THE DOCTRINAL CONTROVERSY AT PLYMOUTH
147
errors. I am indebted to the courtesy of a venerable Brother, who was present at the proceedings, for the following graphic description. I have great confidence in giving currency to his narrative. The writer was closely associated with many of the leaders in this long strife, and was no partisan of either Darby or Newton.
“The meeting at Bath, May 10, 1848, was held for the purpose of again recognising as faithful fellow-servants the brethren who had renounced Mr. Newton’s doctrines, and also to give these brethren an opportunity of complaining of some statements affecting them personally. …
“I think I remember Mr. Harris at the Bath meeting, and as being accorded the place of president, in so far as any such function was recognised.[1] He ever was, as no other, universally respected amongst the Brethren. … The meeting was mostly taken up with grievances of the Plymouth brethren, in which Mr. William Dyer took an animated part. … Mr. Darby had some basis of fact to give for everything he had said, and his free reference to an evil power may be understood by Mr. Dyer’s saying that he objected to ‘the devil being made the pack-horse’. Mr. Darby frequently added to his explanations that he might have done better. It was afterwards very aptly remarked that he never once said that he ought to have done better. Mr. Chapman had a turn with him too, thinking he was precipitate in making the separation. ‘I waited six weeks.’ ‘Dear brother, if it had been at Barnstaple, we should have waited six years!’ was the reply. I think it was the only time that I well remember seeing Mr. Dorman. He was, in his virile, incisive way, the most strenuous supporter of Mr. Darby’s action. I remember little of what was said by Mr. [Captain] Hall, or Mr. Wigram, but Lord Congleton, who had a case of his own, I shall never forget. Mr. Bellett sat between him and Sir Edward Denny, and with his arm round the latter. Lord Congleton, addressing Mr. Darby with characteristic frankness, was saying, ‘that is to say—that—that—if you were to tell me anything—I wouldn’t believe you’. … Lord Congleton was the most utterly truthful man, I think I ever met, and he could not tolerate untruth
- ↑ This would not be very far.
