Page:Groves - Darbyism - Its Rise and Development and a Review of the Bethesda Question.djvu/30

 pulpit of the “Church of England.” In those early days it will be remembered by some still, how Mr. Müller preached the return of the Lord and inculcated those important principles of entire separation from the world, which then marked the teachings and the life of “the brethren” generally. There was also that practical walking by faith, in connexion with which Mr. Müller remarks in his life, that the example of Mr. A. N. Groves, who had just then gone to Bagdad, had greatly encouraged him. It is interesting to trace the early connection between these men of God, who were subsequently to be united in the flesh, as well as in the Lord, and who were to stand together as helpers in the conflict of 1848, of which we are about to write. Of Mr. Craik it may be well just to observe, that he had been between tho years 1826 and 1828, in Exeter, under the roof of Mr. Groves at the time when the mind of the latter was exercised about entering the ministry of the “Church of England,” and which he was obliged to give up, as the Lord had revealed to him the real character of a Christian ministry, and the true grounds of a Christian fellowship, which should be large enough to embrace all who love the Lord. These truths Mr. Groves feeling deeply the importance of, sought to impress on the minds of those over whom he had influence: so that as Mr. Craik said to the writer, “It was not at St. Andrews, it was not at Plymouth—it was at Exeter that the Lord taught me those lessons of dependence on Himself and of Catholic fellowship, which I have sought to carry out.” On these points Mr. Müller and Mr. Craik were fully in harmony, and which, through upwards of 36 years they laboured together to maintain, till the lamented death of the latter, which so lately took place. While Mr. Müller was at Teignmouth, Mr. Craik was at Shaldon, a village close by, where for some years he had been labouring for the Lord. It was there that they were first so drawn together, that when in 1832 it was proposed to Mr. Craik to come to Bristol, he only consented to.do so, on the condition that his brother and fellow-labourer would go there too. Bethesda Chapel was at that time for hire, and was taken for them by a gentleman who had heard Mr. Craik preach; and entering on its bare walls, they laboured together during a period of more than three and thirty years. This circumstance is mentioned, because of the false assertion often made, that the church at Bethesda was originally the remains of a Baptist congregation. These brethen belonged to no denomination, but brought to Bristol with them those views of church-fellowship and of faith, which had marked them in Devonshire, and which led to their being considered by both churchmen and dissenters, as men