Mr. Darby having labored for several months within the meeting at Plymouth, "and using what means he could to awaken the consciences of Brethren, he was obliged, in order to keep a clear conscience himself, to withdraw from the assembly." Mr. Newton and his friends, in attempting to meet the charges which were brought against them, acted in so unscriptural and untruthful a manner, as to decide many of their former friends to separate from them. About a hundred or more withdrew from communion at Ebrington Street, and began to break bread first in a private house, afterward in Raleigh Street; and thus the division was completed at Plymouth.
Brethren from all parts of the country, on hearing of these events, flocked to Plymouth; many of them were friendly to Mr. Newton, and nearly all of them thought that Mr. Darby had acted rashly and prematurely. But they had not been inside the scene, and so knew but little of the real state of things there. When a meeting was spoken of for investigating the charges, Mr. Newton strongly objected to any interference on the part of Brethren from a distance, and would only consent to an investigation on the principle of arbitration, he appointing four of his friends and Mr. Darby appointing four of his. Mr. Darby objected entirely to the worldly principle of arbitration: this, he felt, would be taking the case out of the hands of God and His church, as well as making himself the head of the party. He offered at the same time to meet Mr. Newton before the whole assembly, or, if it was preferred, before a number of the most grave and experienced brothers. To none of these would Mr. Newton consent, and to no other tribunal would he allow the case to be referred, save to the arbitration proposed. Many of the brethren who had gone down to Plymouth, with the godly intention of trying to heal the breach, finding things so much worse than they had any conception of, separated from Mr. Newton and his party, and the division extended to other parts of the country.
Meetings were held in London and other central places for common humiliation and prayer. Many pamphlets were published on both sides; many fondly cherished friendships were broken up; much sorrow and trial were endured both by individuals and families for more than two years, when this mournful history assumed a new and still graver aspect. Not merely was the ecclesiastical fabric assailed, but the very foundations of Christianity by false doctrines concerning the blessed Lord Himself.