Page:Darby - A narratives of the facts.djvu/83



In fine, when finesse and untruthfulness, when flattery of the rich and contempt and neglect of the poor, and then caresses and threatenings and appeals to their gratitude, attract the Spirit of Christ, then while under its influence I may return. Or when avowed Sectarianism and union in testimony against brethren is that to which I wish to be a party. Till then I can have no such thought. There are saints of God there who ought to be, and I can boldly say, are very dear to me, I would do all there, every good I could. Nor have I the conscience of an unkindly feeling toward one. I should rejoice with unfeigned joy were every statement I have made proved to be wrong to my own shame. But, without pretending to apportion blame, to say who originated it, or helped it on, supposing it possible, and I would hope true, that all have been only led in it ignorantly; I believe that there has been a direct work of the enemy, and that to subvert the blessed truth that brethren were specially trusted with. A work which has shewn itself in doctrine, principle, and practice, as is always the case very subtily and very gradually, but surely and constantly. I shall notice in their plain effects the doctrines.

First, practically the present hope and expectation of the Lord's coming was put off and set aside.

Secondly, the heavenly calling, which brethren had specially been favoured to bring out, and glory of the Church with Christ, is confounded with earth and subverted and set aside. Our Mother declared to be the establishment of a system, which had been going on from the beginning, in glory in the earth. “Christianity supreme in the earth in Mount Zion and Jerusalem” “identical with Zion arising in the moral grace and dignity of its high calling in the earth.” (Thoughts on the Apocalypse pp. 138, 142.) “This is our parent, the system to which we belong,” Jerusalem.

Thirdly, unfeigned faith in the presence of the Holy Ghost to guide and minister in the assemblies of the saints was undermined and subverted.