Since my retirement, in April 1993, I have devoted much of my time to various projects relating to the Lord's interests here, as I have knowledge of them.
The first project – by far the largest and still unfinished – is 'The Historical Reference Series'. Much of what is said as to it, in the following section, also applies to the other projects.
The final project – and I trust the Lord will give me strength to complete it – is 'My Brethren', this web site which contains part of what is encompassed in the other projects.
However, most of the projects below have had to be held in abeyance – and will not be completed – except as they might contribute to 'My Brethren'
Gordon A. Rainbow
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Since 1950 I have acquired many documents – booklets, pamphlets, circulars and letters – relating to the history of the testimony from c.1827 on.
Knowing that the time of my departure to be with Christ cannot (happily) be far off – it has been laid upon me to preserve items of continuing interest and value.
- The review, selection, sorting and classification of these documents in 'The Historical Reference Series' has involved far more labour than I could have ever anticipated, and I have felt increasingly unable to complete the task begun in 1995
- but it has been a labour of love with the blessing and – sweetest of all – the approval of the Master.
I am hopeful that this collection of documents will be of special value to
- the few beloved brethren with whom I am privileged to walk, and any – young ones especially – whom the Lord may sovereignly add;
- any of my brethren who have suffered from the legal system which emerged in 1950, and
- have little or no knowledge of earlier history
- are unfamiliar with the background of events from 1959 on;
- others who may have a legitimate and sincere interest.
The sorrows and failures of the testimony can be reviewed, with spiritual profit from the lessons of the past – if one is properly prepared to face the conflicting claims and views:
- Personal stability is essential. This begins with a living faith in the
Lord Jesus, an appreciation of the Holy Spirit's presence and the knowledge of the true God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Cutting in a straight line the word of truth – the Holy Scriptures – by the Spirit's teaching and the help of the distinctive gifts given by the ascended Christ, is an absolute necessity.
- The fellowship and counsel of brethren devoted to Christ and His chief interest here – the assembly – and separate from iniquity, cannot be overvalued.
To help those unfamiliar – or perhaps prejudiced – regarding the subjects of the documents:
- I have written introductory notes to clarify the historical background of each set of documents.
- Many of my letters and explanatory notes are included. It is hoped that they will clarify obscurities, as well as express my own thoughts on controversial matters.
May those exercised to look into these matters maintain a humble and contrite spirit, and thus be in a suitable spiritual condition to receive and act on the Spirit's guidance.
The complete list of document groups in 'The Historical Reference Series' follows. Some groups are incomplete.
- Many of the documents are of a private character and will not appear on this site, but
- some extracts or details from this series can be found in the History group or the Memorabilia group.
- The Early Years – Recollections, 1827-38
- A Review of Certain Contentions for the Faith,
- 1827-1928 – George W. Ware
- Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the Little Flock,
- 1856 1993 – A History with various indexes
- List of Gatherings in the United States and Canada,
- 1879
- The Unequal Yoke – A Consistent Testimony,
- 1879-1958
- The Last Days of J.N.D.
- – As Unknown and Well Known, 1882
- John Nelson Darby – An Unfriendly Appraisal, 1885
- Events in Ealing – A Statement of Facts, 1890
- Letter to the Saints – H. D'Arcy Champney, c.1890
- The Closing Days of J.B.S.
- – From Glory to Glory, 1895-97
- F. E. Raven – A Memorial, 1837-1903
- The Stow Hill Depot – Its Rise and Fall, 1931-71
- The Ears of the Assembly – Reports, 1934 on
- The Departure from the Truth after its Recovery,
- 1942-70 – Arthur G. Brown
- Conscientious Objection to Bearing Arms
- (Canada), 1943
- After My Departure
- – Without a Teaching Priest, 1953 on
- The Ulster Outlook – Divergent Views, 1954-62
- The Manchester Connection
- – Stopping the Wells, 1956-72
- Lists of Meetings and Atlas of Meetings,
- c.1950-c.1969
- Persecution of the Righteous
- – Cast off all Pity, 1959-60
- A Good Conscience
- – The Parting of the Ways, 1960-61
- From Freedom to Failure
- – No King in Israel, 1960-74
- Retrospect – and other poems, 1960-72
- Names of Brethren – and their localities
- To Press and to Parliament
- – Good Words and Fair Speeches, 1964-65
- The Confrontation of J.T.Jr. – Hubert Calvey,
- 1965-67
- Aberdeen and New York – If We Walk in the Light,
- 1970 – Robert Stott and others
- Aberdeen – A House Divided, 1970 on
- Warnings – Ministry, 1971 – G.A.R.
- Wrong in Principle
- – The Walkinshaw Dogma, 1971-72
- Recovery after Decline
- – The Last Opportunity, 1979 on
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'An Outline of Sound Words Series' is a private collection of ministry, most of which has been out of print for many years and is unlikely to be reprinted. Some extracts or details can be found in the Ministry group or the Doctrine group.
- Responsibility as to the Maintenance of the Truth
- – F. E. Raven and A Message to the Quemerford
- Meeting – J. B. Stoney,
- both in G. W. Ware's "A Review of Certain Contentions for the Faith", No. 2 in The Historical Reference Series
- What Baptism Is, and Who Should Be Baptized
- – S. M. Anglin and Baptism – A. M. Hayward
No's: 3 – 12 include other ministry by the same servant
- Greatness – G. R. Cowell
- Keeping Good Company – E. J. Hemmings
- Separation – C. W. Cooper and others
- Things That Remain – W. J. Pearce
- Nearness To Christ – Josiah Harper
- *Young Manhood – A. E. Myles
- *Righteousness – H. C. Stanley
- *God's Portion – H. D. Thomas
- *The Man Christ Jesus – S. McCallum
- The Last Great Revival – J. B. Stoney
* Proposed only.
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'A Voice to the Faithful – New Series' contains items from a small bound volume – Volumes 29 & 30, 1895-1896 – of the original series found in a used book store in 1957.
- The periodical, edited by J. B. Stoney (1814-97), contained many of his own articles, as well as some by J. N. Darby and F. E. Raven, all now available in the "Collected Writings" or the "New Series" reprints.
As far as is known, these articles are no longer available in any form.
- They are particularly valuable as bearing witness to the Spirit's testimony through others to the truths advanced by those more prominent in the work of the Lord.
Some extracts or details from the following groups can be found in the Ministry group.
- Moral Blindness and other ministry
- – E. L. Bevir, S. M. Anglin, H. C. Anstey
- The Testimony of the Christ and other ministry
- – T. H Reynolds, E. H. Chater and others
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'The Christian Poetry Series' is a private collection of booklets and individual poems which have come into my possession over many years.
- The small proportion in booklet form is now out of print and is unlikely to be reprinted.
- Most were given to me by the authors. Many were in circulation among the brethren – all without restrictions as was the custom among the brethren from the outset.
- They are compiled into the following groups for the comfort of my wife and myself in our latter years.
- Most of the poems can be found in the Poetry group.
- A Door of Hope – Charles Deayton
- He Is Not Here – Charles Deayton
- Heavenly Glory – Charles Deayton
- Retrospect – Laurence J,. Twinam
- Windows in Heaven – Laurence J. Twinam
- The Alpha and The Omega – Various Authors
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'The Word of Truth Series' consists of a number of booklets which I have written. The contents can be found in the Studies group or the Ministry group.
- Answers to Inquiries
- 1.1 Vital truths: Eternal Life and the Person of Christ
- 1.2 The Inspiration of the Scriptures
- 1.3 Christian Fellowship and related matters
- Notes on Scripture
- The Lord's Supper and the Service of God – including:
- – The Will of God
- – My Brethren
- – Building
- – 2 Timothy 2: 19-22 – Reconsidered
- Christian Concerns – for young believers – consists of:
- – Spiritual Growth
- – Baptism
- – The Will of God
- – Assembly Relationships
- – Assembly Principles
- – Social Relationships
- Mark – The Divine Standard of Service
- John – Gospel of Recovery (chapters 1 – 4)
- Our Responsibility in the Present State of the Church
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The Memorabilia Series is a private collection consisting of varied material – some of wider interest than others, but all considered worth preserving – not specially related to any of the other series.
- I am the compiler of all the items, and author of all except No.'s 11-13 and 15.
Some extracts or details from this series can be found in the Memorabilia group or the Doctrine group.
- *A Life in His Favour – Reminiscences
- *A Book of Remembrance
- *Recent Ministry – A Catalogue
- Ministry by J. B. Stoney – A Catalogue
- Ministry by F. E. Raven – A Catalogue
- *Ministry by J. Taylor – A Catalogue
- Ministry by G. R. Cowell and others – A Catalogue
- *Ministry by Various Servants – A Catalogue
- Authors of Hymns and Spiritual Songs
- for the Little Flock, 1973-93 – A Register
- Church History – A Bibliography
- New Birth and Eternal Life – James Boyd
- and The Incarnation of the Son – James Boyd
- A. E. Hyldahl – A Voice from the Past
- John and Mary Steen – A Memorial
- Tunes for Hymns and Spiritual Songs
- for the Little Flock, 1973-93 – Suggestions
- Religious Festivals – The Scriptural Viewpoint
* Proposed only. .Others are incomplete. Most now appear in 'My Brethren'.
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This project – far from completion – is in two stages
- reviewing tunes in the 'Little Flock' tune books – 1932, 1954, 1965, 1979 – and assigning tunes to each hymn in the 1973 Re-selection and in the 1993 Supplement.
- The results will be part of 'The Memorabilia Series' – No.14, 'Tunes for Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the Little Flock, 1973-93 – Suggestions".
- translating the tunes into computer piano music,
- and then recording them on audio cassettes.
November 2003: The demands of this 'My Brethren' site – as noted in the Introduction above – have been such that this project has not proceeded in its original form.
- However, this work does continue on 'My Brethren'.
- History: Hymn Book 4 now has the Words for the 1973 Re-Selection and my 1993 Supplement and suggested tunes for many of the hymns.
- Suggested tunes for the balance of the hymns will be added as research time permits.
- It also has the Music for tunes assigned to hymns 1-55 in MIDI format – converted from my original ROL files.
- Further tunes will be added on format conversion or from other reliable sources.
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