The Cause Of The Separation

by H. ELSON | Category: Spiritual Movements Seventy Years Ago | Dec 1963

Finally we may call attention to a fifth point of difference (which is in principle simply an amplification of the last named point). Some hold that, as in a city each company is separately responsible, so in like manner in a district each assembly is separately responsible, and should administer its own affairs and discipline without reference to others.

But independency is directly contrary to the fellowship of assemblies as presented in Scripture, which, while definitely giving to each assembly its special local responsibility, yet binds all the assemblies together in joint responsibility and joint privilege. As an instance of the former we may cite the solemn discipline of 1 Corinthians 5 which was not only binding upon Corinth, but also upon "all ... in every place" (1 Corinthians 1.2), for the Fellowship was one (verse 9). As an instance of the latter we may cite the happy privilege of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 which not only expressed the unity of the "churches of Macedonia", but definitely linked that province with the adjoining province of "Achaia".

In the foregoing, we think we have written sufficient to illustrate and enforce what we at first stated, viz., the existence of two distinct and antagonistic lines of teaching that obtained among the assemblies:

the inevitable consequence of this has been conflict ever increasing, a conflict so sharp that in many cases, within the past ten years, division has locally taken place.

We would here request very particular attention to a matter which we believe ought to be emphasized because of its bearing upon the "crisis" ultimately reached. "Meetings" which were completely separated in their own town were nevertheless regarded as being both "in fellowship" by "meetings" elsewhere, and consequently letters of commendation were accepted equally from each. Thus, a score or two of "meetings" in and about London, would have readily received upon (or for that matter without) letters of commendation, persons coming from the town of L - whether they came from A - St. or B - St. though there was no fellowship whatever between these two "meetings" directly.

Constant effort was made to rectify this unhallowed confusion, by brethren who saw the evil thereof, but these efforts proved unavailing, being nullified because of the principle of independency before alluded to. At length, after years of unavailing effort, it became fully manifest that the majority were deliberately and unalterably committed to the independent position and other unscriptural principles and ways, in view of which, the painful conviction gradually forced itself upon some that, as in bygone days they had been obliged to leave their "denomination" in order to do the will of the Lord, so now, in order to do His will as further understood, they would be obliged to leave the "Open Brethren association". Thus the crisis was reached! The critical moment came! And in responsibility to the Lord, brethren ceased their connexion with an association of "meetings" which, as a whole, they knew to be unscriptural, and in which they had proved it impossible to obey fully and please their sovereign Master.

These are now together in one Fellowship, according to the divine principles which constitute and govern the "Fellowship of His (God's) Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1.9), and as "disciples" they desire to follow out what God has already taught them, and what He may be pleased to teach them further, in subjection to the authority of the Lord Christ as Son over God's house.

At what cost some have taken this step, God knows; truly in this sense they have "bought the Truth"; nevertheless, in view of the coming day and the Master's presence, they sing,"0 how will recompense His smile

The sufferings of this 'little while'."

We now bring this little pamphlet to a close. Our effort is but feeble and imperfect, yet we have sought to write as under the eye of God in truthfulness and honesty, and thus to rescue from the quagmire of confused report, THE CAUSE OF THE SEPARATION.

Our last word shall be an earnest reminder to our reader of his direct personal accountability to the Lord, and his solemn obligation to decide his future course by the unerring light of that Book which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

H. ELSON | Dec 1963
Spiritual Movements Seventy Years Ago