My Brethren: Online November 1998
“My brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it”, Luke 8: 21.
“He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies”,
Revelation 2: 7 …

INTRODUCTION

Site News reports timely, interesting and useful information. The original exercise, the site's backgound, its objectives and concerns for the future are on the Personal page.

• New material: History, Ministry, Studies, Biography, Doctrine, Memorabilia, Poetry, With Christ, etc. – will be posted and noted in New Activity from time to time.

• Guest Items: Guest Book, Mailbox and New Mail notice, Bulletins, My Answer and My Stand etc., will be updated as required.

Gordon Rainbow and Jeff Kuns

Betty, Gordon and Jeff, Toronto, April 2002

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<> NEWS  BULLETINS  <> My Brethren   •   Guests   •   General Interest
If it's your first visit, or it's been a while, check prior months below – and/or the Archives – for items you may have missed.
Mailbox:  AB     C    DEF   GHI   JKL   MNO    PQ     RS    TUV    W–Z Check the 'Mailbox' above for email from/to Contributors:

Bulletins:   MARCH  2008

WITH CHRIST: Joy Cooper writes that her father, IAN McDOWELL of Melbourne, an early correspondent with MB, is with the Lord by a stroke March 5, 2008.

WITH CHRIST: Robert Munster writes: JOYCE BARBER of Hornchurch was taken home last week. She was first diagnosed with cancer nearly a year ago and was given just 3 months to live. She remained bright throughout her illness, looking forward to being with the Lord, and was able to provide much encouragement to those who visited.

• I don't suppose you would have known her, but my reason for mentioning is that she was local with G. R. Cowell in his latter years and was able to share various memories of him. I see that Kenneth Barber prayed at GRC's burial.

• She remained in the Croham Hall connection to this day, with a few abroad – as does her husband Kenneth, who needs our prayers being left on his own now. They came/come regularly to our meetings, other than the breaking of bread.

• Mrs. Barber said during her illness, "The Lord is saying 'Arise, let us go hence' ".

• Incidentally, I learnt yesterday that she was brought up a Catholic, but was displaced at the age of 16 into the household of a brother, which is how she came into fellowship.

Religious Holidays: If you are concerned as to the rightness of observing holidays at this and other times of the year see Doctrine: Religious Holidays and Guests: My Stand 4: The Testimony and Religious Holidays.

Bulletins:   NOVEMBER  2007

MB ANNIVERSARY: This month is the 9th anniversary of 'My Brethren' – and by God's mercy, I will be 78 years of age on November 11.

• Your continued prayers for us will be appreciated. We thank God that Betty keeps reasonably well but my health continues to decline. With hearing problems, arthritis and AMD (Age-related Mascular Degeneration) in one eye, I have had to give up driving. Work on MB is increasingly difficult.
  • Pray for Jeff that his business load may be lightened allowing him freedom more time for work on MB and for contacts.

  • We are still praying that the Lord will provide a committed and qualified brother or sister – who shares our concerns and outlook – to take on some of the scanning and formatting.

• Appropriate and relevant 'History', 'Ministry' and 'Doctrine' articles will contiue to be added as the Lord enables us.

• Our prayer is that 'My Brethren' may be used for the comfort, edification, encouragement and enlightment of all of His brethren.

G.A.R.

Bulletins:   OCTOBER  2007

Visit: Monday, October 15: We had a short but pleasant visit from Ken and Hazel Hollands of Lytham St. Anne's, England. They had been visiting the Coldricks in Rochester and were going on to Tom and Pat Hawkins in Pennsylvania.

Bulletins:   SEPTEMBER  2007

WITH CHRIST: Our old and valued friend and brother, Neil Short, went to be with His Lord on September 12, 2007.

• Neil was in his 80's and had served the Lord for many years. For the last several years he had suffered from several types of cancer, but is now happily released.

• Betty and I enjoyed many happy times with Neil and Edith in earlier years, in our home and in theirs, and pray for the comfort only Christ can give to our dear sister. GAR

Bulletins:   JULY  2007

Visit: Friday, July 6: David Crozier and his grandson Connor, of Northern Ireland, brought our disabled brother Walter Fleming, whom they were visiting, for a short but very welcome time together.

• We had nor been able to see Walter for a year as we live a substantial distance apart.

• It was a joy to see them and our very dear friends Lucy Ng, Jeremy and Rachel, who joined us.

Bulletins:   MAY  2007

WITH CHRIST: Our old friend, John Mathison, went to be with His Lord on May 17th, in his 92nd year.

• John was a son of the late J. Gordon Mathison, well known among the brethren for his work in the glad tidings. See With Christ.

Kingston Bible Trust: KBT has a new book in stock:

Selected Ministry Volume 6, 1957-58 Final Volume

"This is bound in cloth and is a further selection of ministry, now mainly out of print, by various authors, and considered to be of particular value. 618 pages. Price £9.00 per copy including postage and packing." See The KBT Report for contents and ordering information.

Visit: Wednesday, May 2: We had a welcome visit from Sarah Clarke and her sister Elizabeth (Mrs. Bryan) Peebles of Victoria BC. We had only seen Elizabeth and Bryan once, in 2004, since they were newlyweds in 1971 – and it was the first time we had seen Sarah since she was in our home in 1971 as a young girl of 19. Obviously we had much to share together.

• Later we all went next door to Bethany Lodge – adjoining Bethany Manor – to visit old friends, Rosemary (Devenish) Harding and Flora (Heggie) Hartford (93).

Bulletins:   APRIL  2007

More Good News re Daniel Soukoreff:

Tuesday, April 24, 2007. Daniel writes:

Hi Jeff
As far as my health the doctor had me jump on the treadmill for a stress test just to see how good a sewing job they did on my bypass operation. I was not so keen about doing it but then I thought better at the hospital than hiking on some mountain side. So he wanted 9 minutes and a heart rate up to 140 bpm – I finished at 12 minutes and a heart rate of 180 bpm with no chest pain. So he was very pleased and so was I.

Bulletins:   MARCH  2007

More Good News re Daniel Soukoreff:

Tuesday, March 6, 2007. Daniel writes:

Hi Gordon & Jeff,
By God's good & gracious hand, and the prayers of many of God's people and the skill of the doctors and nurses, I am now though a very serious operation and have recovered enough to start working.

• I would like to thank you and all who have prayed for my family and me, we truly felt uplifted.

• Watching many step into eternity around me was very sobering, but the Lord gave many opportunities to speak to different ones. Somehow the atmosphere in the critical care unit was a very suitable background for speaking about eternal matters.

• As far as practical help, we have been very effected by the kindness of God's people, all are needs have been more than fully met.

Your brother in Christ, Daniel.

Dear Daniel,
How good to hear from you personally again! We rejoice with you in the God's goodness and faithfulness in raising you up to health and strength for your family, your business needs, and especially for your place in the testimony of our Lord.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to 'My Brethren' from time to time.

Affectionately in our Lord Jesus, Gordon and Jeff.

Bulletins:   FEBRUARY  2007

Good News re Daniel Soukoreff: Sunday, February 11, Susan Soukoreff writes:

Dear Friends and Family,
It is with great joy that I report that dear Dan is back in the bosom of his family. It was an emotional homecoming for him because, as he said, it so easily could have turned out otherwise.

• Praise the Lord for His mercy to Dan in bringing him safely through this ordeal. He arrived home at about 2:00pm this afternoon.

It is quite amazing that he should be up and walking and home again so soon after a quintuple (5) bypass. How thankful we are for the skill and care of the surgical and nursing team.

• He is still weak and will have to take it easy and be very careful not to get any incisions infected. He has not been sleeping too well, but I am sure being home in his own bed will have a good effect.

Once again, many thanks to everyone for all your love, concern and prayers.It meant so much to Daniel, Kerstin and the children as well as myself.

Tuesday, February 6, Susan Soukoreff writes:

Hello Everyone,
I am happy to report that Dan's surgery is over. The surgeon is very pleased and said Dan's heart is working well (they did an ultrasound while he was still on the operating table) and there is little sign of any damage from his previous heart attack.

• Kerstin and I were able to see Dan, but of course he was unconscious and hooked up to machines, including a tube in his throat to help him breathe. They hope by tomorrow, the tubes will be out and he will be able to be moved out of the ICU unit.

• We want to express to all of you our sincere thanks for all the interest, concern and the many prayers which have gone up for Daniel. We told the surgeon that many people had been praying for Dan and also for him. He said "Well that must be why it was so successful". The surgeon was quite a young man and very relaxed and encouraging about the whole process. What a gift to be able to perform such intricate surgery. How we thank God for preserving dear Dan to us.

Bulletins:   JANUARY  2007

Prayer for Daniel Soukoreff: January 25, Susan Soukoreff writes:

Hi Gordon and Betty,
I wanted to send you this update on Dan's health. Susan

Kerstin called to say Dan was at VGH and was already on the table for the angiogram, so I left immediately for Vancouver.

• Unfortunately, the news is not good. Dan will have to have a quadruple bypass as four arteries are blocked. The one where the previous stent was is 100% blocked and others in varying degrees between 20% to 70%. They will take veins out of his arms to replace the clogged arteries. It is very major surgery, but the prognoisis is good and the surgeons at VGH are very skilled.

• The plan was to bring him back to Ladner by ambulance, but as they were transferring him he got more pain, so the doctor phoned Kerstin and told her they would keep him at VGH overnight. He would then come out to Delta Hospital to wait for the operation which looks like it will be either next Thursday [Feb. 1] or possibly Wednesday [Jan. 31]. Poor Kerstin, she has set out to go back to VGH just to sit with him. [Operation delayed till Monday, February 5.]

• He will be off work for seven weeks (this week waiting and six after the surgery). Hopefully, Elizabeth, his engraver, will be able to manage the work with help from Greg with the metal plates. Not sure how he will manage the quotes, etc. but maybe could do that from home with a laptop once he is feeling a bit better.

• That is all the news for now. I know you will all keep him in your prayers.

Bulletins:   DECEMBER  2006

Problems with Internet Explorer: We apologize for any confusion which may be caused by the new update to Internet Explorer. IE7 is causing problems in the operation and viewing of My Brethren. As a temporary solution you may navigate using the page menus rather than the blue menus on the left hand of the frame. You may also wish to download a browser other than Internet Explorer such as Firefox 2 from Mozilla. We hope to have the issue resolved soon.

Bulletins:   NOVEMBER  2006

VISIT: On November 24-26, we had a very welcome visit from Daniel Soukoreff who had accompanied his mother Susan, who came to Toronto to be with her sister who is having chemotheraphy.

• Daniel stayed in the Guest Suite in the adjacent Bethany Courts and so we were able to spend many pleasant hours with him, as well as one day with Susan, reminiscing and exchanging news of brethren.

• We had an earlier visit from Susan in 1999 but had never met Daniel personally although encouraged by his frequent contributions to MB.

• Interestingly, Daniel recognized some regular visitors – whom we had not met – to one of our Bethany manor residents: Hal and Sharon Promm of Pickering. Hal is a son of MB guest Heino Promm.

TELEPHONE: Enjoyed a brotherly telephone call on November 24 from David Mutton of Stone Publishing Trust who was in Rochester, NY, visiting the Phil Coldrick family; Beccy is David's daughter.

MB ANNIVERSARY: This month is the 8th anniversary of 'My Brethren' – and in the mercy of God, I will be 77 years of age on November 11.

• Your continued prayers for me as my health and eyesight declines, and for this service are appreciated.
  • Pray for Jeff as his business demands increase – and my ability to help decreases.

  • We are in need of one or more committed and qualified brothers and/or sisters – who share our concerns and outlook – to take on some of the scanning and formatting.

• We will continue to add appropriate and relevant 'History', 'Ministry' and 'Doctrine' articles as the Lord enables us.

• Our hope is that MB may continue to be used for the comfort, edification, encouragement and enlightment of all of His brethren.

G.A.R.

Bulletins:   OCTOBER  2006

PRAYER REQUEST and ANSWER: The following was received from MB's friend and frequent correspondent Daniel Soukoreff:

Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 10:46 AM

Subject: Hope Gasston

I think that most of you know Phil and Ruth Gasston from New Zealand. We received word late Saturday night that their 10-year old daughter was hit in the right eye by stone thrown up by a lawn mower.

• The stone, about 8 mm by 5 mm went all the way to the back of the eye socket and destroyed the eye. She was initially taken to hospital in Whangerei (about an hour or more from Kerikeri) but then moved to Auckland.

• There, surgeons operated to remove the stone and the eye. There is some infection in the eye socket and doctors are concerned that it could spread and result in loss of the other eye. At the moment the risk is not that great, but the doctors are concerned about this possibility.

• Ruth is staying with Hope at the hospital in Auckland, and Phil has stayed behind in Kerikeri.

In addition to prayer for Hope and her parents and family, would you please pray that the infection may be stopped and that the pain subsides.

• It would also be great if the brethren could send cards or letters to the family. If you wish to do so, here are the addresses of Phil and Ruth, and Ruth's parents, Esli and Judith Forrest. [The addresses are not shown here but can be obtained by request from 'My Brethren'.]

• If you know of others who know Phil and Ruth, please pass on this information to them.

Hi Gordon, I received the following update from —— on Hope.
Yours in Christ, Daniel.

Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 12:55 PM

Subject: Update on Hope Gasston

I spoke with Ruth Gasston last night and inquired about Hope. She said that she is home and in good spirits.

• Contrary to what we had heard earlier, the eye has not been removed as yet. In a few days, she will go back down to Auckland for an operation to remove it and approximately a month later or so, she will get a glass eye. She is still on antibiotics but otherwise doing well.

• Ruth expressed their appreciation for the prayers for Hope and for the family.

Subject: Further Update on Hope Gasston

Hi — and —,

Thanks for the email and the phone call. We have experienced the Lord's blessing over the last couple of weeks in a wonderful way really.

• We went to Auckland on Tuesday with the intent of taking Hope's eye out and replacing it with a prosthetic eye. Somehow the Christians generally in Kerikeri found out about her terrible accident and it has been amazing the people praying and sending cards to Hope and phone calls from people we don't even know. When we got to the Prosthetic eye surgeon on Tuesday he examined her eye and make the most remarkable statement I have ever heard in all my life.

• We had another appointment booked for the Thursday to see the top surgeon in the hospital. He called him immediately and got him out of surgery and brought him into the examination. He then stated that somehow the eye had healed so much that they were now strongly recommending that the eye be NOT removed and that it was even possible for her to naturally get a little bit of sight back in her traumatized eye. Ruth and I sat their with our mouths open! We could not believe it! Oh we of little faith!

• They then proceeded to tell us that because of the kind of healing that had taken place there would be little chance that the eye would shrink and the cosmetics of the eye would be fine and that the sympathetic eye condition where the other eye can loose sight because of trauma in the other eye, would be very unlikely to happen.

• So, we are thanking the Lord for answering prayer. I know in it all God is speaking to me and the horror of having such an accident take place is being superseded by the great lessons that the Lord is teaching us, which I trust we can learn. She will need no more operations (Their may have been 2 or 3 if she had to have the eye out) and if anything does go wrong in the future they can re visit the whole thing at a later date.

• Hope is very pleased with not having to have her eye out. She has really been very strong through it all. Anna-Maree told us all along that she didn't think the Lord would take her eye. It has done wonderful things in the family and really pulled the kids together. We need to pray now that the story going around the school and the local community is a witness to people generally, and that the Lord will continue to work in the lives of our children.

Trust you are all well. Love in Christ, Phil Gasston.

Note: See also email from Phil in the Mailbox.

Subject: Further Update on Hope Gasston

Wed, 25 Oct 2006

Hi Gordon,
Just to let you know that Hope is now out of hospital and doing well. She will not see out of the eye but they have decided that they do not need to remove it at least not yet. They hope it will heal up well enough not to remove and that it will not adversely effect the other eye. She has to wear a cover over it until healing is complete.

Thanks for your email, and love to all, Esli.

Bulletins:   AUGUST  2006

Anniversary: In the mercy and grace of our God, Betty and I had our 55th anniversary on August 28, 2006. We were cheered to be able to have dinner and a visit with our dear friends Kee and Lucy Ng, and Jeremy, 15, and Rachel, 12. GAR.

Bulletins:   JULY  2006

Kingston Bible Trust: Received KBT's July 2006 Catalogue. You may download this pdf.

Visit: On Friday, July 7, we had a short but cheering visit from David Crozier and his 16 year old grandson, Niall, of Warrenpoint, North Ireland.

• They were in Canada to visit Walter Fleming, David's brother-in-law, and brought him along. We had not been able to see Walter for over a year as he is in long term care at some distance.   GAR

Bulletins:   JUNE  2006

Visit: On Friday, June 23, Betty and I had a most welcome visit from our very dear old friends, Noel and Margaret Brien of Victoria BC – formerly of Calgary and earlier of Cambridge/Galt, Ontario – and spent several hours exchanging news and reminiscing of earlier and better times.

• They had come east particularly to visit Margaret's aunt Joan Morris, now 96 and living in a retirement home in Hamilton. They also visited many other old friends in the Hamilton and Toronto area, all well known to us.   GAR

Visit: On Friday, June 2, Betty and I had a very enjoyable visit with Phil and Beccy Coldrick, and Matthew (11) as they were enroute to Toronto Airport from Rochester, NY.

• Beccy – a daughter of David Mutton of Stone Publishing Trust – and Matthew had been with Phil for two weeks checking on housing and schools in preparation for returning at the end of July.

• Phil's job with Kodak was recently transferred from the UK to Rochester.   GAR

Bulletins:   MAY  2006

With Christ: On May 13, our brother Danny Paul of India, in his 89th year, beloved husband of our contributor Lila Paul, went to be with Christ.

Bulletins:   APRIL  2006

Ministry on CD: Kingston Bible Trust now has a new CD-ROM of ministry. They say:

• "The disk now includes JT, and the cost is £60, the same as before. If you had the JBS/FER/CAC disk at full price (not earlier disks) we can do an upgrade disk for £10."

• Previous Bulletins are in the Archives.

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<>  NEW   ACTIVITY  <> New Mail   •  Major Additions and Changes
If it's your first visit, or it's been a while, check earlier months below – and/or the Archives – and * Guest Book 17 and previous. Note: Canada–USA locations of correspondents are not shown below. All Guest Book entries are acknowledged and further information welcomed. We regret there is often no reply. Further correspondence is in the ' Mailbox'.

: : :   April - June 2008   : : :

Ministry: J. N. Darby 4: This new page has six 'Lectures on the Second Coming of Christ' – delivered at Toronto, no date.

J.N.D. said elsewhere, "I have, in the lectures delivered at Toronto, stated my views at length as to the Lord's coming, and the divine purposes and plans in connection with that great event".

• These lectures not only deal with the rapture but with the full extent of the Lord's second coming
  
  • in connection with the restoration of Israel,
  • to take up His rights and set up His kingdom,
  • to judge corrupt Christendom and the nations,
  • and to finally deal with Satan.

Ministry: J. N. Darby 3: This new page has 'Seven Lectures on the Prophetical Addresses to the Seven Churches' – delivered in London, 1852.

• These 'lectures' – as they were called in those days – are from his oral ministry, and are surprisingly easy to follow.

• They come through just as fresh as when delivered in 1852 and open up, not only the details of the letters themselves but, the background of the divine ways in an edifying and intensely challenging manner.

Ministry: J. Taylor 4: Added a fine address "Sovereignty and Mutuality", Peterhead, Scotland, 1926. "And they gave him part of a broiled fish and of a honeycomb", Luke 24: 42.

Ministry: J. Taylor 9: This new page has 'The Divine Standard of Service', 6 readings in 2 Corinthians, Barnet, 1929, with 2 addresses, 'Spirituality as in John's Gospel' and 'Transparency'.

• In Reading 3 JT summarized: "Our subject is really the relation of the ministry to the minister, and the relation of the minister to the ministry.

• "This epistle interweaves those two thoughts in an exceptional way, that is, the personality or character of the minister as bearing on the ministry, and vice versa, the bearing of the ministry upon the minister himself; much was said, too, about personality hinging on sonship, whether in Christ or in us."

: : :   January - March 2008   : : :

Poetry: The Man in the Glory: Added 6 fine poems of Mr. E. H. Chater, contributed by Stone Publishing Trust.

Ministry: F. W. Trussler: This new page has an excellent addresss on 'The Sufferings of Christ', Croydon, 1959, contributed by Stone Publishing Trust.

Ministry: J. Taylor 8: This new page has 'Genealogical Registry in a Day of Departure', 5 readings in 2 Timothy, Belfast, 1919.

If we are to serve God acceptably – on His terms – it is essential that we be able to establish our spiritual genealogy.

• This is all the more important in view of the state of the public church.

• These readings in 2 Timothy provide invaluable guidance.

Ministry: J. Taylor 7: This new page has 'Divine Persons and our Relationships with Them', 5 readings in the gospels and epistles, Toronto, October 1948.

It should hardly be necessary to say that spiritual intelligence as to Divine Persons and our relationships with Them is essential if we are to serve rightly

1. in our approach to men with the gospel, and
   
2. especially in our approach to God in worship.

The nature of those relationships and their implications are thoroughly examined in five readings.

• Those who are concerned about such matters – and who will say they are not? – will find needed help in following these readings.

Ministry: J. B. Stoney 3: This new page has 'Lessons of the Sanctuary', 7 readings in 1889 starting with 'The Lord's Presence and Its Characteristics'.

• JBS said, "In submitting to my brethren in Christ the notes of lectures, on the blessing conferred by the Lord in the midst of His own gathered to His name, I desire to awaken interest in this great subject, assured that it is as we know Him, 'Son over his own' [God's] 'house', that we in every detail correspond to His pleasure here.

• "May every reader of these notes be not only helped by them, but may he learn much more from the Lord for himself. 'Unto you that hear shall more be given' ".

Doctrine: Local Assembly Administration – Added an informative reading with J. Taylor in Edinburgh, 1937.

Ministry: A. J. Gardiner 1: Added 3 addresses, 'Spiritual Elements Essential in Localities', 'Our Outlook in Closing Days' and 'Sitting'.

Ministry: J. Taylor 2: Added 'The Introduction of the Gospel into Europe', Bristol, July 1919, a challenging and instructive gospel address.

Ministry: J. Taylor 6: This new page has 'The Ministry of Elisha in its Practical Value', 5 readings in 1 and 2 Kings, Toronto, October 1950.

• These are the meetings at which singing at the care meeting and the rightness of the sisters being present came out and were confirmed.

• I was 20 years old at the time. JT was then in his 81st year and obviously frail – but I was deeply impressed with the dignity and simplicity of the way he opened up the Scriptures.   GAR

: : :   December 2007   : : :

Biography: J. Taylor – Replaced the contents of the New Series under 'His Ministry' with a full table of contents for the 100 volumes. A review will give some concept of the breadth and depth of his distinctive and valuable ministry of some 50 years.

Doctrine: Marriage and Divorce – Added 'Marriage in the Lord' a wide-ranging reading with J. Taylor, AMH, AEM, PL and other leading servants, in Sydney, 1939.

Ministry: G. V. Wigram: This new page has the incisive article, 'On Heresy', which may well be the most widely quoted of all Mr. Wigram's writings.

• It is generally used to apply to others, but it is hoped that MB's guests – as we ourselves seek to do – will apply it to themselves first.

Ministry: P. H. Hardwick - Part 2 – This new page has three fine addresses: 'Opened Eyes', Restfulness' and 'The Glory of Descending Love', this last of particular worth.

• They are taken from the valuable, now out-of-print, book 'The Glory of Descending Love', addresses in New Zealand in 1947.

Ministry: P. H. Hardwick - Part 3 – This new page has a further three addresses: 'The Acceptable Year of the Lord', "All Night Unto The Morning", 'Awaking Out Of Sleep' from 'The Glory of Descending Love', New Zealand, 1947.

Ministry: P. H. Hardwick - Part 4 – This new page has the final three addresses: 'The Saints Delivered From Satan's Attacks', 'The Coming of the Lord' and 'Renewal' from 'The Glory of Descending Love', New Zealand, 1947.

: : :   November 2007   : : :

Ministry: C. A. Coates - Part 4 - The Tabernacle in Exodus 25-29 - Its Typical Teaching: This new page is an extract from the 'Outline of Exodus'.

Mr. Coates' notes are presented here with the conviction that they open up the significance of the Tabernacle

• – both the glories of the Lord Jesus Christ and the formation of the features of Christ in the saints –

• in an edifying and challenging depth and detail beyond what is generally known.

Ministry: C. A. Coates - Part 5 - The Offerings in Leviticus 1-7 - Their Typical Teaching: This new page is an extract from the 'Outline of Leviticus'.

Mr. Coates' closing words on this page are

• "How sad that so many believers should look at these types as belonging to a past dispensation, and now past and done with!

• "The truth is they are precious instruction for us, and divinely intended to be so. They are instruction in Christ and in the knowledge of God. May the Lord enable us to consider these things, and if we do so He will give us understanding!"

: : :   October 2007   : : :

Ministry: F. E. Raven - Part 4 - Christianity in its Moral Characterisrics: This new page has four 'lectures' given in 1895 on Light, Liberty, Life and Testimony in Unity.

• If you are only used to the great truths of Scripture being presented from man's side and for man's benefit, you will find this presentation of the moral characteristics of Christianity enlightening and quite likely challenging to previously cherished views.

• While the great benefits of the gospel to man are not to be undervalued, there is great enlargement of spiritual apprehension in seeing the grand primary purposes of God in securing, through the work of Christ and the Spirit, that which is for Himself and His eternal glory.

Doctrine: The Assembly: Added a challenging 1895 reading with F. E. Raven on 1 Corinthians 12 and 13, 'The Coming Together of the Assembly'.

• "It is a great thing to see that in Scripture there is no such thing as an Assembly-meeting … There is no such thing as an appointed order of meeting, a system of meetings arranged and settled; prayer-meeting, reading, etc., all that kind of thing is not known in Scripture".

Ministry: J. Taylor - Part 5 - Prayer: Characterisric of the Perfect Man: This new page has six readings and two addresses in Wellington, N.Z., 1925.

• The four main readings take up the seven instances of the Lord praying in Luke's gospel showing that they
  • "have a constructive bearing, not in regard to His Person, but in regard to the example He sets, and the results that accrue from prayer as seen in these various instances".

History: Hymn Book - Part 5 - Subject Index: This new page has a 'Subject Index ' to the 1973 Hymn Book/1993 Supple­ment.

• The index was compiled in 1993 with the hope that brethren would find it useful in becoming better acquainted with the many excel­lent hymns available, and that this would result in spiritual enrich­ment in the service of God and in the gather­ings of the saints.

: : :   September 2007   : : :

Ministry: F. S. Marsh: Added 16 early 1900's articles by Mr. Marsh including 'Followers of Jesus', 'The Greatness of the Gospel' and 'Features of the Early Converts'.

• Mr.Marsh's ministry will be found particularly helpful by those younger in the faith.

Ministry: H. F. Nunnerley: This new page has 'The Truth of the Assembly – Light, Experience, Teaching', six readings and an address by Mr. Nunnerley in Australia in 1938.

• On November 7, 1939, Mr. J. Taylor wrote from New Zealand, "Everywhere in this land and Australia there is evidence of good results from Mr. Nunnerley's ministry, for which we thank God".

History: Aberdeen - A House Divided - 1970 on: This new page has the background and the issues at Aberdeen in July 1970; plus a selection of letters re those who the separated from the legal sect, the short-lived period of hope that followed and the subsequent 1972 Edinburgh crisis and division.

: : :   August 2007   : : :

Ministry: Russell Besley: This new page has ten addresses from the early 1900's by Mr. Besley, including 'Christ Loved by the Father' and 'Waiting upon God'.

Ministry: A. M. Hayward: This new page has six addresses from the early 1900's by Mr. Hayward, including 'Laws of the Kingdom'.

Ministry: E. J. McBride: This new page has 11 addresses from the early 1900's by Mr. McBride, including the challenging 4-part series 'The Return of the Glory'.

Ministry: J. H. Trevvett: This new page has eight addresses from the early 1900's by Mr. Trevvett, including the excellent 'The Greatness of Christ'.

Guests: My Stand 6 – Added 'Banning of Television: Background and various considerations' in reply to an inquiry.

: : :   July 2007   : : :

Doctrine: The Lord's Table, Lord's Supper and Service of God: This new page has articles by J. N. Darby, F. E. Raven, C. A. Coates and J. Taylor.

While the Lord's Table, the Lord's Supper and the Service of God may well be treated as separate matters, they are intimately related and are therefore presented together on this extended page – one of the most important in this 'Doctrine' group.

• The Lord's Supper – or breaking of bread – holds a special place among all those who trace their origin back to that outwardly insignificant yet spiritually momentous beginning in Dublin, c. 1827 – but its importance and relation to the service of God – i.e., collective worship of Divine Persons in assembly – is unknown to many and scarcely understood by others.

Doctrine: "One Body": The Ground of Gathering: This new page has articles by J. N. Darby, J. B. Stoney and F. E. Raven.

The scriptural concept of the "one body" is fundamental to the position of 'brethren'. Although it may not have been clearly enunciated at the outset it was implicit in their gathering together apart from sectarian positions – whether the establisment or dissenting groups.

• The articles by Mr. Darby and Mr. Stoney address the challenge as to whether it is possible to meet on the ground of the one body.
  • Compare Ministry: C. A. Coates 1: Present Conditions in the Christian Profession: A Letter

• The four addresses by Mr. Raven look at the truth apart from any controversy.

: : :   June 2007   : : :

Ministry: J. B. Stoney 2 – Added an excellent article 'The Nature, Object, and Responsibility of the Church, the Body of Christ' referred to by Mr. S. McCallum in the 1957 Dorking Meetings, Selected Ministry No. 6.

• SMcC quoted the following remark of JBS: "I daresay that you have heard some say that the corporate thing is over. Christ's chief interest is unknown to one who can say that; and if it is unknown to you how can you understand His mind about anything?"

• JBS says further: "However we have failed in our corporate testimony we cannot escape from corporate responsibility".

Doctrine: Inspiration of the Scriptures – This new page has two articles 'Inspiration of the Scriptures' and 'The Human Element in Inspiration'

• in which J. N. Darby establishes the inspiration of the Scriptures, with full allowance for "the human element", from the Scriptures themselves.

Doctrine: God in Absoluteness and Relativeness – Added three instructive articles on the use of words which sometimes cause conern and confusion:

• The word 'Persons' as applied to the Godhead: J. Taylor,

• Comments on the words 'Trinity' and 'Person': J. N. Darby,

• A Few Words on the Trinity: J. N. Darby.

The Ulster Outlook – Divergent Views – 1954-1962: This new page contains letters from brethren in Belfast. Many of the letters relate to other 'History' articles, but they have been grouped together because of the common – geographical – background of the writers, who were all known personally to each other.

• The different interpretations of the situation by the writers, based on when and why they withdrew, should be noted.

• The letters also include references to certain developments in the legal sect, which may not be recorded elsewhere.

: : :   May 2007   : : :

Ministry: E. Dennett – Added 'Hindrances to Fellowship: Letters to a Friend' – E.D. says "We hope they may be useful to those who are just beginning to inquire into the ground and necessity for separation from wrong religious positions. May the Lord, in His abounding grace, condescend to bless them in guiding some of His perplexed ones into the path which is according to His own mind and will".

Ministry: J. B. Stoney 2 – Added 2 instructive articles which were drawn to our attention by Daniel Soukoreff:

• 'Visible Means Hinder Faith' – "In every instance we see that when faith works, it is independent of visible means".

• 'The Servant and the Truth for the Last Time' – "the servant requires varied lines of truth in the last days … all these are necessary, and subserve for the disorganized state of the assembly; and the heart truly stored with them will be adequate for the exigencies of service, in the midst of assembly ruin".

: : :   April 2007   : : :

Guests: My Stand 6 – Added a 1997 article, 'Education for the Work of the Lord', a review of the Scriptures re secular and spiritual education. G,A.R.

: : :   March 2007   : : :

History: From Freedom to Failure: 'There was no king in Israel' – This new page records the beginning, history and ultimate failure of the once hopeful 1960-61 separation from the legal sect, in a brief selection of the available documents from that period.

• At least three factors contributed to the eventual disintegration: • a refusal of authority by some • a lack of vigorous leadership • and the resultant spawning of many local troubles.

: : :   February 2007   : : :

Biography: Joseph Revell – Added information from Nick Fleet re JR's tunes.

Biography: J. N. Darby 2: Darby of the Leap – Added Timothy Stunt's interesting comments.

Biography: J. G. Bellett – Added the sensitive, extensive and valuable 'Recollections' of his daughter Letty M. Bellett.

: : :   January 2007   : : :

Biography: J. N. Darby – Added an 1889 notice from the 'Times' re Sale of JND's library.

Biography: J. N. Darby: Research Papers 2 – Added further notes by Max Weremchuk re similarities with John Walker.

Doctrine: Man and Woman: The Divine Order – Added an extract from a letter of J. G. Bellett.

Ministry: S. McCallum 4 – This new page has the 1958 London Meetings: 'Distinctiveness and Finality in Paul's Ministry', 6 readings in Acts and Paul's epistles.

Ministry: S. McCallum 3 – Added S.McC.'s address at the 1958 London Meetings: 'Some Presentations of the Lord Jesus in the Book of Revelation'.

: : :   December 2006   ; : : :

Guests: My Stand 6: Peebs.Net - Objectives – Added correspondence relating to newly revealed objectives of Peebs.Net to blame and discredit JND and other early servants, their ministry, and the whole history of 'brethren', with comments of Daniel Soukoreff and Gordon Simmonds.

Guests: My Stand 5 – Added a 1991 article, 'An Appeal re Fellowship and Reception', a thoughtful analysis of the misuse of quotations from the letters of J. N. Darby, by Richard C. Reed.

Ministry: S. McCallum 2 – This new page has the 1957 London Meetings 'Spiritual Unity in the Ministry of John', 6 readings in John's Gospel, Epistles and the Revelation.

• These meetings were the 5th series after J.T.'s departure.

Ministry: S. McCallum 3 – This new page has 'Spiritual Royalty', S.McC.'s address at the 1957 London Meetings.

: : :   November 2006   : : :

History - Early Recollections – Added 'Powerscourt - 1832', a brief but noteworthy account - appended to a letter of JND - of the second prophetic conference at Powerscourt House.

Ministry: Percy Lyon 2 – This new page has an excellent 1956 series of readings 'Faithflness to God and His Throne' and an address 'Feminine Devotion to the Throne'. P.L. said of the readings:

• "… the object of our looking into this portion of the Scriptures is to enquire as to what we may cull, in spiritual understanding, from a book in which things are divinely veiled.

• God's name is not even mentioned, but it is a book which must have a moral and spiritual bearing upon divine operations, leading on to the opening up of the truth, as we shall hope to see later in relation to the books of Ezra and Nehemiah …"

Ministry: J. Taylor 4 – Added an address 'The Holy Spirit's Activities in Relation to the Gentiles' - Acts 8: 29, 39; 10: 19, 20, 44-46; 13: 1-4.

Brethren have long considered the locality in which ministry was given as significant and, in this instance, to me the date is also. J.T. gave the address in Toronto on November 11, 1929, the very place and date of my birth. At that time my parents were not believers and had no knowledge of the brethren. When I came upon this address many years ago the reference in the last paragraph to Psalm 87: 6, "This man was born there", confirmed me that God's eye had been upon me from the outset for blessing. I understood, to a degree, Paul's feelings when he could speak of "God, who set me apart [even] from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace …", Galatians 1: 15.   GAR

: : :   October 2006   : : :

Ministry: A. J. Gardiner 3 – This new page has 'The Substantiality of Christianity' – six readings in 1, 2, 3 John and Genesis 4, 5 – and 'Unity in Assembly Administration', London, July 1954.

• These were the second London meetings following the departure to be with Christ of Mr. J. Taylor, March 29, 1953.

: : :   September 2006   : : :

Ministry: J. S. Ephgrave – This new page has 'The Word of the Cross' – six readings in Paul's Epistles and the Gospels – and 'Practical Loyalty to the Fellowship', Bristol, September 1955.

• All believers are familiar, in varying degrees, with the value of the 'work' of the cross but many, if not most, seem unaware of the wide bearing of the 'word' of the cross, both individually and collectively.

Ministry: P. H. Hardwick – This new page has three fine addresses: 'The Influence of Manhood in View of Completion', 'Genuineness' and 'The Service of God'.

• The latter two were given in April 1953 just weeks after the departure of Mr. James Taylor and, in addition to their own worth, are valuable as a witness to the gracious yet faithful spirit marking the brethren at that time before the 1959 slide into legality.

Ministry: H. D'Arcy Champney – This new page has three challenging addresses: 'Suffering and Glory', 'The House of God' and 'The Holy City Jerusalem and Its Political Influence in the Coming Day'.

• The addresses are by Mr. H. D'Arcy Champney 1854-1942, author of The Champney Letter, an invaluable 1890 account and exposure of the false and ignorant accusations against Mr. F. E. Raven.

: : :   August 2006   : : :

History: After My Departure - 1953-59 – This new page is a brief review of the London three day meetings for 1953-59. Its purpose – and the posting now of the notes of some of those meetings in the Ministry group – is:

1. to preserve a partial record of ministry, most of which is now out-of-print and is unlikley to be reprinted or, as for 1955-56, is permanently unavailable;

2. to note some of the trends in that uncertain period – from J.T.'s death to the rise to undisputed universal leadership in ministry and admin­istration of one man – and their historical significance.

Ministry: A. J. Gardiner 2 – This new page has 'The Worship of God' – six readings in Ephesians – and 'Spiritual Manhood', London, July 1953.

• These were the first London meetings following the departure to be with Christ of Mr. J. Taylor, March 29, 1953.

Guests: My Answer 3: One Leader – Kyle Yoakum inquires a second time about another aspect of authority in the church.

: : :   July 2006   : : :

Ministry: J. Taylor 1 1870-1953 – Added 'The Lord Knoweth Them That Are His', a 1932 address reviewing the various ways in which "the Lord's knowledge of His people" is shown in five scriptures.

Ministry: S. McCallum 1901-87 – Added 'Bondmanship in Testimony and in Glory', an address at meetings with Mr. A. J. Gardiner, 'The Worship of God', London, July 1953.

• Those were first London meetings following the departure to be with Christ of Mr. J. Taylor, March 29, 1953.

Ministry: J. B. Catterall 1879-1927 – This new page has four excellent and challenging addresses including 'The Attachment to Christ' and 'Following Christ'.

• Mr. Catterall, like Mr. William Trotter 1818-65, was taken by the Lord in mid-life.

Ministry: C. C. Elliott 1866-1949 – This new page has three encouraging addresses: 'The Attractiveness of Christ', 'The Glory' and 'Collective Truth as Held by a Remnant'.

• Dr. Elliott was a contemporary of, and his ministry was appreciated by, Mr. James Taylor 1870-1953.

Ministry: A. E. Myles 1880-1971 – Added seven fine addresses including 'Features of the Greatness of Christ' and 'The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved'.

: : :   June 2006   : : :

Ministry: J. Taylor 3 – Added the final 1935 Chicago reading on 'Priesthood'. The importance of this reading – which was not published at the time – is the attention drawn to God as being the great end in the service of God.

• Compare The Worship of God Himself, earlier in 1935. To my knowledge, this matter was not generally taken on in practice till after the issue of the 1951 hymn book. GAR

: : :   May 2006   : : :

Biography: John Nelson Darby: Revised Version – Added the footnotes to this first chapter of the proposed revision by Max S. Weremchuk.

Ministry: George Cutting – This new page has an extensive and challenging article: "How Shall They Hear?" – 'What is God's Way of Reaching the Millions who Go Nowhere?'.

• It is hoped that besides providing scriptural direction for those concerned as to reaching others with the gospel – and certainly we all should be – it will dispel the notion some may have that the brethren were disinterested in the spread of the gospel.

• Our special thanks to Susan Soukoreff for her excellent typing of this article.

My Stand 4: S. M. Anglin re Baptism and Circumcision – Added a response to a booklet on 'Baptism' by S. E. Hesterman.

History: The Manchester Connection - Stopping the Wells – This new page relates to the role and influence of Mr. James Macdonald of Manchester in the rejection of separate address to, and worship of, the Spirit, and of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

: : :   April 2006   : : :

Studies: Local Notes by Jeff Kuns – Added two brief articles: 'Burial of Grandfather' and 'Marriage'.

Doctrine: Baptism – Added 'Baptism and Christening', extracts from the letters of J. N. Darby, and 'Comments on Household Baptism' by J. Taylor.

Ministry: C. H. Mackintosh 3: The Remnant – Past and Present – Added a challenging article which complements that of JT on the 'Remnant' below.

Ministry: J. Taylor 2: The Remnant that is Left – Added a fine 1933 address in Toronto that encourages faithfulness in difficult days but exposes the sectarianism and the pretension that often accompany each other in those same times.

Guests: My Stand 4: S. M. Anglin re Baptism and Circumcision – Added our reply to Stephen Hesterman's objection to SMA's use of circumcision in the OT as analogous to baptism in the NT.

: : :   March 2006   : : :

Ministry: J. Taylor – Added a challenging 1927 address 'Deliverance from the Current Religious World' applicable to both young and old.

Doctrine: Addressing the Holy Spirit – This new page presents the scriptural basis for this practice which is still opposed by a few.

• It has extracts from FER and JT and a summation of the basis for 'Addressing the Spirit' by Philip Haddad, who published the ministry of G. R. Cowell.

Ministry: P. Lyon – This new page has three addresses including 'Phinehas – the Warrior, the Brother and the Priest' which JT called "excellent".

: : :   February 2006   : : :

Doctrine: The Sufferings of Christ – This new page by J. N. Darby, written in 1858, is another classic which should not be overlooked.

• Christ's atoning and various non-atoning sufferings are carefully and reverently examined and clearly distinguished.

• It drew out unfounded and malicious allegations that it was the same as B. W. Newtons's discredited doctrine.

Biography: Brief Sketches: P. Lyon 1881-1966 – Added a brief sketch of Percy Lyon of London, England, one of the leading servants in the early-mid 1900's. Some of his ministry appears in March above.

'The Brethren': (commonly so-called) - A Brief Sketch of Their Origin, Progress and Testimony – This new page by Andrew Miller, written c. 1878, is a classic:

• It details the history, ministry and impact of brethren 1827 - 1878 from the author's personal experience, knowledge and perspective in the following chapters:

• 1. 'The Brethren'; 2. Reading Meetings; 3. Origin of the Title 'Plymouth Brethren'; 4. False Doctrine Detected; 5. The Two Camps; 5. Gleanings fron the Writings of Brethren; 7. Christian Position; 8. The Church of God; 9. The Millennium; concluding with 'Reflections on the Testimony of Brethren'.

• Because of its length, it will likely take several visits to fully explore but it is well worth the time.

: : :   January 2006   : : :

Biography: Brief Sketches: S. McCallum 1904-87 – Added a brief sketch of Stanley McCallum, Detroit – one of the leading servants in the mid 1900's – by his daughter Mary (McCallum) Oberg.

Ministry: S. McCallum – This new page has 'Spiritual Quality', 5 readings in Acts, and and address 'Undivided Affection for Christ' in Kingston, Jamaica, December 1950.

History: The Public History of the Church – This new page is a copy of 'A Brief Synopsis of the Public History of the Church' by G. H. Stuart Price.

• While it is 'brief', it is comprehensive and provides an excellent introduction to the 'History' section of 'My Brethren'.

• It is particlarly valuable in placing the recovery of the truth of Christ and the assembly in its historical context.

Ministry: J. Pellatt 4 – This new page has the final articles from 'The Closing Ministry of Joseph Pellatt'.

• Christianity is Christ   • Deliverance and Its Results
• Philadelphia – The Truth of the Assembly Maintained to the End
• The First Day of the Week
• The Lord Jesus as Seen in the Light of John's Gospel
• The Purpose of His Love   • Eternal Life   • Sonship
• The Ascended Man and His Assembly
• Poem: Firstborn Amongst His Brethren

Ministry: J. Pellatt 3 – This new page has more challenging articles, as always very relevant to the present day – more to follow:

• Loving, Believing, Rejoicing   • The Spiritual Journey
• Resurrection – God's Victory over Death
• Encouragement for Remnant Days   • The Gospel of Eternal Life
• The Sphere for the Sheep and the "Door" Into It   • "One in Us"

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