[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Freedom

I think that over the course of time, the Brethren ran into a lot of issues over the question of what type of relationship should exist between the local assemblies. Ironically though, had they ever existed solely as local assemblies, that would have never been an issue to begin with. It was only an issue because they existed as an informal (or formal) network of churches. The LCM likewise ran into the same issue. There was the teaching of localism, but the practice was something contradictory.

Right, and couple this with Darby's obsession for absolute control.

Muller, Craik, Chapman, and other Brethren leaders had a Baptist background and saw the Brethren fellowship as a connection of assemblies, mutually edifying one another. Darby, Wigram, and others, on the other hand, were Anglican priests or raised in the Anglican church, which had a strong central administration similar to that in Rome. Two conflicting viewpoints. Muller was a strong proponent of the local eldership, and Darby saw the needed oversight of all those elders -- an unnamed bishopric of sorts. Both early-Lee and early-Nee were the former (Antioch Principle), and both later-Nee and later-Lee were the latter (Jerusalem Principle), and both in the likeness of Darby.

Initially, Darby espoused so-called "autonomous" assemblies, and saw the Spirit blessing their ministry abundantly. Whole churches in Great Britain would join their movement, and cut their former fellowship ties. Eventually Darby was convinced that he alone was the guardian/leader of the Brethren faith, and other renowned and influential leaders, such as Groves, Muller, and Newton, were considered dangerous rivals and a threat to the movement requiring his “battle for the soul of Brethrenism.” Darby basically felt compelled to beat them into submission, or expel them as threats. The charges he brought against Newton and Muller were completely bogus -- No different than the charges brought against Ingalls, So, Mallon and later on Titus Chu, Tomes, et.al.

Darby's system of control was willing to throw any brother under the bus. His version of "blended brothers" were in London, at the Park Ave meeting hall. The brilliant Wm. Kelly was his chief editor, very much like today's Ron Kangas. While Darby was on his deathbed, Kelly disagreed with the farcical excommunication of old Dr. Cronin over the breaking of bread. (The exact same scenario as what later excommunicated W. Nee.) Park Ave. "Blendeds" expelled Kelly on a rules technicality! Then Darby conceded it was "God's will."

Sure it was God's will. But not as Darby thought. It was the same as when Jesus was on earth and His followers were put out of the Synagogue -- Freedom!