MB Guest Book 13: Jan. – June 2005

Les George
les.george2ATntlworld.com
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England
Sat, 1 Jan 2005

[See the Mailbox]

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Robert Boyd
robert.boydATgeltron.com
Irving, Scotland
Wed, 5 Jan 2005

[See the Mailbox]

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Lorraine Hedges
jeffandlorraineATjeffhedges.com
Swindon, England
Tue, 11 Jan 2005

[See the Mailbox – also under Lesley Watson]

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Martin Ortus
ortusATmyway.com
London, England
Fri, 14 Jan 2005

Hello,
I have been visiting the My Brethren site regularly for a couple of years now and have read through a fair proportion of the material. Although I was raised within another Christian tradition, I have found that a lot of the information I have discovered about the way brethren follow the Lord resonates with me.

I would be interested in making contact with a local fellowship of believers where I could worship and find out more 'in person' about the brethren. Do you, or any of the people, who visit the site, have any advice about the best next step for me to make? Many thanks in advance for your advice.

Yours in the Lord, Martin.

To: Martin Ortus
Wed, 19 Jan 2005

Dear Martin,
Glad to have contact with you and be able to welcome you personally.

I will forward your request to a brother in the London Area who will be able to help you. In the meantime perhaps you will be free to share something of your background.

Yours in the Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Henry Senior
hcseniorAThotmail.com
New Zealand
Thu, 3 Feb 2005

Dear Brother Gordon,
You may not remember me, so I better fill in for you. I am Henry Senior and in 1976 I and my wife Dorothy and son Julian (15 at that time) stayed with you and Betty for two or three days, and went to the meeting with you over the weekend. Remember?

We left the Jims in 1960 and have been with "Reading" fellowship since that time although we have had a number of breaks, sadly one just in the last couple years. We can say, however, the Lord has been good to us and, though in smaller numbers, still treasure the fellowship round His person.

I have just recently been aware of your site, and I note your close contact with Laurie Twinam, with whom I have had some communication.

• He was used of the Lord in the encouragement of a young man, Clive Barber, who left the Jims some 10 years or so ago and then, not a Christian, went around the world, became converted and then by the Lord's goodness met a young granddaughter of ours Rachel Senior, and they are now married in Melbourne and are very bright in their "marriage in the Lord".

I am still going over your site and will continue to do so.

• If you think some of the reasons we left the Jims would be of interest please let me know the character of the info that would be suitable.

• I am 82 and my wife 81. We left the Jims in 1960, having been breaking bread since I was 16.

I will look forward to a note from you. With love in the Lord Jesus from your brother and sister in Christ, Henry and Dorothy Senior.

To: Henry Senior
Mon, 7 Feb 2005

Dear Henry,
Betty and I remember well your visit with Dorothy and Julian and have often, over the years, wondered as to your welfare and are glad for your family news..

As you may have noticed on our 'Personal' page, we have gone through many exercises and, by His grace, have been brought back to the pursuit of truths we had once almost forsaken.

• We are both 75 and, as I am greatly retricted by arthritis, we expect, if the Lord will, to move into a local Christian retirement home in the near future.

As you peruse MB, I would particularly draw your attention to the profitable ministry of Mr. G. R. Cowell.

Yes, I think "some of the reasons we left the Jims would be of interest". As to "the character", our policy is to present matters objectively and free from emotion and invective.

You may have noticed that we have had occasional contact with Esli Forrest, Phil Hickmott and Phil Gasston.

Perhaps you would include your locality to complete our records.

Affectionately in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Linda Harris
ljoharrisATckt.net
United States
Tue, 8 Feb 2005

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.
I just found your site while searching for a bio on George Wigram. He is a man, a great believer I much admire and thank for his great work on the Englishmans' Greek Concordance.

God bless, In Christ, Linda Harris.

To: Linda Harris
Tue, 15 Feb 2005

Dear Linda,
Welcome to My Brethren.

We are glad to hear that you appreciate his [Mr. Wigram's] efforts as we do and invite you to review the rest of our website.

Yours in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Kay Pack
gwynthwilliamzATaol.com
England
Mon, 14 Feb 2005

Hello,
I wondered if you could tell me anything about my great-great grandfather William Abernethie.

• I know he owned a gentleman's outfitters, Abernethie and sons in Uxbridge Road, Ealing in the late 1800's early 1900's.

• I know my entire family were Brethren.

• His daughter Emily married William MacDonald. His father was Abraham Lockwood MacDonald.

Although I am not Brethren, I am a committed Christian and have been for 41 years.

Yours in Christ, Kay Pack.

To: Kay Pack
Tue, 15 Feb 2005

Dear Kay,
Sorry to report that we don't have any information on your great-grandfather William.

• We did find a record of both a Marcus R. and a Graham J. Abernethie at Ealing – who would have been alive in the 1950's or 60's – but unfortunately, no details to pass along.

I am going to copy this to a friend of ours in London as he may have more information than we are able to supply.

Please visit us again. We have some very fine and encouraging ministry.

Yours in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

To: Kay Pack
Wed, 16 Feb 2005

Dear Kay,
Having lived in or near the London area all my life and having worked for a few years near Ealing, I have a little knowledge of an Abernethie family.

The older Abernethie I knew – sadly it's in the past tense – was Norman who, I suspect was a son of William.

• I believe He ran an outfitter's shop: he was certainly in the retail clothes business.

• Norman's sons, both in the family business, were Marcus and Graham; they were both married, with several children; there was another unmarried son who was killed in a head-on car smash.

• There were at least two daughters, the younger called Rachel.

Unfortunately our ways parted in 1970 – because of extremism, of which you can learn on the MB website – and all contact was lost.

My personal knowledge is sketchy and, because of the lapse of time, names are difficult to recall. However, I have one or two friends who might recall more detail. If I find out more I will let you know.

I hope this, so far, is of some help.

With Christain regards, Reg Flowerdew.

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Katie Jarrett
katietasgalATgmail.com
Australia
Thu, 17 Feb 2005

Hi,
My name is Katie and I was wondering if you know of, or could you find out about any exclusive brethren churches in Queensland, Australia. I would be most greatful.

Thanks, Katie.

To: Katie Jarrett
Sun, 20 Feb, 2005

Dear Katie,
Welcome to 'My Brethren' and thank you for visiting.

Sorry, I don't have any firsthand information about meetings but I will be happy to forward your message to two friends of ours – one in the London area and another in Auckland – both of whom will have knowledge of any meetings in your area.

Please do keep in touch and let us know how your contact goes. We'd also enjoy hearing more about your background if you feel free to share a little bit of your history.

Yours in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

To: Katie Jarrett
Tue, 22 Feb, 2005

Dear Katie,
I'm sorry, I no longer have a contact in or near Queensland. I hope you find an answer to your query. Indeed, I hope you have direction from the Lord Jesus Himself.

With Christian regards, Reg Flowerdew.

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Traugott-Jaques
traugottjacquesATyahoo.com
Fri, 25 Feb 2005

Dear brethren,
I have been endeavouring to contact the Loizeaux Brothers publishing house in New Jersey but find that their phone numbers are no longer in service. Have they closed their doors, or could you give me some direction?

Thank you, Traugott-Jacques.

To: Traugott-Jaques
Tue, 1 Mar 2005

Dear Traugott-Jacques,
A search of the internet revealed that Loizeaux has apparently gone out of business. If there is anything specific you are looking for by way of ministry, we will do our best to point you in the right direction.

By the way, we wondered what your location is, if you are free to share it with us?

Yours in the Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Phyllis R. Westrup
rwestrupATaol.com
Fountain Valley, CA, USA
Sat, 12 Mar 2005

Dear Gordon,
I was writing because I am doing copyright research for a group of Christians who will be publishing a hymnbook later this year or early next year.

You have listed as one of the authors in the Little Flock hymnbook Alexander Carruthers. The hymn we would like to use is not there. The first line of the hymn we would like to use is "In goodness givest Thou." Do you know if his works are copyrighted and who might own the copyright if the Brethren do not?

You do have a hymn by L.G. Milner that we would like to use. The first line is "Thou, Lord, to death's domain." Is this hymn copyrighted?

Any information or help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Phyllis R. Westrup

To: Phyllis R. Westrup
Thu, 17 Mar 2005

Dear Phyllis,
Thank you for writing. I did some research through some of my hymn books at home and also searched The Cyber Hymnal and cannot seem to locate the hymn by Mr. Caruthers you mention. I will let you know if a phone call to a brother back east turns anything up. I wish I could be more helpful.

It is not customary for published ministry, hymns, notes, etc. to be copyrighted, the understanding being that these things ought to be freely available to all our brethren – please see a more detailed explanation under Copyright Information.

However, as we are not the publishers of "Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the Little Flock" it would be a nice gesture to contact the publisher, Kingston Bible Trust. Malcolm Withell, the manager, may be helpful locating information about this other hymn.

Yours in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Elizabeth Haworth
EAHWingraveATaol.com
Thelwall, Warrington, England
Wed, 23 Mar 2005

Dear Gordon Rainbow,
I am trying to find information about books/publications by Edward Denny. I have a list of his books but have not been able to trace any of them. I am particularly interested to locate any, especially "Forgiveness Seventy and Sevenfold".

Thank you for you help, Elizabeth Haworth.

To: Elizabeth Haworth
Sun, 27 Mar 2005

Dear Elizabeth,
Thanks for your enquiry. Unfortunately, we are not a bookseller or publisher. I have ordered various things from the following booksellers at one time or another, perhaps you will have success with one of them:

Chaper Two Books
Stem Publishing
James Drummond Bookseller
Stone Publishing Trust
Bibles and Publications

Hope that is helpful.

Yours in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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LaViece Smallwood
lavieceATnefcom.net
McClenny, FL, USA
Tue, 22 Mar 2005

I am looking for information on the Darby family of Kells, Prioty, Kilkenny Ireland and came across your site.

I am following the lineage of John Lionell Darby who came to America as an immigrate, married Clara Hemmingway and eventually moved to Flrida where he settled and the town became Darbyville. His dauther married Carr McClenny and the town's name was changed to McClenny after Darby moved to Starke Bradford, Florida where he is buried. I found out his father's name is Christopher Darby and the mother Mary Boyle. They married in 1831. Christopher died in 1874.

Are you the one putting the Darby book together? Where can I get a copy? We are building a Historical Village in McClenny and one section is called Darbyville. I need the information right away.

Thanks, LaViece Smallwood.

To: LaViece Smallwood
Sun, 27 Mar 2005

Dear LaViece,
Thanks for your interesting letter. Everything we have available regarding Mr. Darby is posted on the site.

Sorry we do not actually have any other publications. We are not the publisher of Max Weremchuk's biography of John Nelson Darby and it is long out of print, though it is possible to find it for sale over the web now and again. Amazon was carrying used copies for over $120 USD -- very expensive!

I will forward your letter to Max and if he comes up with any interesting connections for you, I'm sure he will write if he has the time. Otherwise you are welcome to print anything on our site for your own private use.

Yours in the Lord Jesus, Gordon.

[Max made contact. It was not the same Darby family.]

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Madeline Swann
SwannFamilyATblueyonder.co.uk
Twickenham, England
Sat, 16 Apr 2005

Good evening.
I found your Website whilst trying to find out about the Plymouth Brethren as my maternal grandfather's family were Plymouth Brethren.

My great grandfather was married in Plymouth Registry office on 25th August 1877 and I wondered if that was because he was a member of the Plymouth Brethren and therefore did not marry in the Established Church. Would some one be able to tell me if this is so?

• His name was James William Runnalls and his wife was Frances Barnes and she was from Alton, Hampshire.

• Also at least one of their three daughters married in a Registry Office so I have wondered if they were Plymouth Brethren too.
  • She was Lilian – Lily – May Runnalls who married Cyril Wilkinson on 28th August 1913 at Richmond, Surrey.

My mother told me that her father had not been in contact with some of his siblings as they were members of the Plymouth Brethren. I am trying to trace some of the family and wondered whether any one on this site would be able to assist.

I have a fair amount of information as to where the family lived although they started married life in Berwick on Tweed as James William Runnalls was in the coast guard service. They spent time in Caister, Hartlepool and then lived around the Greater London area.

If you require further information or Christian names of the rest of the Runnalls family, I would be pleased to supply the information.

Many thanks, Madeleine Swann.

To: Madeline Swann
Thu, 21 Apr 2005

Dear Madeline,
Thank you for writing.

You're right. Any requirement the law imposed would have been met by brethren marrying through a government official rather than a member of the Church of England or another dissenting group.

• This is still the common practice.

• Afterward, the more important 'marriage meeting' would be held with local brethren where fellowship with the marriage is acknowledged by the brethren.

Sadly, there were different factions of brethren and they were not often well known to each other.

• Sorry that we don't have any specific information about Mr. Runnalls, but perhaps someone will see his name in your post and write to you, which we encourage.

Yours in the Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Mark Alamangos
markalamangosATbigpond.com
Sydney, Australia
Thu, 27 Apr 2002

Dear Gordon,
I came across your website the other day, just by way of interest, to see if there was a website that included the Exclusives, and spent hours looking at various names, events, ministry etc.,

• and was wondering if you may have some answers on the whereabouts of a number of brethren and meetings rooms still around.

• My father along with Nelson Joyce, Rex Grace, Norman Olsson and Howard Green and many others, at that time felt the need to continue in the breaking of bread and meeting together

• but after a period of 12 months we had found that we were holding onto "exclusive principles" and linked on to the 59er's – those that had left along with G. R. Cowell – and there were a great number in Sydney (Cheltenham), Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Auckland and Christchurch, who were meeting at that time.

• Over the years the numbers had dwindled and in 1984 I travelled to the UK, Europe and USA and met with many brethren who were still meeting.

• Isle of Wight, New Milton, Colwyn Bay, Darlington, Gosforth, Alnwick where Phil and Nancy Scott lived, Dundee, Edinburgh, Peterhead, Gardenstown where George "Fushie" West lived, Inverness, Ayr, Oslo, Hamburg, San Fransisco – Arthur Widtfeldt, Los Angeles – David Wiseman, Auckland – David and Helen Church.

• These cities mainly included the 59er's as their beginnings but over the years many of them had some of the 'Strangs' join them. I think this happened in the USA.

• This list may be too huge to follow up but I thought with your vast library of communication and names you might know if these people and meetings still exist.

Thank you again for your informative website.

Yours in Christ, Mark and Cynthia Alamangos.

P.S. I don't hold any bitterness for the past. In fact I thank God for wonderful teaching. The place and time of my conversion was at Parramatta meeting hall when Harry Gale preached on Luke 15 back in 1963.

• I feel the sorrow of those that had been hurt by many 'injuries' but the Lord's command is not to give up the assembling of yourselves together.

To: Mark Alamangos
Fri, 29 Apr 2002

Dear Mark,
Welcome to 'My Brethren'. Thanks for your full and interesting inquiry and for sharing your personal details and exercises. It is certainly encouraging that you do not hold the "bitterness" that corrodes many souls.

I have little personal current knowledge of the brethren and localities you mention but can tell you this.

• Reports as to Arthur Widtfeldt have been received recently. Mailbox: Daniel Soukoreff, Nov. 7, 2004.

• David Church went to be with the Lord October 23, 2004. Site New: Bulletins.

As you will see, I'm also sending this to several brothers, with whom MB has contact, who may be able to give you some further information; and by this I'm requesting that any replies to you also be copied to me.

The present situation and the great scattering is sorrowful indeed. Certainly we should "lift up a prayer for the remnant that is left", Isaiah 37: 3-4. See Poetry: The Man in the Glory: The Remnant that is Left .

I'm glad you found MB of interest, trust you will return, and will look forward to hearing from you again

Betty joins in love in our Lord Jesus to you and Cynthia, Gordon.

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Marcelo Moraes da Silva
marcelobbcAThotmail.com
London, England
Thu, 28 Apr 2005

Hello!
My name is Marcelo, 24. Please note that I am not from the BBC.

I need a great help from you. Do you have the address of any Exclusive Brethren Church here in London?

Thank you very much! Marcelo.

To: Marcelo Moraes da Silva
Fri, 29 Apr 2005

Dear Marcelo,
I'll be happy to forward your request to some one who can help.

In the meantime, I'd be interested to hear about your background!

Thanks for writing.

Yours in the Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Anonymous 11
Wed, 11 May 2005

Dear Gordon,
… I was just trying to source a CD of JND's translation to listen to in the car: I travel for two hours every day and figured that I was losing out on reading time as a result but if I listened to this for those two hours every day it would perhaps help to get it into my mind in order for the Spirit to "bring to my remembrance" at a later date. I'm sure there are other translations available more readily but it JND which is best as you have obviously come to understand yourself. I see from the site that there is a couple who have done this already and would be interested in obtaining a copy but wasn't sure if this was available for general purchase or not? Do you have any further information on this or do they have an e-mail address where I can contact them directly (if this is "allowed" in the sense of not breaking any trust with them through providing this information to someone they don't know).

To: Anonymous 11
Wed, 11 May 2005

The guests who offered the CD of JND's translation are Andrew & Yvonne Gisbourne and their last email on file is —. As we have not heard from them in some time I'm not sure whether the address is current or the offer still stands. But feel free to contact them and please let us know the results.

In our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

Note: Please contact the Editors to get in touch with the Gisbournes. We will be happy to forward your mail to them.

Anonymous 13
Singapore
Sat, 11 Jun 2005

Hi,
Does Kingston Bible Trust publish in one book all the hymns that are recommended on your site, including the 1993 supplement?

Anonymous 13.

[Please see the Mailbox for reply and further correspondence]

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Eleanor Soltau
esoltau123ATbellsouth.net
New Orleans, LA, USA
Sun, 19 Jun 2005

I have been doing some personal research regarding the Brethren movement to gain a better understanding of my own heritage. Henry W Soltau, George Soltau and Henrietta Soltau were all part of Brethren history. I very much have enjoyed reading your web site. I couldn’t really tell if the correspondence on the web site continues or if what I am viewing is archived material. I will continue to watch and explore it.

Thanks, Eleanor Soltau.

To: Eleanor Soltau
Tue, 21 Jun 2005

Dear Eleanor,
Thanks for the nice comments regarding our site. In answer to your question, yes, the correspondence is up to date and on-going, we are happy to have many guests from all over the world including yourself!

I think one lesson the book of Genesis offers is that we ought to look into the origins of things and know where they came from. And as you have probably discovered the two direct references to Mr. H.W. Soltau we welcome you to explore and hope the other content will be edifying to you.

Yours in the Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Greg Morris
WearetrueIsraelATaol.com
Winterport, Maine, USA, 04496
Sat, 18 Jun 2005

Greetings Mr. Rainbow,
My name is Greg Morris. You don't know me, but I was hoping you maybe able to help me find some information

• Theidea of using letters (to confirm fellowship) from visiting brethren from other assemblies did this idea come from Scripture, or was it just a way to prevent a brother who is under discipline from visiting other assembles and breaking bread?

• Any thoughts you may have, I would like to hear them.

Thank you, Greg.

To: Greg Morris
Mon, 20 Jun 2005

Dear Greg,
Thanks for your inquiry. The use of letters of commendation is based on Romans 16: 1-2, 2 Corinthians 3: 1-3 and Philemon.

• The positive purpose is to introduce persons who are unknown to the meeting they are visiting.

• Not being known and not having a letter would indeed prevent fellowship with a person under discipline but that would not be the primary purpose.

I am adding a number of quotations as to letters of commendation from the ministry and letters of F. E. Raven, C. A. Coates and James Taylor Sr., which are featured on MB. Doctrine: Letters of Commendation.

• I hope you will find them helpful and look forward to hearing from you again.

In our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

From: Greg Morris
Mon, 20 Jun 2005

Gordon, Thank you for the information. I can't wait to get into some reading this evening.

I enjoyed a simple thought from prayer the other day. We see so much confusion today, many chasing after strange doctrines, but even so in such a day Christ is our peace.

Thanks again, Greg Morris

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Anonymous 12
Sun, 19 Jun 2005

Dear Sir,
I am interested to correspond with the Exclusive brethren. If you can be of any help in that area, please e-mail me back.

[Please see the Mailbox for reply and further correspondence]

Your guest entries and messages will show that the continuation of My Brethren is important to you