MB Guest Book 16: January – December 2007

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Andrew Wagner
tinawagnerATaustarnet.com.au
Katoomba, NSW, Australia
Wed, 3 Jan 2007

Dear Editor,
Wish to purchase a hard cover book entitled "John Nelson Darby, A Biography" by Max S. Weremchuk. I live in Katoomba, NSW, Australia. Is there a place in Australia I can purchase the book. I really need a copy of this book. The copy I has been stained and it is not my book.

If you can please email me any information on where I can purchase a copy of this book, it would be greatly appreciated. The book has to be in hard cover.

Thank you very much for your time and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully, Andrew.

To: Andrew Wagner
Thu, 4 Jan 2007

Dear Andrew,
Thanks for writing. We certainly appreciate your problem, but very sorry we can't be of any help on finding that book. It seems to be a very rare book now. We have heard it selling upwards of $150 US in some cases on Ebay. I will post your message on our website, perhaps one of our guests will contact you with an extra copy. Sorry we can't be of more help!

Yours in the Lord Jesus, Grdon.

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Gerald Landis
brogeraldATgmail.com
Thu, 11 Jan 2007

Dear Brother,
I am not sure whom is the CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP with names of two compilers.

Just want to wish you a very happy day. If you have any suggestions or ideas for children's Bible lessons for my extended family or friends kindly send them to me. I enjoy looking for "information" or ideas for my lessons but also I enjoy looking at history of "Brethren assemblies." We should be humble enough to take a spiritual bath if our lives and practices do not match the WORD OF GOD.

Blessings and prayers, Gerald (Jerry) Landis.

To: Gerald Landis
Sat, 20 Jan 2007

Dear Jerry,
Thank you for writing. Both Gordon Rainbow and myself contribute to the maintenance and correspondence with the website.

We think it is good you are especially concerned for the spiritual education of children – one of the greatest things we can do is to pour our time and energy into the little ones and those who are being formed and do what we can to make sure that formation is according to the truth.

Some of the items we have posted on our site are for young people, not young children, but perhaps it will give you a few ideas: Studies: Youth Concerns.

Also, a children's magazine "Youthful Days" is geared toward young children and published by Keith Wickens in England. For more information please write editorATyouthfuldays.co.uk.

Yours in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Faith Haynes
faithofmarkATgrandecom.net
Dallas, Texas
Mon, 22 Jan 2007

Greetings brothers and sisters in the LORD!
Providentially, I came upon your website while looking for something else.

• I've just now spent about 4 hours or so reading various articles and parts on your website. Time doesn't permit me to do more right now, but it has been quite enjoyable.

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Robert Munster
Robert.MunsterATlonutd.co.uk
Lndon, England
Wed, 24 Jan 2007

Gordon Rainbow:
Hello there. I've been reading up a lot on the brethren's history with a view to understanding the issues that have divided the brethren over the years and where I stand in relation to them.

• I had been vaguely aware of your site but have now looked at many of the relevant sections and found it very useful, and have been giving out references to it on our discussion forum, so I thought I'd better drop a line!

You may be interested to know that my father, Arthur, was heavily involved in putting the 1965 Little Flock Tune Book Supplement together, being responsible for editing and harmonising the music.

• Whilst on that sort of subject, in your hymns section number 285 first verse has sprouted an extra line. (Would you like me to flag up any other minor typos I spot?)

My family was local in London (Lewisham) and were among those who left "the system" in 1970 (well actually, stayed as far as the London Park Street meeting was concerned) and remained in fellowship with Jim Renton et al until 1983, when we left after Cyril Byng was withdrawn from (although my father remained there until taken to the Lord in 1991).

• In 1990 we decided to join with some of the brethren who had left in 1972 (Strang/Croydon/London company); among others that now places me in fellowship with Marcus Chapman, David Mutton, Phil Coldrick and Tom Hawkins, with whom I see you have corresponded.

• You have made it clear why you are not free to walk with the Renton company (although it is certainly not the case that ALL the 1960s teaching has been generally held by them, indeed I would say around 95% was very quickly rejected, with Eric Burr taking a leading part in this).

• However I'd be interested to know why you were not free to have fellowship with the Strang group as I have not as yet found anything on your site that either I or we as a company would disagree with!

Do you have any further details on the 1967 Ilford/Croham Hall split? I gather it was something to do with marriages, but would be interested to know more on the exercises then, as that is something that troubled us a few years ago.

All in all though a very sad and confusing history, with many complex divisions, all too often caused by a clash of personalities and deliberate putting about incorrect information to defend their egos. One wonders if many of the splits would occur now with the availability of instant mass communications via email.iner's book 'The Recovery and Maintenance of the Truth'; it may be of interest/use to note that it is online here: http://www.bbmhp.org/gardiner/0_ajg_contents.html.

• It may be worth downloading it in case the Berean website goes offline, to save scanning it if, for instance, you decided to publish it yourself (although I think you have covered a lot of it anyway!).

• This is the original 1951 edition, although we have a hard copy of the 1963 version (some of the additional material is not so profitable!).

One bit of info that you may find heartening is that in 1970 when the supporters of JTJr walked out of Park Street Mr. Gardiner remained, evidently having a sound judgment of what had occurred.

• Unfortunately, his wife and daughter, who had walked out, later came back in to collect him, and (no doubt being confused and suffering loss of memory) he then surrendered to them, and thus it was. Feel free to add this to his biography if you wish -- info is from my mother who was at that meeting.

I was also interested in the 1993 hymn book supplement you have compiled and was wondering who else, if anyone, uses it. It is particularly interesting as having (like the 1984 supplement before it) reinstated a number of hymns that were overly hastily withdrawn in 1973.

• Indeed the main reason the Rentons continue to use the 1962 book is that to a large extent the rationale in 1973 seems to have been a repeat of 1962 of removing hymns simply because they were written by those no longer in fellowship -- an understandable motive, but surely it is the soundness of the words that matters, not who wrote them.

• Also, like you, I have reservations about losing some of the revisions made in 1951 and 1962.

• I'd quite like to see a new edition combining the best of both, including your additions and maybe some others (admittedly 502 hymns is quite enough to be getting on with!), although it seems unlikely the expense could be justified given how few are left to use it.

With love in the Lord, Robert Munster, London.

To: Robert Munster
Wed, 31 Jan 2007

Dear Robert,
Welcome to 'My Brethren' and thanks for your full and interesting message. I'm pleased that you found MB's History group useful. It certainly is important to know where we stand and why.

• The reference to your "discussion forum" is intriguing. If you don't mind sharing, is it an internet group or a private group, and how does it function?

I'm glad of the information as to your father's service in regard of the tunes and have added a note in the Hymns section. Every additional detail is valuable.

Thanks for catching the extra line in 285, which has now been deleted. Yes, please tell us of any typos you spot! Doing our own proof reading sometimes blinds us to such errors.

• With my developing vision problem we appreciate all the help we can get.

My regular contact Andrew Robertson was local in Lewisham in 1950 before moving to USA but can't recall your family. He wonders whether you moved to London later?

We remember Cyril Byng well and always wondered what had happened to him. Is he still in the body?

Yes, we have had very profitable contacts with the brothers you mention, with some in other 'Strang' groups and also with a few in the 'Renton' connection.

As to why we were "not free to have fellowship with the Strang group", it was mostly, at that time some 35 years ago, a hesitancy to link with any after the trauma of leaving the system and then being faced with another division. This led, wrongly, to thinking everything was over.

• Later we came to see that we had face up to our own responsibility to go on. In our fewness and isolation geographically, links with others afar seemed then to be of little practical value. The subsequent divisions did not encourage us to consider any further links.

• In addition while we may have very little difference doctrinally there are undoubtedly differences in practice which would cause difficulty on both sides.

• Some may think that we are 'independent' but in the present broken conditions we are free to serve all our brethren apart from what might be construed as partisan interests.

Regarding Ilford/Croham Hall, I have some 160 printed pages (5 1/2" x 8 1/2") of letters and papers on that, and subsequent matters, some of which I may eventually post on MB. Much is difficult to follow unless one knows the background details and the persons involved.

• It had to do with a 'mixed marriage' and the apparent readiness to disregard principles and to do what was right in one's own eyes.

To our shame, I think you are quite right as to the cause of many divisions.

Yes, I was aware of AJG's book and had downloaded it some time ago. There may still be some extracts which should be posted.

• Your comments as to AJG are valuable and have now been added to his biography.

• With some reservations, I agree that "it is the soundness of the words that matters, not who wrote them".

• While the 1962 book, except for omissions, is better in some ways than the 1973, I don't care to use it because of the inclusion of the names of some who, I believe, have brought shame on the public testimony.

• A new edition, however desirable to you and to me, seems unlikely, not only because of the cost but it would hardly be acceptable ouside the group that did it. And, sadly, brethren now divided would not likely work together even on such a worthwhile project.

Thanks again for writing and sharing your thoughts and exercises. Please keep in touch.

In our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

See 'Mailbox' for further correspondence.

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Ted Glaeser
tglaeserATCherrycorp.com
Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA
Tue, 27 Feb 2007

Dear Gordon,
I have been browsing the site for quite some time and thought I would drop a line.

I grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and attend Grace Bible Chapel, for many years associated with the Kelly-Lowe group of assemblies (the building then was called Christian Assembly) until the division in 1999/2000.

• I was only a teenager back in the 1970's, but I remember my father Kurt saying that there was a Mr. Rainbow from "another group of assemblies" who was visiting the Kenosha Brothers Conference.

• Gordon, I assume that was during the time of your "searching" out Christian companionship. Dad (who is 81 now) and Eugene Vedder, Sr, were the 2 "leading brothers" in Kenosha at that time.

After some internal discussion concerning the issues in 1999, Kenosha did not sign a letter supporting the Wayne, NJ group, and was subsequently withdrawn from by the Kelly/Lowe group ⏻ we are now identified with the open assemblies.

It has been interesting/sobering to read the site history, and to see that other groups of brethren have faced the same issues of personality, legality, pride, etc. As one guest said – the line between legalism and following Christ can often be a fine one.

Last week I was on vacation in New York City, and one afternoon I took the subway out to 1954 Nostrand Avenue to see what was there – it looks like the building there is still the old meeting hall building , though now it is the Brooklyn Church of Christ.

Christian love, Ted Glaeser.

To: Ted Glaeser
Wed, 18 Feb, 2007

Dear Ted, Thanks for visiting 'My Brethren' and stirring some old memories.

Yes, I remember well the time at Kenosha, in a time of searching indeed. No doubt I met your father although I don't recall him by name. I do recall Mr. Vedder and I have had some good correspondence with John Vedder – see the 'Mailbox'.

• I made some good friends in those times and still have fond memories, though the pursuit of the truth has brought me back to what I first embraced as a young man.

The continuing divisions, even among the 'reunited' group, show the Lord will not support ecclesiastical pride and self-interest among any of us. Humiliation becomes us all.

• Yes, even the old meeting rooms advertise the decline.

Thanks again and give my greetings to your father and any others who remember me. Drop in any time.

In our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Irene Malcolm
igmalcolmATbtinternet.com
Edinburgh, Scotland
Mon, 25 Feb 2007

Dear Brother,
I have spent the last two evenings browsing "My Brethren" and have found it both fascinating and informative. Congratualations on such a good site.

• I have belonged to the Lord Jesus for over forty five years and my husband and I are members of Charlotte Baptist Chapel in Edinburgh. We were both brought up in the 'Open Meeting' and I thank God for my loving Christian parents who so faithfully taught me to love the Scriptures and led me to know the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and Friend.

• My husband and I have a number of friends also who had been in the same position. We have discussed with them often the experiences they had and many times wondered if the stories they told might have become distorted and enlarged in their minds due to the upsets they suffered. It is hard to imagine how a God honouring group could degenerate to such an extent. Satan was given a foothold and took over- that is the only answer!

• However I don't wish to be negative, our friends have survived the escapade and are now happily serving the Lord elsewhere.

• As a child I remember my father's books by Coates, Mackintosh, etc. and a Darby Bible we had in the house.

• My attention is now drawn to the many souls who have mistakenly had a 'form of Godliness but denied the power thereof' and although their lives were undeniably committed to the confines of their communon they perhaps didn't have a real union with Christ and now they are spititually dead and confused about Christianity.

• There are many precious souls still ensnared in that system who need to be set free and since perusing your site I have now made a conscious decision to pray for them that they may come to know the Living and True God.

To: Irene Malcolm
Mon, 5 Mar 2007

Dear Irene,
Thanks for your thoughtfulness. We are very grateful and encouraged by your note and we appreciate the effort you took to write to us.

We're also glad to know of your prayers for our ensnared brethren – it is needed. Your observations are completely accurate. We hope our efforts convey that all is not lost and there is an outcome in souls which glorifies God. So, along with you, we do not dwell on the negative. And we're grateful for the opportunity to present what we can.

Gordon asked me to convey his regards and let you know he was especially encouraged to hear from you. And we will both be glad to hear from you in the future and glad to have you as our visitor at any time!

Yours in our Lord Jesus,

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Sabir Ali
sabirali77ATyahoo.co.in
Kerala, India
30, Mar 2007

Dear Brethren,
Greetings. I would be so so happy to recieve free articles and thoughts on Brethren and mission to Muslims.Your articles and thoughts will be posted on this site: www.ministry-of-grace.org. Please feel free to share your heart to challenge our Assemblies arround the world to pray for Muslim nations and out churches.

In His glory, Alia Evangelist.

To: Sabir Ali
31, Mar 2007

Dear Sabir Ali,
Thank you for your invitation to visit your website. I was very interested to read your personal story of how you came to know the Lord. It interesting that when we begin to face things, when we get free of traditional thinking or when we have a little distance in our souls from things we accepted without question – it is then the light gets an opportunity with our thinking!

We do not have any material related specifically to Muslim out-reach. However, we know of and are glad that this goes on daily because of brethren such as yourself. As all of our publishing efforts are in the form of this website, we invite you to use the ministry found on My Brethren if you feel would be helpful to your efforts. We have a number of items for young believers at Studies: Youth Concerns.

We look forward to hearing form you from time to time!

Yours in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

[More Correspondence with Sabir Ali in the Mailbox]

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Maureen Anderson
maureenandersonAT@excite.com
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Sat, 31 Mar 2007

Hi Sir,
Im looking for an assembly that gathers on the grounds of seperation from the world. I live in a Suburb within Minnesota. Is the Saint Vincent and Vesta meeting rooms at where? What assemblies in Mn?

To: Maureen Anderson
Thu, 5 Apr 2007

Hi Maureen,
Welcome to My Brethren, and thanks for your inquiry.

You probably saw the references to Saint Vincent and Vesta on the 1959 Meeting List. At that time they were connected with the legal sect that emerged in 1959-60 and, if they still exist, are likely still in the same connection – one that we cannot recommend. Unfortunately we are not aware of any meetings in Minnesota to which we could direct you.

The true scriptural ground of gathering is the one body as JND and others taught. However in the present day, because of the general departure, it is necessary to also to be separate from iniquity.

• While separation is needed – and our Lord was truly separate – we must always beware of turning into isolationism – which did not mark our Lord.

• We regret that we can't recommend any meetings in your area, but suggest you look at the following articles on MB for guidance in your path:

• Ministry: J. N. Darby 2:
  • Separation from Evil, God's Principle of Unity,

  • Grace, the Power of Unity and Gathering

• Ministry: C. A. Coates 1:
  • Present Conditions in the Christian Profession.

Don't hesitate to contact us again, We are very sympathetic with your situation, which many of us share.

In the Lord, Gordon Rainbow.

From: Maureen Anderson
Thu, 5 Apr 2007

Do you know of any exclusive assemblies in Mn?

To: Maureen Anderson
Fri, 6 Apr 2007

Hi Maureen,
Sorry, I don't know of any exclusive meetings in Minnesota. If you send telephone number and convenient times I will be glad to discuss your situation.

In the Lord, Gordon.

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Diana Celesky
dceleskyATfnni.com
Omaha, NE, USA
Tue, June 26, 2007

Hello,
Can you please tell me where I could find an Exclusive Brethren meeting in Omaha, NE? I have previously attended Open Brethren meetings. Must one be invited to attend an Exclusive Brethren meeting?

Thank you. Sincerely, Diana Celesky.

To: Diana Celesky
Wed, June 27, 2007

Dear Diana,
Thanks for visiting 'My Brethren' and for your inquiry.

Sorry we can't recommend any exclusive meeting in Omaha. Yes, you would likely need an invitation to attend the meetings of those currently known as the 'exclusive brethren' who, in our opinion, are quite rigid and legal.

I'm copying this to my friend Charles Tickle of Omaha (see his entries in the 'Mailbox) hoping his email address is still current. I hope he will contact you or vice-versa and that he can provide you with some guidance and let us know of your contact.

If we can be of any further help please don't hesitate to write again.

In the Lord, Gordon Rainbow.

From: Diana Celesky
Wed, June 27, 2007

Mr. Rainbow,
Thank you very much for your assistance.

Lord Bless, Diana Celesky.

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Neil and Edith Short
shortATvaxxine.com
Beamsville, ON, Canada
Tue, June 26, 2007

Very interesting site. We enjoyed it. We have also enjoyed the company of Gordon and Betty in the past.

We received an e-mail sent to those who had signed the guest book. We must have done so at one time. Now we're trying to do so again. We clicked on the sign-guest-book link but still find no place to sign it.

We're reading the Champney letter now. Is it in a print-friendly form?

Neil and Edith Short.

To: Neil and Edith Short
Wed, June 27, 2007

Dear Neil and Edith,
How nice to hear from you. Welcome to 'My Brethren'! We have good memories of the many happy times together.

No, you haven't signed the Guest Book before. I had your email address from someone and had tried, unsuccessfully, to contact you a long time ago. Hope the mailings, a new effort, will be of interest.

• Just click 'Site News', bottom left on home page, and then 'Email/Guest Book or Message'' on the menu.

We are now, since April 2005, living in the Manor at Bethany Lodge, 265 - 23 Second Street South, Markham, Ontario, L3R 2C2. Will be glad to hear from you at any time.

• Recently we saw Bob and Ruth Lamont who were visiting. Their daughter-in-law Sharon works part time in the dining room.

The Champney letter may be the one Kingston Bible Trust lists in its catalogue. See 'Site News: KBT Report':

• Letter Concerning the Conflict as to 'Eternal Life' (paper covers)
  H. D'A. Champney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £2.00.

Glad you enjoyed MB, come again.
Affectionately in our Lord Jesus, Gordon and Betty.

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Gavin Tomlinson
nivagATtalk21.com
England
Sun, 8 Jul 2007

Dear Sirs,
I noted with interest your interesting webpage.

Regarding "the book of ministry by G. R. Cowell, The Headship of Christ and of God" and "that my copy came from a brother who withdrew fom the legal sect in 1960, and there are apparently still copies in the libraries of some other brethren, but it is the only Stow Hill publication of Mr. Cowell's ministry known to have survived the purge".

I would like to point out that I have a Stow Hill copy of this book which is in excellent condition – please advise if you are interested – I would like to see it go to a good home.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards, Gavin Tomlinson.

To: Gavin Tomlinson
Wed, 11 Jul 2007

Dear Gavin,
Many thanks for your kind offer. And an intriguing story! Any more details you might provide would be appreciated. We would also enjoy knowing your locality, if you feel free to share it with us.

I wondered if you noticed the other ministry by Mr. Cowell – we are fairly sure we have been able to locate and publish nearly all his reprinted ministry and also that found in J.T.'s books.

We would be very glad to find a good home for this volume.

Yours in the Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Andrew Davidson
adATdavidsonsdirect.com
South Bucks, Oxford, England
Mon, 23 Jul 2007

I was very surprised and interested to come across the references to WAG Davidson and James and Charles Davidson – his sons – on your site and don’t know how they cropped up originally.

My father was HW Davidson – the second son after James of WAG. Incidentally, why was a Scot like him named after the three ‘English’ forts William Augustus George near Inverness?

I have in the past emailed the firm in Acton asking if they had any archive material about W.A.G. but received no reply. I am interested in knowing more of W.A.G. – I believe he came south from Aberdeen around 1900 – and, indeed any of the children and grandchildren of W.A.G. We have been blessed with three of W.A.G.’s great-grandchildren and, I imagine there must be many more since he had, I think, seven children himself.

I think it was WAG’s daughter Agnes who married a Grantham-Hill but any light on any of them would be most welcome.

Many thanks. Andrew Davidson.

To: Andrew Davidson
Mon, 23 Jul 2007

Dear Andrew,
Thanks for writing. Did you notice the correspondence at this link.

It appears that one of our guests worked for W.A.G. Davidson at one time, perhaps he would be able to answer your questions. I have copied this note to him.

Yours in the Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Lyn Cahill
LynguistaATaol.com
USA
Tue, 24 Jul 2007

Hi
This is Lyn (Gorgas) Cahill – still trying to track down my old high school friend Sharon Druckenmiller, current last name Garlick. I found her parents and uncle a few years ago when looking for her, through Dick Wyman's site, now closed, but we have since lost touch.

I'm looking to re-establish contact, and see if there's any news about my good friend Sharon.

God bless you as you encourage the "wounded sheep."

With love in Christ to all, Lyn.

To: Lyn Cahill
Tue, 24 Jul 2007

Dear Lyn,
I don't know Sharon or where she might be located but will be happy to forward your message to our friend Paul Druckenmiller.

Yours in Him, Gordon.

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John Bromley
j.bromleyATtesco.net
Wales, UK
Sat, 4 Aug 2007

Dear Brother,
I just want to give the Lord thanks for the ministry given to me in 1949 by Prof A. J. E Welch when my father died a week before my final degree exams.

I came to know the Lord Jesus as my saviour through Watford Crusaders.

Prof Welch helped me to revise. We did not talk about the Lord and His love for us but I knew where he was coming from. I always tried to keep Prof Welch informed about the Imperial Collge Christian Union prayer needs.

We have been worshipping at Belmont Chapel in Exeter. Now we belong to Snowdonia Christian Fellowship with only 10 members. This part of Wales is a real mission field!

Thanks for the web site. I found it most interesting. May the Lord bless you in your witness to His saving love in dying on the cross for us.

Yours sincerely in Him, John Bromley.

To: John Bromley
Wed, Aug 8 2007

Dear John,
Welcome to 'My Brethren' and thanks for your kind words and sharing your personal details.

It's very interesting to hear of your contacts with John Welch.

• I had only met him briefly, and so cannot say I really knew him personally, but have been in meetings in which he served.

• However, I do know that he was well respected by the brethren generally, both personally and for his service to the Lord.

• You may know that he was a trustee of Stow Hill Bible and Tract Depot from 1963, and its successor Kingston Bible Trust from 1971.

I hope you will visit MB again and we would be glad to heat from you at anytime.

In our Lord Jesus, Gordon Rainbow.

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Alastair Fear
alastair.fearATgmail.com
U.K.
Fri, 28 Sep 2007

Dear Gordon,
I was interested to find biographical information about my Uncle Bob (Robert G. Fear) on your site. I never met him, but we did exchange a letter at the end of his life.

I do still have that lovely letter from Uncle Bob. It says '...Gordon Rainbow of Toronto had news of you and wondered if you were related...' So thank you for putting us in touch, for a short while.

With Thanks, Alastair Fear.

To; Alastair Fear
Thu, 4 Oct 2007

Dear Alastair,
Thanks for visiting 'My Brethren' - glad you found the bio on Robert, there's also some correspondence in the Mailbox. I enjoyed my contacts with him and glad to have been of any service to you both.

In the Lord, Gordon.

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Matthew Ross
matthew02AThotmail.co.uk
Aberdeen, Scotland
Mon, 12 Nov 2007

Dear friends and brothers,
Having been brought up in a Christian home and making a commitment I am actively looking for fellowship in what is now my home city of Aberdeen in Scotland.

• As you can imagine googling Aberdeen Brethren only leads to the Aberdeen incident. Do you have up to date addresses for any of the brethren meetings in Scotland/UK?

Yours in Him, Matt.

To: Matthew Ross
Sun, 18 Nov 2007

Dear Matt, We don't have personal knowledge of the situation in Aberdeen and area, but I am sending your inquiry to several contacts, of somewhat differing connections, in the hope that one of them, at least, may be able to help you.

• I trust that they will copy me on any contact with you, and please let me know how you get on as we are very interested in our contacts.

In our Lord Jesus, Gordon Rainbow.

From: Matthew Ross
Wed, 21 Nov 2007

Hi Gordon,
Many thanks for your swift reply!! Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Regards, Matt.

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Leonard Meagher
leomeagherATusa.com
Secunderabad, India
Mon, 12 Nov 2007

Dear Brother,
Greetings from India, I have gone through the web site and found much interesting things, and the facts which are awesome.

Dear brother, can you please supply me the Disc of the following: J.N. Darby, J. B. Stoney, F. E. Raven, C. A. Coates, J. Taylor, Senior.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Your brother Affectionately in Christ, Leonard Meagher

To: Leonard Meagher
Wed, 21 Nov 2007

Dear Leonard,
Thanks for writing, it was nice to hear from you. The publishing we do is limited to our website.

The CD's of ministry to which you refer are published by Kingston Bible Trust in England. Just send an email to Malcolm Withell, he will be happy to help you.

Also, you can access JND's ministry, among others, at Stem Publishing.

Your in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Joseph McGregor
joesmcATyahoo.com
Connecticut, USA
Sat, 17 Nov 2007

Dear MB,
I grew up in an assembly in Kingston, Jamaica West Indies, which I left when I migrated to the USA.

I recall attendant three days meetings with James Taylor Jr., James Symington and Stanley McCallum to name a few.

I was in my teens at the time but I remember the Aberdeen incident clearly and what was been taught and what scripture was been used justify the whole incident. The scripture that was used was Genesis 9: 23 which reads, "And Shem and Japheth took the upper garment and both laid [it] upon their shoulders, and went backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. And their faces were turned away, that they saw not their father's nakedness".

Quite a few brethren, when they heard eyewitness account of what transpired at that meeting left the assembly.

Since I migrated to the USA I have not been able to locate the brethren. Now I am desperately seeking an assembly to worship where I now reside in Connecticut. In my desire to find the brethren, I explored the internet and by the grace of God I found this site.

Please if you can help me to locate the brethrens assemblies in Connecticut I will be grateful, as I am longing to worship and have fellowship with the brethren again.

To: Joseph McGregor
Fri, 21 Dec 2007

Dear Joseph,
I'm forwarding your mail to a friend of My Brethren, Ralph Gentles, in New York. I'm sure he will contact you soon and may be able to help with your request. Off hand we don't know of any meetings in your area.

We hope you're enjoying the site in the meantime.

Yours in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Victor Joshi
josh_victATyahoo.co.in
India
Fri, 2 Nov 2007

Dear brethren,
Greetings in Jesus. I am happy to send this mail to you. I visited your web. [The] web is very fine and very useful for many people.

In 1988 I was a employee and worked in my evenings to plant the village groups. In 1990 I started the Kotha Pet Village assembly and I went through for another 4 years as employee. In 1993 The Lord has given more burden to do more work in rural sectors, so I left my job in 1994 and dedicated myself to do the full time ministry to plant the many village church groups. In 1997 my wife, who is working as health worker, she also left her job came to help me in ministry matters. In 1997 I established Tthe Gospel Center, as office for all of our work to send team to distribute the gospel tracts and to do the personel evangelism. The Lord slowly blessed this gospel center work unto many villages, now the whole ministry is with 15 village assemblies and with 10 full time evangelists.

Now I am praying to work with some good brethren in future.

India, our country, is not with the more christians, total population is more than 1,000,000,000 people. Total christians are only 2.34%. Many denominations are working but doctrinally, biblically there is need with good spritual organizations. So I am waiting for right ministry to do more things in coming days. Right now we are doing these things:

1. Every week twice our team is going to out reach work
2. There is regular ministry in 15 villages
3. Monthly once we are going to hospital and prison ministry
4. Monthly we are conducting short time bible classes to 16 members
5. Monthly our regular evangelists are coming to sit for prayer and meditatiom
6. In our little we are printing the gospel tracts and distributing to many people
7. In all our assemblies conducting worships on sundays and bible studies are there in middle of week

Praying and waiting for your communication more, thanking you in The Lord, Josh.

To: Victor Joshi
Sat, 8 Dec 2007

Dear Josh,

I would like to introduce you to a friend of My Brethren website. Mr. Sabir Ali is also active in India and has a website which is primarily focused on ministry to the Muslims. His website is www.sabirali.blogspot.com.

I thought it might be interesting to connect the two of you and see if there was any mutual help you could derive. I have placed his email address above.

Yours in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Tim Gauntlett
tim.gauntlettATdsl.pipex.com
Hampshire, UK
Sun, 11 Nov 2007

Dear Editor,
I was bought up in the Brethren (Petersfield, Hampshire) and left as a very young man with my parents and brothers in 1971 (approx’).

Although I remember that in my early days, the Brethren were a becoming very narrow and rather cultish in outlook – I still came to a vibrant personal faith in Christ at the age of 13 years (1968). The Gospel was often powerfully preached and I was taught to value the ‘breaking of bread’. Additionally, through attending grownup ‘Bible Readings’ each Sunday afternoon, I developed a love for – and knowledge of – God’s Word.

Those early days have proved to be a great blessing throughout the years that have followed, and today, I am pleased to say that my Wife, Carolyn and our two Children, Charlie (18 years) and Camilla (16 years) are very committed to our Lord Jesus and to His people.

Our Son – who boards at his school – Marlborough College in Wiltshire, is one of the leaders of the Christian Group there, having pioneered the Alpha Course and other follow-on Courses for the young people who have come to faith at the school. I believe that this is just some of the fruit of my own Godly upbringing in the Brethren – there is much else – since wherever you go among vibrant Churches today, you find others who have had a similar background. Hence the wider Church has greatly benefited from The Brethren.

For many years I have avoided dwelling on the less pleasant memories of my early years with The Brethren (since, I also remember people being ‘shut-up’ and subsequently withdrawn from – for the most petty reasons and additionally many other issues arising). However, now that I am ‘mature’ I can accept that this time was very formative in my life and has been used by the Lord for his glory.

Since it is part of my heritage (in addition to my parents, both sets of Grandparents were in The Brethren) and I’d like to study the history of The Brethren. I recall a book entitled – The Recovery and Maintenance of the Truth, by Alfred J Gardiner, and hence my discovering this website! Although I understand that it is now out of print, please may I look at the scanned manuscript – would you be prepared to attach it to an email and send it to me, please? I would like my Children to read this manuscript, so that they have some history and insight into Church History – something in which their own forebears have been involved.

Incidently, the Morrish family of the Paternoster Press, were close friends of my own family and Mr Herbert Morrish was in our Brethren meeting in Petersfield. I recall that he was a delightful and Godly man – one who had a profound impact on my life as a child.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours in Him, Tim Gauntlett

To: Tim Gauntlett
Mon, 12 Nov 2007

Dear Tim,
Thank you for writing and sharing your story with us. We are encouraged by the results for God in your family.

In case you wish to refer someone to our site in the future we thought we'd let you know that most of this book is posted in our History section. Of course, we are happy to fill your request and the file is attached.

We hope to hear from you again.

Yours in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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Hazel Silcock
DFSilcockATtalktalk.net
USA
Wed, 5 Dec 2007

I am an ex peeb and it has ciome to my attention that there is a recent escapee called Dario Silcock. I think I am probably related to him through marriage and am anxious that he should know that there is a member of his family that cares for his welfare and would understand what he is going through. If you think it is appropriate I would welcome more information about him, and would be prepared to help him in any way that you feel would be beneficial to him. I look forward to hearing from you. I obviously understand the sensitivity of the situation and would welcome your opinion.

Yours, Hazel Silcock

To: Hazel Silcock
Sat, 8 Dec 2007

Dear Hazel,
Sorry that we don't have any information to pass along about Dario. Typically, we aren't made aware of these events. But we will be glad to post your note on our site and perhaps he, or someone he knows, will make contact with you.

We also wanted to suggest you write to info@peebs.net as they may have more information.

Yours in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

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

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