with their words; for to this day they refuse fellowship to any who are connected with “Bethesda.” They treat them, equally with those who are in any way connected with Mr. Newton, as publicans and sinners.
The other divisions must be summed up in fewer words.—The next was in connection with a meeting at Peckham. Some “Brethren” there who had families, and found it too far to walk to the meeting at Walworth, commenced one at Peckham. It was known beforehand to be their intention to do so; but still no act of condemnation was passed, and the meeting was formed. But “the Brethren” there had not obtained the approval of the Leaders. They were Christians, and as such, had the right to meet in the name of Jesus―i.e., if the Leaders among “the Brethren” approved, not otherwise.
Still, the meeting was formed, whereupon the following notice was sent simultaneously to all the meetings in London, dated November 2nd, 1862:—
“Some brethren who have long been out of fellowship in spirit with the gatherings in London, although breaking bread at East Street, Walworth, have at length, in self-will, opened a meeting for breaking bread at Hill Street, Peckham; a considerable number in fellowship with us (i.e., those who had met at Walworth) have in consequence with drawn from East Street, and meet this morning for prayer and guidance.”
The explanation of this notice is found in the fact that those who remained at East Street are regarded as one with those at Peckham, because they assented to the course the latter had adopted.
So things went on until one of the recalcitrant “Brethren,” being one Lord’s-day in the neighbourhood of Kennington, went to the meeting in that locality. This was a grievous sin, and the next
