Page:Neatby - A history of the Plymouth Brethren.djvu/143

Rh rights, I do not say of a Christian brother, but of a fellow-creature.

Newton, before making any reply to Harris’s tract, issued an authoritative account of his own views, under the title of Remarks on the Sufferings of the Lord Jesus. Darby immediately struck in with Observations on a Tract, etc. The tone is rude and unfeeling. He endeavours to fasten on Newton the full responsibility for the notes—a responsibility that Newton afterwards disowned. “The person from whom it came, residing in the house with him … stated that it was the substance of Mr. N.’s lecture correctly given. One can understand that he could not disown, and that he dared not own it.” Harris’s action is justified in the following remarkable passage:—

"“A man manufactures poison and distributes it without avowing his name, and disseminates it assiduously in secret to destroy and ruin. … Is it not to be labelled, because the poisoner, in order to facilitate his mischief, will not do it? … Because he acts secretly and subtilly, am I to keep his secret, if, without any art or even seeking it, I have discovered it by the providence of God? No; I must publish plainly what it is, and who it is.”"

The imputation was made in ignorance, for Newton had not yet disclaimed all knowledge of the manuscript, but the passage is a good example of the settled principle of its author,—to condemn Newton unheard on every possible count. After this, we do not expect Newton to receive any quarter in respect of his character as a Christian.

“The ignorance of some things proves there is no knowledge of God. … The first tract shews this in the things of God. The second still more (in the effort to save the writer’s credit)—entire indifference to the truth and glory of Christ. He declares his value for things, which not to value would discredit him; but fatal error is slurred and glossed over without a regard for the Christ it