The Stow Hill Depot
– Part One
A Historical Sketch

Much to cause humiliation, shame and sorrow took place among the brethren and with regard to the Depot from 1953 to 1959, and especially from 1960 to 1970.

• By 1960 the Depot, apart from the reprinting, was devoted to the dissemination of JTJr's so-called current ministry.

• Nevertheless, the abiding value of the great labour and effort put into assembling and reprinting the ministries of JND, JBS, FER, CAC, and JTSr should not be minimised.

• The Lord could say even to Thyatira, "I know thy works … and thy last works to be more than the first", Revelation 2: 19.

Even before he wrote his first tracts – c. 1884 when he was only 22 years old, publishing them at cost – Mr. C. A. Coates had been concerned that the Lord's work should not be regarded as a profit making business.

Recollections of Leslie G. Jones Mr. Jones was converted when he was 18, writing, "Whom the Lord took up in August 1922. All things are given by Him". He left the Methodists and came among brethren in his early 20s. He was taken by the Lord in 1998 at the age of 94. Stow Hill Depot was created by Mr. John Herbert. It was located in Charles Street, Newport, Wales and consisted of a ground-floor shop with a middle room as an office and a top room used for making and packing up the annual calendars, and other depot work. Very few customers came to the shop. In June 1927, by Mr. Herbert's invitation, I joined the depot, leaving my employment in a business in the town to have part in the Lord's work. The depot was busy dealing with orders for tracts and ministry from all over the world. Mr. — and an elderly sister Mrs. — dealt with the correspon-dence and the accounts. On the top floor I dealt with larger orders and the 'Day Dawn' calendars. Mr. Herbert created the calendar. A local sister Miss — compiled the texts. A large quantity was distributed. The modern easy clip-on block was unknown in those days. It was my job to paste the back of each block, stick same to the board and when dry, hammer a small brass nail through the back of the board into the block.

Recollections of L. G. Jones of the move to London When the concern regarding selling ministry books at a profit was prevalent, Mr. Herbert was approached by Mr. Myles and Mr. Ide with a view to purchasing Stow Hill Bible and Tract Depot and its contents. The ambition was to open a depot in London and sell at cost price, eliminating all profit. Mr. Herbert agreed to sell and a price was arranged. The management of the new depot was offered to me. The day arrived when all the contents of the Newport depot was transferred to a large van. This involved hundreds of packages of tracts and books. By evening all was packed in the van. Mr. Myles and Mr. Ide were anxious to have the contents in the new depot in morning of the next day so the van travelled through the night. In order to be available the next morning, I travelled with the van, inside on the top of all the packages. The new depot premises was in one of the narrow streets near St Paul's. The street was busy and when the van arrived, the police would only allow it to park three minutes at a time. This meant that the van had to make a circuit in between parking. Beneath the depot premises was a basement room and there was access from the pavement via a chute so that parcels could be passed directly into the basement. The van was now at a serious disadvantage: instead of being able to park without limit and the contents passed through the opening and carefully placed on the shelves in the basement, the van could only park for its allowed three minutes. In that short time, as much as possible of the contents had to be taken out and thrown onto the chute and into the basement. There was no time to arrange the various parcels of books and tracts on the shelves. Speed was necessary and this involved many packages bursting open on the chute. The floor of the basement became full of piles of books and tracts. It was a sorry spectacle and not one anticipated by those responsible and the confusion unavoidable. The depot was due to operate at once and orders were duly received. The books and tracts in the basement were just a hopeless muddle and some brothers volunteered to start sorting it out and putting them onto the shelves. This took several days and no orders could be dealt with. Mr. Stanley was a brother helping at this time. He worked full time in bringing order out of chaos. After a while I decided to withdraw from the depot and let him take over as manager.

It was understood that the brethren were not involved collectively in the publishing business but that several brothers had taken on the work as a service under the Lord and to the brethren.

For many years, Morrish in London had printed most, if not all, of ministry by the brethren, and continued to do so until the Depot was functioning, although a false report had been circulated that Mr. A. E. Myles was doing some printing in his house.

Morrish Printers The original George Morrish lived 1814-1911 and was a printer at 20 Paternoster Square. London, EC4. There were many other printers used by brethren at that time, but JND asked GM to do printing for him. He and his daughter Hannah, 1848-1945, compiled 'A New and Concise Bible Dictionary'. His son George 2, d. 1920, lived over the printing business at Camberwell, London SE5 – there was more than one location – then lived in Denmark Hill, a road in Camberwell. George 3 did his printing training at Cooper and Budd and Morrish's. His brother Stanley, 1885-1967, also trained at Cooper and Budd and worked at Camberwell. His son George 3 lived in St. Albans, but also bought Morrish and Company – no relation – in Tichfield Street. John – 1852-1936, brother of George 2 – ran a bookshop in Paternoster Row. The printing was done at Camberwell. The 'Blitz' – World War II – destroyed both Paternoster Square and Paternoster Row by fire in 1941, but Camberwell escaped almost unscathed. It was after this that Stow Hill Depot moved to Fife Road, Kingston, and it then moved to Upper Teddington Road in 1955.

The favourable attitude of Morrish's to the new Depot was welcomed as a deterrent to the criticisms which would inevitably arise.

• It was realised that the Depot would come under attack by the enemy and that a particular danger would exist in personal motives entering into its management.

At a meeting at Park Street, London, in 1931 and subsequently at Teignmouth,

Despite initial difficulties, the work at the Depot prospered in 1932.

• The availability of two brothers – Mr. Ide and Mr. Elliott – with business experience to devote time to the management of the Depot was a distinct advantage.

As expected, there were criticisms but, while there had been some defectiveness in service, JT judged that the criticisms arose from other causes which would remain however well the service might be done.

• He encouraged those engaged in the work to deal with complaints but to go on steadily, looking to the Lord to show that they were acting for Him.

On July 26, 1932, a meeting was held at Park Street to outline the progress of the Depot, and

• the gist of this was also conveyed by Mr. Taylor to the brethren in the New York area at a meeting convened for that purpose, and also to the saints gathered at Detroit for special meetings in September, 1932.

The Depot published the first Hymn Book since the 1903 revision by Mr. T.  H. Reynolds.

• Mr. A. E. Myles, who served the brethren extensively, was largely responsible for the 1932 revision.

1933

Continued progress was made during 1933 and the circulation of ministry increased.

1934

• Mr. Taylor denied that there was any such thing, pointing out that there was watchfulness as to what was to be published, anything that seemed questionable being looked over by brothers capable of judging and that there should be thankfulness for such care.

1937

On June 1, 1937, Mr. Andrew Beattie of London was appointed to join Mr. F. Ide and Mr. F. Elliott in the trusteeship, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Mr. Myles.

• The work continued to be blessed and later in the year the Depot moved to new premises.

1938

The value of the Depot's work was particularly in evidence, when in 1938, in Bo'ness, Scotland, 25 brethren of open background were seeking their way in conformity with the truth obtained from the printed ministry.

1939

In 1939 the Depot issued Mr. Darby's New Translation of the Bible.

The Depot was intended to spread the truth universally through the printed ministry, but the desire of some to make it a centre for instruction or information caused Mr. Taylor to be uneasy about a return to London.

• He feared the revival of the damaging metropolitan idea, long since judged, and that such a concept of the Depot would interfere with the working out, in the local gatherings, of the truth of the temple as the place of enquiry.

Wide and increasing interest in the work of the Depot was evidenced by a large number of brethren from all parts of the country attending a meeting at Park Street, in July 1942, to hear the report of the trustees.

• On July 30, 1942 Mr. Ernest Ghinn was appointed to join Mr. F. Ide and Mr. A. Beattie in the trusteeship, replacing Mr. F. Elliott who had died 20 June 1942.

Author-Editor-Publisher Relations and Responsibilities

The manager of the Depot had been entrusted by Mr. Taylor with making minor necessary corrections in his manuscripts for publication, for many years.

• In early 1942, JT received an enquiry as to certain of his statements – published incorrectly – in printed ministry which conveyed a viewpoint different from the text of the New Translation regarding Ephesians 1: 22-23.

• This led to the discovery that the manager had for some time been making numerous unwarranted changes, in some instances to support special views of his own.

• In particular, reference to Numbers 21: 17 as supporting singing to the Spirit had been deleted from the original publication of the New York Readings.

All this resulted in Mr. Taylor having extensive correspondence with the manager and also with the trustees, as to the changes made and as to the whole matter of author-editor-publisher relations and responsibilities.

• JT took a very grave view of the latitude and liberty that had been taken, not only with his ministry but possibly of others as well, and what it might lead to.

• He insisted that the rights and responsibilities of author-ship and editorship be fully recognised and that the publisher should only make sparing necessary changes and no important changes at all, especially respecting doctrine, without consulting the author or editor.

Writing to Mr. Beattie in April 1945, Mr. Taylor had to again meet the notion that the Depot should be a gathering place for brethren.

• He maintained that from the outset the Depot was understood to be universal in principle and not a local London depot.

• In the same letter, he also expressed the view that there should be no question that the Depot should return to London after the war.

• Subsequently, however, at a meeting on October 7, 1945, at which there were representative brethren, the conclusion was reached that, as most of its business was done by mail, it was right for the Depot to remain in Kingston.

1948

After JT's death in 1953, a Depot meeting took place on September 21, 1954 at the Park Street room, London.

At that time the trustees were Mr. A. J. Gardiner of London, Mr. Wm. Henderson of Glasgow, and Mr. G. H. Stuart Price of Harrow who was officially appointed on September 28, 1954.

The return of the Depot to London was again considered but not acted on. Among the reasons advanced for moving was that it would enable those not in fellowship to have access to the ministry.

One of the principal purposes of the meeting was stated to be for the trustees to acknowledge the wrong that had been done at the Depot in the past in making certain alterations to manuscripts of Mr. Taylor's ministry without his knowledge.

• Although it was admitted that these had been gone into in 1942 it was stated that some of them had subsequently assumed special importance owing to their relating to "the truth as to the Spirit" which had come forward in 1947.

• Another trustee, Mr. Robert Stott of Hove, was appointed December 15, 1954.

• In view of the dissolution of Stow Hill after the Aberdeen events, the appointment of Mr. Stott was clearly a divine provision.

1955

The manager was dismissed from his post as manager of the Depot.

• In view of the fact that this matter had been settled while JT was still alive, the action appears to be vindictive – especially as the brother was also excommunicated.

In 1996, an inquiry to Bible and Gospel Trust – one of Stow Hill's successor trusts and agent for the legal sect – brought to light that BGT does not list any ministry of — or his successors.

• BGT said that — had requested that his books be sold only to those in the same fellowship.

G. A. R.

What is to be observed, however, is that in the testimony of God writing appears after oral ministry.

• This is attested, both in the Old and New dispensations.

• Moses' service began with speaking, and so generally; writing came later.

• In our Lord's ministry we have no writing, save on the ground [John 8], and we have no writings from the apostles until long after Pentecost.

• Thus it is clear that writings sent to countries where there has been no oral testimony is not in keeping with the divine way of serving men.

• As the testimony is presented in an oral, or living way, then the written message has its place.

From the above it will be seen that spiritual ministry in a written form is of immense value – second only to what is spoken – and its circulation should be as wide as possible.

The publication and distribution of written ministry is therefore an important part of God's service, and so should not be conducted on a commercial basis.

• Using a typical term, it is properly levitical, and while those engaged in it have much to do that may be regarded as 'common', their work, generally, is that of Levites.

• We learn from the book of Numbers that the work of the Levites was graded, that of Kohath being the most sacred.

• The sons of Merari had the most onerous part of the tabernacle service, and so they had wagons assigned to them: the sons of Gershon also had wagons.

• From this we learn that while the distribution of printed ministry is not exactly on the level of the oral communication of it; yet it is part of the same service,
  • and those engaged in it should be regarded in this light, and not simply as rendering common or mercantile labour.

The fact that mere physical labour has to be employed, such as type-setting, book-binding, etc., and that this labour may be performed by a Christian and paid for in the ordinary way, in no way interferes with the truth set out above;

• it is like a railway ticket that ensures the passage of a servant of the Lord to a town where he wishes to give an address to the saints there.

• Although he is carried by a train, his service throughout is entirely levitical.

• The engine driver on the train might be a Christian, but his work is not levitical.

The reference in the Scriptures to books besides those which make up the Bible is remarkable; such as

• "the book of Jasher", "the book of the wars of the Lord", the books of "Nathan" and "Gad", also such writings as "the words of Nathan the prophet", "the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite", and "the visions of Iddo the Seer" and "the writings of David King of Israel", and "the writing of Solomon".

• All this literature would correspond to the written ministry of the present time, and the manner in which the Holy Spirit alludes to it indicates its great importance.

The reader of Scripture was directed to it as affording help as to the respective subjects treated.

• The more his interest, the more he would look into the book or books to which the Holy Spirit directed him.

• The same is true today; the interested and diligent believer will seek out all available help, and if the Lord gives food and instruction in a written form he will not say there is too much, but rather will thank Him for His bounty. [Compare Malachi 3: 10.]

• If he cannot find time to read it, he will not seek to prevent it reaching others who have, even although these may be but a small percentage of the saints.

• Of course, as said above, this can but refer to what the Lord gives. The Lord enables His people to judge, and we are enjoined to prove all things and hold fast what is good; indeed, to
  • "judge of and approve the things that are more excellent".

• Thus, those immediately responsible should discern what is presented for publication, and if there is nothing distinctive as instruction or food for the flock, it should be withheld.

• If papers are presented containing helpful matter, but also having unscriptural expressions, great care should be used to correct and eliminate these.

• All this requires the exercise of our spiritual senses
  • "for distinguishing both good and evil", Hebrews 5: 14.

For a good while the existence of the mere commercial element in the publication and distribution of written ministry has distressed many,

• and more recently attention has been called to it in a definite way, as wholly out of keeping with the service of God.

• Extensive enquiry was made and counsel taken, as before the Lord, among many brethren, very widely located, and
  • it was apparent throughout that He was helping toward a mode of executing this important service, bearing a definite levitical stamp.

• A depot has been secured, where helpful ministry for the saints and suitable gospel literature for general distribution will, under the Lord, be published at cost, or as nearly so as possible; any profits made will be devoted to the free distribution of spiritual literature.

• This undertaking in no sense implies that saints are in the publishing business in any collective way;
  • the position is simply that this important work is needed and certain brothers have undertaken it as a service to the Lord and His people.

• Other services are constantly rendered on the same principle. [Compare 2 Tim. 4: 5; Ecclesiastes 9: 10.]

• But saints everywhere may have part in it, either by monetary contribution or distribution of books – above all by prayer.