Whether we have been successful or not the lecture itself must tell. One thing, however, we may premise. We have had but one object―the promotion of the truth; and we can, therefore, venture to give the assurance that not a single statement has been made without a most conscientious investigation of all the means of information placed within our reach. All, therefore, that we ask from your hands is a patient hearing and an unbiassed judgment, for, as the Apostle says, speaking on the authority of Divine inspiration, “we can do nothing against the truth―but for the truth.”
The Rise of “the Brethren” is almost, though happily not quite, lost in obscurity. Somewhere between 1828 and 1830 a number of good and devout men became very much dissatisfied with the existing state of things in the Church. Schism was dominant, and lifelessness was almost the normal condition of professing Christians.
The few who were pining after a higher life, and after a brighter manifestation of the power of the Spirit in their practical walk, belonged to no particular denomination, but were scattered through all. They yearned after a closer union, for they saw that the Lord Himself had prayed that His followers “might be one;” but existing ecclesiastical organisations were, as they thought, barriers in the way of this unity. At this time Mr. A. N. Groves, of Exeter, who had been wonderfully taught of the Spirit to renounce all things for the service of Christ, was at Dublin University preparing for “orders” in the Establishment. While in residence, as we gather from his memoirs, “he became acquainted with many sincere Christians, chiefly members of the Establishment, who with him desired to see more devotedness to Christ, and union amongst the people of God. To promote these objects, they met continually for prayer
