Lord’s-day the following encyclical was read at all the “gatherings:”―
“Mr. Ogilvie having intruded himself, on the 12th of April, at the Table at Kennington, and having, when remonstrated with, stated his determination to continue to do so, it is judged necessary to give notice that those who composed the East Street meeting, and those associated with Peckham meeting, cannot be accredited at the Lord’s Table till they are humbled for their course.”
Thus a body of Christians were cut off from fellowship,—and for what? Because they thought it more convenient to worship at Peckham than at Walworth. This was a grievous sin, demanding contrition and humiliation before they could be received at the table of the Lord.
Out of this third division the fourth grew, and was consummated. A brother from Peckham went to Sheffield. He was well known to “the brethren” in this place, and highly esteemed, and hence, as they altogether disapproved of the action which their leaders in London had taken, they allowed him, as on former occasions, “to break bread.” Such an act of contumacy could not be tolerated; consequently, that whole assembly was also placed out of communion. “The Brethren” at Sheffield remonstrated, but ineffectually. One of the leaders in London wrote and said that in commencing the meeting at Peckham “the sin of Korah was acted over again.” He adds, “Nothing has appeared in my eyes more deliberately wicked since I have known brethren,” and he cites the Scripture as applicable to the case, “God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie.” It was no wonder, therefore, that he upheld the action taken.
Mr. Darby was appealed to, and after mature deliberation he wrote as follows:—“I take part in this act, and hold him to be outside the Church of God on
