Mr. Bellett, a dear friend of Mr. Groves, said to her, “Groves has just been telling me, that it appeared to him from Scripture, that believers, meeting together as disciples of Christ, were free to break bread together, as their Lord had admonished them; and that, in as far as the practice of the apostles could be a guide, every Lord’s day should be set apart for thus remembering the Lord’s death, and obeying his parting command.”
This suggestion of Mr. Groves was immediately carried out by himself and his friends in Dublin; and how many, who have since followed their example, can speak of the peace and joy they have experienced in thus obeying the Lord’s will! This was the beginning of what has been erroneously termed, “Plymouth Brethrenism.” With one of the party, who had met together in Dublin, originated a meeting of a similar kind in Plymouth; and among the Christians who took part in it were clergymen, still officiating in the Church of England. The original principles of this happy communion are fully de tailed, and largely dwelt upon, in Mr. Groves’s letters and journals; they tended to nothing less than the enjoyment of union and communion among all who possess the common life of the family of God. The realization of these principles enabled Mr. Groves, whether in Ireland, England, Russia, or the presidencies of India, to go in and out among God’s people, every where, both conveying and receiving refreshment; and, up to the time of his remomoval, his stedfast adherence to the same blessed principles, made him know nothing among men, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
It will be seen, by his own narrative, how he first found for himself, and mentioned to his dear friend, Mr. B., the liberty they had in Christ, to minister the word of God to others, without any warrant beyond the scripture rule, “If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth.” 1 Pet. iv, 2. On this ground it was that Mr. B., as well as others, have spoken of Mr. Groves as the father of these principles to their minds. The views that he, to his death, so strongly held, both of the entire unity of the family of God and their liberty to unite together in worship, were, he often
