Recent Apples
God
The doctrines of the truth embody the thoughts of God,and the thoughts of God are higher than the thoughts of man,
and, therefore, the majority of men easily fail to rise to the height of them,
or easily fall from their height when lifted up to them.
The death of Christ has more to do with the exaltation of God
than the salvation of man.
Most men take in the latter more easily than the former, and quickly get astray through the power of mere humanitarianism.
Brother Robert Roberts
Diary of a Voyage
Christ
Humble service one of another is the characteristic of all who conform to the mind of Christ.
It will be found on closest reflection to be the most reasonable
and the most beautiful deportment on the part of any human being.
A man appears at his best when he is sincerely and unaffectedly humble -
the greatness of any gift he may have will only add to the beauty of modesty,
and will certainly not detract from the reasonableness of it, for what can a man have that he has not received?
Even the power of perseverance and application by which he may attain results is a gift:
he did not create it.
Brother Robert Roberts
Daughters of Sarah
“Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification” ( Rom. 15:2 ).
An observance of this will stimulate a sister to avoid everything
which might cause others to stumble or fall.
It will also prompt her further all that tends to the comfort and upbuilding of the ecclesia.
She will not absent herself from the meetings
because she dislikes the journey, or the hall,
or the lecturer, or the scanty attendance;
and she will scrupulously refrain from making appointments
that would keep her away from them.
Her conversation will be profitable,
her dress such as will prove a source of emulation to none.
She will abstain from every appearance of evil.
Sister C.H. Jannaway
~
Godliness sanctifies tall relations,
and makes our domestic nature minister to its ends.
Childhood is not without its opportunity of growing in the grace of Godliness,
for, as a parent, it sees God's faint reflection,
and love for a mother and father is not a bad preparation and exercise
for the love of God himself.
But nothing should be left in the instincts of nature,
and a child's love grows fuller as it is learning reverence and obedience "in the Lord".
Neither childhood's or manhood's duty is fully done which is not done "in the Lord".
It is the recognition of His will in everything that constitutes true Godliness.
Logos 1987
~
“The lips of the righteous feed many.”
How do they do this? By conveying to others the counsel of the Scriptures.
The Scriptures are spiritual food. They are spoken of as “milk,” “meat,” “strong meat.”
Paul, in addressing those whom he had taught, said, “I have fed you.”
There are many ways in which we can supply the spiritual food of the word.
We can make known the gospel to those who are in darkness.
We can instruct those who are young in the truth or deficient in knowledge.
We can strengthen those who are faint, comfort the afflicted, and warn the erring.
God has charged us to concern ourselves with each and all of these points.
The Scriptures provide richly for all conditions of mind,
and we should make it our business to be apt and faithful in fulfilling our charge.
Are we striving to do this according to the time and opportunities
which we severally have given to us?
The position we occupy is one of great privilege and honor;
we are God's mouthpiece to our generation.
Sister C.H. Jannaway
~
The greatest sign of love and loyalty we can show is active service.
Many and varied are the activities among the body of believers
and there are many willing workers whose love for God is shown by their labor.
Yet, at the same time, there are many vacancies.
There is so much to do in the service of the Master,
so little time in which to do it!
There will be nothing stagnant about the worker,
for it will be his delight to labor for his God.
Indeed, such service will be to him as essential as daily food.
He will be forever partaking of the water of life,
and will thus be able to distribute to others the results of the energy derived from it...
Sister A. Coops
1934
(Sister Alice Coops was housekeeper and friend to sister Roberts in her last years, while living in Australia.)
Doctrine
~
The earth is Yahweh's, for He made it;
it is temporarily "given into the hand of the wicked"
till the king shall come to possess it with his saints to the uttermost parts thereof.
"He hath established it for ever."
No interpretation that would falsify these statements can be true.
All theories of that kind must therefore be rejected as mere idle tales
in which only the children of the apostasy can delight.
Brother John Thomas
~
The truth comes in and makes breaches where none would be.
This is in accordance with what Christ said would be the operation of his word
-a sword and a fire, causing separations.
The truth accepted makes fast friends, other conditions being equal;
but the truth professed and betrayed, isolates from the betrayers all its true friends, whatever excellence of personal quality may exist.
If such as the individuals in question embraced the whole truth,
co-operation would follow as a natural result.
Compromise is impossible.
The truth must be upheld in all its vital elements.
One would propose to make immortality an open question; another, the judgment; another, the devil; another, the nature of Christ; another, the kingdom.
Give them all their way, and there would not be a vestige of the truth left.
The only safe policy, in the absence of the king,
is to insist on all the elements of the faith,
refusing the first false step that leads to perdition.
Degrees of knowledge there may be, but difference of faith there must not be.
One faith, one hope, one mind, and one judgment:
this is the apostolic cue, which we do well to hold on by, hoping thus to save ourselves, and all who may be influenced by us.
Brother Robert Roberts
1871
Ecclesial Harmony
The question, who should be chief, is the most destructive of all discords:
"When pride cometh, then cometh contention."
It is the Lord's express command to all who aspire to be his disciples:
"Be servants: take the lowest place."
"If any among you desire to be chief, the same shall be last of all."
When the reasonable spirit of modest self-assessment prevails, dis-union is impossible;
for each holds the other up instead of pulling him down...
No man who wants to be head is fit to be head.
The headship that comes from service is the only headship that is either useful or tolerable, or, in the long run, possible.
Where the spirit of exalting each other,
instead of exalting ourselves prevails (as Christ commands),
there is little danger of difficulty arising,
and an easy settlement of them when they do arise.
Brother Robert Roberts
Encouragement
to rejoice in everything in our lives, good and bad,
for all is of God and all is for a wise and loving purpose.
We rejoice in the fundamental, unchanging realities that God is good,
and that God is great,
and that all things work steadily forward to eternal joy.
Brother Gilbert V Growcott
Phil 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
~
A present peace, Christ certainly intends all his people to find.
His words are express on this point: “My peace I leave with you.” “Ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
He is our ever-living and guiding friend.
The world can show nothing like this -
They have their friends, but the friendship is not deep, and is mostly a thing of convenience.
And it is little that one friend can do for another, and in the long run
-we might even say the short run-of things,
they all fade off from each other's horizon-if not in life, then by death,
which waits to take them all, one by one.
But here is a friend whose friendship is unselfish, pure, divine:
who loves you for yourself and for your own love, and not for what you have:
whom time cannot weary and death cannot touch-
“who ever liveth to make intercession for us according to the will of God.”
Is not this a healing memory? Who is there among us that does not find life a weary and desert waste,
in which we toil painfully forward to the Holy City?
Who is there that does not often feel that “days are dark and friends are few?”
that fellow-man is blind, and indifferent, and even cruel?
Who is there that does not sometimes have the heart wrung deep with anguish at the failure of all hopes,
and the blighting of all prospects, and the quenching of all joy?
For all this, here is balm:
Christ knows. Christ loves. Christ understands. Christ owns us. Christ values us.
He reckons as done to himself what is done to us.
He has said so-not in our age-not to us personally: but at a time, and through channels,
and in a manner that affords absolute guarantee of truth.
He dare not speak to us personally while the process of our development goes on.
The Divine method requires one speaking for all, that faith may come into play.
We have but to call faith to our rescue.
Is it not a happy thought and a healing memory that we have such a friend who,
if all forsake, will not leave us, if we are faithful to him:
who, if all misunderstand and wrongfully accuse, knows the uttermost secrets of the heart,
and will justify us at the last and even forgive the aberrations of mortal weakness
where others exact the last pound of flesh:
and who, if he leave us in the dark paths of adversity while sin reigns on the earth,
only does so that he may stretch out his strong right hand at the right moment,
to lift us out of the grave and say,
“Come, ye blessed of my Father: inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world?”
Open your heart to all this divine comfort.
He intends you to take it, and to have it-now, in this present time.
Brother Robert Roberts
1892
~
Popularity I despise; it is an empty bubble!
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the shouts of the people,
and a few days after, they clammered against his life.
My aim is the
"well done thou good and faithful servant."
Brother John Thomas
~
A present peace, Christ certainly intends all his people to find.
His words are express on this point: “My peace I leave with you.” “Ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
He is our ever-living and guiding friend.
The world can show nothing like this -
They have their friends, but the friendship is not deep, and is mostly a thing of convenience.
And it is little that one friend can do for another, and in the long run
-we might even say the short run-of things,
they all fade off from each other's horizon-if not in life, then by death,
which waits to take them all, one by one.
But here is a friend whose friendship is unselfish, pure, divine:
who loves you for yourself and for your own love, and not for what you have:
whom time cannot weary and death cannot touch-
“who ever liveth to make intercession for us according to the will of God.”
Is not this a healing memory? Who is there among us that does not find life a weary and desert waste,
in which we toil painfully forward to the Holy City?
Who is there that does not often feel that “days are dark and friends are few?”
that fellow-man is blind, and indifferent, and even cruel?
Who is there that does not sometimes have the heart wrung deep with anguish at the failure of all hopes,
and the blighting of all prospects, and the quenching of all joy?
For all this, here is balm:
Christ knows. Christ loves. Christ understands. Christ owns us. Christ values us.
He reckons as done to himself what is done to us.
He has said so-not in our age-not to us personally: but at a time, and through channels,
and in a manner that affords absolute guarantee of truth.
He dare not speak to us personally while the process of our development goes on.
The Divine method requires one speaking for all, that faith may come into play.
We have but to call faith to our rescue.
Is it not a happy thought and a healing memory that we have such a friend who,
if all forsake, will not leave us, if we are faithful to him:
who, if all misunderstand and wrongfully accuse, knows the uttermost secrets of the heart,
and will justify us at the last and even forgive the aberrations of mortal weakness
where others exact the last pound of flesh:
and who, if he leave us in the dark paths of adversity while sin reigns on the earth,
only does so that he may stretch out his strong right hand at the right moment,
to lift us out of the grave and say,
“Come, ye blessed of my Father: inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world?”
Open your heart to all this divine comfort.
He intends you to take it, and to have it-now, in this present time.
Brother Robert Roberts
1892
~
Live much in the Bible,
and you will not be troubled much at the confusion that prevails among men -
whether those men are called brethren or not.
These confusions have existed from the very beginning,
and they are not going to end until Christ himself arrives to put things in order.
So you must not look for hope of rest in that direction.
Reading, prayer, and kind deeds will bring you peace from strifes that destroy many.
Remember the quietus that is awaiting every hot human tongue a short way ahead,
and it will help you to bear and to
"follow the things that make for peace".
Brother Robert Roberts
~
Lift up your mind out of the dust into the sky.
It is a lifelong, try-fall-and-try-again process, over and over.
Keep forcing the mind back, and up. It does not come easily.
The mind is lazy, very lazy, especially in spiritual things.
It like to grovel in the earth. It likes to potter with toys.
It like to be amused, excited, entertained -
Anything but work and labor.
But, with God's help, the mind is capable of wonderful, glorious, infinitely joyful things.
It is a marvelous device, though made of common clay.
How little we use its intended powers!
How we waste and degrade and abuse it with out infantile toys and prattle and buffoonery! God's greatest gift to us personally is conscience.
And his greatest blessing is pure conscience, through obedience that comes by love
That come by faith.
Brother Gilbert V Growcott
~
Learn
to govern the thoughts,
and it will not be difficult to govern the actions.
Exhortation
All the Most High requires of men is just to believe what He has done,
what He teaches, and what He promises;
to obey the law of faith;
to take care of the poor of His flock;
and to keep themselves unspotted from the world.
This is pure and undefiled religion ( Tit. 2:11-14 ; James 1:27 ).
But, alas! where is it to be found?
Brother John Thomas
At the eleventh hour of our own dispensation, the master is hiring servants. The existence of the word in our midst, is evidence of this. What infatuation to disregard or treat coolly the call. We may be of the number of that glorious company that will spring into being at “the manifestation of the sons of God;” but we must be like them. We must be men of faith, men of service-men of benevolent hearts; for those that are not of loving hearts are not of God; and men and women of good consciences, who would not do wrong to save their lives. Persevering in this line of character during our brief struggle with evil, realize the joy of being made one of a multitude of that description, whom no man can number, and whose former ills and frailties are all swallowed up in the glorious and deathless nature of the spirit in which there is no more sorrow or sighing. Look at that multitude, filled with everlasting joy; think that the Lamb dwells in the midst of them and shall feed them-the central sun that lighteneth every man of them that entereth that bright world. Behold them come to Zion and plant themselves in the seat of honor and power. Consider that they constitute the ruling brotherhood of the world, in whose righteous hands all the property and the power and the law, and the honor and glory of the world will be vested, for the promotion of glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and goodwill to men!
Is a place in that illustrious body not worth any trial? What infatuated creatures those men and women must be, who, having put their hands to the plough, look back, and allow their hearts to be taken and their hands weakened by the ephemeral interests of this life, which, at its best, supposing we could do all that we wished, are “vanity,” ending ultimately in the grave. How perfectly suicidal for those who have such a glorious destiny before them, to slacken their hands and become lukewarm in relation to the duties they owe to their Lord and Master. Let us beware. The bright side is pleasant to contemplate, but we must accept its dark side in present duty and reproach. We must carry the cross if we mean to wear the crown.
Brother Robert Roberts
The Christadelphian
1870
~
(Regarding Saul) " ...He did not act from a recognition of the sacred and terribly binding obligation of the divine commandment
He acted exactly as Adam and Eve did:
disobeyed from good motives as such are reckoned by the merely natural man.
In this is to be found the answer which those need who say they cannot see in what way Saul was so bad a man.
He was not a bad man according to the human standards of action.
He was a bad man according to the divine standard, which is the eternal standard.
He did not recognize the divine will as the rule of action,
but acted from human impression of what was nice, and convenient and useful,
which is all very well where the divine will has neither prescribed nor prohibited,
but which is the reverse where God has commanded.
On this same principle, we may easily discern how it is that many men are “good” men according to human estimate,
but not good according to the divine estimate.
The first ingredient of goodness towards God, without which, goodness has not begun, is obedience,
springing from knowledge which generates love and fear.
It was in this sense that Saul , though a tall man, “a goodly man to look to,”
and an amiable good-natured sort of man that would be popular with the world,
was by no means a man after God's own heart, as his successor was.
Faith
“The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
If this was suitable language for saints of the first century,
how is it unsuitable now? It cannot be so.
It can only be a saintship having a name to live but is dead,
that finds such language awkward.
Of course, there is such a thing as can't: no righteous man would advocate that;
but there is such a thing as the other extreme.
There is such a thing as being proud before God;
not broken and contrite in heart; not humble under His mighty hand; ashamed to acknowledge our dependence on Him.
This is the natural man, who is pretty strong with us all to start with.
But we have put on the new man, if we be Christ's; and the language of the new man is a different thing from that of the old.
The language of the new man is to be learnt in the Word.
The Spirit of the new man is to be drunk-in there.
Let this Word dwell richly in us, and we shall soon be at home in those pure, lofty, dignified forms of speech in which it finds expression.
If we fail to read the Word continually,
we shall fail in this matter of salt-seasoned speech.
Brother Robert Roberts
One of the great weaknesses among brethren today, generally,
is fear of their reputation in the sight of man rather that in the sight of God.
Consequently, they will scarcely ever admit mistake in case this should lower their "standing", quite forgetting that the only "honor" worth having
is that which "comes from God".
Brother Robert Roberts
~
Faith is designed for use.
Its duties are generally painful - and its services extremely arduous.
Moses found them so.
It required great faith to encounter pharaoh, and withstand a superstitious priesthood;
to brave the wrath of a despot, and be unintimidated by a whole people;
but faith is invincible:
and "By faith, Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king:
for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."
Brother John Thomas
The Hypostasis and The Elenchos
~
Faith in what God has said will keep us straight;
but the memory of what He has said, must be kept constantly bright, or faith cannot act.
Knowledge is the foundation, and this too must grow.
If we trust to the little stock we may have, we shall fall short.
Never trust a single day to yesterday's supply.
The substance of our whole being is continually on the move.
The food we take today is used up in the activities of today.
This is true physically and mentally, carnally and spiritually;
therefore we must keep up the supply,
if we wish to preserve our power, and escape running to nothing.
Brother Robert Roberts
The Christadelphian
1869
In Defense of the Faith
As Paul begat Onesimus, so Brother Thomas,
either directly or remotely, has spiritually begotten us.
His writings are as powerful to instruct us today as when Elpis Israel first appeared.
But what about Dr. Thomas' mistakes?
These are not so likely to hinder anyone's obedience to the Truth
as is the discouragement caused by those who by loud and insistent criticism
turn many away from his peerless expositions.
If what we deem to be error calls for notice,
let us take it in hand, meekly and humbly, just as we should deal with a parent's fault.
The fruit of the doctor's teaching is to be seen in hundreds of ecclesias
and in thousands of brethren rejoicing in the teaching of the Gospel.
What can the doctor's critics show as the result of their efforts?
Time spent in handing on brother Thomas' instruction
will make both ourselves and others wise unto salvation.
Those who occupy themselves thus are not likely to devote much time and energy
to our Brother's shortcomings.
Brother Robert Roberts
People are in a state of stupor from which nothing can arouse them
but the "seven thunders" soon to issue from the throne.
What then are we to do in the prospect of certain failure?
Fold our arms, and exclaim "it's no use to try; lets take it easy;
and if the world is determined to perish, bid it good speed and away"?
By no means.
If the world is bent on suicide, we have meanwhile a duty to perform,
that we may perchance save some.
Our order is to "contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints."
This is entirely opposed to do-nothing-ism.
There can be no success without effort,
though there may be much effort without success.
Brother John Thomas
Judgment
It is often claimed that this is a sick world. We disagree entirely with the description.
The troubles of the present stem not from sickness - but from sinfulness.
To describe it as being sick is to excuse its conduct;
but the evils of this present age come from a blatant refusal to heed
sound principles of morality.
We must recognize the sinfulness as such for it is the reality,
and because of it, frightful judgments will overwhelm it:
"The slain of Yahweh shall be on that day from one end of the earth
even unto the other end of the earth" (Jer. 25: 33).
The world's wickedness is deliberate and will be judged by Yahweh as such.
HPM 1987
Our Duty
Cry after knowledge; lift up thy voice for understanding; seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasure.
Exertion is never so energetic, perseverance never so tenacious, skill never so thorough, as when money is to be got.
This is the divine measure of the industry we are called upon to exercise
in the quest for the precious mental attainment variously expressed as knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.
Such earnestness and activity with such an object is repugnant to modern maxims.
“Take it easy” is the world's prescription concerning
“the one thing needful.” As to making money, there is no bound to the diligence it will allow and advise you to put forth. We have to choose between what the world advises and what God advises. We are naturally more inclined to take the world's advice, because it is more pleasant. But we do not require to go far to see that what is the most pleasant is not necessarily the best, but in all probability the worst.
The time will come when it will be manifest to all men that he only has acted the wise part who has made wisdom his friend at whatever labor and cost:
for wisdom will crown her children for ever when sinners rot in dishonored dust.
Brother Robert Roberts
1884
Our Walk
Someone once asked brother Henry Sulley:
`Are we as an ecclesia doing all in our power to be worthy of the favor of our Master?'
He replied:
"We were obliged to answer in the negative...
dear brother Roberts, there is one thing very certain,
the best way in which any brother or sister can promote the welfare of the truth,
is by becoming completely subject themselves to its precepts.
If all did this,
we should be perfectly sure that the absence of divine favor was due to the fact,
that `no more people were in the city,'
and not to want of purity or zeal on the part of those who are privileged
to be the standard bearers of Yahweh's testimony in the dark days of Gentile supremacy.”
Brother Henry Sulley
1880
Patience
"Let your patience and gentleness be known to all men."
in character
is an essential ingredient of peace of mind.
We are apt to think of patience and gentleness as virtues practiced for the sake of others,
but actually they have an even greater and more basic value to ourselves.
They are part of the invincible armament of internal peace.
They make and keep peace within ourselves even more effectively than they contribute to peace of others.
We cannot have peace unless we develop gentleness and patience.
Brother Gilbert V Growcott
Praise and Poetry
Can you put the spider's web back in its place
That once has been swept away?
Can you put the apple again on the bough
Which fell at your feet today?
Can you put the lily-cup back on the stem,
And cause it to live and grow?
Can you mend the butterfly's broken wing
That you crushed with a hasty blow?
You think that my questions are trifling, dear
Let me ask you another one:
Can a hasty word be ever unsaid,
Or a deed unkind, undone?
Selah.
1899
Reading
Eureka is a breeze of truth
that comes from the high hills of prophetic vision
upon the nearly-stagnant atmosphere of the plains of ignorance below,
blowing away the sultry vapors and dispersing incipient disease.
It is a temple of light, resplendent with the hues of precious stones:
in the courts of which, those who love the light and the truth,
will often be found.
Brother Robert Roberts
1869
We Have This Treasure
Eureka is a breeze of truth
that comes from the high hills of prophetic vision
upon the nearly-stagnant atmosphere of the plains of ignorance below,
blowing away the sultry vapors and dispersing incipient disease.
It is a temple of light, resplendent with the hues of precious stones:
in the courts of which, those who love the light and the truth,
will often be found.
Brother Robert Roberts
1869
Christadelphian History
Part 1
THE POWERFUL LESSONS IN THE LIFE OF
R.C. Bingley
THE DECLARATION/ THE BOOK UNSEALED CHARTS/ INDEX RERUM/
DEATH OF BROTHER ROBERTS
R.C. Bingley was born in 1838, and spent his early years in London, England. We are not told when or how he came to a knowledge of the Truth, or where he was baptized. We know that he moved to Chicago, Ill., probably due to the fact that his wife was from this area.
He first appeared in Christadelphian records in 1863, when he attended the Semi Annual Conference in Geneva, Illinois, which was orchestrated by Benjamin Wilson. It was during this time Benjamin Wilson became antagonistic against brother Thomas - and the Truth - and it appears Bingley did not get by unscathed by the rebellious influence. In 1867-68, R.C. Bingley and his wife made an extended visit to England, staying in Stourbridge, near Birmingham, due to work, but apparently considered Birmingham their home away from home. It was also during these years that some of Edward Turney's family lived in Stourbridge - making it the silent - but potent - seedbed of clean flesh teachings. Though R.C. Bingley did not teach these doctrines, his last (1895) work called the Index Rerum reflected the effect of this early influence.
Who Wrote the `Anonymous' Work Called:
`The Declaration'?
It was a joint production
Brother Roberts found brother Bingley very friendly and helpful as he assisted in the Christadelphian Office during his visit to Birmingham in 1867, even contributing an article to the magazine in response to the uprising of the Dowieite apostate teachings concerning the devil. This year was a very significant year in regards to the Dowieite controversy, and required many concerned brethren to visit the many ailing ecclesias in Britain to re-establish the principles of truth in which they had been mislead, or possibly failed to ever learn. Brother Bingley helped in this effort, visiting many meetings giving exhortations and lectures. It was also during this time that George Dowie came out with a 'Declaration' of what he wrongly perceived to be Bible Truth. (Christadelphian vol 4 pg. 5). To counter this dangerous document, it appears that the suggestion was made of producing a pamphlet which set forth the teachings of the Truth in purity, with the proofs printed along side the propositions, to save the student from having to look them up. The pamphlet was to be produced solely by brother Bingley, and was pre-advertised as such by The Christadelphian with anticipation of the promised work. However, it seems that after brother Bingley gathered some of the material, he lost his enthusiasm for the project altogether, and handed the project over to brother Roberts, leaving a very large amount of the layout and writing undone. Finding a heavy amount of work dropped unfinished in his lap, brother Roberts threw himself into it, as he was so well known for doing, both seeing the value of such a work - and also feeling obligated to the brotherhood, having already advertised it as forthcoming.
Brother Roberts proceeded to plan the distribution of the subjects; wrote all of the propositions; arranged all the passages that Bingley had left out, and the footnotes which brother Bingley had industriously collected, and gave structure and character to the work - this work became our 'Declaration'. Brother Roberts then tells us of the dilemma he suddenly faced: “When it was finished, I found myself in a peculiar position. I had advertised it as my friend's work and it was not his work. I did not think there was any difficulty about this, since a simple statement that it was a joint production would put the matter right.”
Brother Roberts then proposed to brother Bingley that this statement should be made - being the truth of the matter - that the pamphlet was by Bingley and revised by brother Roberts. “But, lo, my innocent suggestion was the application of a lighted match to gunpowder. I felt covered with shame; for the question of authorship in any honorary sense was nothing to me one way or other. I was simply aiming at truth and the service of the truth, and felt utterly humiliated to have to enter upon a contest in which I had to defend myself from a charge of seeking to rob another of his proper honor. If the pamphlet had not been actually in print, and ordered in hundreds by expectant readers, I would have retired from the dispute, and left each man to take his own way. As the matter stood, it had to be argued and settled. A conference of friends was brought to bear, and it was ultimately decided that the dilemma should be composed by issuing the pamphlet anonymously. A line in The Ambassador, stating in the fewest possible words that the pamphlet had been revised by me, put me right with regard to previous advertisements. Since then (twenty-seven years ago) the Declaration has circulated in thousands and thousands of copies, and remains to this day the most largely circulating publication connected with the truth.”( -My Days and My Ways 209-211) The work is still printed anonymously to this day. The lesson is very clear for all lovers of the truth.
Part 2
" Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul."
Brother and sister Bingley left Birmingham in September of 1867, and never appeared in the Christadelphian again as visiting that country. In February the following year, he delivered a course of lectures in Kankaee, Ill., then, following the unexpected death of his young child, the family moved to Chicago.
Apparently still angry with brother Roberts, R.C. Bingley threw his support into another magazine called The Marturion, (produced in Canada) becoming an agent for them in 1868. He remained their agent until December 1869, apparently discontinuing support once he realized the disastrous course it was on. Early hints of this course surfaced in `69, but became openly manifest by 1870. Dr. Thomas spoke strongly against the magazine in the `69 Christadelphian, when it's liberal and erroneous contents were brought to his attention during his “Farewell Tour” in the States. This appears to be the first signal of the magazine's demise.
During this '69 visit to Chicago, Dr. Thomas stayed with bro. Bingley, who prepared charts for Dr. Thomas' lectures regarding the prophetic times of Daniel and John. The charts, described as "The seven-sealed scroll of the Apocalypse" and the "Seven times of the kingdom of men”, were afterwards printed and published by R. C. Bingley, and sold to the brotherhood. They eventually became part (and remain as part) of Dr. Thomas' publication, "The Book Unsealed" first published in 1870.
In the year 1883 it is reported to The Christadelphian that brother Bingley was not "in harmony" with brethren for many years. This was confirmed again just two years later, when he joined hands with Robert Ashcroft in his false teaching regarding "partial inspiration" (believing that the Bible was not wholly inspired).
In 1895 R. C. Bingley published what is known as the Index Rerum, which is a reference guide of proofs on topics intended for use when discussing the Truth with the stranger. This is still published in some parts, but has never been supported by the Christadelphian, and for very good reason:
EMBRACES CLEAN FLESH HERESY
: "....The article in question looks back in the direction of the old Renunciationist heresy of about sixty years ago, of which the doctrine of “clean flesh” was a prominent feature. See the late Edward Turney's Christadelphian Lamp , the late R. C. Bingley's Index Rerum , p. 34, and the late John Bell's Shield , in which he affirmed that the Lord Jesus Christ was “ undefiled in every sense .” We know that it is alleged that this last statement is said to have been corrected or modified by the deceased. If anyone will give us chapter and verse for this, we will very gladly print and publish it. (We cannot find that the information was ever provided -BK). For the classical Christadelphian teaching on the flesh, see the sections “ The Carnal Mind ” ( Elpis Israel , part I, ch. 3., and “ The Constitution of Sin , ” ch. 4.). And as against Renunciationism and its “clean flesh” doctrine, see The Slain Lamb, The Blood of Christ , and The Atonement . " 1931
The 1968 Christadelphian confirmed the union:
"It may be wondered why the office of The Christadelphian has never supplied the booklet Index Rerum: a Ready Reference on Biblical Subjects . First published in the nineteenth century, it was reprinted in 1963 by brethren not in the Central Fellowship.The main reason is the doctrinal unsoundness of certain passages. While their significance may not be obvious to all readers, they contain the ideas that Israel might have obtained the blessings of the Kingdom apart from the death of Christ, and that Jesus was born of a nature free from the uncleanness derived from Adam. These ideas were the subject of controversy when the pamphlet first appeared, and indeed relate to other past controversies concerning the Atonement. They would imply that the promised “rest” could have been obtained without the sacrifice of Christ-either because human nature was itself capable of earning eternal life by keeping the law, or because the sacrifices under Mosaic law were efficacious for life. They are linked with the ideas that Christ was not in the original purpose of God, and that Christ was of a nature in some way different from that of the rest of humanity..." The Christadelphian, 1968 (See attachment for compete article, and other details).
Angry men seek other angry men to justify their stand, creating a sieve which draw together many disgruntled people who no longer hold the Truth in common, but instead, their anger. This is a deadly course to take, as we see R.C Bingley took, as he aligned himself with others of like spirit.
" Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul."
Part 3
"When pride cometh, then cometh shame"
R.C. Bingley and
THE DEATH OF BROTHER ROBERTS
Brother Roberts made what would prove to be his last effort to encourage and strengthen brethren, when he left Australia for San Francisco, California in September of 1898. This quiet and weary man would not speak openly of his own pains and sorrows to others, but was quick to lend an ear and offer a hand to others who needed a friend. In a letter written by his daughter, Sarah Jane Ladson, we find the reason behind the unusually heavy anxiety brother Roberts bore silently that September day:
"The crowning sorrow of his life, (what I have always thought hastened his end) - was the totally unexpected defection from The Faith of my brother.” She continues: “My father never met Edward after the said "revelation" of his true state of mind, which came after he left for Australia. (Though he wrote him. I should like to have seen that letter!) It stunned us all…” - Sarah Jane Ladson - May 1959
For a man who had lost 4 children to early death, this pain would be even greater - for Edward knew the truth, was baptized, and then left it. Just one year prior to this visit in San Francisco, Edward and his sister wife, Mary, along with the grandchildren brother Roberts loved, saw him off for his voyage to Australia, with no apparent troubles. The entry in brother Roberts' diary for that day, August 2nd, of 1897, says: "This was “the fateful day,” as Edward Augustus called it.." (Second Voyage to Australia) Though Edward was merely referring to just the immediate separation, little did they both realize it was much more; they never saw each other face to face again. Sometime during the following year, brother Roberts received a letter from Edward with the crushing news.
Arriving in San Francisco Wednesday, September 21, 1898, he was met at the wharf by brother Cheetham and R.C. Bingley. Seeing Bingley no doubt came as a surprise to him, and was a source of immediate anxiety, because he had been antagonistic to the truth and to brother Roberts for decades. He had not been in fellowship with Central for years, having either left it or being disfellowshiped for the false doctrines he held. He was now part of the Suffolk Street fellowship, following Robert Ashcroft's apostate teaching of 'Partial Inspiration' (believing that the Bible was not wholly inspired.) Brother Roberts no doubt realized this visit was destined to be an extremely stressful one from the welcoming he received at the wharf, though a brother attempted to write him to forewarn him. Brother Cheetham took him by the Post Office on the way to his hotel, and left him to rest until 6 P.M.
Brother Cheetham then picked him up, shared dinner, and the two went to the Cheetham's home. When they arrived, brother Cheetham was quite surprised to find a group of uninvited guests there waiting for them, and still more surprised to find more arrived afterwards. Brother Cheetham no doubt felt helpless in his own home, as some of the uninvited guests asked brother Roberts to speak. This was obviously a stressful evening, for these brethren knew his stand on the false doctrine they had embraced. R. C. Bingley and his wife soon became very aggressive in their attacks on brother Roberts, distressing him, as well as brother Cheetham and others. Several brethren attempted to stop R.C. Bingley, who would not hear them.
Brother Cheetham said: “Brother Roberts was no doubt upset a great deal by what had taken place. It was at brother Bingley's request that I invited brother Roberts up to my home. ” He continues: “In company with brother McCarl…(and others), I walked along the street. Brother Roberts requested to walk a few feet ahead of us, and did so until near the Hotel, when we bid him good night. Brother McCarl arranged with brother Roberts to come over the following afternoon and take brother Roberts along with him to Oakland, brother Roberts promising to speak at brother M. A. Clark's in the evening.”
The next day, brother Roberts wrote a letter telling of his experience with Bingley the night before::
Cosmopolitan Hotel,
San Francisco, September 22nd, 1898.
....I met brother Bingley last night at the house of brother Cheetham. The interview was not of a satisfactory order, but hope is not entirely absent. The embarrassments of the truth are very great in this age of divine silence and human contradictions. It is a work of difficulty to encourage the good while withstanding the encroachments of the evil. I suppose it is a training for the work that waits the accepted friends of Christ in the day of his appearing. I feel great pity for men who are doing the best they are capable of in the midst of the reigning confusion, even if the line they pursue may not be geometrically straight. We shall all stand in need of the divine patience and magnanimity at the last. I leave here tomorrow for Victoria by sea, and expect to be this way again in twelve or fifteen months, if nothing arise to prevent. Possibly the coming of the Lord may prevent. With all my heart I hope so. Do not you all say, “Amen?” My love to all the brethren with you,-Faithfully your brother, Robert Roberts .
The following evening, brother Cheetham tells us:
”Brother Roberts gave us one of the best lectures I ever heard him give, and was listened to very attentively by everyone. He was requested by brother Clark to give us a Delineation of the Truth from the beginning to the end.” “He bid goodnight to the rest of them after arriving at the ferry here, brother Roberts and I walking up to his hotel. He preferred the short walk before retiring. He spoke about his trip and hoped on his return here, everything being favorable, to stay a while with us. I bid him goodbye, not being sure of seeing him off on the steamer Queen for Victoria, B.C., the next morning. This was one block from his hotel. I wished to go right to the hotel with him, but he said, No, you have quite a way to go home yet, and it is late-"
Brother Cheetham had hurt his arm, which prevented him helping brother Roberts with his luggage, and therefore he did not plan to see him again; therefore, R.C. Bingley was to see brother Roberts off the next morning. Brother Cheetham had second thoughts, and decided to drop in at 8:30 to say goodbye, to find brother Roberts had died. It is believed he died of a heart attack, because he had heart trouble. He had taken medicine from a bottle in his bag which the doctors explained was prescribed to be for heart trouble.
We find the ending to be sad for both brother Roberts and brother Bingley: brother Roberts, who remarked in his last visit with the brethren of California, that he did not like fighting, but when there was something dear to him assailed from within and without, he was obliged to maintain a fighting attitude. And this he did to the end, for the thing most dear to him - the Truth. He also died with a broken heart with the thought of where his son would be at judgment.
The last we see of R. C. Bingley, he was vindicating himself with anger at the man who tried to help him see his destructive path. We hope, but do not know, if this changed before he died. He died out of fellowship in 1917, apparently separated from his wife ( she returned to fellowship, turning away from her erroneous thinking, and died two years before R. C. Bingley). It appears he had reflected on many things during his last years, as hinted at in this which was written by James Cheetham, the same who found brother Roberts, and reported his death:
San Francisco (Cal.).-Brother R. C. Bingley (San Francisco) died on March 8th in his 79th year. He was known to many of the older brethren of Dr. Thomas's and brother Roberts' time. He was out of fellowship with the Christadelphian body for a few years prior to his death. A few brethren and sisters were present at the funeral. He made the remark to me a few days before he died that The Christadelphian was the best paper published among the brethren, and that the Doctor was correct in what he said about Russia being King of the North, and was very much opposed to substitution views.- James Cheetham .
Prov 11:2
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
--------------------------------------------------