way would be to do it for my own need. I procured a small room, knowing about six who wished to do it: for I had most carefully avoided seeking any, and had entirely ceased visiting since I left, lest I should have even the appearance of making a party, though my heart was in that work. Campbell would no longer break bread. Nor Wigram, nor Code, nor Potter, nor Mc Adam, Naylor still I think at that time did, or might, though strong in his judgment, but left for Jersey; that is, excepting Naylor, all who were not avowed supporters and partizans of Mr. Newton. Mr. Walker had left. Mr. Rhind came to me on leaving, and, while blaming my beginning to break bread, said, what I said as my reason was very strong, that I ought, instead of declining to invite Hall and Wigram because they were considered hostile, to have got a number who took my view of it to balance the others. He left me saying that I had acted with the greatest forbearance.[1]
This part was now closed. I began to break bread, and the first Sunday there were not six, but fifty or sixty.
As soon as the brethren were gone Mr. Newton began to hold tea meetings by invitation, at which he explained every thing. The statements of Mr. Wigram, Sir A. Campbell, and myself were declared to be entirely untrue. And both Mr. Newton and Mr. Soltau declared that if there had been any truth in them they would have left themselves. This was carefully insisted on in private visits, and repeated by all those under them. Sir A. C. in particular was declared by these last “willingly and wilfully false.” Mr. Newton also said, publicly and privately, he had never sanctioned, but always objected to the Friday meeting. That it had been begun, by a brother who had semi-Irvingite views, on a wrong ground,
- ↑ Mr. Rhind did not hesitate then to declare to strangers to both parties that they had ceased to lean upon God, and that the Spirit of God was not practically owned. I have not had an opportunity of communicating this to Mr. R., but my informant is one whose authority is above suspicion, and respected alike by Mr. R. and myself.
