Page:Neatby - A history of the Plymouth Brethren.djvu/168



Bristol the zeal and faith of the Brethren—above all, of George Müller—had erected the noblest monument that any Christians could possess of either their philanthropy or their religion. The orphanages were already rising on the Ashley Downs. It is well known that in these orphanages many thousands of bereaved children have been fed, clothed, trained and put forth in the world, without the help of a penny of guaranteed income. Such an institution, maintained for sixty or seventy years, in which from the first day until now faith has stood in the place of building fund, sustentation fund and endowment, has an unique character amongst the achievements of Christian benevolence. In launching this enterprise philanthropy was secondary in Muller’s thoughts. His primary design was to show that there was still a living God on whom His servants might safely count; and perhaps, by the simple fact of his orphanages, Müller became the greatest preacher and the greatest apologist of the last century.

When Darby instituted a second meeting at Plymouth, the Church at Bethesda Chapel remained neutral, acknowledging both the rival communities. This was a possible course only so long as Darby simply denied all ecclesiastical status to Ebrington Street; but when, after the doctrinal controversy, he required the personal excommunication of each several member of the church,