Page:Neatby - A history of the Plymouth Brethren.djvu/342

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

and Bible-loving community, and are comparatively free from that morbid craving for novelties by which the later stages of Darbyism have been marked. They hold the mystical theories of ministry rather loosely and vaguely, and they talk little of the authority of the Assembly. Furthermore, when we pass from Darbyism to Open Brethrenism, we leave utterly behind us the supercilious contempt for aggressive evangelisation. Both at home and abroad the Open Brethren give themselves to mission work with ardour. Their stations are dotted over the face of the whole earth. They have added at least one, in Mr. F. S. Arnot of Garenganze, to the roll of the great pioneers of the modern missionary movement; and many other names, less famous, but perhaps no less worthy, might easily be mentioned. This is their truest glory. In this respect they have broken loose from the lead of the more powerful branch of their school, to place themselves side by side with the most zealous of other denominations in the great work of the Church.