Tag: Monsieur P

J N Darby – French Letter No. 106 – France at War

London – 1st March 1871
To Mr P
Beloved Brother,

J N Darby
John Nelson Darby

It is really problematic for me to go to America again. It is surely not that the desire is lacking, for I will always like coming very much, above all to see one or two places; but entirely being able for a lot of work. I have passed the term assigned to human life and I am no longer as able to bear the tiredness and effort, as when I scurried on foot over the mountains of La Lozère and Gard . But in the end I am for God, a God of all grace, happy to belong to Him, infinitely happy, and desiring only to do his will up to the end, for it is the only good thing. What are we, unless servants, in this world? Soon the illusions will pass, there is only faith that is true and will abide.

I hold nine meetings a week, where I take part, and I work in my head; I still visit as always, but I do not know if a journey as far as California would be in God’s ways. I have already been asked, but at first sight, such a mission seems demanding, to supply it with the bodily strength which a man past 70 years old can hardly have, claimed as I am by other work. I am also asked for in Italy.

For the moment, the griefs of our dear French brethren appear to be coming to an end . We have done what we can to comfort them. Those in Paris have suffered a shortage of supplies, but not otherwise. Help amounting to about 40,000 francs has been sent to the area of Sedan where the distress was great, and more than 4,000 francs for the urgent needs of those who have been in the war theatre. Holland and Switzerland have taken their part in this liberality. The German brethren have done what they could to greet the prisoner brethren when they have been able to find them. Two of these last work quietly among them and earn their living: for a third, they arrived two hours too late, he had just been sent with 2,000 other prisoners to Holstein. They stood surety for these brothers to the government. Finally, there was a testimony rendered (however weak it may be), that grace and Christianity are above the miseries of this poor world. L F has visited them, and has received good letters from some among them who had been sent to Bavaria. In the Ardèche, where the brethren have little or no suffering, this has nevertheless made them sober, it has been the same with people of the world; and the meetings have been more frequent. In the Drôme, some were drawn away by their companions in the standing or mobile guard. In the country of Montbéliard, they are full of recognition towards God who has kept them. They suffered, their stock was taken, and workers, it seems, lacked work everywhere during the campaign. We send them assistance, either from here, or from Switzerland. I see this evening from the placards that the peace treaty is already signed. Things now move quickly, but the hand of God all the more is seen. I hope that under certain conditions, it will have been good for the brethren, because the massacre and ruin were frightful. Then supplies have been missed in the north of France, because what they had sown was frozen. They sow now. A tremendous amount of wheat and supplies are sent from England, but it is a nothing for a so big country. The South of France has not suffered; or in the west either, save from the inclemency of the season, and from the shortage of grain for the sowing season. But peace prevailing, things will get better in a short time. God ever good is above it all. I feared for the German brethren, that these events would go to their heads, but it appears that they were very sober and that they have turned more to the Lord.

On the other hand, I feared for the French brethren, that these things would embitter them and that they would think more of France than of the Lord. I hope however that they will turn to their good. We have prayed constantly for them. You know well what happens even at the confederation of the nations of the west? In my spirit, these events point to the return of the Lord rather than to the earth. I saw all that outright, as one might say; now that things begin to develop, events detach from one another, only it seems to me that it will require time. But who can say? It does not touch our waiting at all. There are no events between us and heaven. May our hearts be there! …

All in all, I do not think that this blight of war has done a lot of harm spiritually to the brethren. In la Drôme, there was not enough life already. I leave the question of carrying weapons on both sides; it flustered many brothers, and I understand it. What a terror! to say nothing about the principle, to see brethren killing each other. Besides, I do not think that a single brother has been killed on one side or the other. The son of a German brother has been; one hoped that he was sober. One has written too of France: X if I am not deceived has encouraged the brethren to bear arms. B must be, or has been judged for refusing to be there. God makes all things work together for good to those that love Him. What a compassionate God is our God!
Peace be to you, dear brother. Greet all brethren affectionately. Here, the brethren do well, and work extends persistently, but outwardly everything is breaking down. In Germany, the work also extends.

Yours ever affectionately

Letter originally written in French, translated by Sosthenes, 2013
Click here for original – If you have any comments on the translation, feel free to let me know.

J N Darby. Lettre No.106

CVI – 106
Londres, 1er mars 1871
A M. P.
Bien-aimé frère,

J N Darby
John Nelson Darby
Il est bien problématique que je revienne encore en Amérique. Ce n’est sûrement pas que le désir me manque, car j’aimerais beaucoup m’y rendre, surtout en vue d’un ou de deux endroits ; mais, tout en étant encore capable de beaucoup de travail, j’ai dépassé le terme assigné à la vie humaine et ne suis plus aussi capable de supporter la fatigue et les peines, comme lorsque je trottais à pied sur les montagnes de la Lozère et du Gard. Mais enfin je suis à Dieu, à un Dieu de toute grâce, heureux de lui appartenir, infiniment heureux, et ne désirant que faire sa volonté jusqu’au bout, car c’est la seule chose bonne. Que sommes-nous, sinon ses serviteurs, dans ce monde ? Bientôt les illusions passeront, il n’y a que la foi qui soit vraie et qui demeure.
Je tiens neuf réunions par semaine, ou j’y prend part, et je travaille de la tête ; je visite encore comme toujours, mais je ne sais si un voyage jusqu’en Californie serait dans les voies de Dieu. On me l’a déjà demandé, mais de prime abord, une telle mission semble exiger, pour la remplir des forces corporelles dont un homme de 70 ans passés ne peut guère disposer, réclamé comme je le suis par d’autres travaux. On me demande aussi en Italie.
Pour le moment, les peines de nos chers frères français paraissent toucher à leur fin. Nous avons fait ce que nous pouvions pour les soulager. Ceux de Paris ont souffert de la disette de vivres, mais pas autrement. Des secours se montant à 40’000 francs environ ont été envoyés du côté de Sedan où la détresse était grande, et de plus 4’000 fr. pour les besoins urgents de ceux qui ont été sur le théâtre de la guerre. La Hollande et la Suisse ont pris part de leur côté à cette libéralité. Les frères allemands ont fait ce qu’ils ont pu pour accueillir les frères prisonniers, quand ils ont pu les trouver. Deux de ces derniers travaillent paisiblement au milieu d’eux et gagnent leur vie : pour un troisième, ils sont arrivés deux heures trop tard, il venait d’être envoyé avec 2’000 autres prisonniers dans le Holstein. Ils se sont portés caution pour ces frères, auprès du gouvernement. Enfin, il y a eu un témoignage rendu (quelque faible qu’il ait pu être), que la grâce et le christianisme sont en dehors, et au-dessus des misères de ce pauvre monde. L. F. les a visités, et a reçu de bonnes lettres de quelques-uns d’entre eux qui avaient été envoyé en Bavière. Dans l’Ardèche, où les frères ont peu ou point souffert, cela les a néanmoins rendus sérieux, il en a été de même des gens du monde ; aussi les réunions ont-elles été plus fréquentées. Dans la Drôme, quelques-uns ont été entraînés par leurs compagnons de la garde sédentaire ou mobile. Dans la contrée de Montbéliard, ils sont pleins de reconnaissance envers Dieu qui les a gardés. Ils ont souffert, leur bétail a été pris, et les ouvriers ont, paraît-il, manqué d’ouvrage partout à la campagne. Nous leur envoyons des secours, soit d’ici, soit de Suisse. Je vois ce soir par les affiches que le traité de paix est déjà signé. Les choses vont vite à présent, mais on y voit d’autant plus la main de Dieu. J’espère que sous certains rapports, cela aura fait du bien aux frères, car le carnage et la ruine ont été affreux. Puis les vivres manquaient au nord de la France ; car ce qu’on avait semé a été gelé. On sème maintenant. On envoie énormément de blé et de vivres de l’Angleterre, mais c’est un rien pour un si grand pays. Le Midi n’a guère souffert, l’Ouest non plus, sauf de l’inclémence de la saison, et du manque de grain pour les semailles. Mais la paix survenant, les choses se remettront en peu de temps. Dieu toujours bon est au-dessus de tout. Je craignais pour les frères allemands, que ces événements ne leur montassent la tête, mais il paraît qu’ils étaient trop sérieux et qu’ils les ont plutôt tournés vers le Seigneur.
Je craignais d’autre part pour nos frères français, que ces choses ne les aigrissent et qu’ils pensassent plus à la France qu’au Seigneur. J’espère toutefois qu’elles tourneront à leur bien. Nous avons constamment prié pour eux. Savez-vous bien que ce qui arrive même à la confédération des nations de l’Occident ? Dans mon esprit, ces événements renvoient plutôt la venue du Seigneur quant à la terre. Je voyais tout cela en bloc, pour ainsi dire ; maintenant que les choses commencent à se développer, les événements se détachent l’un de l’autre, seulement il me semble que cela demandera du temps. Mais qui peut le dire ? Cela ne touche nullement notre attente. Il n’y a pas d’événements entre nous et le ciel. Que nos cœurs y soient ! …
En somme, je ne crois pas que ce fléau de la guerre ait fait spirituellement beaucoup de mal aux frères. Dans la Drôme, il y avait déjà peu de vie. Je laisse la question de porter les armes des deux côtés ; cela a troublé bien des frères, et je le comprends. Quelle horreur ! pour ne rien dire du principe, de voir des frères s’entre-tuer. Au reste, je ne crois pas qu’un seul frère ait été tué d’un côté ou de l’autre. Le fils d’un frère allemand l’a été ; on espérait qu’il était sérieux. On m’a écrit de France : X., si je ne me trompe, a encouragé les frères à porter les armes. B. doit être, ou a été jugé pour s’y être refusé. Dieu fait contribuer toutes choses au bien de ceux qui l’aiment. Quel Dieu miséricordieux que notre Dieu !
Paix vous soit, cher frère. Saluez affectueusement tous les frères. Ici, les frères vont bien, et l’œuvre s’étend continuellement, mais au dehors tout dégringole. En Allemagne, l’œuvre s’étend aussi.
Votre toujours affectionné.

J N Darby – French Letter No. 103 – Continuing the Work

I am happy to receive your news. Thank God, it is good in general as to France and Switzerland. In France, the work proceeds with blessing; and in Switzerland, in a place that I have visited on my last visit to the country, a weak place where the enemy had made ravages, it seemed that the Lord, in His grace, revives and draws souls. Brother X is very useful in the canton of Vaud. May our God keep him and hold him near to him. The fact remains that there is shortage of workers everywhere.

New York – 1868

To Mr P

Beloved Brother,

J N Darby
John Nelson Darby

I am happy to receive your news. Thank God, it is good in general as to France and Switzerland. In France, the work proceeds with blessing; and in Switzerland, in a place that I have visited on my last visit to the country, a weak place where the enemy had made ravages, it seemed that the Lord, in His grace, revives and draws souls. Brother X is very useful in the canton of Vaud. May our God keep him and hold him near to him. The fact remains that there is shortage of workers everywhere.

Poor E is very low I know. Many years ago he did not want to listen to the voice of God; he always had thought of being Mr Minister, and he fell into a trap. We must let him be and not be occupied with his opposition. It is the power of good on God’s part which must be sought; and the way it is, the complainants remain broken on the shore.

As to the questions which have been raised about the sufferings of Christ, I have found in this subject the most profound edification for my heart. I do not doubt that there have been in my writings, on this point and on every point, the weakness and inexactitudes of a man who is not writing under divine inspiration; but the more I read what I have written, the more I am convinced that my adversaries have lost the most precious truth as to the Saviour, and that they are fallen into very great errors. All these discussions have been a great blessing for the brethren in England. I do not think that Bethesda has any principle whatever, other than to succeed. They are in touch with everybody, and get worried neither about the unity of the body, nor of faithfulness to the Lord. Mr X brags of having the independents, the Methodists and I do not know what others, to teach the orphans. He, and those on his side, were in fellowship in Bristol, in a big conference, with people who taught abominable errors; this is indifferent to them! Here in America, their agents and allies are in full fellowship with those who deny the immortality of the soul and the doctrines which flow from it; they have avowed this to me, and have added that that is what they wanted. This is what is in fashion here. According to what they said to me, Bethesda is completely worldly; but do not occupy yourself with that. You will always find that the walk of those who support this party is enough to judge each case in particular, except that they lack uprightness. The unity of the body and the solidarity of the church, in its walk, are disclaimed by all those who expressed their views on this point, either in Bethesda, or by the neutrals. Besides, Mr Newton’s great end was to destroy the doctrine of the church, and Bethesda is just a dissident church which believes itself better than the others, but accepts the position of dissidence and their relations with the Christian world. Before the rupture, Mr C examined the candidates for ministry of the dissidents, and they had days of prayer on the occasion of their consecration. Mr M[1] said that, during twenty years, under the influence of the brethren, he had separated by pride from the religious world, but that he had stopped doing so and returned there.

I continue my work here; it is a work of patience. The world is master, with money and pleasures; many Christians, members of churches said to be ‘disciplined’, frequent the theatres; but I am in touch with a lot of souls who seek something better. Several people found peace – a thing, one can say, unknown here – some people accept the coming of the Lord, and several are exercised regarding their position in these bodies organised by men, which they call ‘church’.

The brethren also who had been in touch with those who deny the immortality of soul are delivered, and walk with us. We are a little around thirty, a happy meeting, but scattered in a city covering a bigger area than Paris, because there are really two or three cities which encircle New York harbour.

I think that God establishes a testimony, very weak though it is, here in Boston, the truth penetrates, but patience is needed. The Lord definitely had it with us; He even could say (may it not be the case now): “I have laboured in vain”[2]; but I am encouraged. Souls who seek the truth and devotion to our precious Lord (which I hold to as much as knowledge), are attracted; I leave them to walk as God leads them, without encouraging them at all to link themselves thus with us; but fraternal links get stronger, and the truth penetrates.

In Boston, there are perhaps more opened doors outwardly; but as more souls with needs always come, I am not thinking of leaving New York at the moment. I spent a month in Boston.

… There dear brother, is what concerns the work. For me, the Lord and the Word are my all down here, and they are but one, in a certain sense. I sense even more that only the Holy Spirit can work good down here, but I understand even better that ‘one’s home is in heaven’. The Word is always clearer, more precious to me; I have a feeling that our position, however weak we are, is that of the testimony of God, but while enjoying the Word a lot, I also know that we know “in part”[3]. What the Holy Spirit gives us we possess on God’s part, and we have to walk there, this is our all. The wisdom of God Himself is found there, it coordinates necessarily with what we do not know; we feel by this ignorance our whole dependency on God, but the fact that we learn of Him inspires trust. Follow the Word, here is our business: so we shall enjoy the presence of the Lord. Yet a very short time, and we shall see Him.

Salute all the brethren with affection. May God bless you and keep you.

Ever your affectionate brother

[1] presumably Mr C and Mr M are Henry Craik and George Müller, who oversaw the meeting at Bethesda chapel.

[2] Isa 49: 4

[3] 1 Cor 13: 9

 

Letter originally written in French, translated by Sosthenes, 2013
Click here for original – If you have any comments on the translation, feel free to let me know.

J N Darby – French Letter No. 102 – What Influences there are in America

As to Bethesda, the matter is very simple. As Mr Newton had taught his blasphemies and had a chapel built, Bethesda received people who made a party of it, even people who held his doctrines, then had used all sort of fraudulent procedures to hide the fact, but preferred to see about forty faithful brethren leave their company, rather than not receive these people: it was a definite party.

To Mr P

Beloved Brother,

… As to Switzerland, I spoke of general needs. There are only three brothers in the work full-time, who do what they can, and various other brothers, each in his locality. Otherwise, it does not go badly. Along la Broye[1] there had been disagreements; at all times it was unhealthy there; but what was faithful became more solid than before. It is not less true there that they greatly need workers. I did not see the booklet of Mr G; he sent it to London and informed me of it, but this type of literature does not follow me here.

As to Bethesda, the matter is very simple. As Mr Newton had taught his blasphemies and had a chapel built, Bethesda received people who made a party of it, even people who held his doctrines, then had used all sort of fraudulent procedures to hide the fact, but preferred to see about forty faithful brethren leave their company, rather than not receive these people: it was a definite party.

But the principle went much further and one sees its effects everywhere. In America, it is a matter of the immortality of the soul. The neutrals, as one calls them in England, who come here, join themselves without difficulty to the meetings which deny the immortality of the soul, and basically as a consequence the value of the atonement. They say: ‘they are Christians’, and that suffices them. A person paid by Bethesda in Canada openly defended the doctrines of Mr Newton, and some here propagate them. They are not of Bethesda, but walk in their ways and approve of them. The question is this: Is the truth necessary as well as grace? One among them, a man active on this side of the Atlantic, and who is come from the neutrals in England, has said to me: What is the truth? There is no certain truth that one can require of others. He was in full communion with those who deny the immortality of the soul and who propagated this doctrine, while saying that he did not have part in their views – now he is gone to present himself to the brethren in Toronto as one of my friends, for this system is altogether the ruin of integrity and doctrine. I believe that Mr R has translated the pamphlet of Mr T, Bethesda in 1857[2]. For my part, I have never published anything on it. But Bethesda has gone back into the circle of worldly Christendom.

I have been in the West, where there are several good places; the doors are opened among those who speak French. The work makes some progress and the brethren begin to know one another; but it is a drop of water in a lake. However, the testimony is there and propagates itself.

Here in New York, all is bound up in commerce; Christians are all become worldly, some exceptions apart, and these complain. They openly approve of balls, theatres, and the members of churches go there habitually. It is a moral stampede of which one can have no idea. You have to be a member of a church, that is respectable, and it is no longer a matter of conversion whichever one it is. We have a small meeting at present, composed of faithful people, although feeble, perhaps twenty-five in all, but it is a resource for those who come, and a testimony for those who seek – weak and of little account, but where one walks apart from the world. In Boston, a meeting also exists; less numerous, but more American, and if I do not make a mistake, the doors a little more open; at least there are more relations with people of the place. I also develop this in New York, but I am only in transit there.

In Canada, in two or three places, there is some movement of the Spirit of God, among others, among the Red Indians; there are more than twenty breaking bread. Apart from this, things are stationary, but the brethren in general go on well. There also labourers are lacking. It is devotion which makes the lack everywhere. For my part, I am convinced that there are indeed hidden gifts, which would be exercised if there were more faith. In the end, it is to Jesus that one must look. Down here, all passes and changes, we know it; but we need to look to Him so that the heart should be confirmed in its walk. “In that I now live in flesh, I live by faith of the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself for me”[3]. With this, everything is simple, and soon the moment will come when the life of faith in Jesus, the life of Christ in us, will be all that we will remember to have been real. All the rest will have been only ‘walking by what concerns appearance[4]’. It is ever clearer that the Lord is our all, and soon, thank God, He will be definitely our all. In the meantime it is faith; only faith that works. He sometimes encourages us; He exercises our patience at other times. For faith, all is clear; then looking for self disappears. Besides, He feeds us and cherishes as a man his own flesh. Let us keep near to Him. All the great truths which He has taught us become ever more precious to me, and His Word has an infinite prize to me, the only true and divine thing in a world of lies, if it is not yet the life of Christ in His own, but often – alas! – mixed indeed!

I am not thinking of staying here longer. In remaining here, I would have opened doors, they open anew, but God calls me elsewhere.

Peace be to you, and communion – much communion – with the Lord

Your very affectionate brother

PS        I have very good news of the brethren in England.

[1] One of the seven districts of the Canton of Fribourg.

[2] W Trotter: ‘Bethesda in September 1857; or, An Answer to the Question, Why do you still stand apart from Bethesda?’ – York – 17th September 1857

 

[3] Gal 2: 20

[4] 2 Cor 10: 7

J N Darby – French Letter No. 103 – The Christian work amongst the American Indians

The Indians come well; the number of brothers has grown; two or three are occupied in the work amidst their compatriots. The language is an obstacle, but one sees clearly that the work is of God, for there has been perhaps more progress among them than in other parts, without our being able to speak their language and without them having a Bible that is worth something.

J N Darby
John Nelson Darby

To Mr P
Very dear Brother,
I thank you from the heart for your enquiry about me. I am much better, thank God; my head is still trying: only the least brain fatigue gives me a headache. I had too much work, and was a bit careless about my body; for an inflammatory attack found me without strength. For two days, I thought I would succumb, but God has decided otherwise in His designs of grace. Once the fever passed, I have had to feed myself better than I had. I have been able to take part in the conference in Guelph which has been blessed more than ordinarily; we have even had quite a few new places in the east of the United States; some set free as to their position, one or two only as to their souls …
The Indians come well; the number of brothers has grown; two or three are occupied in the work amidst their compatriots. The language is an obstacle, but one sees clearly that the work is of God, for there has been perhaps more progress among them than in other parts, without our being able to speak their language and without them having a Bible that is worth something. They have a translation, but so bad that one does not use it. Twenty-six among them now break bread. The work is interesting in New York and Boston, but exercises patience. At any rate, a fairly large number of souls have found peace, and the truth spreads itself… A meeting has been started in more than one place; it is a part of the fruit of the influence of the conference in Guelph, which as I have said has been blessed for souls.

Thus the truth spreads itself in the United States, but the power of assembly is still small among the American-born. The so-called churches are a great obstacle; it is held there that it is not a matter of Christians; the majority of members are not so, and those who are come to the theatre and all the rest, as a general rule; a person who is not part of a church is only supposed to be openly unbelieving, or they want to live without restraint outside the respectable party of society. But God is over all this, and already they realise that we want something more decided as to their walk, and not an unregulated life. God acts, and it is necessary to wait for Him. I think that the testimony has been planted and takes root. The brethren have taken measures to have depots for tracts and books …
In general, thank God, I have good news of France, Switzerland, England, Ireland, and Scotland too which has hitherto been firmly closed. The brethren are well, their number growing rapidly; I fear a little the influence of a number of young women in Ireland (some however very devoted) and young men even in relation with worldly families, At any rate, the blessing is evident, as well as the needs of many souls. The Lord suffices for all the difficulties; what could we do without that? The Word is always very precious to me – the truth.

I hope that the coming of the Lord keeps all its power in your heart – may you wait for it. Salute all the brethren.

Yours very affectionately

 

Letter originally written in French, translated by Sosthenes, 2013
Click here for original – If you have any comments on the translation, feel free to let me know.

J N Darby – French Letter No. 95 – Extract – Christian Assembly Order

It seems to me that, if somebody who does not break the bread speaks in the assembly where the bread is broken, it is a very serious disorder. A man who separates himself wrongfully from the assembly of God is not in the position to instruct it as to its being reunited. That does not hindering his doing so outside of the meeting. I recognise what he has as a member of the body, but this position is disavowed to him if, when the body is reunited, as far as it can be reunited, he does not want to take his place in it.

Dublin 1861

To Mr P
Beloved brother

…

J N Darby
John Nelson Darby

It seems to me that, if somebody who does not break the bread speaks in the assembly where the bread is broken, it is a very serious disorder. A man who separates himself wrongfully from the assembly of God is not in the position to instruct it as to its being reunited. That does not hindering his doing so outside of the meeting. I recognise what he has as a member of the body, but this position is disavowed to him if, when the body is reunited, as far as it can be reunited, he does not want to take his place in it.

I find no difficulty in 1 Tim 1:13. Firstly this passage does not weaken a load of statements, and even of principles relative to the exercise of gift, more it makes the exercise of the gift a duty to the one who has it. Then, in no way was Timothy a local minister, what you would call an established minister: he accompanied the apostle and succeeded him in the necessary services being someone who was imbued with the spirit of the apostle and fully informed as to his ways. Prophecy, it would appear, had predesignated Timothy (See 1 Tim 1:18) . Paul had placed his hands on him (2 Tim 1:6) , afterwards the body of the elders had put their own hands on him, to commend him to God. The apostle reminds him, with reason, both of these things: prophecy by which God had designated him, and the sanction of the elders, who knowing him, commended him to God. Paul himself was predesignated according to prophecy, and those who were at Antioch laid their hands on him, to commend him to the grace of God for the work for which he had been called: that is the expression in the word . But Timothy was never an established minister over a flock. I believer for my part that there can be (and there are) persons consecrated to the work and who exercise their ministry constantly applying themselves to the work. If someone were designated by prophecy for this task, I would have no objection to the laying on of hands by the elders, if there are any. It is probable that if the Spirit acted in this way that the elders would soon be found. I do not have any difficulty about that which in practice the older brothers do – disregarded by the clergy who establish ministers, which is the work of the enemy. I see nothing which hinders the commending of a labourer to the grace of God in laying on of hands with a view to the particular work to which he has been called. This could be repeated each time he had to undertake a new work; but if one has made a consecration to impede the free action of the Holy Spirit, then it is an abomination and a rebellion against God.

I do not agree at all with the Messager about 2 Cor 5:3, but that is a matter of interpretation, so that does not trouble me. According to what you say, the author did not understand the passage; that’s all. The force of the passage is very clear to me. The word xxxx(Greek word in text) puts a condition into relief, and the word xxx adds strength to it – we enjoy what we have spoken about, provided that, of course we suppose that in the state itself in which we are reclothed (the body) we are not found naked (as regards Christ), for otherwise that would be something other than glory.

In this country the work of the Lord pursues a remarkable course. In Dublin the number of brethren has increased a lot, there are a number of nice young men, lively and happy, some of them renting rooms in the bad parts of the city (There are 300,000 inhabitants) and there are continual conversions. The evening before last, five listeners out of about twenty received peace. I often have two meetings a day: quite a number of people – ladies and gentlemen -are very attentive. In the country some of the nobility and well-to-do have been converted and often have left the Church of Ireland. It is a remarkable movement of the Spirit of God. This is outside of the brethren, but everywhere the principles that the brethren have upheld are being reproduced, and in large gatherings where souls are being converted, things are being organised in the actual way the brethren do it, at least by persons who are embued with their principles – maybe a bit loose to be admitted amongst us, but they follow in some way the same principles whilst going anywhere. They read the brethren’s books. One perceives at lest that there is that which is sure and solid, but the energy of the truth is nonetheless penetrating and it is as light as day.

May God keep us close to Himself dear brother, happy that Christ is preached everywhere, and firm in the principles and walk in the way that Christ teaches. We must know what it is to be small – it is worth it – but He is always great.

Greet D and all the brethren

Yours most affectionately

Letter originally written in French, translated by Sosthenes, 2013
Click here for original – If you have any comments on the translation, feel free to let me know.

J N Darby – French Letter No. 95 – Extract – Receiving into Christian Fellowship

The question of reception is often badly stated. We are not a body by voluntary association, but in the measure that we can be, we come together as members of the body of Christ, a gathering of His own, the work of the Holy Spirit. We do not receive persons amongst us to take the supper with us; Christ must have received them:

J N Darby
John Nelson Darby

Dublin 1861

To Mr P
Beloved brother

…

Then, the question of reception is often badly stated. We are not a body by voluntary association, but in the measure that we can be, we come together as members of the body of Christ, a gathering of His own, the work of the Holy Spirit. We do not receive persons amongst us to take the supper with us; Christ must have received them: we recognise them, being responsible to guard the holiness of the Lord’s table and the truth of God. To recognise them, it is a matter of confidence, and it depends on the witness that we have of their lives. It is not a matter of deliberation as to whether to receive them or not, once their Christianity has been established, not excluding holiness and truth, for the Spirit who leads the children of God is the Spirit of Truth and the Holy Spirit. They have a right, in this case, to the table. Discipline still remains.

In dubious cases, it is good to desire that the conscience of the whole assembly be clear about it; but if the person is a Christian, and is known as such, or known well enough that by the testimony of a serious person who can guarantee the Christianity of the person who wishes to take the supper, in my opinion nothing else is needed. Only it is good to name the person before the assembly, and in any case to mention it to several responsible members of the meeting if there is not a better opportunity of speaking about it. It is a matter of sufficient testimony, since it is a matter of maintaining a spirit of confidence amongst all. If the one who introduces a soul is a young or shallow Christian, it would be better that his testimony was supported by a few Christians with more discernment. We should rejoice to see new souls coming, but at the same time we need to see that the truth and holiness is safeguarded.

Continued …

 

Letter originally written in French, translated by Sosthenes, 2013

Click here for original – If you have any comments on the translation, feel free to let me know.

J N Darby – French Letter No. 95 – Extract – Venting Opinions in Christian Assembly

Venting Opionions in Christian Assembly

(DJR)

J N Darby
John Nelson Darby

Dublin 1861

To Mr P
Beloved brother

…

I believe it is very annoying when a brother vents his opinions in public on questions or things about which he does not know the assembly’s thinking. At least, in general, unless it is necessary to provide information, some questions should not be brought into the public.

Continued …

 

Letter originally written in French, translated by Sosthenes, 2013

Click here for original – If you have any comments on the translation, feel free to let me know.

J N Darby – French Letter No. 93 – A Christian Workman and Christian Workmen

For 5am to 11pm I am busy all the time; only sometimes I wonder if I should do so much desk work, but at least I believe it feeds other younger brothers in their work; they have more courage and I am happy to take a back-seat place – really, I consider this to be my present work

J N Darby
John Nelson Darby

England 1861

To Mr P
Beloved brother

I was pleased to receive your letter. I greatly value having news of our dear friends in France. Now I am very busy in England where the work is expanding a lot. So you should not be surprised if I do not reply immediately, or think that such a fault was deliberate. For 5am to 11pm I am busy all the time; only sometimes I wonder if I should do so much desk work, but at least I believe it feeds other younger brothers in their work; they have more courage and I am happy to take a back-seat place – really, I consider this to be my present work. In the afternoons, between 2pm and 9pm I visit people and have meetings, but being so absorbed in my work, I am all the more glad to receive news about the brethren. God has granted me this favour and I am blessed by it. I have news from the South of France, but less from Switzerland.

You can imagine how much I thank God for the blessing resulting from the tour of our dear friends from P and I do not doubt that they do so in their hearts too, and I still trust that your dear brother will one day be used. May he keep very near the Lord, and read the Word for himself – I say ‘for himself’ not for his work, because this is the true way to read. The Lord says, “ If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” One drinks for oneself; one is thirsty oneself : that is how rivers of living water flow for others. One goes to Jesus for that – and all that is included in the ‘I’ is judged fundamentally in the heart, and grace acts bit by bit. Doubtlessly in judging oneself from the outset, one continues to walk in this way, but such judgment is constantly renewed in detail. One cannot work well if one is not in communion with the Lord. One must also have love for souls, for consequent on their interest one must carry them: one knows their needs and in which way the Word applies to them. Also the work must be undertaken with seriousness, with humility, in a spirit of service, with a feeling that one is dealing not just with the intellect but with the souls, which is an essential difference. We have to find in our work the feeling that we are working on souls on God’s behalf in a true spirit of service. It is in this that visits are profitable for our ministry, we can grapple with souls, be it publicly or in going house to house, and we see how the word applies to peoples’ needs, even if they do not understand it. Whatever the level of the truth it might be, the soul does not receive anything unless it applies to his or her current state. When John the Baptist spoke of the Lamb of God, his disciples said that they had “ seen the Messias ; when the Lord spoke of “ a fountain of water, springing up into eternal life”, the woman said “ Come, see a man who told me all things I had ever done: is not he the Christ?”

Coming back to the visits, the love of Christ is working there, and we feel it. For my part, I find that they always do good; I do not believe that a man can exercise a useful and blessed ministry without visiting souls. He might be able to give a very beautiful lecture, full of truths, but his link with souls will be lacking. God, without doubt, can supply anything that is lacking, but one cannot expect to feel a blessing from such a ministry. Young doctors must visit hospitals and attend clinics in order to be true doctors. At least it does us good, exercising and nourishing charity, and God takes pleasure in that. I bless God when I see labourers coming to life. He has given us a certain number of them, more evangelists, blessed in their ministry, than shepherds. Nevertheless there are some of the latter.

You will have seen my letter to F. for there is a real blessing in this country. At first there was a lot of excitement, but now things have calmed down a lot. Two labourers have been really blessed, although they count conversions rather precipitately. One of them, converted in the revival last year, who is moving at a great pace, but really devoted, believes he had 120 conversions in one month; I don’t think that can be right, but I believe there are some. In all events the run-down, the miserable, the Roman Catholics listen to him with attention. He is no more than 18 years old. This case is exceptional, but this is the sort of thing that there is – he thunders and speaks nonetheless with a true love for souls, only I am convinced that some excitement of the flesh accompanies his ministry. I have written to F to warn him while being careful – I who am so cold – not to discourage or let the young man get cold.

What a maze, humanly speaking, or rather amongst such a mix-up we find ourselves in down here. What a consolation it is to know that God sees through it all like a transparent glass, and that His perfect grace deals with it all, but that gives us a reason to be humble and go out of sight. I can say, thank God, that I have total confidence in Him, and I greatly enjoy the sense of His perfect grace and faithfulness, conscious, weak though I am, of what is in me. What grace that is! But I should like to be more directly and consistently occupied with souls. I continue to preach, and there are many present. I have good news of Montbeliard: at B. there has been several conversions, and also much opposition. They tried to establish a Moravian meeting there and about ten of them joined the brethren. The meetings in the vicinity are blessed and are added to…

The Word is always so precious to you, and tests you by its power when you read it, is it not? I see, more distinctly than ever, the practical power of the Spirit in the Christian way, and in the Word, a clear distinction between the life of the last Adam and that of the first. That is nothing new, but it is deeper and clearer in my heart, as also the new position in which the Christian is, without leaving aside man’s responsibility and the action of the Spirit in relation to that responsibility. What a picture we see in Acts 7, as to the exterior view of things: on one side man resisting, and on the other filled with the Holy Spirit…

Greet the brethren with affection

 

Letter originally written in French, translated by Sosthenes, 2013

Click here for original – If you have any comments on the translation, feel free to let me know.

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