I spoke to Mr. Soltau, and said, that it was impossible that all this could go on. He replied, it was very bad, it was regular jockeyship. I called his attention to his expression, and what would be said of me if I had used it. He repeated, well, I say it again, it was regular jockeyship. I said, do you feel the force of what you are saying if the presence of God is thought of in the meeting, what jockeyship would be there? All this passed previously to, and partly led to, my putting the re-establishment of the Friday meeting on the consiences of the brethren at large. The present result was that Mr. Newton took Mr. Harris and Soltau and silenced the person referred to, who left the meeting. No notice was taken of the means used to put him down in the meeting. I could not help feeling that all this was allowed of God as a humbling test of the state of things. I now turn to another circumstance which occurred about this time: a brother, known at Plymouth, where the facts also are known, but whom I shall not name, as what I am about to relate is sad enough, rose up and spoke in the assembly after a hymn referring to the cross. He had never, I believe, spoken in the assembly, but had preached in villages. He was, (I did not know him before this, but as far as I can give any testimony,) a truly upright, godly, person, respected by those who knew him. It is a sad instance of Plymouth ways. He spoke a little nervously in manner, but gave a godly and useful exhortation on really crucifying self if we celebrated the cross, and then pressed the evil of aiming at any importance for oneself. I asked Mr. Harris who it was as we went out. He said, he is a godly humble man, but it will make a proper hubbub, and he will catch it, or some such expression. He was accordingly immediately set at, so as to be effectually dismayed. Nor was there one as is well known at Plymouth, who spoke more strongly (unless perhaps one other not there now) against the kind of tyranny which was practised there, and the hindrance of all liberty in ministry, or otherwise taking part in the meeting. Mr. Newton went to Mr. Harris the next morning, and pressed him as to what he
