot seek my enjoyment in what belongs 'to the old, though I may recognize GOD'S work in it; but I do not seek it as a world I belong to now.
It is not a legal prohibition, but the heart elsewhere. If I could put a poor sick father to sleep with music, I would play the most beautiful I could find. But it only spoils any worship as bringing in the pleasure of sense into what ought to be the power of the SPIRIT of GOD. They cannot go really together, save as water may take away the taste of wine.
" It is a wholly false principle that natural gifts are a reason for using them. I may have amazing strength or speed in running; I knock a man down with one, and win a prize with another. Music may be a more refined thing; but the principle is the same.
" This point I believe to be now of all importance. Christians have lost peace and moral influence by bringing in nature and the world as harmless. All things are lawful to me. But, as I said, you cannot mix flesh and SPIRIT. We need all our energies under grace to walk in the latter, ' always bearing about in the body the dying of JESUS, that the life also of JESUS may be manifested in our mortal bodies.' Let CHRIST be all, and the eye is single and the ' whole body is full of light.' The converse is, if our eye be evil because it shuts out CHRIST, our affections are not set on things above where CHRIST sits at GOD'S right-hand. This is the point for us: happy affections there, and steadfastly, not being distracted.
"Your affectionate brother in CHRIST,
" J. N. DARBY."
To another laboring brother he writes:-
" DEAR -, I rejoice that you are helped and happy in your work-I trust very constantly dependent too. That is the secret of a work wrought with GOD, and that, though it may seem quiet, lasts, and lays the ground for progress. I can only write a line now, though, thank GOD, much better.
" It is not that there are not deep things in the Word of GOD, but if we search it with His grace and spirit it is always plain for us on the top; then we have it from Him. The cream is on the surface, not that we do not search and study, but that when we get it from GOD it is plain and on the surface. Till then we must wait till He teaches us. The passage you refer to is quite general. You must expect in a great house all sorts of vessels, precious and vile. Christendom has become such, and hence we must expect such. False doctrine, when it characterizes a man, is a vessel to dishonor; sound and exalted doctrine accompanied with unholiness, makes a man a vessel to dishonor; he who builds up sacramental corruptions, as Puseyites, Romanists, Greeks, are-at any rate as teachers- vessels to dishonor. I give these merely as examples; but it is left to spiritual discernment, according to the Word, to judge what is, and then to purge oneself from them....
" The LORD keep you humble and near Himself."
From a letter to a young married couple the following extract may be of service to others in similar case.
" But, here or there, it is where GOD would have us, that is our place, and where we may expect a blessing and the consciousness of His presence. He may and does keep us, in His patient and perfect goodness, everywhere, but it is in the way of His will that His presence is revealed to us, so that we walk in the light of His countenance. He kept Abraham in Egypt, but he had no altar from Bethel back to Bethel.
" I trust fully that you are both in that way, I do not think it an evil that a young married couple should go through the rough of life a little together at the beginning; it binds their hearts together. Surely there is a far higher and better bond, but as to circumstances the comfort each is to the other, and the sustaining help each is to the other, bind their hearts together; for life down here is made up of small things. If it were only when a husband comes home cold and tired, finding ease and a welcome and comfort, as far as may be, and the like, there is the continuous sense of one caring for the other, and that is a great point. They are thrown on one another, and where affection is, this cultivates it, and I believe this is of all importance; and then what accompanies it, entire confidence one in another.
" But this is all maintained, dear brother, by CHRIST being all to each, for self is thus set aside, and the grace of CHRIST working in the heart overcomes all difficulties, and, while CHRIST is the motive which rises over all, makes the other the object of affectionate and considerate service. But for our own sakes too He is everything, light to the soul, but the blessed expression and communicator of the love of GOD; and for this there must be real diligence. All that is around us, and even real duties are constantly soliciting us away from Him, and tending to weaken us spiritually."